DRAYTON VALLEY, AB. – Alberta’s ongoing labor shortage is now affecting the province’s motorsport scene. Due to a lack of qualified staff, track management of Rapid Fire Motorsports Park has been forced to cancel the Fathers Day race weekend at Drayton Valley (June 16th/17th). The $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series race events scheduled for the same dates have also been cancelled. “They have maybe 2 volunteer staff members and that’s it,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “we’ve lost races to the weather before but never due to a shortage of manpower. I’d never thought I’d see a day where a race would have to be cancelled in this way.” Last year the Drayton Valley track had close to 40 volunteers and staff making sure the event ran smoothly. “I guess not even the fun and high octane excitement of working at a race track can overcome the lure of high paying jobs in the oil patch.” Defending NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy is disappointed with the cancellation of the race. “I was looking forward to this race,” indicates the Edson, Alberta driver, “I’ve done well in the past here and was thinking this track may be what the doctor ordered to get my season going in the right direction.” Kennedy, who swept the Drayton Valley event last year, currently sits 17th in the points well back of leader Jason Beaulieu. The current point leader is also disappointed about the cancellation of the event. “I’ve never raced in Drayton Valley before,” says the Campbell River, BC driver, “it’s a fast track and a real driver’s track from what I’ve heard.” Beaulieu however quickly found a replacement event to go compete at. He’ll load up his other race car (Dirt Modified) and will now compete at Gray’s Harbor Raceway in Elma,Washington instead. “Never raced there either but at least we’ll get some extra seat time this weekend.” Next race event for NPP Late Model Series is the Canada Day long weekend. Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway plays host to the 14th running of the Oilmen’s Invitational.

NEXT NPP SERIES EVENT
2007 OILMEN’S INVITATIONAL
Saturday/Sunday – June 30th / July 1st
Racing @ 6:00pm both nights.