EDMONTON, AB – The start of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series 2017 race season remains on hold. Last month’s scheduled season opener at Central Alberta Raceways in Rimbey was cancelled due to a lack of entries. As the race [May 26/27] was being cancelled, a tentatively planned appearance at Sangudo Speedway on June 24th and 25th was also called off. Track officials in Sangudo, Alberta were announcing they would be delaying the start of their season to mid-July. This is only the second time in the 17 year history of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series that a single race will not be competed in the months of May and June. “We’ve had delays to the start of our seasons before,” admits NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “but it was always weather related and not a combination of a lack of cars or tracks not opening.” Back in 2013 the NPP Series season did not start the season until July 19th thanks to five consecutive rainouts. “Five rainouts kicked off our season. I remember this well.” Rainouts in Edmonton, Rimbey and Drumheller moved the 2013 season opener to the Gold Cup weekend in Edmonton. “We got the first night [of the Gold Cup] completed but then night number two was rained out.”

For 2017, the Gold Cup at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway on July 21st and 22nd, will be the race that hopefully starts the season for NPP Series competitors. “This is a significant race for us. The NPP Late Model has been the support class for this event since 1999. The NPP Late Model also made its Edmonton debut at this race.” The Gold Cup, first competed in 1954, is Canada’s oldest open wheel sprint car race. NPP Series officials are working behind the scenes trying to secure a decent car count for this race. “It’s crucial we run this event.”

FIRST RACE OF SEASON TIMELINE
2017 – ????
2016 – June 10th**
2015 – May 23rd
2014 – June 7th**
2013 – July 19th**
2012 – May 12th
2011 – June 4th**
2010 – May 15th**
2009 – May 16th**
2008 – May 17th**
2007 – May 19th**
2006 – May 13th**
2005 – May 7th
2004 – May 8th
2003 – May 10th
2002 – May 11th
2001 – May 19th

** official start of race season delayed due to weather

SIDENOTE: Team NPP is back in action this weekend in Elma, Washington. Victoria, BC’s Lane Zerbin is behind the wheel of the Northern Provincial Pipelines/Alien Chassis #81 Modified and is competing in the Washington Modified Tour event at Grays Harbor Raceway on Saturday, June 17th. Racing starts at 7PM (pacific time).

UPDATE: Race action at Grays Harbor Raceway was rained out on Saturday night.