Less than a week removed from the conclusion of the Canadian Motorsports Expo at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario and it feels as though the OSCAAR season should be starting in the next few weeks. But there remains just over three months until opening night at Sunset Speedway on May 20. Nonetheless, preparations are well underway for both series officials and drivers alike. After convening at the CME for three days from February 10-12, the excitement for the 2012 OSCAAR season was clear given the number of visitors that stopped by the OSCAAR booth over the course of the three day exhibition.
On display at the OSCAAR exhibit was the newly built #49 OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model of ‘Magic Shoes’ Rob Clarke who has announced he will return to OSCAAR full time in 2012. Clarke who has won the most championships all-time in OSCAAR with five, will be challenging for his sixth championship. Clarke will have stiff competition, particularly from Glenn Watson who will try to win his fifth consecutive OSCAAR championship and tie Clarke’s series record.
The other Outlaw Super Late Model on display was the #54 machine of Mike Beyore who is returning to OSCAAR on a full-time basis in 2012 after taking a year off in 2011 due to an injury. Beyore is eager to get to the track, which was clear given his car was in race ready condition at the CME. Beyore believes he has made the necessary changes both personally and to his car to challenge for a championship, just as he did in 2010 when he finished third in the OSCAAR standings. Stay tuned to oscaar.ca for a detailed report on Beyore’s return to the series.
The OSCAAR Mods also made their presence felt with a pair of modifieds also on display. Brad Pearsall’s #1 modified was the subject of much attention throughout the entire weekend as many visitors inquired about the shiny black modified and the newly formed series. Pearsall has been out of the racing scene for several seasons, but is returning specifically to participate in the new OSCAAR Mods series.
The second modified that was on display was the blue, white, and orange #79 of John Harper, who will also join the OSCAAR Mods circuit for 2012. Harper is a former competitor at Varney Speedway located in Durham, Ontario.
While the CME marked the first public appearance on the 2012 OSCAAR calendar, the real action kicks off on Sunday, May 20 when both series make their first appearances at Sunset Speedway. The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models will run a 50-lap feature that will be preceded by the inaugural race for the OSCAAR Mods which will be 30 laps in length. Be sure to take in all 12 events for both series throughout the 2012 season. Each series travels to seven different facilities, so there is sure to be race near you.
By Clayton Johns
Discussion about this post