OSCAAR Outlaws Back In Action at Sunset

By Don McLeod
July 6, 2006

Sunset Speedway marks the return of OSCAAR Super Late Model racing this Saturday, July 8. This will be OSCAAR's lone appearance at Sunset for 2006. The last race was held on August 6, 2005, and was supported by a capacity crowd who witnessed a great night of racing.

There was plenty of pre-race drama last year when it was decided to allow 12-inch spoilers to give the Outlaws more grip on the short track surface. In the end, the win was taken by Rob Clarke and the London Mechanical Plumbing and Heating #49 team who elected to go with a smaller carb and regular spoiler.

This year a lot of attention has focused on the new tire rule that calls for four soft-compound tires. OSCAAR teams have been very pleased with the results. On-track performance certainly has been excellent: witness zero cautions at the most recent event. No doubt the teams are hoping for similar performance at Sunset's quick 1/3-mile oval.

Current points leader John Fletcher is counting on a good performance for his JNE Consulting #61 Team. With a tight points race already developed between the #61 and #49 teams, it will take consistent top five or better runs to stay in the hunt. Any mishaps or early mechanical trouble for one will hand a healthy lead to the other.

Further challenges will also come from Drew Spicer, Lloyd Ritchie, Phil Bullen, Al Shepstone and Glenn Watson who are all within reach in the points and ready to take advantage of any wobble at the top. Still some distance back is OSCAAR's most recent winner Shane Maginnis. The Kerr Cadillac Goodwrench Service #03 team will be pumped and ready to make some more gains in the points.

Several teams have had setbacks in recent races and have been working hard to get their cars and drivers back on the track. Gary Passer had a great run at Barrie until a blown engine sidelined his Jenco Equipment #52 Outlaw. Sunset is home track for the Passers and the scene of Gary's last feature win, so there has been a strong effort to get his car ready for this race. TJ Woolsey and the V&L Transportation #43 car have their engine back and will be working diligently to get ready for Sunset. The teams for Ed Bowlby, Al Shepstone and Glenn Watson have all made repairs to their cars and looking forward to better runs this weekend.

As with every event this year, OSCAAR is looking forward to a great crowd of loyal fans coming out to cheer their favourite driver(s). The Thunder Cars, Four Cylinders and Four Funs will be on the schedule along with Spectator Races. Pre-race qualifying for the Four Cylinder classes begins at 6:15 p.m. with the full race program getting underway at 7 p.m.