Start your engines: Daffodil Cup back at Westshore Motorsports Park

What was supposed to be the 60th anniversary running of the Daffodil Cup tonight at Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) will be the 59th. Another number, COVID-19, got in the way. But the venerable event, considered one of the top open-wheel races in Western

Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest, reconvenes after last year’s cancellation.

It continues a heralded tradition that began when Eldon Rassmussen of Edmonton won the first race after Geoff Vantreight donated the Daffodil Cup for competition in 1961.

Island winners of the race on their home Langford oval have included the late Billy Foster in 1962 and 1963, who went on to become the first Canadian to race in the Indianapolis 500, and the late Roy Smith in 1968, 1971, 1975 and 1976 before he raced three times in the Daytona 500. U.S. Pacific Northwest greats who have raced in the Daffodil Cup, before going on to the Indianapolis 500, include Tom Sneva, Art Pollard and 1964 Daffodil Cup-champion Jim Malloy.

The lingering effects of the pandemic, however, are still being felt as there will be fewer American drivers than normal who contest the race, which features winged sprint cars. The cars are small, but they can zip. The inverted wings create a dramatic downforce, allowing the methanol-fuelled 750-horsepower engines to reach speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour.

The all-time Daffodil Cup wins leaders are Jeff Montgomery of Victoria and Scott Aumen of Duncan with five career victories each. With brother, Trevor Montgomery, also a former champion, the overall family title is with the Montgomerys. For now. Scott Aumen’s son, Brad Aumen, will be vying for the title tonight.

The grandstand will be open with fans allowed.