When George Jenson is racing around the Western Speedway track, he treats every one of his opponents the same.
Even his daughter.
Kaylyn Jenson participated in her first race in the Old Time Racers Association series on April 22, the 40th season opener for the series, finishing in a very respectable seventh place in the feature main.
B次元官网网址淭o be able to get a chance to jump into one of those cars and go is so exciting,B次元官网网址� Kaylyn says. B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e all lined up B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 so much anxiety and excitement and adrenaline.B次元官网网址�
The rookie driver B次元官网网址� racing in a 1931 Ford sedan that originally belonged to the late Ron Simpson, a longtime racer and a 10-year veteran of the Old Time circuit B次元官网网址� recalls the quick start that George had in front of her.
B次元官网网址淭he car in front of me was my dad B次元官网网址� I tried to follow him but I looked down to shift, I couldnB次元官网网址檛 get it into fourth gear. As soon as I looked (up), my dad had already passed three cars,B次元官网网址� she said, laughing.
George was quick to praise his daughterB次元官网网址檚 performance in her debut.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of her getting time in the car and me teaching her and everything. SheB次元官网网址檚 willing to learn and sheB次元官网网址檚 eager to learn,B次元官网网址� he said.
The elder Jenson ended up capturing the 50th OTRA win of his career with the help of his son Chris, a member of his pit crew.
Racing in the series has certainly become a family affair for this Colwood clan, but that hardly makes them unique when it comes to the OTRA, with other family rivalries populating the grid over the years. Even those that arenB次元官网网址檛 related by blood possess a strong bond.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more of a family style of racing. TheyB次元官网网址檝e always said racing is family, but I donB次元官网网址檛 think thereB次元官网网址檚 anything closer than the family we have among fellow racers in the Old Timers,B次元官网网址� George says.
B次元官网网址�(OTRA) has had a pretty good following of drivers that have done it for a long time,B次元官网网址� Chris notes.
George B次元官网网址� now the clubB次元官网网址檚 president B次元官网网址� got involved in the series back in the 1980s, although it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until 1990 that he acquired his B次元官网网址�33 Dodge and began racing. He notes that the OTRAB次元官网网址檚 regulations have stayed pretty much the same since he joined, a factor he thinks has helped the series stay successful.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 (about) family, itB次元官网网址檚 affordable and itB次元官网网址檚 lots of fun B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 just a really good club. NothingB次元官网网址檚 changed B次元官网网址� If somethingB次元官网网址檚 working, donB次元官网网址檛 break it,B次元官网网址� he said.
The club was launched in 1977 when, according to the clubB次元官网网址檚 website, racers Ross Rockett and Dave Ireland got bit by the B次元官网网址渘ostalgia bug.B次元官网网址� They found a B次元官网网址�32 Chrysler coupe in a wreckerB次元官网网址檚 yard in Cobble Hill, refurbished the body and rebuilt the original six-cylinder engine.
Meanwhile, Norm Wilcox purchased and restored the same vehicle model and the three friends decided to use the cars for shows and exhibitions. The club and the racing series grew from there.
George says the club doesnB次元官网网址檛 have anything significant planned to celebrate their 40th anniversary, although a lot of former members have returned to the series this year and everyoneB次元官网网址檚 excited that theyB次元官网网址檝e hit the milestone.
And another Jenson could make his way to the grid next year, as the family is currently working on a B次元官网网址�28 Essex for Chris as he eyes a spot in the series next year.
If the budding rivalry between father and daughter is any indication, adding son to the equation can only raise the stakes in Year 41.
The 2017 OTRA series continues May 20 with the clubB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Day weekend race at Western Speedway. That will be followed by a Sunday golf tournament and the entry of many cars into the annual Victoria Day parade downtown.
