Wildgust on Straight & Narrow

By:       Bruce Biegler

Canada’s Scott Wildgust is without doubt one of the most capable drivers anywhere in drag racing.   The Stratford, Ontario based racer, has during his relatively short career, driven pretty much anything that has wheels…

That includes but is not limited to a front motored altered, alcohol Funny Cars and Pro Mods.  Scott is showcasing his versatility once again during 2010, with an exciting new drag racing project.

Scott Wildgust & Bill White

Wildgust is now teamed up with a new partner and car owner, Bill White, who is also from Stratford.  Together the team hit the track running earlier this season in a truly spectacular new Top Dragster, which has been successful almost right out of the gate.   The duo are the overall and current points leaders within the Eastern Canadian Napa Auto Parts Quick 32 circuit which is sailing to it’s season finale over this coming Labor Day Weekend at Grand Bend Motorplex.

 “At the end of 2009 I finished up my deal with the Roth Family – they decided they wanted to run only one car this year,” Wildgust revealed.  “Bill (White) and I go back a long time together and we got talking about the Quick 32 deal and how much fun it would be go play in it.  So we bought a car from Spencer Hyde – pulled the drive train out of it — and put in all in this new Mike Bos-built dragster.   Things have worked out great so far.”

For Bill White, whose past history includes building a number of muscle cars, the move into the upper echelon Top Dragster class was significant.

“I’ve always been interested in drag racing and as my association with Scotty grew – I decided to get more involved,” Bill explained.  “This is certainly a big step compared to anything I have done before but I feel fortunate.  Scott’s experience in drag racing speaks for itself – he is a good teacher.   We have assembled some good people on this team, including John Weima, our crew chief.”

Wiley John Weima is the crew chief

Bill also revealed that he will in fact also license in the dragster later this season.  That move may be a precursor to 2011 for a possible 2-car Top Dragster team effort.

Currently the team is however totally focused on rounding out the 2010 season on a high.  While their supercharged small block Chevy powered car is fully capable of very low 6.0 to 6.1 seconds elapsed times, those types of numbers are not the current strategy within Ontario’s thriving TD class scene.

“Sure there is something about being the fastest small block dragster out there,” Scott added.  “We know we can get real fast if we want.  But right now we are keeping everything a lower key and consistency is our goal.   We are in the points chase and the Quick 32 Championship is our season objective.  Things will stay right where they are now.”

Once that business is done, the dragster which runs very consistently within the 6.5 to 6.6 seconds zone may make it’s first out of province appearance.  The team is mulling the possibility of attending the Jegs NHRA Sports Nationals which will be held later in September at Columbus Ohio.

The Wildgust & White TD has been extremely impressive during 2010

(Bruce Biegler Photos)