Drivers awoke Friday morning to an unfamiliar sight.
No rain.
While the sun was still absent, the dry overcast skies raised hopes that auto racing will return to Oxford Plains Speedway tonight.
Rain has washed out three of the first four scheduled weekend cards, robbing the raceway of a momentum-building opening. And as of Thursday, track owner Bill Ryan said rain had fallen continuously on the facility since last Saturday.
The cautious optimism due to Friday’s weather and the hopeful weather forecast today (chance of showers in the afternoon), suggests that the green flag will fly at 6:30 p.m. for the second time this spring.
“As long as the track is dry, we’re all set,” said Ryan. “The parking lot will probably still be a mess. In terms of the track, thankfully there’s not much that needs to be done.”
As April showers continued throughout May, Oxford Plains has squeezed in one race – the weekly racing series, featuring the Mini Stock 100 on May 14. Even that crowd, according to Ryan, was smaller than usual due to a threat of rain that didn’t arrive until after the race was completed.
The weather also canceled a planned practice session the week prior to the scheduled opener, and last Friday’s kickoff of the Go-Kart series.
“It’s a real negative impact, both financially and emotionally for our fans and our racers,” said Ryan. “Fans obviously look forward to the start of the season. The racers work all winter getting their cars prepared for the spring. And then, spring doesn’t show up.
“You don’t get people into the habit and the mindset and all the enthusiasm that builds up for an opening day.”
OPS isn’t the only area track fighting through a difficult spring. Wiscasset, for instance, has lost four of six dates, while the Busch North Series has seen every scheduled race postponed.
Ryan called the shuffling of the race calendar “a nightmare” as he tries to squeeze in shows to an already packed schedule.
“You really have to to take this broad view of what you’re doing for your drivers, for your fans and for your competition,” Ryan said.
The weather has already forced Ryan to reschedule two of the three touring series scheduled to pass through Oxford in 2005. After being postponed two consecutive weeks, the Pro All Star Series has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 3, as part of a doubleheader holiday weekend. The American Canadian Tour race, washed out last weekend, will now take place the day before the Banknorth 250.
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