OSCAAR OUTLAW MODIFIEDS
On December 5, OSCAAR (Ontario Stock Car Association of Asphalt Racers) president Dave Gainforth confirmed the creation of a touring, open-wheeled Modified racing division, one that will be sanctioned by the Southern Ontario-based governing body most widely recognized for its long running Super Late Model series. Responding to inquiries for assistance from various Modified racers, while at the same time looking to develop a support and ‘feeder’ division for their Super Late Model programme, Gainforth feels that the newly-founded OSCAAR Outlaw Modified Series will offer a “perfect fit” for not only his organization, but also for the drivers, the hosting tracks and the race-going public. |
“The open-wheeled Modifieds are popular with the fans and compliment any track’s schedule,” says Gainforth. “If we can back up an OSCAAR Super Late Model race with a 30 or 35 lap Modified feature, that would be a pretty full night of racing entertainment for any Ontario short track.” Although still in the early planning stages, Gainforth has already secured six race dates at three venues (Peterborough, Sunset and Barrie Speedways) and is hoping to expand his 2012 schedule to “nine or 10 events”. To date, four of the confirmed races for the OSCAAR Outlaw Modifieds will be run in conjunction with the Super Late Models. “Ultimately, we’d like to have about 90% of the races combined events. That would create an OSCAAR ‘super package’ for the host tracks, while saving our competitors some traveling expenses, as costs could be shared,” continues Gainforth. Mark Dilley, promoter of Stroud (ON)’s Sunset Speedway, is excited about hosting the new OSCAAR Outlaw Modifieds in their debut season. “I like the Mods and I think a lot of other people do, as well. This will be something new for our fans; we haven’t run the Modifieds here before. And it will be a great opportunity for the drives to test themselves on a variety of tracks.” Concurs Diane Cunningham, from Barrie Speedway, “We’re excited about the Modifieds coming to Barrie. The fans get a bonus show, and we get another attraction on our calendar. Any new series that can develop and grow can only be better for racing in general and we hope that we can be part of that growth.” One of the biggest challenges faced by Gainforth and the OSCAAR Technical Team is to develop a rulebook that would balance performance within the field. The three Southern Ontario tracks that regularly feature open-wheeled Modified racing divisions, (Mosport, Varney and Delaware Speedways), have widely diverse regulation packages. “We need to make every car competitive at every track, so that there is no ‘home track’ advantage. We’re working hard with (car-builders) John Fletcher and Jeff Hanley to come up with a rulebook that would keep the playing field level, without costing the drivers a lot of time and money,” explains Gainforth. With the technical regulations and scheduling quickly coming into place, the next challenge for the OSCAAR Outlaw Modifieds is to recruit potential competitors. Fortunately, the interest has been strong in support of the new series. “I’ve got five cars in my shop alone, that we’re prepared to run,” states Chris Burrows, a regular at Varney Speedway. “And I’ve been speaking with the McLeans, they’ve got another three cars, and I think they’re interested in the programme as well. This is what the Modified drivers have needed, and I think that this is going to be a great season for us, and for OSCAAR.” “My goal is to field between 16 and 18 Modifieds at each event, and I personally don’t think I’ll have a problem reaching that mark,” says Gainforth. “The interest is high, and I expect to hear from more and more drivers as this news gets out. There are a lot of competitive Modifieds sitting in shops out there, it’s just a matter of getting them fired up and out to the tracks.” The OSCAAR Outlaw Modified Series will make its public debut at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, held in Toronto, February 10-12, 2012, with a final schedule to be released at that time. Further information on the OSCAAR Outlaw Modifieds Series can be found on the OSCAAR website www.oscaar.ca, or by contacting club president Dave Gainforth- oscaargainforth@gmail.com.
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