Green flag set to drop at Laird International Raceway

Laird international Raceway officially announced this week that May 31 will be opening day for the 2012 season.

Originally scheduled to drop the green flag on May 24, management opted to push the date back, giving officials added time to finish off improvements to the facility. May 24 will now be used as a test and tune for drivers and will be open to the public free of charge.

The 14th anniversary season will see many returning faces, some of which will find themselves in new divisions for 2012.

Following is a full release from LIR regarding the start of the racing season:

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SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Roaring engines will return to the Twin Sault's & surrounding areas in just over two week's time.

Management of the Laird International Raceway is excited to announce their official opening night for the upcoming 2012 season will be THURSDAY, MAY 31ST. The first green flag will drop at 7 p.m. at the Lake George speedplant with a full show consisting of all six of their weekly racing divisions: Twisted Toyz Motorsports Super Late Models, Caswell Concrete Outlaw Modifieds, LIR Modifieds, Maitland Motors Factory Stocks, KM Construction Xtreme Fours and Leisure Living Factory Four division.

With on-going facility improvements, management opted to set the date accordingly and will now use May 24 as a Test and Tune session for all drivers. (grandstand admission is FREE and encouraged for spectators wanting an early preview of the cars)

LIR enters its 14th Anniversary Season in 2012.

Four of your top five drivers in the Twisted Toyz Motorsports Super Late Models are expected to return led by defending track champion Paul McLean (10). It was one year ago McLean ended the year with a 33-point lead over 2001/2002 track champion Terry McClelland to take the division crown.

The fastest full-bodied cars in the world will get that much faster in 2012, as a 4-barrel carburetor will be bolted under the hoods of the track's premiere division.

The Caswell Concrete Outlaw Modified division is expected to see a new track champion crowned this summer. In just the division's 3rd year of existence, the Outlaw Modifieds should see the likes of Keith King, Tristan Anderson, Jordan Sims, Terry McClelland, Cody MacLean and Ted Ritchie vie for the year-end prize.

Meanwhile the LIR Modified division could quite possibly be tighter and larger than one year ago. After 17 different drivers competed one season ago, the division will welcome new-comers Kevin Pace and AJ Daniel to the mix of the veteran-filled field of cars.

Dan Byrnes (46), finished 4th one season ago and represents the highest returning driver expected. Meanwhile Zak St. John (2) has made major changes to his machine in preparation for his 2nd season at LIR.

In the Maitland Motors Factory Stocks, eight different drivers have drove to the track championship in the last 8 years. And looking ahead defending track champion Jamie Fox (51) and 2010 champ Kyle Jarrett (27) will both return for another season.

In other garages, Marty Devon (49) will look to build upon his 3rd place finish one season ago while it's expected that Brad Bibeau will hop behind the wheel of his dad's #08 car on a more regular basis and 2011 Super 4 runner-up Rebecca Fewchuk is ready to become just the 2nd female competitor in the division.

A field of KM Construction Xtreme Fours will replace the Super Four division and make their weekly debut on opening night, Sault Ste. Marie, ON competitor and 2nd-generation pilot Jakob Bourdage (98) is expected to battle for the title along with young gun Dustin Jackson (61), Brandon Servant (10), Wes Greco (95) and Daniel Bibeau (08). The small but mighty machines are sure to appeal to all fans with cars that replicate late models, mini-mods and racing trucks.
Lastly, but anything but least, the Leisure Living Factory Four Division (former Stock Fours), victory lane will be wide open to crown the 11th different champion in as many years.

And with the top two finishers from one year ago moving on to other divisions, Leila Uhlman (11) and Brent Fewchuk (3) will look to improve upon last year's results.

Add in the influx of returning and newcoming drivers, Factory Four fans should be witness to the largest field at LIR.

A price freeze has taken place on all general grandstand admission tickets as Adults are $14, Seniors $12, Students (12-18) $6 while Children 11 & Under are just $3.

Fans can take advantage of FLEX pack tickets for Adults & Seniors by saving $2 per night while an unbelievable CHILD SEASON PASS is available for a limited time only of just $10. (passes can be purchased at Lakeway Truck Centre).

For more information on LIR don't' forget to stop by our official website at www.lairdraceway.com, LIKE US on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lairdraceway and FOLLOW us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@LairdRaceway
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