St. Thomas Raceway Park facts for kids
 Events = WDRA Drag racing |
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| Location | Sparta, Ontario, Canada |
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| Coordinates | 42°42′06.08″N 81°06′00.93″W / 42.7016889°N 81.1002583°W |
| Broke ground | 1962 (as St. Thomas Dragway) |
| Opened | 1962 (closed in 2009 and reopened in 2010) |
| Length | 0.402 km (0.250 mi) |
| Turns | 0 |
| Race lap record | 296.57 miles per hour (477.28 km/h) (Jim Epler, Jim Epler, 2018) |
The St. Thomas Raceway Park is a special track where cars race to see who is fastest. It's a quarter-mile long, which is about 400 meters. This track is officially approved by the WDRA, which stands for the World Drag Racing Alliance.
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About St. Thomas Raceway Park
What is Drag Racing?
Drag racing is a type of car race where two cars compete side-by-side. They race on a straight track over a short distance. The goal is to cross the finish line first. It's all about speed and quick starts!
Where is the Raceway Located?
The St. Thomas Raceway Park is in Canada, near a town called Sparta. It's also close to the bigger town of St. Thomas in Elgin County, Ontario. Many racers come from nearby cities like London and Windsor.
When Can You See Races?
Races happen from early April until mid-November. You can usually catch events on Friday nights, Saturdays, or Sunday afternoons. Sometimes there are even night races! Each event typically lasts about six hours. Time trials, where racers practice and qualify, usually start 30 to 60 minutes after the gates open.
Rules for Racers
Safety is very important at the raceway. All cars must pass a safety check by special inspectors. If a car doesn't pass, it can't race that day. Drivers must wear DOT-approved helmets. Also, everything must be removed from the car's trunk before racing.
The raceway is private property. This means that staff members have the final say on all decisions. Racers who get too upset might be asked to leave. There's a special area called the "burnout box" where drivers can warm up their tires.
Fastest Speeds Ever Recorded
The St. Thomas Raceway Park has seen some incredible speeds!
- Jim Epler's Record: On July 2, 2000, Jim Epler set the fastest speed. He drove a special car called a Nitro Funny Car at an amazing 296.57 miles per hour (477.28 km/h) (about 477 kilometers per hour).
- Lou Perriera's Speed: Lou Perriera achieved the second-fastest speed on August 28, 2004. He drove a jet dragster at 292.19 miles per hour (470.23 km/h) (about 470 kilometers per hour).
These records show just how fast cars can go on this exciting track!
