COVID-19 Cancels June Event at Sydney Speedway June 4, 2020 Regional SYDNEY, NS – Sydney Speedway has canceled their opening weekend of the 2020 season, scheduled for June 13 and 14, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with restrictions beginning to lift in the Province of Nova Scotia, sporting events are limited to ten people per gathering as announced by the government on Friday, May 26. “We are hopeful that restrictions will be further eased that we can host an event or multiple events in the 2020 season,” said Greg Dowe, owner of Sydney Speedway. “We urge everyone to follow the directives set out by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Department of Health, to stay safe and we hope to be back to racing sooner rather than later.” When the time is right for restrictions to be eased around sporting venues such as Sydney Speedway, Dowe has not shut the door on competitor only events. While it is something several tracks in the region said they would not look at, the track is looking at several ways to make the business model work. “The message from competitors throughout the Province is that they want to race and we would like to be the place they come to chase checkered flags at once we get the green light to do so,” said Dowe. “We love our fans, our sport would not be the same without the passion that they bring to the speedway. Our plan, should we be able to host competitor only events, would include video broadcasting, whether live or on-demand, through our media partners. That way, everyone can share in the sport we love while also providing a safe environment to do so.” Track rentals for private testing will tentatively begin during the week of June 8. Teams will be limited to four-person crews (one driver plus three additional members) during their rental with a maximum of two teams being allowed to rent the facility at the same time. This keeps the gathering to a maximum of ten or less on the grounds with the inclusion of up to two Sydney Speedway employees on the property. All social distancing and the Department of Health guidelines must be followed. Teams can book the track by contacting Greg Dowe by email (greg@sydneyspeedway.ca) or by messaging the Facebook page. Improvements to the facility are also being made. These include expanding and adding gravel to the pit area along with improving drainage around the property. Further announcements on future events, including the next scheduled event on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, will be made as they draw closer. About Sydney Speedway:Opened in 1975, Sydney Speedway has built a racing tradition on Cape Breton Island over the past four decades. Purchased in 2019 by local businessman and racing enthusiast Greg Dowe, the track is home to a number of stock car racing divisions, a destination for local touring series and motorsports events. For more information on Sydney Speedway, find them online on various social media platforms at @SydneySpeedCA.
