Westshore Speedway could begin races in the coming weeks

The newly named Westshore Speedway could begin its 2021 season as early as next weekend.

The property, which was sold to new owners in 2020, hosted just one event last season due to COVID-19, however, general manager, Daryl Crocker says cars will be back on the track sooner than later.

“It won’t be this weekend, but maybe as early as next weekend,” Crocker said.

Crocker says they’re working closely with Island Health to get the green light.

“We’ve had them out for a site visit, we verbally went over a whole bunch of scenarios that we need to implement to keep people safe,” said Crocker.

The speedway must now submit a safety plan for approval and once that’s done they’re off to the races.

“2020 was a long, long year for the racing community. We were only able to do the one event and everyone’s just been chomping at the bit since then to get their cars on the track,” said Crocker.

There’s perhaps nobody more eager than longtime racer Dave Reside, who, for the first time in over 30 years, missed out on racing last season.

“It’s been really hard on a lot of guys. We spend a lot of time and effort on the cars together,” Reside said.

“That’s been as tough as not racing, not having the crew come over and work on the car, the camaraderie and the family aspect of it.”

Racers will return soon, but fans will have to wait a little while longer.

“We’re heading in the right direction, slowly. Maybe by July or August, depending on how the vaccine rollout works, we’ll start with a small amount of people in the stands and then go from there,” said Crocker.

The new owners have notified Westshore Speedway management that the 2022 season will be the final one at the historic track, however, they’ve agreed to help find and finance a new location.

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