OSCAAR Racing: Celebrating 30 Years of Canadian Motorsport Legacy

OSCAAR Racing stands as a pillar of motorsport in Ontario, a testament to three decades of passion, dedication, and thrilling competition. Born from a vision to create an affordable and exciting traveling series for Super Late Models, OSCAAR has evolved into a multi-division powerhouse that captivates fans at short tracks across the province. From its humble beginnings in the off-season of 1989 to its current status, the organization has consistently delivered side-by-side action, fostered a tight-knit community, and built a legacy that honors the past while racing boldly into the future. This is the story of the drivers, officials, and fans who have made OSCAAR the heart of Ontario’s short track scene.

The Evolution of Speed: OSCAAR’s Premier Divisions

Over its 30-year history, OSCAAR has adapted to the landscape of motorsport, introducing new classes that provide unique challenges for drivers and spectacular entertainment for fans. While the Outlaw Super Late Models laid the foundation, the modern OSCAAR is defined by a diverse lineup of racing machines, each with its own identity and appeal. This strategic expansion has ensured the organization’s longevity and relevance, offering something for every type of racing enthusiast.

The Heart-Pounding OSCAAR Modifieds

The introduction of the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds in 2012 marked a pivotal moment. These open-wheel beasts are the epitome of short-track excitement, combining raw power with a nimble chassis that allows for breathtaking maneuvers. The division was created to offer a unique spectacle and provide a platform for some of the province’s best open-wheel drivers to compete under one banner. With stable rules and consistently high car counts, the Modifieds have become a cornerstone of the OSCAAR brand, known for producing some of the most competitive racing anywhere in the country.

Nostalgia on the Track: The Knightworks Design Hot Rods

In 2017, OSCAAR tapped into the rich history of stock car racing by launching the Knightworks Design Hot Rods. This series, featuring 1950s to 1970s body styles, was an instant hit with fans and drivers alike. The vision was to create an economical division that brought back the classic look of stock cars from a bygone era, attracting new and returning racers who had been priced out of the sport. The Hot Rods are a celebration of grassroots racing, emphasizing driver skill and car setup over high-dollar technology. Their unique appearance and close-quarters racing have made them a beloved and fast-growing part of every OSCAAR event.

The Future Stars: Living Lighting Pro Sprints

The Living Lighting OSCAAR Pro Sprints represent another vital component of the OSCAAR family. These winged machines are incredibly fast and demand precision from their drivers, producing thrilling, high-speed action on the track. The series serves as a key developmental division, welcoming drivers as young as 16 to compete against seasoned veterans. By providing an accessible yet challenging platform, the Pro Sprints are crucial for cultivating the next generation of Ontario’s racing talent, ensuring the future of the sport remains bright.

More Than Just a Race: The OSCAAR Community

What has truly enabled OSCAAR to thrive for three decades is the strength of its community. It’s a racing family built on mutual respect and a shared passion for motorsport. This extends from the garage to the grandstands, creating an atmosphere that is both competitive and welcoming.

This vibrant ecosystem is supported by several key groups who are the lifeblood of the series. The synergy between these pillars is what transforms a race day into an unforgettable event.

• Dedicated Drivers and Teams: The heart and soul of OSCAAR, these individuals pour countless hours into preparing their machines. Their commitment to excellence and sportsmanship is the foundation of the on-track product.
• Passionate Track Promoters: OSCAAR’s partnerships with speedways across Ontario are essential. Promoters provide the venues for these incredible shows and work hand-in-hand with the series to create memorable experiences for fans.
• Loyal Fan Base: The cheers from the grandstands fuel the competition. OSCAAR fans are knowledgeable and passionate, showing up week after week to support their favourite drivers and witness incredible racing.
• Essential Sponsors and Partners: From title sponsors to contingency partners, these businesses provide the financial support necessary to operate a premier racing series. Their investment is a testament to the value and excitement OSCAAR delivers.

Ultimately, the collective effort of every driver, crew member, official, sponsor, and fan is what has cemented OSCAAR’s legacy. It’s a community that celebrates victories together, supports each other through challenges, and shares an unwavering love for short track racing.

30th Anniversary of OSCAAR – Stu Robinson Jr.

Through OSCAAR’s 30 years of racing, certain families have been involved in the sport, leaving their mark. One of those being the Robinsons. “It’s impressive that it’s lasted this long,” Stu Robinson Jr. said. “It’s got to be one of the longest running series in Southern Ontario, and very happy that it’s still going.” The families involvement in the sport goes through generations, with Stu Robinson Sr. racing himself. Then it was Stu Jr.’s turn to get behind the wheel, beginning with go-karting for five years. After following that with three seasons of late model competition, it was time for the jump up into super late models. “My dad and I raced late models for three years, but got tired of running every Saturday night at a home track and just doing some traveling series,” he commented. “So you’re running 35 races a year and by the end of the year, you were just wore out. So we looked to go to a traveling series that had anywhere from 10 to 13 dates, which was comfortable and a lot more enjoyable. So we went with the OSCAAR Super Late Model series.”

