Route 1 Raceway

06/03/2026

**Stew Massender Memorial Update**
Merlin, ON (June 3rd, 2026)

An anonymous sponsor has come on board for the Stew Massender Memorial event, adding $700 to the wins share of Saturday, June 13th events! Sr. predator and Sportsman will both now pay $453 to win, with Jr. 1, Jr. 2, and Over 35 now paying $253 to win! We are always open to event sponsorship! Whether you have a specific class you would like to help boost the purse or just want to add to the event as a whole, all sponsorship proceeds always go straight back to the racers!

05/29/2026

**RACE DAY**
We are all set for the second race day of the 2026 season! It’s looking to be a beautiful evening for some great racing!

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 29th
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

05/24/2026

**5th Annual Stew Massender Memorial**
Merlin, ONT (May 24th, 2026)

Our first two day event of the 2026 season is fast approaching with the 5th annual running of the Stew Massender Memorial.

The Stew Massender Memorial has become one of the premier karting events in Southern Ontario, with the coveted 53 Lap Stew Massender Memorial Main event being swept by Chris Couvillon in the first 3 runnings. After sitting out year 4, Chris Couvillon’s son - Kolton Couvillon took over the reigns winning the 53 Lap event keeping the checkered flag in the family. Will we see a new winner in the 5th running of the event or will the Couvillon’s continue to dominate the long events?

Previous Winners
Stew Massender Memorial - 53 Laps
2022 - Chris Couvillon (Sr. Stock)
2023 - Chris Couvillon (Clone 360)
2024 - Chris Couvillon (Clone 360)
2025 - Kolton Couvillon (Clone 375)
2026 - ?????????????? (Clone 375)

Jr Stew Massender Memorial - 35 Laps
2022 - Parker Lafeber (*20 Laps* - Jr. 2)
2023 - Aric West (Jr. 2)
2024 - Taylor Vanderivere (Jr. 2)
2025 - Payton Lafeber (Jr. 2)
2026 - ?????????????? (Jr. 3)

05/19/2026

**2026 Route 1 Raceway Apparel**
Pre orders are now open for the 2026 apparel! Please comment size/ colour/ style (t-shirt, Long sleeve or hoodie) to reserve yours today! You will be able to pick up your 2026 apparel starting at our next race day! Deadline for pre ordering is this Friday, May 22nd.

Please note: White, Grey, and Yellow t-shirts, long sleeves, and hoodies will be done PREORDER ONLY. We will have limited stock of black shirts, long sleeves and hoodies.

Hats: $30
FlexFit S/M (6 3/4 - 7 1/4)
FlexFix L/XL (7 1/8 - 7 5/8)
Snap Back
Low profile distressed

Shirts: $30 (XXL+ add $5)
Long Sleeves: $40 (XXL+ add $5)
Hoodies: $50 (XXL+ add $5)

Sizes: Youth Small - Large, Small - 5XL
Colours: White, Grey, Yellow, or Black

05/12/2026

**2026 Schedule Update**
PLEASE NOTE: There has been no changes made to the schedule, this post is just being made to help clarify what the remainder of our schedule looks like following the slew of rainouts to start the season.

The August 21st rain date will be in use for the events that were cancelled on May 1st. We have one rain date left (October 2nd) for the remaining points events. In the event we have to cancel more then one more points events, it will not be rescheduled.

We look forward to seeing everyone on May 29th for our next race!

05/08/2026

**RACE DAY**

IT IS RACE DAY! Weather is looking great for this evening and track is rolling in nicely. A few quick notes on this evenings events:

- We are CASH ONLY
- Pit Parking is due TODAY
- Transponders are needed for all classes (except futures). If you are using the same barcode from last season, please have a picture with all digits legible. New barcodes can be purchased for $10
- Online waivers are REQUIRED for everyone entering the pits. If you do not have yours completed by the time you reach the sign in table, you will be asked to proceed to the spectator area until you have completed it. (https://route1raceway.speedwaiver.com/vpsgb)
- NO PERSONAL VEHICLES IN THE PITS. The pit area is small and utilized by only vehicles with karts, all other vehicles are required to park on the spectator side.
- Please bear with us on the sign in line, we will do your best to keep the line moving, you can help by HAVING YOUR ONLINE WAIVER READY.

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 8th
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

05/07/2026

**RACE WEEK**
We try again for the 5th time to get the season going tomorrow! As of now we are still a GO! The grounds are dry, but still very soft. There is a light chance of rain still for tomorrow, we will have another update about 12:30 tomorrow!

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 8th
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

05/01/2026

**MAY 1st EVENTS CANCELLED**

Something we hate to do, but after getting on track to begin the final pack, we greatly underestimated how much water the track had taken in the morning hours from the slow and persistent rain fall. With that being said we have no option but to cancel this evening’s events due to the state of the track. We’ve spent majority of the early afternoon trying what we can to get the track in usable conditions, however we feel it’s in everyone’s best interest to cancel this evening’s events. We hate having to do this late into the afternoon, but with safety of drivers and their equipment in mind we feel it’s in everyone’s best interest. We will see everyone next Friday, May 8th for attempt 5 at getting the season going!

2026 Online Waivers: https://route1raceway.speedwaiver.com/vpsgb

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 8th
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

05/01/2026

**UPDATE: 2:45PM - Cancelled**

**RACE DAY**

After going 0-3 against Mother Nature to begin the season, it’s finally RACE DAY. Although it’s not going to be the warmest of evenings, we’re excited to get the 2026 season underway. With it being opening night, the sign in line may be moving a bit slower than usual. Please stay in your vehicle until you are within two vehicles of the table in order to keep the line moving as best we can, when you approach the sign in table please have your online waiver ready.

2026 Online Waivers: https://route1raceway.speedwaiver.com/vpsgb

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 1st
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

05/01/2026

**2026 Pit Waivers**

Once again we will ONLY be utilizing the digital waivers. If you know of someone who is unable to sign the online waiver on their own, please help them BEFORE they arrive at the track and are denied entry to the pits. The Online waiver for the 2026 season can be accessed through the QR code provided below or the following link: https://route1raceway.speedwaiver.com/vpsgb

**Minor Waivers**
For minor waivers, BOTH parents AND the minor must fill out a waiver FOR THE MINOR. Parents must also complete a waiver for themselves.

Pit passes: $20

Spectators
Adults: $5
Under 10: Free
**YOU MUST CHECK IN BESIDE THE CANTEEN. If you do not have a wrist band (Pit pass OR spectator band) you will be asked to leave.**

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, May 1st
Gates 4:00PM | Drivers Meeting 6:15PM | Practice 6:30PM

Track Address: 5210 Finn Line, Merlin ONT

Sign your waiver online and save time at the track with SpeedWaiver.com