EDMONTON, AB. – It will be at least another season before the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series competes south of the border. “We were aiming for a two-day show at Grays Harbor Raceway,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “unfortunately the dates we had weren’t meshing well so the plan [to race at GHR] has been dropped for this year.” The decision not to race in the United States in 2012 leaves a fairly big gap in the middle of the schedule. “In the past, planning a race schedule was fairly straight forward. This year it has been a huge challenge.” The closure of Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge at the end of last season and Rocky Mountain Raceway Park in 2009 has only added to the challenge. “These two tracks always scheduled race dates on long weekends. It was a perfect fit for us.” Craig admits that there is some frustration from drivers in regards to a lack of a confirmed season schedule. “I get phone calls and e-mails every day asking when the schedule will be completed.” Despite the delay Craig says there are eight confirmed race dates. “Barring any last minute hiccups, six dates are confirmed for Edmonton and two for Rimbey.” Craig adds that he’d still like to see a few more out of town dates on the schedule. “We tried to get a long weekend race at Speedy Creek in Swift Current, Saskatchewan but like Edmonton, they did not have any long weekend dates scheduled this year.” The NPP Late Model Series however continue talks with two tracks in British Columbia. “We have been in contact with officials at both Merritt Speedway and Taylor Speedway regarding a possible August and/or September long weekend event.” This would be a first-time visit for the NPP Late Model Series to British Columbia if either long weekend race dates in August and September are secured.

2012 NPP SERIES SCHEDULE (tentative dates)
April 28th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
May 5th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
May 12th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
June 8th – Central Alberta Raceways; Rimbey
June 9th – Central Alberta Raceways; Rimbey
June 30th/July1st – Open long weekend
July 20th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
July 21st – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
August 4th/5th – British Columbia??
August 18th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton
August 25th – Central Alberta Raceways; Rimbey
September 1st/2nd – Open long weekend
September 15th – Castrol Raceway; Edmonton

**C.A.R. officials may change the August 25th date due to conflicting race event in Edmonton.