by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — It was bound to happen and it did on Monday (Feb. 11) when director of racing Eric Warner opened the entry box for Thursday, Valentine’s Day, at Monticello Raceway and found he didn’t have enough drivers to make a full field for the track’s 11th annual Lady Godiva, the race strictly for lady drivers, which was to be the second leg of the Mighty M’s Heritage Drivers Series 2013.

“Maybe the recent span of inclement weather kept the ladies from entering or maybe there were conflicts with the Thursday date, but whatever it was we didn’t have enough drivers to make a betting race,” Warner said. “I’m surprised since we’ve been offering this race annually and have been filling it since 2003.”

However, Warner is not disenchanted.

“We’ll card the Lady Godiva later this year in mid-May around the Mother’s Day Holiday. I’m quite sure we’ll fill the race then.”

Many phone calls were made to potential and former participants but to no avail. Some of the ladies were in Florida while others said our date conflicted with qualifying day at the Meadowlands. Others who usually come in from Maine are digging out from Nemo, the devastating Nor’easter that dumped nearly two feet of snow on the Pine Tree State.

“Sure we’re disappointed but we’re not discouraged. I’m sure we’ll have a race for the ladies in May when the weather gets good,” Warner added.

The tentative new date for Monticello’s Lady Godiva will be Monday (May 13), one day after the Mother’s Day holiday.