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VICTORIA AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME The Auto Racing Fraternity and friends will be gathering on Saturday, February 23rd for the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and racer’s reunion. This year marks the 24th Anniversary for the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame which was the first of its kind established in Canada solely dedicated to the Sport of Auto Racing. This year’s function will be held at the Langford Legion Hall on Station Road in Victoria. Doors will open at 1:00 PM with the formal ceremonies commencing at 3:00 PM sharp. Admission at the door is still only $12.00 which includes a light luncheon and a free souvenir programme at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Popular refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. Although the names of this year’s Inductees are not released in advance, they will be honoured and join the 63 previously inducted persons in the Hall. In addition, there will be Pioneer Award recipients introduced who will be added to the 51 previous selections in the Hall. The motor racing heritage on Vancouver Island dates back to the 1920’s. It is rich in historical significance and the Hall of Fame Committee is extremely proud to be able to highlight the noteworthy personalities of the past on Vancouver Island and showcase the various significant accomplishments that have occurred. Everyone is invited to attend this year’s event. As always, it allows members of the Auto Racing Fraternity, their fans, friends and anyone interested in learning about the sport to come together to remember past occurrences, renew old acquaintances, meet new ones, look at the memorabilia on display and generally enjoy the afternoon. For any additional information, please contact either Norm Wilcox at (250) 474-4150 or Ross Rockett at (250) 652-1303 or send an e-mail to the Hall of Fame website (victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com). ADDITIONAL NEWS: The renovations are nearing completion at the HOF Museum Building adjacent to Western Speedway. The Hall of Fame section will be opened on selected race nights throughout the season for the fans to come in and have a look at the memorabilia and display items. Admission will be by donation only. The Hall of Fame Race / the Jim Haslam Memorial Trophy will be competed for on Saturday, June 14th, 2008. This year the trophy will be awarded to the Main Event winner in the OTRA (Old Time Racers Ass’n) class. The show will also include the Sprint Car classes of the WILROC Association competing for the prestigious Strawberry Cup. This will prove to be a very entertaining open-wheel programme for the enjoyment of the fans in attendance.
Hello to everyone, Hello to everyone, At a recent executive meeting your board of directors discussed dates and venues. We hope to have a schedule out in the early part of December. Also discussed was that through sponsorship and WILROC, we will be purchasing a small enclosed trailer. This will be used to carry all tech equipment, radios, and possibly use it to sell promotional items. This will also be a rolling billboard to advertise for the Wingless and Winged Sprint Cars. We could also use this trailer to haul tires if the Lejeune trailer cannot make a race. WILROC Lites: WILROC would like to thank Monty for all his help over the years as push truck coordinator and for other various jobs he took on for the club. Monty will not be with us as a push truck anymore due to other commitments. Thank You Monty for all your help. REMINDER: Containment seats and head and neck restraints will be mandatory for 2008. If you do not have this equipment already may we suggest talking to SANTA. See you all in the New Year. Thanks
Scott Aumen Scoops Awards The Saanich Fairgrounds was the site for the WilRoc yearend Banquet held with approximately 125 people in attendance. Drivers, owners, pit crews, and families were treated to cocktails and a great dinner before the awards ceremony began. Matt Mansell captured the “Most Improved Driver” award besting his performance at all tracks over last year. He added twenty-seven points and moved up seven spots at Western Speedway, placed third in the Daffodil Cup, placed second at Calgary’s Race City, and won the Feature at Vernon’s Sun Valley Speedway. Darren Yates captured the Saratoga Championship as well as the John Bokma Trophy. |
Recent test session of the New Wilroc Wingless Car.
