Electric City 167 Highlights 31st Annual Autumn Colours Classic At Peterborough Speedway

Story By: JIM CLARKE / PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY – PETERBOROUGH, ONT – Some of the biggest names in the sport have earned a trip to Dart Heating and Air Conditioning victory lane following an Electric City 167 win during Peterborough Speedway’s annual APC Autumn Colours Classic.
The unique ’Electric City 167’ brand was created by combining a pair of historic events. In May of 1884, Peterborough was the first municipality in the country to use electric streetlights. It was also one of the first cities in Canada to begin generating clean hydro-electrical power, which attracted General Electric and Quaker Oats to town to take advantage of this economical energy source. The 167-lap designation is a throwback to 1967, the year Peterborough Speedway was built.
Since Stayner, Ontario’s Brandon Watson claimed the race’s inaugural checkered flag in 2018, a win in this marquee event has become of one of top prizes on the provincial asphalt racing circuit. The 31st annual running of the APC Autumn Colours Classic will bring the best of the best to the venue known for Making Memories for Life. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says local favourites and travelling teams alike will be chasing a win in this season-ending showcase.
“Teams will have the chance to find the perfect raceday set-up during the several preliminary practice rounds, but it won’t be until the final day of the weekend when they get the opportunity to run for all the marbles,” said Josiasse. “A lot of people might think our Saturday night regulars would have a home track advantage, but the 167-lap distance makes it a level playing field for everyone in the starting field.”
APC Autumn Colours Classic Electric City 167 race winners:
2018 – Brandon Watson
2019 – JR Fitzpatrick
2020 – Cancelled – COVID 19
2021 – Ryan Kimball
2022 – JR Fitzpatrick
2023 – Danny Benedict
Autumn Colours Classic Brings Junior Late Models to the Gate
There will be a show of strength in the numbers as the Kingsway Auto Centre Junior Late Models step up to the plate during the APC Autumn Colours Classic.
Always a favourite with the fans, the 2024 Peterborough Speedway regular season saw close to 30 different drivers score points in the hometown oval’s combined divisions. With bragging rights and the prestige that comes with being crowned an Autumn Colours champion, the local standouts will find some tough competition from the invaders. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says it will be fun to see the talented young runners put it all on the line.
“It’ll be ‘hammer down’ from the drop of the green flag as the Junior Late Model teams show their stuff,” said Josiasse. “With the support and encouragement of family members and friends, this division regularly logs some of the most exciting action on the track.”
Several tracks across the province feature Junior Late Models as part of their weekly schedule, so the popular brand will be well-represented during the Thanksgiving Weekend spectacular. A group of supporters has recently stepped-up to the plate with offers of bonus money to the Junior Late Model payout, starting with $500.00 to the total purse from Homeland Auto Service, with another $500.00 cash from title sponsor Kingsway Auto.
Black Flag Racing has offered $50, $30 and $20 respectively to the top-3 female racers, with RCM Racing Equipment posting $50 hard charger and hard luck awards. Speedway veteran Brad Lavalle has posted a $50 bonus for the 6th place feature event finisher. As additional partners sign-on, they’ll be acknowledged on the track’s social media sites.
This year’s edition of the APC Autumn Colours Classic takes its initial Great Canadian RV green flag Friday, October 11th at 6:00. Junior Late Model action is slated for Saturday, October 12th with qualifying heats and a feature event part of a line-up that is slated to roll from the staging area in a line-up that starts at 3:30.
Make sure that you’re part of the 2024 edition of the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 11th through 13th – during the APC Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway.