After getting his feet wet last year in Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods presented by Sauble Falls Tent and Trailer Park competition, Ryan Cowan is ready to step up his game heading in 2020.

Through the winter, he noted that they have “stepped up the level of chassis for 2020,” with plans of having it underneath a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville body.

“We plan on really putting our best foot forward with a very capable chassis,” he commented.

With the work that they’re putting in, he says the expectation will be to get up into the pack, and hopefully make his way to the front.

“My personal goal is to aim for some solid heat finishes to put us into solid feature contention,” he commented. “The competition is very strong in hotrod so while aiming for some really good finishes I make no guarantees.”

On top of improving his equipment, Cowan notes that he also plans on getting in some testing at Sunset Speedway to “figure that track out” through their practice nights.

Though when it comes to dates on the calendar, the pair of dates at Jukasa Motor Speedway and return to Peterborough Speedway are currently circled after having fun last season.

“Really looking forward to letting this new build loose on those tracks,” he added.

His old car isn’t going away, though, with plans of having a two-car team throughout the season. He notes that it is registered and may make “some appearances” with “some different drivers trying their hand.”

For Cowan, he got involved in racing at a young age through go-karts.

“My childhood go kart is in the rafters of my shop,” he reflected. “We didn’t have loads of money or time so I would spend random Sunday afternoons with my dad at Goodwood Kartways learning how to drive and chasing others around the track. Later on, I spent some time in some Formula Fords whilst helping out with the Formula 101 driving school.

“With oval track, I can honestly say that I had lost my brother in July of 2018 to pancreatic cancer and was in need of something to keep me occupied. I got a hold of Dan Price, who I had met running around my hometown of Brooklin. Asked he and Erin if I could accompany them to the track to help in the pits.”

While helping Derek Henderson, he made his first trip to an oval event at Sunset’s Fall Velocity in 2018.

“From that point, I was on the hunt for a chassis of my own,” he continued. “I found an old challenger metric car (formerly ‘The Tillsonburg Flyer’), got it straight, and did some upgrades. Then we dropped the rat rod Camaro body on it and hit the track in 2019. Got some laps in, had a ton of fun, and got better as we went.”

With his first season under his belt, Cowan’s advice to other is start with a good chassis, make it safe, and get on track making laps.

“Be patient and you will improve week in and week out,” he added. “You will find many helpful and good people within the OSCAAR Hot Rod membership. You will come through the season having met new friends, great people and a passion for the sport.”

Be sure to keep up with OSCAAR by staying tuned to the series website at http://www.oscaar.ca. Also, make sure to “like” the official OSCAAR Racing Facebook page, while following both the Twitter and Instagram accounts (@OSCAARRacing) to keep up to date on everything you need to know.

OSCAAR’s 2020 racing season was supported by several dedicated partners including Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC, Knightworks Design, Living Lighting Canada, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd., Touchwood Cabinets, Sauble Falls Campground, The Fyre Place & Patio Shop, Ohsweken Speedway, American Racer, and Grisdale Race Products.

By: Ashley McCubbin