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Flat Track Racing a weekend highlight despite smaller crowds

Sep 10, 2018 | 2:00 PM

 

Despite a smaller than usual attendance this year, the Battlefords Flat Track Racing event held over the weekend was a success once again.

Running Saturday and Sunday at the North Battleford exhibition grounds, the event was hosted by the Canadian Legion of Riders and organized jointly by the Canadian Legion of Riders and Saskatchewan Flat Track Racing.

Kevin Jones, representing the Canadian Legion of Riders, said the attendance was about half of last year’s turnout. He attributed the lower numbers due to a number of other events happening in the Battlefords at the same time. There were also fewer riders, with about 30 participating in the local event, most likely since there were other flat track events running in Regina, as well as Spokane, Washington in the U.S., at the same time, attracting Canadian participants.

“We’re still pleased with the way the weekend took off,” Jones said. “We’re very grateful for all our sponsors. Our sponsors make events like this happen.” 

A highlight of this year’s event during half-time Saturday was the Wall of Death performance, in which the stunt artist rides through a wooden plank set on fire.

Big Bubby Beefcake, AKA flat track racer Adam Voeltz of North Battleford, took on the challenge after trying the daring event previously. 

“I’ve done it three or four times before. You’ve got to hold your breath and close your eyes,” he said with a laugh.

Voeltz said the event, also called the Wall of Fire, is a long-standing flat track racing tradition, going back to the 1930s and ’40s.

“I’m doing crazy things like this just to get people interested in the [flat track] sport,” he added.

He said the recently-formed Saskatchewan Flat Track Racing organization is focused on promoting the flat track sport throughout the province.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW