The Estevan Motor Speedway will have a new look when it opens the 2014 race season Saturday.
The track's opening day will feature the debut of the popular Wissota late model class. In previous years EMS had only brought in late models for one special program but with many local drivers entering the class, the track's board of directors felt there would be enough cars to bring the late models in for five races this season. EMS will also host the Blaine Brothers Late Model Challenge Series, which is a tour similar to the Dakota Modified Tour that races in Estevan each season.
President Lynn Trobert said everyone is excited to add late models and feels they will get enough cars out to make it an entertaining and competitive division.
"It took us a long time and we had to get the commitment because it has been a track policy that you should have 12 cars to make a class," Trobert said. "We have been working on cars and commitments. In Estevan, there are late models here and some have added late models so we know that we've got four or five right in this area.
"Plus, a lot of our (U.S.) drivers that come up for the mod class also have late models. A lot of these drivers are going to be running two classes. We are really hoping that we are going to have enough and we are going to give it a whirl."
Trobert said along with the addition of late models, the EMS board is excited to bring back the Northern Super Truck Series for a double-header June 13 and 14. The series made its debut in 2013 and was very popular among fans.
The Dakota Modified Tour will return on July 7 while the championship night program is scheduled for Aug. 22. A special $5,000 non-points race is set for Sept. 20. That program will offer $3,000 to the winber of the IMCA modified class, $1,300 for the IMCA stock cars and $700 for the IMCA hobby stocks. Other annual events such as the enduro race and Eve of Destruction will also return for 2014.
"It's going to be an exciting year," Trobert said. "We are trying to make things better and get our program to two and a half to three hours. We want to make it very fan friendly and allow them to get into the pits."
As part of their effort to give back to fans, Trobert said they also plan to award a scholarship to a student from the Estevan and Weyburn Comprehensive Schools for a second consecutive year. Trobert added they are also working on a wheelchair ramp that she hopes will be ready at some point in 2014.
Saturday's program is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., weather permitting.
