Emo Speedway

Emo Speedway is a 3/8, high banked, dirt oval racetrack located in Emo, Ontario in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located right inside the town on Colonization Road. Behind the racetrack is the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fair Grounds. The track is located 30 km west of Fort Frances, and 52 km east of Rainy River along the border of Northern Minnesota, USA.The speedway was built in 1954 and hosted its season opener on July 30 of the same year. The original name for the track was Emo Speedway (According to the Fort Frances Times), although the name Emo Raceway(s) was also used.Currently, Emo Speedway runs three divisions (classes) of cars. They include WISSOTA Modifieds, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, and Street Stocks. The season runs from Mid-May to Mid-September.The Borderland Racing Association (BRA) is the Promoting Body of Emo Speedway. The BRA is a non-profit organization that operates under volunteer support and monetary sponsorship.The beginningThe idea of building a racetrack in the Rainy River District happened in 1949 after Lyle Busch and Bob Oak went to Florida to watch the stock car races there. When they brought the idea of a track back to the area, they were unable to find suitable land. In 1950, Asselin went to Winnipeg to discuss the building of a track with the owner of Brooklyn Speedway. After long conversations, the owner of the Winnipeg track gave Asselin his technical information. In May 1954, Sid Asselin and Bob Oak had meetings to organize a construction of the track with the District Fair Board. It was decided in those meetings that it was to be built inside the already built horse track which is approximately 1/2 mile long. With help from the Emo Chamber of Commerce, the track became a reality.The track was built as a fifth of a mile oval dirt oval. The decision for using clay instead of paved asphalt was due to the softer compound. This allowed the track to be more advantageous for drivers and spectators. There would be a less chance of serious accidents and the loose dirt would allow more skidding which let the cars permit more bumping and nudging while fighting for position. The track was not banked, but the idea of raising the banking in the future was brought up.