Thoughts on the 2011 Season

[Race_Fan]

It’s a little quiet here so I thought I would try and get people talking about this awesome series. What did everyone think of the 2011 Ontario Pro Challenge Series this year? How about your thoughts on a new (2 time) champion? How about the competition this year? How about the several different winners? Any rookies from last year seem to really improve or stand out amongst the others?

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[CanadianRacingOnline]

Not much information provided from them on the series.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=14369.msg98075#msg98075

[Race_Fan]

I agree. The only one that I know that went from karts to the Ontario Pro Challenge is Dale Wilson. I think all the other drivers came from some type of oval racing. I don’t know the costs of these cars but you can be certain that it is a lot cheaper than late models. In my opinion, they are a lot of fun to watch because they seem to get through the corners very quick and the competition seems to be pretty tough.

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[jibbyjebidiah]

Russ Bond who ran the series in it's first couple of years came from a go-karting background.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=14369.msg98083#msg98083

[Race_Fan]

All very good points. I can only make an assumption on the costs of these cars and the budgets they have as I have never talked to any of the drivers about it. You are right; there are a few teams that at the very least look like they are running with big budgets like the late model guys. None the less, I still enjoy watching them (of course I like all oval racing) and wish my work schedule would allow me to see more of them.

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[Buford]

I ran these for two years, there are more younger kids getting in the series, Patrick Freel is 17, Dale Wilson 15, Justin Billington 15 et.. The complete car is 10-15,000 used and travel/running expense is $3-4,000 per year. I have race a lot of stuff and had as much fun in there as anything else and the competition is the same as anything 4-5 guys you have to beat to run up front. 3-4 Nights on a set of tires, and not one of the top guys stray from this to far, series is worth it to be in and if and when i decide to race again, I will be back.... for now I enjoy watching my kid race karts at WRKC!

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[Race_Fan]

Thanks for that information. Now we understand the real costs to running these cars because we have heard it firsthand. I agree with Wesley_Motorsports whereas this is a great training ground for the young drivers who want to go oval racing whether they come from karting or other forms of motorsports. I believe Dale Wilson won his first feature this year at Flamboro in only his second year of racing stock cars. I do know he spent many years running go karts which he started racing at a very young age. I had mentioned it last year that I thought that he would be one of the young guns in the near future. Hopefully I am right because I love watching him and they always have a nicely prepared car as they did when they were running karts.

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[pit now]

Just to give you some info on the series and some of the drivers . Yes Russ Bond is big in karting and is doing alot for karting right now.Russ also run in Formula Atlantic for a few years.Also has done alot of road racing.Russ is a racer, he will drive anything any where ! Robert Wickens (we called him Robbie ) ran 1 year in the Pro Challenge Series you should know where Robert is heading.
 Please do not compare Pro Challenge to Late Models. At some tracks Pro Challenge are just as fast as the Late Models, but that's about it. Pro challenge using a Kawaski zx 1100 motorcycle engine and the engines are sealed.
I know teams that will go 5 to 6 races on tires. It also depends on the track surface on tire wear.
 The cars are built in Blountville Tn. a purpose built race car and safe to drive.
  www.prochallengeracing.com 
  www.prochallengeracecars.com  ( U.S.A. website )

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[Philmein]

I thought I would share my thoughts on this series, its competition and the cars. Dale Wilson is my son and I can tell you first hand, we thoroughly enjoy this series and its competitors. When we decided to move on from karting, we wanted to race in a series that most resembled the karting community that we came from. We definitely feel we have found it with the Ontario Pro Challenge. From the moment we announced to Ontario Pro Challenge that we intended to join their series, we were welcomed and felt comfortable. It was the family-like atmosphere we hoped it would be. The veterans showed us respect, patience and guidance and continue to do so to this day. Dale has shown improvement this year and with each race he becomes more comfortable behind the wheel. Dennis Thomson, Ken Nicholson, Tim Forbes and Tim Norris have all given Dale advice and guidance. What better group to learn from? The cost of the cars are fairly reasonable and I would agree with Scott F that you can expect to run on a budget of around three or four thousand dollars for the season. Like any form of racing, you can spend a lot more if you are not careful. Being that the cars are all pretty much equal with spec engines, chassis and rear ends, it’s pretty much all driver and set up that really count. At the end of the day, I fell (just my opinion) that this is the best bang for your buck and certainly the most fun! Hope to see you all at the track next year.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=14369.msg98116#msg98116

[Race_Fan]

Well said Philmein. I would still like to hear from others what they think of the series, it’s up and coming drivers, it’s stars, basically any thoughts they have. I really do love this series and hope they continue the growth they have experienced recently.

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