It was a dark time for the Tisdale Motor Speedway, as it was their first-ever night race.
Bright lights from Tisdale Rentals, placed on stands from Chupa Excavating, illuminated the track for the Aug. 19 race. Both businesses donated the use of those items.
Casey Randall, the president of the track, said the night race was awesome.
“It’s really fun to drive on a lit-up track. It makes everything feel faster. The cars reflect a little more,” he said. All of the drivers thought it was great. Any of the fans that I’ve talked to thought it was awesome.”
Local racer Glen Randall has night raced in Saskatoon before, but, like everyone else, it was his first time here. He said how he made judgements racing on the track was different than it would be in the light.
“Your vision is different, your perception of it,” he said. “Other than that, the track stays good. It doesn’t change on you so much.”
Rick Kucher, who’s from Saskatoon, hasn’t raced at the Tisdale Motor Speedway for 15 years. He’s night raced in Saskatoon a lot, driving on the asphalt track there, which requires different driving techniques compared to the dirt track in Tisdale.
“It was definitely a honour just because I raced against Glen 15 years ago,” he said. “It was pretty exciting and nerve-racking, all at the same time.”
Kucher said if the speedway hosted a night race next year, he’d be back.
“The lighting system that they have here is excellent. They had lights in all of the right places,” he said. “I prefer racing in the dark just because you can strategically place the lights where you need them. You don’t have to contend with the sun and whatnot.”
Glen said he’d like to see another night race too.
“I think the consensus is we’re going to try to do it next year,” Casey said.
In the hobby class, Jen Atkings secured the win with 144 points, Austin Ashdown 153 and Ken Wicks 150. In the street class, Dustin Randall received 157 points, Ryan Atkings 148 and Casey Randall 141.
After the figurative fireworks of racing was a literal fireworks show.
Kucher said the locals are excellent people to race with.
“If somebody needs something, somebody from another team is always there to lend a helping hand. It’s just like one big family here.”
With an extra seat in Glen’s car, Kucher was also able to race with his children.
“I thought it was awesome,” said daughter Kaylee Kucher, 12. “Probably the best day of my life. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“It was great. I loved it,” added son Ethan Streukens, 11. Kucher’s eldest daughter Mackenzie Kucher, 13, also got to ride.
