By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com – “Once you strap in, all your worries go away and you have nothing to worry about.” Austin Penney has been racing go karts for seven years. He began his career in karts at Leamington and then with the Waterloo Regional Kart Club. For 2012, the plans is to eventually race a Thunder Car at Flamboro Speedway. Away from the track. Austin enjoys playing hockey, Iracing and working on the race car. Austin’s dad used to race Super Modifieds at Delaware Speedway, but when Austin turned seven his dad stopped racing and got him into a kart. We caught up with Austin in this edition of ‘Fast Futures’.

Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

Birthdate: June 2, 1995

Years Racing: 7 Years

First thing you ever raced: Go Kart

First track you ever raced at: Leamington Point Pelee Kart Club

Driver you most look up to: Tyler Hendricks and Steve Robblee

Your favourite Ontario Oval track: Delaware Speedway

Racing goals (hobby or career): To win Rookie of the Year at Flamboro

Favourite things to do away from racing:  Play hockey, Iracing, with friends

Educational aspirations: College to become a Paramedic

How did you get your start in racing?  My dad used to rae Late Models and Super Modifieds at Delaware and when I turned seven he retired so I could race go karts.

What are your future plans in racing? To hopefully make it somewhere in racing or being a big name in Late Models or some big series in North America.

If you could race a car, which class would you choose? I would race CRA Super Series because they run all over America and you’ll be racing against the best short track racers from all over North America.

Who is your favourite NASCAR driver? Jeff Gordon.

What is your perspective on Ontario Short Track racing today and where do you think it’s at and how would you improve it?  Ontario short track racing isn’t what it use to be back in the day when the fields were a lot bigger and there were more fans. If I had to improve it I would go down to America and see what the track owners are doing down there to pull so many fans and get amazing car counts and bring all the ideas up here and see how it works for us.

What is your favourite thing about racing? My favourite thing about racing would be the thrill of driving the car and once you strap yourself in, all your worries go away and you have nothing to worry about. Another thing is how everyone in your family is involved and I think that this is the only sport where your whole family can be involved.

Who is your favourite person to race against and why?  It would have to be Tristan Gill. I’ve been racing against him since I moved to Kitchener and and started racing at the WRKC. He’s been the one I’ve always being trying to beat and he always races me clean.

What is your most memorable racing moment so far in your racing career? My first ever championship win at Leamington Kart Club.

What are your 2012 plans? To race the Thunder Car at Flamboro Speedway and win my first feature race.

Who are your sponsors and who would you like to thank? As of now, sadly I have no sponsors for the Thunder Car but I would like to thank my dad for doing everything for me and being very supportive. He keeps pushing mew to become better. Also would like to thank my mom and the rest of my family for their support.

Stay tuned for the next edition of “Fast Futures”. If you are a young, up and coming driver and would like to be considered for an upcoming edition of “Fast Futures” please CLICK HERE to contact us.

By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com – Cole MacDonald is a young aspiring racer from Mississauga Ontario. Cole didn’t start to like racing from simply being at a race track, he attended a Monster Jam show and decided that he wanted to race. Cole got his start in racing karts at Cameron Motor Speedway 3 years ago. Away from the track, Cole enjoys playing hockey, and running. This season, Cole will be racing in the states at Limerock Speedway in a Micro Sprint. Just 11 years old and already Cole has a very auspicious future. We caught up with Cole in this edition of ‘Fast Futures’.

Hometown: Mississauga Ontario

Birthdate: February 24, 2001

Years Racing: 3 Years

First thing you ever raced: Go Kart

First track you ever raced at: Cameron Motor Speedway

Driver you most look up to: Glenn Styres, Dain Naida

Your favourite Ontario Oval track: Ohsweken Speedway

Racing goals (hobby or career): I need to get better at shifting

Favourite things to do away from racing:  I like hockey and running

Educational aspirations: Math

How did you get your start in racing?  We saw a Monster Jam show so I decided I wanted to race

What are your future plans in racing? Micro Sprint in New York at Limerock Speedway until I am 16 then I want to race a 360.

If you could race a car, which class would you choose? 410 World of Outlaws

Who is your favourite NASCAR driver? Tony Stewart

What is your perspective on Ontario Short Track racing today and where do you think it’s at and how would you improve it?  I think that it is growing a lot and hope that one day there is more racing for young drivers.

