It's gearing up to be a big weekend at Saratoga Speedway as racers are getting ready for the annual Canada 200.
The race is the speedway's biggest event of the year, with racers from throughout the province coming.
This weekend, the defending Reg Midgley Canada 200 winner will make their return to racing for the 2024 edition of Canada’s longest continuously running Late Model Stock Car race. Though Metchosin's Rory Smith has sat out the majority of the 2024 racing season, the third generation driver captured the B.C. Late Model championship last year in addition to his third Canada 200 triumph. This weekend Smith will return to the track with his Raptor Excavating Chevy Camaro to try for his fourth 200 triumph.
“The 200 is a very special race for everyone on Vancouver Island, " says Smith. “My daughter has started racing this year in quarter midgets so we’ve been busy with that, but this weekend was always circled on my calendar.”
The race is not in the bag for Smith, however, as he will be facing stiff competition from LD Industries B.C. Late Model points leader Daryl Crocker, who earned his first Late Model win in May at Saratoga Speedway. Four-time Canada 200 winner Korbin Thomas is also expected to line up this weekend. Thomas is looking to tie Victoria legend Roy Haslam for the most Canada 200 wins this weekend.
That being said, Smith is optimistic about his chances.
"When we unload for practice on Thursday, hopefully everything just clicks,” he said.
The Reg Midgley Canada 200 weekend runs Aug. 30-31 at Saratoga Speedway with Late Model qualifying on Friday night and the Canada 200 on Sunday. Also in action both nights will be the B.C. Street Stocks, Upland Contracting IMOD Modifieds and the Island Outlaw 4 Mini Stocks.
