Wicke and his team also took the 2009 Championship, and he said that he believes consistency and working with a devoted team is the reason for success."We had a good year, everything went well," said Wicke. "Consistency is a very big factor in racing," he continued. "We qualified well and went a bunch of rounds, and our car never let us down."
Wicke drives a 2006 Dodge Stratus in the Series' Top Sportsman class, which is comprised of 16 door cars for the elimination rounds. There are also 16 Top Dragsters which compete, and the final eliminator in each class is pitted against each other for an event champion.
Winning the 2010 title by a mere two points over top dragster driver Scott Wildgust of Wartburg, Ontario, Wicke qualified number one in two events of the 2010 Quick 32 Sportsman Series, qualified second in two others, and was third in the line-up for the other two events in the six-race series. The team recorded two runner-up positions in the Top Sportsman class, a semi-final round, two eight-round finishes, and a win in the Top Sportsman class with an event runner-up.
Wicke said he has raced for close to 30 years, and has been behind the wheel of a full-fendered car almost exclusively during that time. Along with competing in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, he has raced in the NHRA and IHRA.
His RJ Race Cars Stratus is powered by a 604-cubic inch with B1 Heads, nitrous assisted, and a Hutch's Transmission Service two-speed Powerglide with a Coan Engineering convertor sit behind the engine. The fuel system is provided by MagnaFuel Racing Fuel Systems, and an Induction Solutions nitrous system is utilized. Kevin Zimmer is the crew chief for the team. Dan Culliton, Dennis Culliton, Derek Dotzert, Kody and Kayden Wicke also are part of the team.
Wicke mentioned that several members of the team have worked with him for many years, and he believes this is an important factor in winning.
"My crew guys are the best in the world," he said. "Zim has been with me for close to 20 years and rest of the guys have been with us for a many years, and everyone knows their job. This takes a team effort and we have one of the best."
Sponsorship for the effort comes from CVR Inc., Fraser Asphalt Paving, Perth Auto Dismantlers, Skully Bros. Metal Fabrication, Bear's Performance Products, Ron's Precision Machine, Fram Canada, Patio Passport, Hutch's Transmission and K&K Racing & Performance.
He added he expects minimal changes for the Stratus in 2011, but will be ready for the show next year."I'm really impressed with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series," he noted. "It's a great group of guys. I'm real happy with our year and the Series."
The PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Championship Point Award Series winners will be honored at the "Night of Champions" on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at The Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
