Day of Destruction gets a new season underway at Penticton Speedway starting on Sunday.
Hornet, Streetstocks and Hit to Pass are ready to make some noise, while the opening is also raising money for Have A Heart for Kids. Penticton Speedway has formed a foundation in which it will distribute money to charities.
What excites owner Johnny Aantjes about 2012 is to continue seeing progress.
“We have had four good years,” said Aantjes.
Penticton Speedway will have new stock cars, a solid group of Hit to Pass and hornet cars.
Last season the Penticton Speedway averaged crowds between 1,000 to 2,000 and Aantjes is hoping for the same.
Going into a new season, Aantjes said he wants to see the popularity of the sport maintained.
“The economy has been hard on the sport,” he said.
One of the things that they will continue is the car giveaway. This year, a 2011 Ford Mustang is up for grabs.
Aantjes said that giving away a car helps to attract spectators, plus this year they won’t limit who has a chance to win. Every weekend 25 names will be picked out. Following the 17 events, there will be 425 people with a chance to win.
A new addition to the circuit will be go-karts. That decision is aimed to make the track busier and to use more days. He also said they are looking to add ziplines.
“This town needs more things for people to do,” he said. “There needs to be other options other than the beach.”
Race festivities begin at 2 p.m.
