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Penticton Speedway prepares for first race of the year

Limited capacity and social distancing protocols in place after track closed for months
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The Penticton Speedway will reopen July 4, 2020 after missing months of the season due to COVID-19. (Penticton Speedway photo)

Racing season is back in Penticton.

The Penticton Speedway will be open to spectators Saturday, July 4, with the first race of the year set to take place at 7 p.m.

READ MORE: B.C. reports 12 new COVID-19 cases as officials urge caution for Canada Day

Under normal circumstances, the track opens in April and provides entertainment all summer long. However like many others, the track was forced to close for months due to COVID-19.

Now, with Phase 3 of the province’s reopening plan in place, the Speedway is ready to bring spectators back to the show.

The Speedway has received Interior Health’s blessing to reopen and organizers say all protocols put in place by the health authority will be enforced.

Bleachers will be split into sections for social distancing, hand sanitizer and masks will also be available although event organizers encourage you to bring your own, and attendants will also be on site to make sure the regulations are followed.

The Speedway also had to significantly lessen the number of tickets it sells. Normally, the venue can hold up to 5,000 spectators. But due to social distancing, organizers say they will only sell 1,500 to 2,000 tickets.

Overall, organizers are just excited to be back.

“I think with all the different protocols we’ll have in place, we should be able to, as safely as possible, hold an event and have some fun,” said owner Johnny Aantjes.

Tickets are first come and serve and will be available at the door of the track’s 2070 Carmi Ave location.

Spectators can expect fast cars and high-flying destruction as cars launch over a ramp and through a motorhome at the Speedway’s the 22-acre outdoor venue.

If you wish to drive in an upcoming event, email speedway17@shaw.ca.

READ MORE: COVID-19: Should non-medical masks be mandatory in Canada?

@PentictonNews
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Jesse Day

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