Some said it would never happen.

Many longtime observers within the local racing fraternity felt the animosity between Pro All Stars Series (PASS) owner Tom Mayberry and American-Canadian Tour (ACT) boss Tom Curley would prevent any type of cooperation between the two groups.

Mayberry and family also own and operate Oxford Plains Speedway, having purchased it from Bill Ryan Jr. in October of 2012.

Those feelings disappeared late Thursday afternoon when officials of both sanctioning bodies announced they have reached an agreement to work together in the 2015 season. 

The first combined event with both sanctioning bodies is slated for Saturday, April 18, at Oxford. Both the ACT Late Models and PASS North Super Late Models will compete in 150-lap feature events.

ACT officials have also agreed to keep their 2015 schedule clear on Oxford 250 weekend, set for Aug. 28-30. There will be no ACT race or makeup event on the date of the 2015 Oxford 250.

“This agreement between PASS and ACT is going to be very good for New England and Canadian race fans,” Mayberry said in a prepared release. “ACT Late Model teams spent many years racing at Oxford, and they always put on some terrific shows. This move will also allow a number of ACT teams who have Super Late Models to compete against the stars of PASS. We see this as a win-win for both teams and fans.”

Reaction from central Maine racers was positive Thursday evening. Several of the drivers now competing in the premier Pro Late Model class at Oxford also ran ACT-style Late Models in the past.

Two-time and defending Pro Late Model champion T.J. Brackett said the news  surprised and excited a number of his colleagues.

“I think it’s going to be great for everybody involved,” Brackett said. “It gives the teams more options, the fans more excitement, and it should do well to promote both series. I also think you’ll have some guys lining up rides so they can run both 150s next spring. I was surprised, but super happy to learn that the two groups have set aside their differences.”

Evan Beaulieu has raced at Oxford and Beech Ridge in recent seasons with his familiar No. 56 entry. He also does public relations work for the NELCAR Legends tour and has a deep passion for short track racing in general.

“This news helps short track racing as a whole,” Beaulieu said. “You really can’t afford to compete for race teams and fans within the tight confines of northern New England. By working together on this April doubleheader and on 250 weekend, it sets a positive tone for fans. Not having two major events on the same date just makes good sense for all. I’m anxious to get back to Oxford next year.”

Lewiston native Corey Morgan is a fixture in the pits at Oxford, but said the cooperation between ACT and PASS might possibly be too little, too late.

“I wish these guys (Curley and Mayberry) would have buried the hatchet about three or four years ago,” Morgan said. “A lot of us in lower divisions simply burned ourselves out and went broke trying to build cars that met the rules in whatever series controlled Oxford at the time. I hope this move isn’t too late, and it may be the only way either series can thrive in the long-term. I’m nervous as to whether or not it will last, but we all can enjoy some great racing while this partnership exists.”

ACT founder and president Tom Curley is one of the most savvy, seasoned promoters. His ACT tour has evolved over the years from a Pro Stock tour up through 1995, to the present-day, cost-controlled Late Model series.

“I see this project between ACT and PASS as a work in progress,” Curley said in the official ACT release. “We expect that other possibilities can result from this initial negotiation and are excited about working with Tom (Mayberry) going forward. It certainly should provide for an exciting new era of racing in our region for both the fans and race teams.”

pwhipple@sunjournal.com

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