By George Wade
This Saturday Night at the fast 4/10th's mile paved oval in Langford, O'Dell Slinger Service presents exciting auto racing action as four classes will hit the track. The always exciting Late Models will be back in action, this will be the last time they race before the Canada 200 on September 3rd. A very competitive field should be on hand as the drivers use this as a tune up for one of Canada's premier Late Model events, the Canada 200. Other divisions competing include the popular Island Series Stock Cars, IMS4 Mini Stocks and the Old Time Racing Association.
In the Late Model division Vancouver's Jason Terasenko is the current points leader by 18 points, 378 to 360 over Courtney driver Bart Smith. Smith who has one feature win so far this season will be trying to win his second feature. Terasenko will be looking for his first feature win at Western in his new Shane Harding built Chevrolet Impala. Victoria's Brandon Carlson holds down third position with 358 points, Carlson is coming off the biggest win of his career winning the Thrifty Foods 150 at Saratoga Speedway on July 24th. Rory Smith and Mike Schott round out the top five with 340 and 322 points respectively.
The Island Series Stock Car division has four time Champion Ryan Wade leading the point standings by 50 points 1115 to 1065 over Aaron Wilkie. For Wade its all about fives as he will be looking to make it five feature wins in a row this season, as well he sets his sights on his fifth championship in a row. Wilkie will desperately be seeking his first feature win of the year in hopes of closing the point difference, as he hopes to win his first championship after finishing second to Wade in 2010. Third position to seventh position are only separated by 30 points, Dave Reside is in third with 944, followed by Kyle Cottam with 936, Cody Auman the top Rookie of the Year contender with 932, Daryl Crocker with 914 and Chris McInerney with 903 points. A good points night or a bad points night could have huge impact as these five drivers battle for position.
Alex Mouner leads the IMS4 Mini Stock points standings on the strength of four feature wins, Mouner leads Matt Szauer by 79 points 1146 to 1067. Former Champion Gilles Parenteau is in third with 1009 points followed by Jeremy Waksel with 991 and Justin Woodske at 922.
The (OTRA) Old Time Racers Association will also be on hand as these cars resemble the cars that raced at Western in the 50's and early 60's. Feature winners in 2011 include James Campbell with two, Western Speedway and Saratoga Speedway, Tom Cinnamon Western Speedway, Larry Joyce Agassiz Speedway and George Jenson Western Speedway.
Other top contenders include Joe Dardengo, Dean Gill, Dennis Morneau and Roger Beck.
The front gates open at 5:00 p.m., qualifying at 6:00 and racing at 7:00 p.m. For more information please go to www.westernspeedway.net or call the Speedway office at (250) 474-2151.
The next events at Western Speedway will be on Wednesday August 10th as the Steve Copp Construction Hornet Series continues, and a two day Demo Show on Friday August 12th and Saturday August 12th featuring Demo Cars, Trucks, Bombers, Mini Figure 8’s for both days . There will also be a Island Bomber Challenge Series that will feature the best Bomber drivers on the Inland. All this action will be highlighted by the CRAZY CANUCK on both nights as he will perform his electricfying jumps.