Extension of governor's executive order forces cancellation of Ransomville Speedway's 2020 season

From Ransomville Speedway:

The continued extension of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order No. 202.32, which prohibits spectators at auto racing events, has forced Ransomville Speedway management to announce the cancellation of its 2020 racing season. The order, which has been continually extended for the past two months, was extended recently to Aug. 29. With so few scheduled events remaining on the schedule after that date, and with the unlikely scenario Cuomo will not extend his order yet again, the speedway is forced to make this decision.

Sadly, like many other businesses throughout the state of New York, the speedway was ready to open effectively in late June when the governor’s phase four rollout was to begin. Phase four was to include low-risk outdoor activities and entertainment, but it was not to be.

“Like many other tracks and businesses across the state, we waited patiently in the spring for phase four to begin and used that time to develop the appropriate safeguards at the track to be CDC compliant,” General Manager Jenn Martin said. “We have been prepared to open with a safe environment for our racing family for two months; unfortunately, the governor’s ‘phase four’ appears to be little more than fiction.”

Ransomville Speedway is one of approximately 50% of the motorsports facilities in the state that has not hosted an event in 2020. Several tracks have opened for a limited number of events with varying success. While Gov. Cuomo’s executive order that was released on June 1 permits racing without fans, it simply was not appealing to most New York state tracks, including Ransomville.

“Hosting successful events is dependent on three major components: participants, fans and sponsorships. It is challenging to successfully operate when fans aren’t permitted and sponsorships are so dependent on crowds,” Martin said. “Short tracks like ours need all things to work in unison to be successful. Plus, racing at Ransomville is just not complete without all the excited fans joining us every Friday night. It just wouldn’t be the same”

Track management would like to thank all the competitors, fans, sponsors, officials and staff for their patience, understanding and support during this time of uncertainty. Most of all, for all to remain healthy and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wind down. Speedway management will begin planning for the 2021 racing season, with announcements to be released as they become available.

About Ransomville Speedway

Opened in 1958, Ransomville Speedway is located on Braley Road in the hamlet of Ransomville, just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and Lockport. “The Big R” is a 3/8-mile DIRTcar sanctioned facility that is the home of the Summer Nationals. Ransomville also features a 1/16-mile Go-Kart track for action on the “Little R” on Thursday nights. For more information, visit www.ransomvillespeedway.com or follow on Twitter @Ransomville and “Like” on Facebook. Contact the speedway by phone by calling 716-791-3602 or 716-791-3611.