Montreal Area Initiative to End Street Racing Adds Second Night

The BFGoodrich Tires Challenge has become so popular with greater Montreal speed buffs that the Autodrome St-Eustache is adding a second evening of drag racing each week.
The events will now take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays in order to better accommodate the numerous participants. The Autodrome management has announced the activity will run as long as weather permits, usually till about mid-October.
The BFGoodrich Tires Challenge is quickly becoming a true Montreal event, attracting a record 900 cars and light trucks and 2,718 people last Wednesday.
“There were so many cars last Wednesday that we reached our maximum capacity,” said Autodrome managing director Paul Deslauriers. “Many drivers simply turned away as the waiting time and line-up were too long.”
A success since its inception on September 4, and the first activity of its kind in Canada, the objective is to curb illegal street racing by giving speed buffs the chance to participate in weekly drag races in a controlled environment.
Most participants are young males, but at one event, 30 women and at least 50 racers over the age of 45 were at the track. Most cars are import sport compact but luxury cars (Porsche, BMWs, Cadillac) and even a vintage Corvette 1957 have been known to hit the strip.
The BFGoodrich Tire Challenge takes place every Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. In case of poor weather, interested participants should contact the Saint-Eustache Autodrome at (450) 472-6222 to find out whether the event will be held.