What is your favourite thing about racing? My favourite thing about racing is GOING FAST.

Who are your sponsors? Corr/Pak Merch, Reno Mac Construction, Big Ticket Events

Who would you like to thank? My dad, mom, sisters, aunt and uncle and John & Wendy Brush.

Stay tuned for the next edition of “Fast Futures”. If you are a young, up and coming driver and would like to be considered for an upcoming edition of “Fast Futures” please CLICK HERE to contact us.

By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com – When you think racing, you often think NASCAR. Many drivers dream is to make it big in the world of NASCAR. Josh Shantz is one of those drivers who has a career goal in mind, and will stop at nothing to somehow and someday ensure that his dreams come true. Starting at Bingemans, moving onto Erbsville KartWay then finally to racing at Flamboro Speedway, Josh has become no stranger to the karting tracks. In 2008, Josh won the Novice Championship and he won the Oktoberfest Championship as well. There is no doubt that you’ll be hearing a lot about this aspiring racer in the years to come. This upcoming season Josh plans on racing both his go-kart and his new Mini Stock at Flamboro Speedway. We caught up with Josh in this edition of ‘Fast Futures’.

Hometown: Mannheim Ontario
Birthdate: May 5, 1996
Years Racing: 8
 

How did you get your start in racing?
My dad raced figure 8 cars and I think that’s when I figured out I wanted to race for an actual career someday. I got started in racing by finding out there was a kart club at Bingeman Park in my first year of racing karts in 2005 at the age of 8 years old. From there, I progressed through karting at Erbsville and than to win my first championship in 2008 at Flamboro Speedway.
 

First thing you ever raced?
The first thing I ever raced was a go kart.
 

First track you ever raced at?
I started at Bingemeans park then moved onto Erbsville Kart Way then currently to Flamboro Speedway.
 

Which driver(s) do you most look up to?
I most look up to the #17 Thunder Car Nick Roth and the #01 Mark DaSilva.
 

Your favorite Ontario Oval track?
My favourite Ontario Oval track would be either Flamboro Speedway or Ohsweken Speedway.
 

What are some of your racing goals?
I want to progress through different classes locally and keep working my way up to the big leagues of racing, NASCAR, but for now, improving my skills and working towards finishing at the front in the Ministock class is my goal for this year.
 

What are some of your favourite things to do away from the track?
Biking, RC Racing, Snowboarding and working on racecars.
 

What are some of your educational aspirations?
I want to get into a good racing school in North Carolina to further my racing career and being able to diagnose a racecar and work on them, being on a professional Pit Crew would be a decent fallback.
 

Who is your favourite NASCAR driver?
Kyle Busch!!!
 

What is your perspective on Ontario short track racing today and where do you think it’s at and how would you improve it ?
I think having bigger races and events would help short track racing in Ontario a fair bit because it would draw more racers to the track, which creates more competition which than also brings a better chance of the stands being filled every race day.
 

What is your favourite thing about racing?
Racing against other drivers that have the same interest in racing as you do, and having to compete against them every week and having to figure out a strategy that works for you. Not to mention the fact that you get to go fast! Once you’re in racing, you will never want to not be at the race track on the weekend.
 

What are some of your most memorable moments so far in your racing career?
Each year in karts I did better, and stayed competitive. I won the Novice Championship in 2008 with 9 out of 15 races won, and was the 2008 Oktoberfest Champion. I finished 5th this year in points winning Most Sportsmanlike and Best Appearing Kart.
 

Who is your favourite person to race against and why?
My greatest competition every week, the driver I respect the most and one of the cleanest drivers on the track, Darren Dryden. It does not matter how fast you are apart from everyone else, Darren is always right there in the heat of the competition week after week. He races hard but clean. In my opinion, he is one of the best drivers on the track and I can’t wait to race against him in the ministock class this year.
 

What are your plans for the 2012 season?
In 2012 I will be racing both my kart and a Mini Stock. The Mini Stock is being built by my family and Mark DaSilva. I plan on getting used to racing a full-sized car and becoming competitive.
 

 Stay tuned for the next edition of “Fast Futures”. If you are a young, up and coming driver and would like to be considered for an upcoming edition of “Fast Futures” please CLICK HERE to contact us.

