Don DescoteauJoel TanseyB次元官网网址 Gazette staff

When Wade Bland looks at the list of past winners of the Reg Midgley Canada 200, he sees racing history, but he also sees opportunity.

As the two-time defending champion of this late model racing marathon at Western Speedway, heB次元官网网址檇 love to write his own piece of history this Labour Day weekend.

Capturing the trophy a third straight time would make him only the second driver to accomplish the feat, along with Monte English of Port Angeles, who won the race from 1987 to 1989.

B次元官网网址淒efinitely this year I really want to win it,B次元官网网址� he says, noting that thereB次元官网网址檚 only been a handful of drivers with multiple wins since the first race in 1972. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e watched this race since I was four years old, probably. You read the trophy and the names that are on it; itB次元官网网址檚 pretty cool.B次元官网网址�

Not only are there legendary local racing names like Roy Haslam (five-time winner), Darrell Midgely (twice), Roy Smith (twice) and Don Smith (three times) on the cup, other well-known drivers have come to Langford over the years to challenge for the title.

B次元官网网址�(Former NASCAR driver) Bobby Allison has run this race, and guys like Tom Berrow (from Langley) B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 raced for longer than IB次元官网网址檝e been alive B次元官网网址� still come over to race this one,B次元官网网址� adds Bland, 32.

The Central Saanich-based driver has already won the Keg Late Model Series for 2016 with his Ford Fusion-bodied car. But for him, the Canada 200 weekend of racing is a special one given the history and the quality of competition.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 gotta be the largest stock car race in Western Canada; the longest-running at least.B次元官网网址�

SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 race results will determine the starting grid for SundayB次元官网网址檚 200-lapper on the 4/10-mile oval track. The event was renamed the Reg Midgley Canada 200 in honour of one of auto racingB次元官网网址檚 pioneers in Greater Victoria.

If anyone is to get in the way of BlandB次元官网网址檚 quest for three consecutive victories, it could be MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 Geoff Morris of GT Motor Sports.

Morris has enjoyed a successful 2016 campaign, finishing 29 points back of Bland for the Keg Late Model title while taking four wins, good enough for second place in the overall championship.

HeB次元官网网址檚 also got plenty of experience with this gruelling race, having competed eight times.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really tough race to win. YouB次元官网网址檝e gotta be quick at the beginning B次元官网网址� but youB次元官网网址檝e also gotta make sure you have enough at the end to make a run for the win. I just havenB次元官网网址檛 been able to do it yet,B次元官网网址� he says.

In 2014, Morris led after the first 100 laps but could only hang on to sixth by the time the chequered flag dropped. The lengthy nature of the race makes this an especially challenging event, he adds.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to not overdrive the car B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 hot in the car because not much air gets in. (And) you have to make sure you keep focus, because as soon as you lose focus is when you screw up.B次元官网网址�

Morris will compete alongside his brother Brent B次元官网网址� who finished fourth in this yearB次元官网网址檚 Keg Series standings B次元官网网址� under the direction of their father, Gordon, who builds the teamB次元官网网址檚 engines and acts as the teamB次元官网网址檚 crew chief.

B次元官网网址淚 have a good team. My dad builds good motors and my brotherB次元官网网址檚 good with the suspension stuff,B次元官网网址� Geoff says, noting that the rest of their crew have also played a huge role in his solid year. B次元官网网址淲hen you have a good team, it makes it easier to drive.B次元官网网址�

Racing fans shouldnB次元官网网址檛 expect to see any indications of a sibling rivalry between the Morris brothers, however, as the two get along both on and off the track, according to Geoff.

B次元官网网址淚 think it helps us, personally. I enjoy it. ItB次元官网网址檚 nice running against your brother. ItB次元官网网址檚 fun,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲e always try and help the other one, and if he wins IB次元官网网址檓 just as happy as if IB次元官网网址檝e won.B次元官网网址�

As for what it takes to win this distance race, Bland says it is a matter of stamina and keeping your car in running order.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 200 laps, so where you start really doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter. You just have to be there in the end. Over the years itB次元官网网址檚 been a rough race, so as long as we can keep the fenders on and keep the brakes (from overheating), we should have a good chance to win,B次元官网网址� he says.

The drivers get a chance to practise tonight (Sept. 2) from 5 to 8 p.m., then tomorrow nightB次元官网网址檚 racing sees qualifying time trials and qualifying races starting at 6:30 p.m. SundayB次元官网网址檚 racing also gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Joining the late models on Saturday and Sunday will be the B.C. Street Stock Invitational races. Visit westernspeedway.net for more details and ticket information.