Racing is back at Western Speedway. The Langford oval will play host to Western Canada’s oldest Stock Car race, the Canada 200.
CHEK News will team up with Roll.Focus. Productions to show the race live flag to flag.
“We’ve got a great partnership with CHEK and it just keeps growing and we’re just extremely excited about the ability to make this race live,” says Western Speedway general manager Daryl Crocker.
“This Tv opportunity is just one of those examples of something that’s turned bad but now it’s turned good,” adds driver David Smith.
The 200 is the first chance for driver’s in the speedway’s Late Model division to turn competitive laps at the Langford oval.
“Well it’s going to be a challenge for everybody to get behind the wheel of these things because we haven’t had the usual practice that we’ve had,” says Smith.
“This Canada 200’s going to be a tough one,” he adds.
It’s taken months of planning for the event to go ahead, with strict social distancing measures in place to ensure a safe weekend of racing.
“It’s going to be a lot of work for me and everyone who helps me out here to make sure that we follow these strict COVID protocols to a tee, but I’m confident we can do it and getting to watch racing for once this season at the track is going to be awesome,” says Crocker.
The live camera work will be handled by Roll.Focus., with several unique angles in mind. CHEK News will provide the on-air talent, with Cole Sorenson providing lead commentary and Jeff King working the pits.
“There’s no fans whatsoever but you’re going to be able to enjoy the race from the comfort of your own home. We’ve got a high-quality production company (Roll.Focus.) helping us with it, we’re going to have in-car cameras, replays,” says Crocker.
The night will also feature the documentary “Before I’m Gone,” highlighting David Smith’s battle with stage 4 cancer, as well as the 2019 season at the track.
“We’ve been working on that now for over a year with the film crew and the guys have really done a great job,” says Smith.
The Canada 200 goes green Sunday, Sept. 6 on CHEK. More details to come closer to the broadcast date.
Cole Sorenson