Billy Foster Championship-Ryan Floer
Sprint drivers dazzle By Ken Manning Sprint car drivers are the fighter pilots of the driving world. The enormous down force generated by the huge wings atop their high-powered, light-weight, direct-drive, open-wheelers, keeps them glued to the track. Sprint car drivers can accelerate, decelerate, and change direction faster than any other car that visits Sun- Valley Speedway. Ryan Floer showed top gun credentials Saturday night, piloting his WILROC sprint car to a new track record, (14.946 seconds). The 19-year-old phenom placed fourth in the first heat, won the second heat, and appeared to be on his way to winning the feature when his engine expired just three laps from the finish. Floer, who had driven in Formula 2000 and has tested in Formula Atlantic, is using sprint car racing to keep his driving skills sharp while looking for a sponsorship so that he can return to Formula Atlantic as a fulltime driver. The 30-lap WILROC sprint car feature was won by Matt (Nigel) Mansell driving a 2001 Lejeune. The Victoria driver pulled off a sensational hole shot on a restart late in the race to grab first place. Said Mansell: “I just hung back and hung back and I was surprised they let me. They won’t make that mistake again.” Second place went to Merv Barcello, who had been struggling during the heats, but found some speed late. “It’s too bad there was that crash at the end,” said the Edmonton driver, “but, it was fun tonight.” Third-place driver Gord Smith said he was surprised to find himself on the podium. He joked that it was a good thing 10 others dropped out so he could get third. (Three of 13 dropped out during the feature.) “It’s been a tough year, but tonight was great,” said Smith. “I hope to see you all back again next time.”  KEN MANNING/MORNING STAR Randy Price of Cobble Hill in his 2007 Lejeune sprint car, (facing) gets t-boned by Sidney’s Rob Scott in a 2003 Lejeune during the feature race at Sun Valley Speedway Saturday.
Hello to everyone, Latest news:
There is a date available to race at SunValley Speedway in Vernon on September 8, 2007. Of course it would be a non points race but it would be excellent if we could put on a show so that we could book a points race for next year. Bob has offered $500.00 per car. Sure would like to put this together. If you are interested please call me.
Please mark your calendars for our banquet on October 13, 2007 at Saanichton Fairgrounds. We will let you know when the annual meeting is as soon as we have booked a hall.
See you all at the practice Friday night.
Rod |
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Asphalt kings will wing it Islanders arrive for Platinum Cup
On a wing and a prayer, the ultimate speed merchants are back. And if Gemmer's absolute Race City oval record is in jeopardy, it can mean only one thing: The outlaw sprint cars are about to return. "I sure hope to see that record fall," says Darren Yates of Duncan, B.C., who's out to defend his Platinum Cup title of a year ago. "We're shooting for a better qualifying run. We've got some practice booked (tonight), so we can get a little more familiar with the track this time. "Last year, we just had hot laps before qualifying, and that was it. I think you'll see some quicker times this year." Dubious sanity? A screw loose somewhere? Well, of course -- this is the outlaw sprint car show, one of the wildest spectacles known to motorsport. Six hundred horsepower, in a vehicle that weighs just 1,700 pounds including driver. Five hundred and eighty foot-pounds of torque. Speeds of almost 200 kilometres an hour on Race City's high-banked oval. And that distinctive giant wing, whose enormous downforce allows for nimble cornering. Yates and his brethren from Vancouver Island's Wilroc Northwest Sprint Car and Supermodified Racing Series will be here en masse Saturday night and Sunday afternoon for the Platinum Cup, which makes its second annual appearance at Race City after a decade of dormancy. "We get a lot of comments from guys who race sprint cars on the dirt," notes the driver of the No. 91 Tiger Towing car, a 2004 Victoria-built Lejeune. "They say, 'You guys are crazy, running those things on the pavement.' "The acceleration is incredible. And you can race them all over the track. You can change your line, step out into the high groove and make a pass, and not get freight-trained to the back of the pack." The Wilroc gang, which races on the asphalt at Victoria's Western Speedway and Courtenay's Saratoga Speedway, has made this Race City road trip a full-points doubleheader on its 11-race summer calendar. It's hoped that 15 teams from the Island will haul to the Stampede City, and mix it up with the stalwarts from the dirt-based Alberta Sprint Tour. As for Yates, 33, who runs his own tow-truck service, he's hoping he can build on his Salmon Classic victory on July 28 at Saratoga. Yates was crowned Wilroc champion in 2001 during his rookie sprint car season, after eight years in an IMCA modified stock car, but hasn't yet repeated that feat. He's second overall in Wilroc points behind Duncan's Scott Aumen, and leads the Saratoga points chase. "We've had hard luck through the years," says Yates. "Title No. 2 is kind of elusive. The competition gets harder and harder every year." Also this weekend, the Baby Grand stock cars, 2/3-scale NASCAR Nextel Cup replicas, hold a major Western North American doubleheader. Race City's spectator gates open Saturday at 6 p.m., and racing begins at 7 p.m. On Sunday, gates open at noon, with engines firing up at 1 p.m. tkimberley@theherald.canwest.com © The Calgary Herald 2007 |
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Hello to everyone,
Rod Rendle.July 31, 2007
All of us at Wilroc send our condolences to the Vantreight Family.
