Mudslide hits race track

Crews are cleaning up at the Penticton Speedway after part of the property was hit by a mudslide on Tuesday morning.

The slide occurred east of the track, next to Carmi Road, at about 9 a.m.

Speedway owner Johnny Aantjes said a small amount of water built up in the soil and a natural spring let go, sending water and mud down the hill.  

"We had a resulting little flood of the racetrack, and debris has come down," Aantjes said.

No significant damage was done on the track itself. The area affected the most was the spectator’s tailgate section.

Aantjes said the track should be cleaned up in time for the Speedway’s next event on Sunday — the first 'Okanagan Drifters' event of the season.

He said crews will be trenching until Wednesday and a culvert will be put in to redirect water flow away from the track.

"We've had water issues in the past. We thought we had most of them covered, but mother nature just throws a curve at you every now and then. We'll hopefully get it all figured out and carry on."