Once behind the wheel, Robinson learned why they are still one of the coolest cars in the province. As he noted, “they’re their own beast and once you have driven one, nothing else that you drive will compare.” After winning Rookie of the Year in 1992, he continued to only improve from there and experienced lots of success through the 14 years with a pair of back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003. “When I look back on it, it’s very rewarding, humbling considering the fact that as a kid growing up and going to Cayuga, Flamboro, all the short tracks to watch the super late models growing up,” he said. “My idol was Junior Hanley and back in those days, you cheered for Hanley or Biederman as they were the two big days. As a kid, that’s what I dreamed of, not thinking it’d become a reality. When it did become a reality and managed to have some success and win a couple championships, it was a big thrill.”

30th Anniversary of OSCAAR – Dave Gainforth

Over the past 30 years, OSCAAR has thrilled fans across the province of Ontario with side-by-side thrilling battles right down to the checkered flag. Although we’re currently staying at home to stay safe, the anniversary is special to everybody involved in the series, past and present, from originators and the officials, to the drivers and fans. OSCAAR felt it was the perfect time to pay homage to our beginnings, and catch up with past and current faces to get their thoughts on the occasion. Through the growth and changes of OSCAAR, there have been different people in charge of righting the ship. Over the past decade, the tough decisions have ultimately fallen on the shoulders of Dave Gainforth as the series president. “With the 2020 race season being OSCAAR’S 30TH Anniversary, it brings me great pride,” Gainforth said. “I have been able to play a small role in keeping the dream alive that the founding members started in the off season of 1989. I would have been in the grandstands at the first OSCAAR event at the new ½ mile oval Mosport Speedway when the Super Late Models were a weekly division so you could say I been there since the beginning.

30th Anniversary of OSCAAR – Dave Taylor

In looking back at the past 30 years and seeing where OSCAAR is now, Dave Taylor only had one simple reaction – “It’s good to see it still around.” While still around, the original intentions of OSCAAR were certainly differed from how they changed over the years. After all, the board of directors – along with other influences like big-time car owner Jerry Hicks, had a different vision when the Ontario Association for Asphalt Stock Car Racers came together. It was all about providing a series for affordable super late model racing at the time. “We wanted to encourage some of the guys in pure stock and late model to come race with us,” Taylor recalled. “We originally got rid of all the big motors, and we had a cast iron motor rule, which was quite economical at the time; we also gave weight breaks for older chassis just to try and get guys out. it worked pretty good as we got a few. “We didn’t change the rules year to year, either. Our rules meeting back in the day, the first two years, there was no rules discussed; we just discussed the tire rule and where we were racing. The rules stayed the same.”

30th Anniversary of OSCAAR: Mike Bricknell

As a child, Mike Bricknell attended several races alongside his father at Pincrest Speedway and the Canadian National Exhbition. These trips to the track left a lasting impact, including a special interaction with one of the competitors. “Ted Hogan put me in his car at the CNE and drove me around the track when I was a kid,” Mike Brickenll said. “So I think that’s where I got my bite.” Bricknell would eventually get behind the wheel himself, though also became a very important part of racing history in Ontario as one of the founding members of the Ontario Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, known as OSCAAR. “Tthere may have been five of us, but four of us stuck with it,” Bricknell recalled. “I think maybe Rudy Oppersma was involved for a bit, but then he went a different direction. But the four of us – Al Thompson, Terry Robichaud, Dave Taylor and I – we basically sat down and were trying to figure out that we’d like to have a traveling series, go from track-to-track than staying at one or two tracks. So that was basically our reason for trying to start this up.”

As the roaring engines of the OSCAAR Modifieds and the nostalgic Knightworks Design Hot Rods captivate fans across Ontario’s short tracks, the adrenaline rush often extends far beyond the checkered flag. For many motorsport enthusiasts, the high-speed thrills of a Saturday night race are perfectly complemented by seeking excitement in other fast-paced environments during their downtime. Whether they are reminiscing about legendary drivers from the past three decades or simply looking to unwind after an action-packed evening at the speedway, some fans turn to digital entertainment, occasionally testing their luck on platforms like https://guardangel.ru/ru-ru/ for a completely different kind of rush. Ultimately, that shared passion for high-stakes action and unpredictable outcomes is what continues to fuel the dedicated racing community, both on the asphalt and in their everyday leisure pursuits.

 

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