By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com –  “We need to somehow show people that racing isn’t just pressing on the throttle and going left. We need to show people that racing is a community and a great pass time”. Tyler Turnbull, like most people that are involved in racing, have racing in the family. The Turnbull family has always been a large part of the Waterloo Regional Kart Club. Tyler knew that the moment he was old enough to race, he would be racing. Not only does Tyler love the speed, but he loves how close the racing community is. “You can always ask the person beside you to borrow something. You make lasting friends in racing, because racing is something you stick with.”  Tyler also helps his dad with the TQ Midget, and he’s learning as much as he can about them. Tyler plans on having another successful season in karts and in the future hopefully moving up to higher racing classes. I had a chance to catch up with Tyler in this edition of ‘Fast Futures’.

The Basics
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
Birthdate: June 3, 1997
Years Racing: 7
First thing you ever raced: Go-kart
First track you ever raced at: Bingeman Park kart track
Driver you most look up to: Ayrton Senna & Gilles Villeneuve
Your favorite Ontario oval track: Sauble Speedway
Racing goals (hobby or career): WRKC Jr Heavy championship 2012 & higher classes
Favorite things to do away from racing: There is something other than racing?? :O
Educational aspirations: Graduate high school and University
 

How did you get your start in racing?
I got my start in racing because of my dad. When he was younger he saw a go-kart in the classifieds. He bought it and he shared the ride with his brother. The Turnbull family became a large part of the Waterloo Regional kart Club. I was aware that I would be getting in karts as soon as I was old enough. The first kart I ever raced was a Dayglo kart with a Dayglo motor.
 

What are your future plans in racing?
I am hoping to have another successful season in karts next year. In the future I would like to move up to higher oval racing classes. I currently help my dad a lot with the TQ and I am learning as much as I can about it.
 
 

If you could race a car, which class would you choose and why?
If I could race a car I would like to race a TQ midget. I would like to race this because that is what my dad races, and they are extremely fast and interesting cars. Also if i was looking to go farther this would be a good stepping stone.
 

Who is your favourite NASCAR driver?
Jimmie Johnson
 

What is your perspective on Ontario short track racing today and where do you think it’s at and how would you improve it ?
Right now short track racing is in somewhat of a slump, unfortunately. I think in the future it will pick up as the economy picks up again. I think the best way to improve it is to make it as affordable as possible. Also we need to somehow show people that racing isn’t just pressing on the throttle and going left. We need to show people that racing is a community and a great pass time.
 

What is your favourite thing about racing?
My favourite thing about racing is that it is a really close knit community. You can always ask the person beside you to borrow something. You make lasting friends in racing, because racing is something you stick with. You will likely see your racing friends every weekend without fail. The speed is always good to.
 

Who is your favourite person to race against and why?
I would have to say my favourite person to race against is Austin Bisschop. We raced last year together and he raced me clean all the time. We were fighting for the championship and we raced very hard but I never had to worry about him pulling a dirty move. We could always race hard, and if something did happen we could talk about it and put it behind us.
 

Stay tuned for the next edition of “Fast Futures”. If you are a young, up and coming driver and would like to be considered for an upcoming edition of “Fast Futures” please CLICK HERE to contact us.

By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com – “The rush of going into turn one on the first lap and you have no idea what’s going to unfold.” To Scott Simmons, that is his favorite part of a race. He’s not alone. Scott  comes from a racing family, so there was no question that one day he would also get involved.

Scott gave up playing baseball and got his start in karting 4 years ago at Erbsville Kartway and eventually bought his own kart. As much as he loves racing, Scott also enjoys playing golf and hockey when he’s not at the race track. Scott is currently building a ministock to race at Flamboro Speedway this upcoming season and might even continuing karting.

Long term he would like to one day race a Late Model and eventually work in NASCAR. As far as an education, Scott wants to become a licensed Automotive Service Technician and further his education and eventually become a Mechanical Engineer. Scott’s favorite NASCAR driver is Kevin Harvick, “He’s a heck of a wheel man.”

Simmons feels that tracks need to work with their drivers’ to help promote the track and racing so the fan base will grow which will eventually bring more cars to the track and help improve the overall health of the the local short track racing scene. Keep your eyes open for Scott Simmons this year at Flamboro Speedway and possibly one of his favorites, Sunset Speedway. 

