Looking Forward to 2015 at Cape Breton Speedway, by Ken MacIsaac

Well-known motorsports archivist, photographer, and enthusiast Ken MacIsaac (KM) stopped by his home track at Cape Breton Miners Memorial Speedway last weekend and visited with owners Bill Vasil (BV) and Lynn Vasil(LV). The three talked about the Vasil’s first season as track owners in 2014, as well as preparations and expectations for 2015. Ken’s complete interview follows…

KM – “It’s been a long winter. How’s it looking for next month’s season opener (June 6)?”

LV – “It’s looking good.  Right now, the parking lot and pits are still pretty wet, but if we get some warm, dry weather, we’ll be fine.”

KM – “I know you guys have a lot of continuous improvement plans, but what’s your priority right now for this season?”

LV – “For starters, the canteen.  We did a lot of work to it last year, but this year we’ll have the fryers operating. We’ll be able to cook our own hamburgers and fries.  Can’t wait for that.  We also have a Lap Tower coming. It’ll be here soon. It’ll show the top 5 positions in the race.  It’s something different for the track, and people like seeing ‘good’ additions. We’re excited to get it.

BV – “Once the pits dry up, we plan on gravelling the whole area.  Also want to move the tech shed up closer to the track exit (turn 2).  We have an electrician and Nova Scotia Power coming next week to look at our lighting situation.  I had the lights  from the tower on last week, so I know they work.  But we plan on having lights this summer.  Won’t have them for the June race, but planning on using them for the July race.”

KM –“You had to be pleased with the positive response you received last year?

LV – “Overall, we’re very happy with the response we received  from the drivers, fans, everyone. It’s all been positive.

BV – “The quality of racing we had here last year, especially the last race where it ended up in a tie, I mean, all 3 series we had to wait until the last race to find out who the champion was. Doesn’t get much better than that.   For the last race, the car count was so high,  we almost had a problem fitting everybody in the pits.  But I plan on straightening the entrance to the track from the pit…so we can have haulers park closer to the fence.  That’ll utilize more space in the pits, giving us more room for cars and haulers.”

KM – “How’s competitor interest for this season?”

LV – “We have close to 30 sportsman registered for the series,  which includes Riverside and here. We have  22 minis registered so far, and 7 or 8 steet stocks registered.  But when we say ‘registered’,  we mean ‘paid’ registration.  Obviously there’s more folks out there who plan on racing, but they’re not ‘officially’ registered.  There’s a lot of perks for pre registering in the Sportsman class. A lot.”

KM – “I know you’re always looking for sponsorship help.  There’s so much more you can do to the track with a little help.”

LV – “The main sponsors we have are amazing. Such great people.  Atlantic Cat, Cape Breton Trailer Sales, Gillis Building Center, and of course Napa in Antigonish and New Glasgow.  Just wonderful.  But we still need more advertisers. “

BV – “If we can secure a good track sponsor, you’re going to see a new tower.”

KM – “I know you have long term plans. Tell me about that?”

BV – “If the track makes money, we’re putting it back into the track. We’ll make as many improvements as we can.  My ultimate goal is getting the pro stocks here.  Currently it really boils down to scheduling.   There’s just no open dates.    But I’m not giving up.  For now, we’re looking to build upon last season.”

Cape Breton Miner’s Memorial Speedway season opener is June 6.  To learn more about Cape Breton Miner’s Memorial Speedway please visit www.cbminersmemorialspeedway.ca.