Laird Raceway drops green flag next Thursday

Drivers are making their final tune-ups in preparation for the fifth season of stock car racing at Laird International Raceway.

Track owner Donnie Varcoe has made a few changes to program this season that he believes will create more competition among the drivers and more excitement for the fans.

The biggest change will see the Late Model division combined with the Super Stock division to create one division featuring many of the area's best drivers.

"It's all about the fans here and we're trying to make it more exciting for them," said Varcoe. "It's going to be an exciting year, we have a new division where we're teaming up the late models and super stocks and that's going to bring a lot of people out."

In addition, Varcoe will add a special feature to the program each Thursday including longer feature races, four cylinder race the track backwards, spectator drags, powder puff races, four cylinder mid-race reverse and a four cylinder hot dog race.

Official Mike Huffman will return as flag man as well as the public address team of Greg Brazeau and George Pinder.

Drivers will have a final tune-up for opening night tomorrow as Varcoe will open the track for driver test runs should the weather cooperate.

Racing for the 17 week season begins at 7 p.m. each Thursday. LIR is located on Lake George Road off Highway 17 just east of Echo Bay.