Western Speedway Gears up for its 59th Season

VICTORIA, BC – After a week’s delay because of rain Western Speedway is geared up to open for their 59th season this Saturday Night under beautiful weather, with the Richlock Rentals WILROC Non Wing Sprint Cars, the Island Series Stock Cars, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars and Hornets This will be the opening race for all three classes at the fast 4/10ths paved oval in Langford.

The Richlock Rentals WILROC Non Wing Sprint Cars look forward to another banner year as this exciting class just keeps on getting more and more competitive. Shawnigan Lake’s Jeff Bird will be back to make it two Non Wing Championships in a row in his potent Island Moving Sprinter. Last year’s runnerup driver Chris Root from Sidney, will be back with full vengeance as he will be looking for his first ever Sprint Car title. Campbell River’s Mark Stewart should be another contender, Stewart who started 2012 with two straight wins, suffered engine problems mid-way through the year and ended up way down in the final point standings. Other up island drivers expected to compete include LanceWade, Shane Woolcock Eli Ross, Mark Gail, and Mike Haslam. Local driver’s include The Verhagen’s Paul and Matt, the team of Bickford/Morneau, Steve Dardengo, and Jim Giles.

The Island Series Stock Cars will also make their 2013 debut Saturday Night, at this time it is unclear if defending Champion Cody Aumen will be back to defend his title, Aumen has been working in Alberta and is not sure if he will be able to defend his championship. That leaves former series Champion Brian Clutchey as the early favorite in the chase for the championship, others that could contend include last year’s runnerup Kyle Cottam, if he decides to run the whole season, Daryl Crocker, Dave Reside, Chris McInerney, last year’s Rookie of the year Brandon Steen, 2012 Championship race winner Kevin Knight, and Rhett Smith. Driver’s returning to the class include Shane Scott who took a couple of years off and Mark Lockhart who will be in the ex Kurt Peacey car. All in all, the Stock Car division should be in for another very competitive year.

The Island Dwarf Car Club will also make their debut at Western, and can expect to bring a good field of the 5/8’s scaled cars from the 30’s and 40’s that are powered by motorcycle engines. Drivers from all over the Island compete in this exciting class, include up island drivers Mike Schott, Dave Emmerson, Bob Pridge as well as local drivers Shaun Watt and Toway Helgesen.

The IMS4 Mini Stocks will also be back in action as Jeremy Waksel returns to defend his 2012 championship, top drivers in the class expected to challenge for the championship include former champions Alex Mouner and Justin Woodske along with Matt Szauer, Caleb Van Bree, Gilles Parenteau and Billy Stidson .

The Hornets will also make the first of their six appearances on the big track, this year there will be a big track Champion and a small track Champion that will run on Wednesday Night’s starting on June 19th.