To say that Dave Waite is excited about the start of Kawartha Speedway’s 2010 season would be a definite understatement. If you’ll forgive the obvious pun, he can’t wait. The 50 year-old veteran racer from Carleton Place, Ontario says making the regular 3 hour trek from his home near the nation’s capital to a venue he calls his absolute favourite racetrack is the highlight of the week for his family, friends and crew members.
“We’ve been doing this for 26 years and I’ve been to a lot of different places,” said Waite. “The staff at Kawartha is easily the best I’ve seen at any speedway. No matter how well we do on the racetrack, everyone we meet greets us with a smile and is very friendly. From the moment we come through the tunnel and get to the sign-in table, our entire team feels respected and appreciated. That makes a big difference and keeps us wanting to come back again.”
Like most short-track racers, Waite says his biggest disappointment is the cost of the sport. He admits that if it came down to funding the entire operation out of his own pockets, he’d probably step away from running regularly. His car owner Dave Wood and support from long time sponsors Jade Transportation, A & B Ford, Wood Construction, Norcan Hydraulic Turbine and his own company, Sign Design help keep the finances in check.
“Some people go boating or fishing. We’re racers,” Waite said emphatically. “Our team travels together and we stay at the Beavermead Campground overnight before heading back home. Some people say we’re crazy to drive 3 hours to race every weekend, but we’ve met so many wonderful people and really had a chance to get to know the area. We love it, so our response is that we’d be crazy not to.”
Even with their travel schedule, Dave Waite and his team race for fun. A big cheque and the roar of the crowd are a welcomed reward for a job well done, but his biggest praise comes from his wife of 26 years, Joyce and children Tom and Julia. Travelling to the track together has long been a family tradition. Son Tom spots for his father when he’s able to make the trek. Waite says his team wouldn’t be able to get by without the behind the scenes help from Mark Wood, Dave Boyd and Rory Morrison, the dedicated crew that keeps the #25on NAPA Auto Parts Late Model machine on the track week after week.
Kawartha Speedway’s new season is just around the corner and there’s a certain driver from Carleton Place, Ontario who can’t wait to get started.
For full details on the 2010 10th Anniversary schedule – including the late model summer sizzler Friday, July 9th – see www.kawarthaspeedway.com.
PHOTO: Dave Waite regularly makes the 3 hour trek from Carleton Place, Ontario to campaign his #25on Chevrolet in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts Late Model division.
Release and Photo by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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