2003year

    Looking Back on the 2003 Season

      Now that the 2003 season in Maritime stockcar racing is in the record books, it is always nice to glance back and remember the highlights of another great season.
       The MPST enjoyed irs best season to date running eleven events and declaring John Flemming points champion for the second year in a row. Many of the tour drivers also participated in several other events - PASS tour, Atlantic Cat 250, Irving Oil Coca Cola 250, Oxford 250, Big Dawg Challenge, Forbes 200, and the Atlantic Championships. These events brought racing to a new high in the Maritimes.
        2003 saw the introduction of a new class of racing in the Maritimes. Jim Duke introduced the Atlantic Open Wheels at Riverglade in May and ran a very successful ten race tour, concluding with two races at NBIS during Speedweekend. Chris Garnet was declared innaugural champion of the AOW.
        Eight paved ovals operated in the Maritimes this season and every one of them treated fans to a full program of thrills and excitement, even though Mother Nature kept " RAIN " foremost in our thoughts most of the year.
        Scotia Speedworld operated four classes this year from May until September as well as playing host to several special events, including a visit from the Monster Trucks.
        The Grand Old Lady,Riverside Speedway, enjoyed a banner season under the watchful eye of sophmore operators Allan and Bernadette Withers. As well as hosting two Prostock events, Riverside was home to the Legends Tour this year and operated three classes on a weekly basis until the end of September.
        Island Speedway in Cape Breton struggled a bit with car counts this year but what was lacking in numbers was made up with thrills and excitement. The loyal fans were also treated to a visit from the Monster Trucks this year.
        Miramichi City Speedway ran two classes of cars for most of the season and added the Thunder cars to their lineup in August. They also played host to some of the AOW races and had a very successful Demolition competition in four parts. Champions were declared in all classes.
        Riverglade Speedway, the oldest track in the Maritimes, sported a brand new look this year with a resurfaced and slightly redesigned track. They hosted the first and several of the AOW races as well as several major Sportsman events, including the 38th annual International 139 for Sportsmen. They also crowned champions in all four regular classes of racing.
        Raceway Park ( formerly Oyster Bed Bridge) ran a complete season of both Stock car and drag racing with champions being crowned in all divisions as well.
        New Brunswick International Speedway operated three weekly classes including the only weekly Prostock class in the Maritimes as well as playing host to the MPST, AOW, and PASS tours. The highlight of their season was Speedweekend, held on the Labour Day weekend during which the Irving Oil Coca Cola 250 was run. Fan facilities were improved with the addition of more grandstands and enlarged camping facilities this year.
          Last but not least, Molson Centre for Speed ran four regular classes and played host to two MPST events plus Monster trucks. Several specialty events were held and the season was capped off with a highly sucessful Atlantic Championships. This was the third year of these championships and every year gets better. This year, the events were held over a three week period in early October.
          The biggest accomplishment of the season had to be the improvement in the performances of Marty Prevost on the MPST tour. His victory was his first in eleven years and he ran strong at every event he entered.
          The biggest disappointment of the year had to belong to Wayne Smith, the 2001 MPST champion, who swept to victory in the first two races of the season and then struggled with one problem after another for the balance of the year.
          2003 also saw the return of former ASA racer, Scott Fraser to Maritime tracks on a regular basis. Fraser had many strong runs, including his victory in the Irving Oil Coca Cola 250.
          They say the stock car racing is the fastest growing sport in North America and here in the Maritimes, that statement is a fact.
Sunshine, fresh air and plenty of thrills and excitement - what could be better.

Miramichi City