Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Racing action returns to the Redwood Acres Raceway on May 1.

By Ray Hamill — Ladies and gentlemen, start your computers.

Tickets for the new Redwood Acres Raceway season opener go on sale at noon on Friday, with the first race set to take place on Saturday, May 1.

Tickets will only be available for pre-sale online at racintheacres.com and not at the gates, because of COVID restrictions.

With the county currently in the Orange COVID tier, a total of 1,300 fans (33 percent capacity) will be allowed in the grandstand.

It will be the first time fans are allowed at the races since the end of the 2019 season.

A limited number of season passes will also be made available on Friday at $150 each.

Raceway officials expect the season-opening event to sell out.

The 2021 season will feature 11 days of racing action over the next five months.