Island Racemasters prepares for 5th consecutive WILROC championship  

The IRM44s winged sprint car team has taken some time off over the winter to refocus after a busy racing season in 2009. Racing started in early May and ended in late September. Unlike the previous 2 seasons, we did not have a single rainout, so driver Scott Aumen and crew were busy preparing the 44s sprinter for a lot of races. Fortunately we suffered no hard crashes and only 1 DNF.

The 2009 season saw us racing mainly on Vancouver Island, with only one road trip on the Labour Day weekend, where we won on the big half mile track near Vernon, then crossed to border to compete in the Cast Iron Nationals at Ephrata, Washington the following day. Aumen had a great day on the tiny quarter mile oval, racing with 23 other cars, never getting out of traffic, passing and lapping cars, only to spin half way through, start at the back and work very hard to get up to third at the checkered flag.

The IRM44s had a more difficult time getting to the front last season, winning only 2 races. We attribute this to better competition, fewer yellow flags, setup problems and a tiring motor. In its 4th season, the Mid Island Engines prepared engine had put in a lot of laps and was losing horsepower, allowing other drivers to stay in front or even power past the Finning CAT sponsored sprinter. Even so, Aumen drove is usual banzai style, trying everything to get to the front. He had the points lead by mid July and never relinquished it, winning for an unprecedented 4th year in a row, putting him even with World of Outlaws champion Donnie Schatz and NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. Pretty elite company! He had to work for it as Darren Yates and Matt Mansell were nipping at his heels the whole season.

We could not have garnered a 4th championship without the involvement of our loyal sponsors-Ketza Pacific Construction, Finning CAT, ABC Recycling, Kal Tire, Mid Island Engines, Grant Signs, Upland Excavating, CR Lawyers, E&B Helicopters, No 1 Auto Body, CR All Trucks, Marine Harvest Canada, Brian Stamp Law Office, CR Metal Fabricators, Impact Visual and Aumen Consulting. Thanks to all of them. Please support them whenever possible.

Our entire crew was key component in the championship run-Dale Taylor, Bill Aumen, Bob Windsor, Dan Wickham, Trevor Slater, Ryan White and Cody Aumen worked hard, got dirty and got the car ready for racing every night.

Of course the championship would not have been achieved without the tremendous engine tuning talent and driving skills of the ?Tire Fryer?, Scott Aumen. He is the class of the field at every race, in many ways. A hard charger but a clean driver, he can execute a pass were no one else dares. Scott has more fast times than anyone in WILROC history, even though he missed most of the first 5 years of its existence. He thrills the fans with his daring moves, especially on restarts and near the end of the race. He is also a real gentleman, always congratulating the winner and helping other teams and drivers with repairs, engine tuning and driving advice. He is a true champion and a great sprint car driver.

 The current racing year begins on May 15, at Western Speedway in Victoria. We have a lot of work to do before then. New body panels are to be installed. A new engine is being put together, with some new innovations from Aumen and his partner at Mid Island Engines, Chuck Gust. The 44s will have a new paint colour scheme from No 1 Auto Body and Kinetic Powdercoating. Grant Signs will supply a new decal package. Finning CAT returns as our major sponsor. Sadly some long time sponsors will no longer be with us, but we are working on some new sponsors and expect to be the car and team to beat in 2010- for the 5th year in a row. So log on to www.wilroc.com to view the 2010 racing schedule and mark your calendars for our racing dates. Also see our website, www.islandracemasters.com for details of our activities and information on our sponsors.

We hope to see you at the track! Come over and say hi after the feature race.. 

Dan Wickham