Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (August 1, 2018) – Ohsweken Speedway is pleased to have the driver of the No.84rk Middleport Mechanical Thunderstock, Ryan Beagle, “In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
Each week “In the Driver’s Seat” showcases a driver from the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock or HRW Automotive Mini Stock divisions to provice some insight into the driver in the firesuit and behind the wheel.
Beagle would like to thank his sponsors, Affordable Portables, Thompson Landscape Supply, APC Simcoe and Port Dover, Stadey’s Auto Sales, RK Automotive and Wix Filters for their support this season. Also, special thanks to crew members, inlcuging Dad Kevin, Brodie, Stu (Cole) Hess, the rest of the Hess boys, Herb our mascot and shop dog, as well as Dale and Catrina when they can make it out and last but not least, my PR Director (as we call him) Doug Gamble.
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in the Mini Stock division?
RB “I started racing just after my 17th birthday. I remember it well because I also had my driving test for my license in the same week, so it was a stressful couple of days! We started out in the Mini Stock division at Ohsweken Speedway in 2010 and moved up to the Thunder Stocks in 2012. We are now in our 6th season in the Thunder Stock division.”
How did you get involved in racing?
RB “My Dad decided it would be a good idea for us to go check out Ohsweken Speedway back in 2002 as spectators and we ended up becoming die hard fans. We’d go every Friday and always sat in turn 4. One night after the races we were walking the track and found a driveshaft yolk stuck in the track. We knew it was John Burbridge Jr’s and he lived close to us at that time in Simcoe. We looked up his number in the phone book and called him on the Monday, he came over and got it and we ended up becoming really good friends with the Burbridge family. They gave us an old pavement Super Late Model chassis to use the cage for our first car and really helped us get going in racing, so I can’t thank them enough.”
What was your scariest situation in a race car?
RB “During my second season in the Mini Stock I had a really bad wreck in turn 3. I think we knocked off about six concrete blocks and bent the car all up. I hated the feeling of being helpless as I was headed towards the wall, but after the first one they get easier.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
RB “Yes and no, it all depends on the situation. If there is a big field of cars and you have to qualify to get in the feature, then yes, I always get really nervous for those. But in general, there are always nerves. I’ve always heard if you don’t have nerves before going out, there is something wrong with you.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
RB “That’s easy! