Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (June 26, 2019) – This week’s edition of “In the Driver’s Seat” features Mark Fawcett, from the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock division. Each week this segment showcases a driver who races in Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock or HRW Automotive Mini Stock divisions to share some insight on the drivers wearing the fire suit and behind the wheel of the cars that put on the show.
Mark would like to thank his sponsors for supporting the team’s 2019 race season, including Sticker-It, Baron Roofing, RM Racing Lubricants/ Champion Oil, Harrington Built Hot Rods & Restoration, D&S Automotive, SP Motorsports, Xper-Tek Fire Protection, Gales Auto Aftermarket and Wildgoose Performance. He would also like to extend a special thank you to his wife and crew member, Sherry Fawcett for all her support.
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in this current division?
MF: “I was 32 years old when I started racing in 2008. I started in the Thunder Stock division and won Rookie of the Year. This year is my first full season driving the Thunder Stock division at Ohsweken Speedway.”
How did you get involved in racing?
MF: “When I was younger, I raced dirt bikes and always wanted to race cars. At age 15, I bought and sold cars so I was able to have money to build my first race car. I raced it once at Flamboro Speedway until my Dad found out. He was against racing so that was a short-lived career. A number of years went by and then I had an opportunity to purchase a metric car and that’s how this all started again. Now my Dad enjoys watching me race so it’s come full circle.”
What was your scariest situation in a racecar?
MF: “I would have to say it was at Merrittville Speedway when the throttle stuck wide open in my metric car and it sailed into the corn field between two trees off turn two were the lap counter is. I was unhurt, but the car sustained considerable damage.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
MF: “No, I don’t get race nerves but I do feel an adrenaline rush when it’s time to go on the track.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
MF: “I’d have to say my favorite moment occurred in 2014 and 2015 when I won back-to-back track championships at Merrittville Speedway. Also, equally memorable was winning the Applefest Shootout at Brighton Speedway in 2014 and 2015. For both of those wins I had to come from last position, definitely more challenging.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
MF: “I would love to get the opportunity to race in the Sprint Car division. So if any one would like to put me in a car, please come and see me!”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
MF: “The only advise I would give is that you need to be patient and drive with confidence. You will never win a race on the first lap so pace yourself and have fun. If you get frustrated don’t give up. Always look at making your self better AND have a good maintenance program on your car!”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
MF: “The driver I most admire would be Jimmy Johnson for the seven championships he has won.”
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
MF: “If I had a chance I would probably like to race the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions or rituals?
MF: “No I don’t have any race day superstitions or rituals. We just get to the track, unload, gear up and get ready to race.”
Who picked your number and why?
MF: “I picked No.32 because I started racing when I was 32 years old and at that time, there wasn’t a number 32 car at any of the race tracks or NASCAR.”
What other activities do you enjoy besides race car driving?
MF: “I pretty much enjoy any outdoor activities. I like to go scuba diving with my wife whenever we can, I’m a Dive Master and Sherry is a Master Diver. I also like to spend time on side jobs as I have six different skilled trade licences and I play pickup hockey during the winter,”
Everybody at Ohsweken Speedway would like to wish Mark Fawcett and the No. 32 Thunder Stock team a safe and successful 2019 season. Thank you, Mark for getting “In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
___________________________________________
About MavTV Canada’s All North Racing Powered by Pinty’s
Ohsweken Speedway is excited to announce its Friday Night Excitement racing will be the centerpiece of a new international television broadcast on MavTV Canada called All North Racing powered by Pinty’s. All North Racing will visit Ohsweken for six live broadcasts that will be re-aired multiple times in Canada and the United States. The MavTV broadcasts are scheduled for May 31, June 21, July 22, July 23, August 30 and September 14. These broadcasts include both nights of the Northern Summer Nationals featuring Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu as well as the 15th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. For more information on MavTV Canada, visit www.facebook.com/MAVTVCanada.
Northern Summer Nationals Tickets Available Now
Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu are coming to Ohsweken Speedway for two action-packed nights on July 22-23. All three Sprint Car stars will be in action both nights for two $5,000-to-win 360 Sprint Car shows. Tickets and camping for the Northern Summer Nationals are on sale online athttps://ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com/ or can be purchased by phone by calling (519) 717-0023.
Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream
Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for free via the Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream. The stream goes live at 7:30pm EST each race night at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca and on our officialFacebook page.
2019 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 24th season of weekly Friday Night Excitement features four divisions of racing, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com or call (519) 717-0023 for more information.
About Ohsweken Speedway: Founded in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex which includes a 3/8 (0.375) mile clay oval track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday night racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks. The season finishes each year with the track’ annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway also hosts weekly Micro Sprint racing on Thursday nights.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Phone: (519) 717-0023
Email: media@ohswekenspeedway.com
Website: www.OhswekenSpeedway.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY
Twitter: @OhswekenSpdway
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OhswekenSpeedway
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OhswekenSpdway
Ohsweken Speedway thanks the following partners for their support: Nitro 54 Variety, Ackland Insurance, Arrow Express, Auto Parts Centres, Bradshaw Brothers Fuels, Burger Barn, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Core-Mark International, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, EPIC Racewear, Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, Hoosier Tire Canada, HRW Automotive, Insta-Insulation/Insta-Panels, Jibs Action Sports, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Middleport Mechanical, Club 54 Racing, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Renway Energy, Rochester Knighthawks, Strickland’s GMC and Victory Gamez.