Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (August 13, 2019) – This week’s edition of “In the Driver’s Seat” features Rob Hoskins #37 from the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock division. Each week this segment showcases a driver from the 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.
The Hoskin’s race team is self sponsored. “As I recall, I had asked someone about a sponsorship years ago and he told me jokingly (I think) that he’d give me $100 if I promised to NOT associate his business with my car. So, I never bothered looking again.”
Rob would like to extend a special thank you to his crew members, including his wife Mary and James Martin who help whenever they can make it to the track and to the guys in the pits for lending a hand when needed.
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in this current division?
RH: “I started in the Mini Stock division at Ohsweken Speedway about ten years ago. I now race in the Thunder Stock class and this is my third season.”
How did you get involved in racing?
RH: “We had gone and watched the races at Ohsweken Speedway one night and visited the pits after. I thought to myself “these are just regular guys like me, I can surely do as well as them if I tried”. So, I bought a Mini Stock and the next year I was shown just how much I didn’t know. After a couple seasons I also tried my hand on asphalt at Flamboro Speedway.”
What was your scariest situation in a racecar?
RH: “Only time I’ve ever been scared in a racecar was the very first night out in a race car. I could have asked to start tail but decided to start where I qualified. I immediately lost all fear once the green flag flew. After that, I’ve never been uncomfortable.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
RH: “Not really, I’ve even nodded off while we’re in the lineup waiting to go out.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
RH: “Growing up, when I was maybe about eight years old in the early seventies, I attended Model T Speedway, a dirt track up near Durham. I don’t just recall the guys name (George or Earl Read maybe) but he drove a slant 6 Valiant and he beat the V8s regularly. I loved that. As a driver, I won some Mini Stock races at Flamboro Speedway but my first win at Ohsweken Speedway while in a Mini Stock a few years ago is my favourite moment to date.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
RH: “I’d love to wheel a Sprint car and that would be worth the price of admission for anyone that came to see. Almost certainly yard-sale it.”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
RH: “Buy a car that’s already built with spares. I’ve built two and it costs WAY more than it cost to buy one that is race ready.”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
RH: “Abel Castelein helped me a lot in my first year, not so much with tech and set-up (although that too), but more with attitude and expectations. He always tried to set up his car to race where the pack didn’t. Miss that guy.”
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
RH: “The Chilli Bowl Nationals is quite a show. I’d say that anyone that makes the feature there is the real deal.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions or rituals?
RH: “No I don’t, nothing at all actually.”
Who picked your number and why?
RH: “It was on the first car I ever bought, and it was just easier to leave it on.”
What other activities do you enjoy besides race car driving?
RH: “I do a lot of snowmobiling during the winter and some 4-wheeling in the summer and fall.”
Everybody at Ohsweken Speedway would like to wish Rob Hoskins and the No. 37 Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock team a safe and successful 2019 season. Thank you, Rob for getting “In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
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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.
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 official Facebook 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.