* Rain has caused postponement of  the first race of the season. It will now be held next weekend.

(May 12, 2016) Maritime stock car fans will be treated to the first racing of the 2016 season when Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick opens its gates this weekend. The Riverview Ford Season Opener Weekend begins with a pre-season tech inspection and practise session at 1PM on Saturday, followed by the racing in four exciting divisions at 2PM on Sunday. 

“There’s a lot of anticipation about the 2016 racing season and we’re excited to invite fans to come out to see some incredible racing this weekend” said Speedway 660’s Max Roy. “The Riverview Ford Season Opener is always a highlight of the racing season and we expect a full field of cars including a lot of rookies in our four divisions.”Matt Harris was fast right off the trailer last May, winning the 2015 Riverview Ford Season Opener Pro Stock 50 lap feature. 

One of the big stories, heading into the 2016 season, is a strong group of rookies lining up to challenge the veterans in the RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division.  Ashton Tucker, fresh off a 2015 Bando championship, will move all the way up to Speedway 660’s top division. Brent Roy, the 2014 Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman champ is also moving up. Devin Snell, Braxton Stafford, Cody Price, Jeff Doherty and Brandon Skidmore are among the other drivers who will move into pro stock this season.Braxton Stafford had some good runs in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman division last season including a feature win. This season the kid from Blackville is one of several rookies moving up to pro stock.  

“We have always been proud to be the only Speedway in our region to provide fans with a weekly pro stock division and this season we sure are excited about the large group of rookies in our top division” said Roy. “To be the best you have to beat the best and these talented rookies will be going up against some of the best in the business including Lonnie Sommerville, Greg Fahey, Dave O’Blenis, Matt Harris and Big Kevin Moore.”Kevin Moore came a close second in the RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock division standings in 2015. Big Kevin is hoping to claim his first championship later this summer.

In addition to the Re/Max Pro Stocks, fans will be treated to racing in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman, DMR Auto Sales Street Stocks and Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters.

“Our four weekly divisions are all highly competitive and give fans some of the best racing in Canada” said Roy. “Race teams have worked hard all winter preparing their cars for the 2016 season and we encourage fans to come out to see them this weekend at Saturday’s pre-season tech inspection and practice session and Sunday’s Riverview Ford Season Opener.”Our street stock division is always competitive and provides fans with lots of awesome action. Several drivers from our bando and sharp shooter divisions are moving up to street stock this season.

Ticket prices for Saturday’s event are $10 per person and pit passes are $2. Adult ticket prices are $14 for Sunday’s Riverview Ford Season Opener. Youth tickets (eight to 15 years of age) are $10 and pit passes are $2. The Family Pass, which includes tickets for two adults and two youths, is $38. Children seven and under are admitted free on both days.

There are no rain dates for this weekend’s events. If the weather is unsettled on Saturday and/or Sunday, fans and race teams are encouraged to call the Speedway 660 race line at 506-454-7223 or visit www.speedway660.com for race day status updates.

Speedway 660 is one of Canada’s premier stock car racing facilities. Located in New Brunswick’s Fredericton region, it attracts race teams and fans from the Maritimes, New England and Quebec. The Speedway 660 racing season runs from mid May until Labour Day Weekend. SpeedWeekend 2016, one of the most prestigious short track events in eastern North America, wraps up Speedway 660’s racing season.