Western Speedway Media, Victoria, B.C. ....... This Saturday Night, Western Speedway will host one of the longest running Stock Car events in the country. The annual running of the Canada 200 presented by O'Dell Slinger Service and Islandcarbuyer.com will grace the fast 4/10ths mile paved oval in Langford. The event will be run in two hundred lap segments with a five minute break after the first hundred laps. The Old Time Racers will also be action with complete program including trophy dashes, heat races and a main event.
The original brainchild of the late Reg Midgley in 1972, the 200 has brought some of the finest race car drivers of all time to this great event. Victoria's Ross Surgenor was the inagural winner in 72. Other winners of the historic event include Gary Kershaw in 73 and 74, Roy Haslam won the first of his four 200's in 75, 81, 82 and 85. Legendary NASCAR driver Hershal McGriff was the winner in 76, followed by another two time winner Roy Smith with wins in 78 and 80, Mike Miller from Wisconsin was the winner in 79. The only three time winner is Port Angles diver Monte English, other winners include Jimmy Mathews, Don Smith and Bobby Fox. NASCAR drivers that competed in the 200 include Bobby Allison, Janet Guthrie and Canada's Earl Ross.
This year will mark a new milestone as the ASA BC Late Model Advance Testing Tour will sanction this prestigious event, this will be the sixth and final event of the series that competes at venues all over British Columbia. The event will bring all the top drivers in Western Canada to do battle against a stellar field of local talent, leading the way for the local divers will be winner of the last race of the series at Agassiz Speedway on August 20th, Geoff Morris. Morris will be looking for his first Canada 200 win and looking to cap off a great season by winning the ASA Championship, in which he currently sits in second place just two points behind defending series Champion Tom Berrow from Coquitlam. Other top contenders include two time winner, and last year's second place finisher Darrell Midgley, Midgley is the only driver who drivers a Dodge powered Late Model, new dad and the only Ford powered racer in the field Wade Bland will also be looking for his first 200 win. Brandon Carslon who won the other ASA Event on the Island at Saratoga Speedway in July is looking to make a sweep of the Island races this year, add the likes Brent Morris, Geoff's brother, Rory and Bart Smith, Robbie Haslam, who's dad Roy is the all time leader in wins at the 200, this years event is looking to be one of the best of all times. Add to the list of off island competitors that include Berrow who will be gunning for his second straight championship, along with last year's winner Korbin Thomas from Williiams Lake, 2009 winner Dave Hemrich from Vancouver, current Western Speedway Late Model points leader Jason Terasenko from Langley, Chilliwack's Murray Dyck and others, over 20 cars are expected to compete in this years event.
The backgate will open at noon on Saturday, with the first practice for the ASA Tour at 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, the second practice session will be from 3:00 pm to 4:00. Qualifying will start at 6:00 pm with racing to start at 7:00 pm.
The front gate will open at 5:00 pm, fans are invite to come earlier and watch the practice sessions free of charge.