Elliot Lake Airport is booked, the contracts with the city have been signed, and planning is in high gear for this summer's Elliot Lake North Shore Challenge Drag Race. It's a three-day event that will run from Friday night July 19 through Saturday, July 20 and wrapping up Sunday, July 21. The 20th annual edition of the North Shore Challenge includes an improved version of the prize board. According to Darla Hennessey, longtime event volunteer and Elliot Lake Culture and Recreation official, the Super Pro race competition will feature an enhanced $20,000 total prize package with the addition of $5,000 more cash for Sunday's event.
Also this year, said Ms. Hennessey, there will be a concert Saturday night with Elliot Lake's The Shed Hammers and an expanded children's bouncy land inflatables playground. To give parents more time to watch the racing, the event will provide a two-hour babysitting service as well.
Elliot Lake's Director of Recreation and Culture, Teresa Dunlop, told members of Elliot Lake City Council that last year's event attracted close to 2,000 people who paid admission. As well, 297 racers registered to take part. She added, "We're pulling out all the stops and hope the event brings lots of people to the city to help local businesses, and everyone has a great time."
Contracts have been signed by the city, the North Shore Cruisers Car Club, and Luskville Dragway. Elliot Lake has hosted the races at the municipally-owned city airport since 2008. This year's contract stipulates that North Shore Cruisers will get $8,500 to help run the event. For its part, Luskville Dragway does all the heavy lifting and will receive $31,000 (+HST) to produce the motorsport show including provision of equipment, personnel and services for the three-day drag race showcase event.