From WSS
World Series Sprintcars and Speedway Australia are pleased to announce that the ‘Voice of Speedway’, Wade Aunger, has committed to WSS again for 2012/13 as official series commentator.
Aunger has been calling the action for Australia’s premier summer motorsport since 1998 and is widely regarded as a master of his craft.
World Series Sprintcars recently interviewed the lovable larrikin to discuss his experiences on the road, and what he’s looking forward to for 2012/13.
WSS: How many years have you now been commentating or involved in WSS and how did it all start?
Wade: I think my first year announcing WSS for TV was for SBS Speedweek back in 1998 when I first moved to Sydney.
The opportunity came up through John Hughes suggesting me as I had just started working at PCR [now Sydney Speedway] and SBS Speedweek was produced nearby. They needed somebody to call it and I happened to be in the right place at the right time.
It kind of started off without much fanfare and then it was something I did each year until we (David Lander and I) took over running WSS and I called each round live and for TV after that. So I guess, on and off, I’ve been announcing WSS for around fifteen years TV wise and since 1989 when I called my first “Winfield Series” event as it was called at Claremont.
WSS: What does it mean to you to be involved in the series?
Wade: The WSS gig is something I think that most Speedway announcers aspire to and I’m no different.
It’s a privilege but it’s also a big responsibility. The fans are very educated and they know as much as I do a lot of times, so you have to be on your game.
I enjoy the traveling and the friends you meet and see on the road as much as the competition; some really funny stuff happens off the track and that’s the part I’d really like to tell on the PA, but it’s probably not always appropriate.
I enjoy the camaraderie on the road and watching the teams attack the massive challenge that WSS is. I’m a people person, so I really enjoyed watching the Jenkin family last year taking on WSS. You see some wonderful stories taking shape and to share them with the crowd is the rewarding part for me.
WSS: What are your thoughts on the younger generation stepping up to take on WSS this season?
Wade: There are a couple of young guys I’m really excited to see on the road this year.
There’s no doubt it’s a season of significant change and there will be a lot of discussion about that. In the end there are some young firebrands, like Shaun Bradford for example, that will hopefully convert this opportunity into a big reputation building effort.
WSS is a massive thing for anyone to take on so you have to work very hard on surviving and importantly finishing every A-Main wherever possible. That will be a test that many teams have yet to fully comprehend. It’s not until you get out on the road that you realize that. It’s going to be very interesting.
WSS: What is your favourite ever WSS moment?
Wade: It’s impossible to pick just one!
There are so many moments that I think are memorable for such different reasons. Jason Johnson winning the Adelaide round to tribute his little sister was who tragically killed in a road accident in the USA, coming to Kwinana for the first time with Adam Brand, having “General” John Day bring his awesome starter Ute over to do Speedweek, the hilarity with Trevor Green and his sms about the nurses in Warrnambool Hospital when he got hurt, working with the various American superstars that come over, having Brad Doty come over and announce with me many years ago, seeing James McFadden’s amazing year last season… I’d be here for days recounting favourite moments. I couldn’t pick only one.
WSS: Finally, is there anything new you will be bringing to the fans on tour this year?
Wade: I never have anything specific in mind in terms of new ideas until I get in the car and hit the highway.
It’s then my brain won’t turn off and the individual experiences motivate me as we go along – every year WSS unearths a great new story or something that captures everybody’s imagination.
I’m lucky enough to be able to see those things happen, and then get to share it with the race fans. I’m a race fan too, so I love seeing those stories play out myself.
The 26th annual World Series Sprintcars Championship begins on December 26 at Speedway City in South Australia. Stay tuned to worldseriessprintcars.com.au for all of the latest news regarding the series, including the full roster of contracted drivers as they are announced.