Name: Scott Simmons
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
Birthdate: July 12, 1992
Years in Racing: 4

By Larissa Spencer / OntarioOval.com –  When your last name is Collison, racing is in your blood. When most Canadian kids are young they dream of being hockey players, not Justin Collison. He knew from the day he was born that he loved the sport of racing. Justin is a third generation, young aspiring racer from Cambridge, Ontario. Being exposed to racing his entire life, Justin couldn’t wait to start racing himself. At the age of 7, he began racing karts at Bingeman’s Park. To Justin, racing is a family sport, something everyone can enjoy. He also believes it’s a hands on sport that all members of the family can be involved in. The Collison family has been instrumental in the success of the Waterloo Regional Kart Club. Justin is a kart veteran now, his grandpa Jim is very involved with the club as well as Jake Collison who has been a mainstay and a multi-time club champion along with his daughter Ciarra who is a very good up and coming karter in her own right. Away from the track Justin enjoys spending time with his friends and family, but most of all he loves sim racing. Justin is of the same opinion of his dad and grandpa when it comes to making work. He understands the need to promote your sponsors and raise awareness in the community about stock car racing. His future plans are to race a Thunder Car against his dad and see where that takes him. The quote, “Live to race, race to live” couldn’t be more true about Justin. He loves what he does and has great potential and a bright future. I had a chance to catch up with Justin in this edition of ‘Fast Futures’.

The Basics
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
Birthdate: October 21st
Years Racing: 8
First thing you ever raced:  Go Karts when I was 7
First track you ever raced at: Bingeman’s Park Kart track in Kitchener
Driver you most look up to: The driver I look up to most is my dad
Your favorite Ontario Oval track: Flamboro Speedway
Racing goals (hobby or career): Win a championship in the 2012 Jr. heavy class with the Waterloo Regional Kart Club
Favorite things to do away from the track: Sim racing and hanging out with family and friends
Educational aspirations: Graduate high school and get a trade
Website: http://londonrecreationalracing.com/
How did you and your family get your start in racing?
I got my start in racing through my Grandpa (Jim) and Dad (Brad). My Grandpa is a well known hobby car racer. He started his racing career in 1962 winning $50 in a demolition derby. The next year he raced Jalopies at Flamboro and was also the Canadian Vintage Modified mid-season champion in 1984, 1985 and 1986. My dad got his start in racing 30 years ago. Unlike today when lots of new cars are handed over to young drivers, Jim purchased an old hobby car with a blown motor and severely damaged front end. “First you fix it, then you race it.” The lesson seemed to work because I’ve seen how smart my dad is with race cars and I hope to learn the ropes from him next year. I’m going to absorb all the info I can about the Thunder Car class in 2012 so when I begin I will have some good knowledge to be successful in that series.
 

What are your future plans in racing?
Race in the Thunder car class. Will I go any higher? I don’t know. We’ll have to see how much fun I have in that class.
 

If you could race a car, which class would you choose and why?
Thunder Cars. It’s the best racing in all of Ontario. No matter what track you go to, if you ask the fans the highlight of the night would be the prestigious Thunder Car feature.
 

Who is your favorite Nascar driver?
Jimmie Johnson or Tony Stewart.
 

What is your perspective on Ontario short track racing today, where do you think it’s at and how would you improve it?
Ontario short track racing today is in a slump. Half the people don’t know it’s out there. If I could change it, I would be get out there and promote it and pump it up as much as I could! Get racers to take their cars to local gas stations, bars, fairs… any place there is a constant flow of people. Just get the sport out there and get fans!
 

What is your favorite thing about racing?
My favorite thing about racing is that it is a family sport. You hear of families that are into hockey where one kid has a game in Barrie and the other kid’s game is in Windsor. That just doesn’t make sense to me. In racing, it’s one place and everyone is there and it’s fun all around. One thing about this sport is you can’t forget to have fun at what you’re doing!
 

Who is your favorite person to race against and why?
My favorite person to race against would have to be Brandon Hauck. I’ve been racing against him for 7 years. We race against each other harder than anyone else on the track. There have been times that we’ve wanted to kill each other after a race, but we know the next day we’ll be laughing about it. He is a clean and talented driver and we both respect each other on and off the track and will continue to do so!
 

Stay tuned for the next edition of “Fast Futures”. If you are a young, up and coming driver and would like to be considered for an upcoming edition of “Fast Futures” please CLICK HERE to contact us.