Sounds like everyone had a good time at Saratoga. I bet it was fun to have Trevor Montgomery back in the mix. Thanks Trevor for racing our car and supporting Wilroc. Hope to see you soon. Congratulations to the winners, Darren Yates and Duane Zeinstra. The points have not been enclosed with the cheques so please see the website.
Calgary - Tony and Sherri gave you the schedule of events and payouts. I hope this meets everyone's satisfaction. It may not seem perfect but we feel it was the best we could do for you this year. It would be really helpful if you could call me and tell me if you are going because if we have less cars I might be able to get that money spread out amongst the rest of us. We have a really good product in our Wilroc show but we must get out there and promote it ourselves.
I am sure by now you have heard that we are trying to get a Wilroc wingless limited class started. We have a group of people working on the engine rules at this time. I hope to have these finished for you in the next couple of weeks and they will be placed on our website. If anyone has a chassis or parts, get ready to put a car together or please make the parts available.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Calgary. If anyone needs any assistance with the Calgary trip, I will certainly try to help. Please call me,
Rod |
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Coast Country Insurance
Show and Shine
PICTURES HERE
Dale Erdman , July 28, 2007
Calgary Info:
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Bar-B-Q Cheese Burgers $4.00 Bar-B-Q Jumbo Hot Dogs $3.00 Bowl of Chili $2.00 Coffee $1.00 |
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The Western Speedway Management and staff are looking forward to seeing you guys and gals and your cars.
Hope to see as many of you there as possible! Enjoy!
For any additional information, contact Ross at 652-1303.
"Message from the Prez!"
Rod Rendle. May 20, 2007
It was almost a perfect weekend for racing. Our tech night went really well and I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and I commend you all for teching perfectly. It appears that the Friday night get together was well received and enjoyed by all. Unfortunately we didn't get to race but I applaud Harold for giving it a good honest effort. I thank Harold and Darrell and the staff for the burgers and beer, it was excellent. Just to clarify a couple of things about tech. At one of our rules review meeting it was brought to our attention that there could be problems with our 55% left side weight rule. It was suggested that we adopt the USAC system. Because of discrepancies between one set of scales and another or the levelness of the grounds they are being weighed on or maybe a bit of wind, we don't always get the same answer twice therefore because everyone owns a tape measure and not a set of scales and for the easiness of teching we could simply measure offset. So when measuring your rear track width from the centre of the rear end to the right rear to the bead line on the outside of the tire should be 43 inches max. and the total width should not exceed 78 inches. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. Any questions please call me. Look forward to seeing you all at Saratoga. Rod Rendle
"Hello Wilroc Racers"
Rod Rendle. May 6, 2007
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Friday night practice at Saratoga. The practice was great and the cars looked awesome. Just a couple of reminders: Friday night practice on the 18th at Western, burgers and beer. I would like to try and have as many cars teched as possible. If anyone can come to the track early please call me and we can get started. Sherri and I will be there early to tech cars. See Debbie for memberships and car registrations Again I would like to remind everyone to drill the front two bolts on the intake and drill two bolts for the end of each head. We are going to pump the engines so be prepared to take a rocker off so we can: a) pump the engine, and b) take a look inside. We will also be checking intake tubes for size. If you have any questions just give me a call.
CHECK OUT CHRIS SCHMELZLE'S SEASON HERE!
