No place to ride: Windsor-Essex's lost race tracks

A 14-year-old was charged this week for a minibike stunt on Tecumseh Rd E. Windsor-Essex has no legal place to ride minibikes, karts or race cars since Checker Flag closed in 1992. Here's the region's racing history and where fans go now.

By Kyle L. Stewart | Published Oct. 16, 2026, 9:39 a.m. ET | Windsor, Ontario

Topics: Community Public safety

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On Wednesday, Windsor police say, a 14-year-old did a wheelie on a gas-powered minibike on Tecumseh Road East near George Avenue, then threw a pylon at officers and ran. Because the bike counts as a motorcycle under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, he was charged with driving without a licence, insurance or permit and failing to stop, and the bike was impounded for 14 days (CK News Today, Oct. 15). Police also seized a mini gas trail bike during an Oct. 3 youth e-bike blitz (Windsor Star). Windsor News could find no public track in Windsor-Essex where young riders can legally use minibikes, dirt bikes or karts, and the region has had no car racing track since 1992.

The tracks we had

Checker Flag (Tecumseh area, 1961-1992). It began as the Pratt Raceway go-kart track in 1960 and became a quarter-mile dirt oval in 1961, the Windsor Star reported (the Canadian Racer database dates racing from 1962). It was paved and NASCAR-sanctioned in 1974. Renamed Windsor Speedway for its last season, it closed in 1992 amid falling attendance and noise complaints, and the land became the Cranbrook subdivision. (One local historical society says 1994.)

Windsor Dragway (1968-1971). A $400,000, NHRA-sanctioned strip off Highway 401 opened Aug. 25, 1968, before about 4,000 fans, and ran its last race Oct. 3, 1971 (Old Sandwich South Historical Society; DragStripList).

Car-building roots

Ford Motor Company of Canada was incorporated in Walkerville on Aug. 17, 1904, after Gordon McGregor of the Walkerville Wagon Works persuaded investors to back Henry Ford's cars, according to the University of Windsor's Leddy Library.

Proposals since

In 2021, a Change.org petition called for a drag strip, arguing it would cut illegal street racing. Mayor Drew Dilkens said he liked the idea but doubted any city site could avoid noise complaints, and suggested the county (CK News Today). Windsor News found no record that a site or builder followed. A 2013 Lakeshore raceway plan was for horses, not cars.

Where people ride now

The nearest permanent oval is Delaware Speedway near London, open since 1952. Michigan's Flat Rock Speedway opened in 1953. Windsor police run a spring crackdown on street racing each year, and a racing or stunt conviction brings a $2,000 to $10,000 fine and a licence suspension.

Get involved

The Ouellette Car Cruise downtown ran Aug. 14, 2026.

The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village in Kingsville hosts the Fun on Wheels car show and holds Checker Flag memorabilia.

Clubs such as the Corvette Club of Windsor list shows and cruise nights.

Have Checker Flag or Dragway memories? Email windsornewsdesk@gmail.com.