There
is a lot of excitement and interest, from drivers and organizers, in
the new Keg Steakhouse & Bar Driver Challenge scheduled to begin
at Western Speedway in 2012. One such driver is Wade Bland. Wade began
his career when he was about ten years old driving in the local Go-Kart
Series and consistently beat much older opponents to the finish line
including one Trevor "The Tornado" Montgomery; a personal
friend to Wade and the N.S.R.A. point Champion at the time. Wade jumped
from the Go-Karts and into the Stock Cars Series and began to climb
into the top drivers in that Series until he suffered a slight setback.
After taking some time for reflection, his love of driving put him behind
the wheel of a Late Model and into the Late Model Challenge Series started
by Jerry Loch and later became the Dynamax Late Model Series and later
part of the Arca West Series. A couple years ago Wade was victorious
winning a Late Model race at Port Angeles, Washington.
He
is anxious for the new Keg Steakhouse & Bar Late Model Challenge
to get underway at Western Speedway this year. Although the ASA took
over the Katana Boat Sportsman Series in 2011, things did not work out
well for this coming season and, with the help of Steve Copp, Daryl
Crocker, and Bill Smith Jr., they initiated a Late Model Series with
new rule changes and schedule that has everyone upbeat. According to
Bland, he, along with other drivers, can run any Late Model Series throughout
BC and meet the whole rules package which is a big plus. He says: "Copp,
Crocker, Smith, and others involved have done a great job putting this
package together. It should attract a good number of cars with drivers
coming over from Vancouver. With the number of cars expected it should
really be competitive. In last year's Canada 200 "You could have
thrown a blanket over the first five cars, they were so close."
Bland finished that race in the fifth position after challenging for
the lead several times. He also has the track record on the Langford
oval.
Wade
has the oldest car in the field and it is the only Ford powered car,
as well, and always can be found running toward the front throughout
any given race. His main competition is usually Korbin Thomas, last
year's winner, and Darrell Midgley, who ran close to the front the whole
race; Brandon Carlson always has a fast car as does Jason Tarasenko
so the competition will be high. Bland intends to run the full Keg Steakhouse
& Bar Driver Challenge as well as a few races in the Interior and
maybe a few Super Late Model event such as the ones held in Las Vegas
as he also has a Super Late Model car. He enjoys running Penticton and
his favorite track is the Motorplex Speedway in Vernon that was once
called Sun Valley Speedway. " I love that track. It's the best
track I've ever been too" says Bland. As far as 2012 goes Wade
says; "I'm really looking forward to the Series. On any weekend
anyone has a chance for the win. It should be interesting."
The
Keg Steakhouse & Bar Driver Challenge is scheduled to begin on May
12th at Western Speedway with two fifty lap Feature events on the card,
on this night, and further races in June, July, and August. Wade and
a host of other stars, with Late Model racing, will face off which should
prove to be a hit at Western this season. Along with the Keg Steakhouse
& Bar, Steve Copp Construction, Slegg Lumber, J & L Consulting,
L.D. Racecars, OK Tires Ltd in Sannichton, Kustom Pro Drywall, Truck
Skins, and Hoosier Tires are backing this worthwhile endeavor to bring
great Late Model racing back to the forefront.