Ohsweken Speedway Confirms Mandatory Mufflers for Sprints in 2006

In a controversial move, Ohsweken Speedway General Manager Ken Pelkie has confirmed that mufflers will be MANDATORY for all sprint cars running at Ohsweken in 2006.

“There has been quite a bit of discussion on this over the past few months since I initially made it known that mufflers would be mandatory on sprints at all Ohsweken shows in 2006” exclaimed Pelkie. “I really didn’t want to dictate such a rule as I had hoped that the sanctioning bodies would have taken some sort of action themselves to follow the lead of the major sanctions in the U.S. however, this was not the case universally so I made the move” Pelkie went on. “In this day and age, it no longer is an option to ignore the environment”.

Following the inaugural running of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals last September, Ohsweken owners received notice that something had to be done to curb the noise at the race track. “This was the first time that an event such as this had ever been staged at the speedway and needless to say, Ohsweken Speedway needed to take steps to show that they could and would make an effort to reduce the level of noise emitted. “As everyone knows, environmental issues can be very delicate and it is in our best interest to make this concession. I hope that everyone will understand and comply willingly” stated Pelkie.

Initially announced that the Schoenfeld part# 112535 mufflers would be the only muffler allowed in 2006, the speedway has relaxed the rule slightly. “Any muffler will be allowed in 2006 but the Schoenfeld #112535 will be the only one acceptable in 2007” Pelkie went on. “Ohsweken Speedway tech officials will make initial inspection of all cars however, it is expected that sanctioning series officials will enforce compliance as well”. No grace period will be given and any cars not equipped will not be allowed to compete.

“This is one of the things that Glenn told me I would not like doing when I accepted the GM position” Pelkie concluded. “I believe that most people already have mufflers and by relaxing the timing on the compulsory Schoenfeld part, it will give everyone time to use-up their old equipment”.