NEW FORUM
At the request of the Executive, a new forum has been launched.It can be accessed here
We ask that all people wishing to participate in sharing on the forum do so respectfully. There is only a need to register if you wish to share on the forum. Guests are welcome to read. All those wishing to sign up are asked to do so using their real names. More instructions are on the forum itself. Thank You, Dale Erdman.
www.westernspeedway.net
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO CLIPS PAGE HERE
Rod Rendle. April 11, 2007
Race season is quickly coming upon us. Your board of directors had a meeting on April 10/07 and would like to let you know what's up.
Transponders: Wilroc will purchase 20 transponders at a cost of $375.00 each plus tax. Competitors will be able to buy them from the club. The plan is to hold back approx. $75.00 from the first three races and the club will pay the balance of $150.00. Hopefully this meets everyone's approval.
Points fund: After much discussion your Board of Directors felt that 50% of any new monies coming to the club would go towards a points fund. Tony, Dan, Matt and myself are actively trying to get sponsorship wherever we can. Four Seasons Fire and Safety have been asked by Sherri for five fire extinguishers for the push trucks which they have agreed to do.
The forum: Will be up and running shortly. I am asking you to keep the thoughts positive and you must register with your own name.
First Race: Dan is going to talk to Paul at Saratoga about a Friday night practice before our first race.
Teching: I would like to remind you that you need to have the holes drilled in the bolts on each side of the intake on the front and a bolt in the head on each side. If have any questions please call me.
Calgary race: Calgary will be running the Wilroc Rules. This is a Wilroc Show and we will be in control. If someone shows up with an engine that is way off our rules he will not partake in our event. In order for us to do this we have to have a car count. Rome is trying to come up with hotel deals, cheaper fuel and maybe more tow money. I know it is early but once you have decided if you are going could you please e-mail me, as we do need a car count.
Please don't forget that the Friday night practice before our first race at Western will be burgers and beer. Hopefully there will be some people there to watch us from the Hot Rod Club, as Darrell is opening the stands. If there is anyone that would like to help on race nights please call me. I will be asking crew members to help with the race night duties, i.e. weighing cars, tire marking and race teching, etc. Please check that your race radios are working well.
I hope this keeps you informed, but should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call me. Look forward to seeing you all at Saratoga. .
VICTORIA AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME
PRESS RELEASE: by Ross Rockett, Feb. 11, 2007
The Auto Racing Fraternity and friends will be gathering on Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 for the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and racer’s reunion. This year marks the 23rd anniversary for the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame which was the first of its kind established in Canada solely dedicated to the sport of auto racing.
This year’s function will be held at the Langford Legion Hall on Station Road in Victoria.
Doors will open at 1:00 PM with the formal ceremonies commencing at 3:00 PM sharp. Admission at the door is only $12.00 which includes a light luncheon and a free souvenir program at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Popular refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
Though the names of the inductees are not released until the ceremony, it is known that three gentlemen from the sport of auto racing are to be inducted. These three have many exceptional achievements and have made contributions to the sport over the years, and will now be rewarded by being inducted into the coveted hall. Three Pioneer Awards will also be bestowed upon recipients who have also contributed to the sport. Pioneer Awards are given to reflect a person’s or company’s involvement and their behind the scenes activities. This year’s inductees will join the 60 previously inducted individuals and this year's pioneer recipients will join the 47 previously honoured selections.
Everyone is invited to attend this year’s event. As always, it allows members of the Auto Racing Fraternity, their fans, friends and anyone interested in learning about the sport to come together to remember past occurrences, renew old acquaintances, meet new ones, look at the memorabilia on display and generally enjoy the afternoon. The sport of auto racing has been a part of the Vancouver Island scene since the early 1920’s and the history is truly awesome and highly documented. The Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame is extremely proud to maintain this history and present it.
For any additional information, please contact either Norm Wilcox at (250) 474-4150 or Ross Rockett at (250) 652-1303. You can also access the Hall of Fame website at:
www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com
Saratoga Speedway Pre Season Mall Shows
Please Contact the Speedway Office for more info on participating.
250-923-2982.
Country Club Mall in Nanaimo. We set up on the Wed evening of March 28th and exit the mall on April 1st.( No Fooling)
Campbell River Common, ( Formally the Ironwood Mall ) Set up on Thursday night, February 22, Display Friday February 23, 24, 25. Out on the evening of the Sunday 25th at 5pm.
