WILDGUST & CAR ARE RECUPERATING AFTER WILD RIDE

Pro Modified Racing Association driver Scott Wildgust had a nasty ride during a qualifying attempt at the Third Annual PMRA Challenge event at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, on May 17, and although he crashed heavily in the Ajax Engines/Torco Racing Fuels Ontario 1967 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Kirk and Maria Silbermann of Ajax.

Wildgust, an experienced drag racer of 17 years, including several seasons in the Pro Modified ranks and in Funny Cars, said he does not really remember what happened at Cayuga last Saturday before the car crashed into the left lane wall. He was checked out at an area hospital and now is recuperating at home.

Wildgust said two safety factors worked as intended, and without them the result could have been much worse. He said the HANS (head and neck restraint device) he was wearing, along with the solidly built roll cage of the race car did their jobs.

“I think the HANS pretty well saved my life,” he said. “I don’t even have a stiff neck.”

Built by G-Force Race Cars, the Ajax team car was constructed with the most stringent of SFI safety requirements and certified for strength. The roll cage and extra bars built into the chassis cocooned Wildgust during the incident.

The event was postponed due to rain and a new date has not been announced. A second event at the Cayuga track will be on June 28. Other events on the PMRA schedule are New York International Raceway Park (June 7), Dunn Tire Raceway Park (July 26), Sanair in Quebec (Aug. 16) and the season closer will be held at Grand Bend Motorplex on Aug. 30-31.  (Bruce Mehlenbacher photo) [5/21/2008]