The Courtney Driftwood Mall. Set-up on Wednesday at 5:30 February 28th. Display runs Thursday March 1st to Sunday March 4th. Pick up cars at 5pm.
Midgley to Run Western Speedway
Feb, 3rd, 2007, Victoria, B. C. by: Dale Erdman
It was announced Wednesday that Darrell Midgley will be the new operator at Western Speedway. Midgley and Harold Corbett, appointed the track's general manager, signed a five-year lease with the Wille family. There is an open meeting to be held at the Juan de Fuca Rec Center Saturday, February 10th, 2007 at 6:00 PM. All interested parties are welcome.
NEW
EXECUTIVE
Sept. 10 th, 2006, Victoria, B. C. by: Dale Erdman
At the September 10th meeting, a new Board of Directors was elected for the Wilroc Sprint Car Assoc.. Our new President is Rod Rendle, Vice-President is Sherri Conway, Secretary-Treasurer is Debbie Rendle and the 5 Directors are Tony Mortel, Dan Wikham, Randy Vincent, Kevin Scott and Matt Mansell. Great turn out and Club support for this meeting.
On
another note, plans for the Year End Banquet are as follows.
NOV. 25th, STRAWBERRY VALE COMMUNITY CENTER
DOORS AT 5, DINNER AT 6 AND PRESENTATIONS AT 7
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR SET-UP, TAKE DOWN, TICKET SALES AND BARTENDING.
Please contact Natalie Zeinstra if you have any questions.
Racer Mansell dedicates this year to fallen brother Myles
Ron
Rauch, Times Colonist
Published: Friday, September 01, 2006
Matt Mansell would like to erase 2006 from his memory bank. He has had
nothing but bad luck on the track and sorrow off of it.
The 29-year-old Mansell drives a WilRoc sprint car and he's had a year to forget, totalling it recently in Calgary, spinning out in races and losing his wing a couple of times.
But his darkest day came on April 22 when his wife opened his Metchosin door at 3 a.m. with the news that his brother Myles had been killed in Afghanistan.
"Nobody ever comes to our door at that time of the morning,'' said Matt on Thursday at Western Speedway. "As soon as I saw the two people in uniforms, I knew that something had happened to Myles.
"His loss was a very tough thing to handle. We were very good friends and he lived in my basement with his fiancee Lindsay [Sullivan]. When he was in town, he'd come out to the track and help out with the car.
"Everything we are doing this year, we are dedicating to Myles and I just hope we can have a stronger finish to the racing season.''
Myles Mansell, Lieut. Bill Turner and two others were killed by a roadside bomb. Before he died, Turner had approached the military about obtaining kites and soccer balls to give to the children in Afghanistan.
After his death, Victorians Bernard Tritz and Reg Nordby picked up the cause and have a set a goal of 3,000 kites by the end of October, one for every Canadian soldier serving in the country.
Matt Mansell is also backing the program and he'll be accepting kites, deflated soccer balls or cash at his No. 14 car after the races on Sunday. For more information, contact kite4kids.com.
The WilRoc sprint car championship for Western Speedway will highlight a busy racing weekend.
Scott Aumen of Duncan leads the sprint car standings with 810 points, followed by Darren Yates of Duncan at 699. Randy Vincent of Victoria sits third (679), Jimmy Pelk of Port Alberni fourth (677), Jim McKay of Victoria fifth 673. Rounding out the top 10 are Randy Price of Cobble Hill (659), Kyle Vantreight of Victoria (613), Mansell (586), Mark Fisher of Nanaimo (579) and Roy Jones of Vancouver (574).
There is tripleheader action at the Langford oval starting Saturday with the large stock car field, old time stock cars and Island dwarf cars. Then on Sunday, the old time stock cars and dwarf cars return to the track along with the fast sprint cars. The gates open both night at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.
The racing weekend concludes on Monday with street, super pro and motorcycle drag racing. Qualifying starts at 11 a.m., with eliminations to follow at 2 p.m.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2006
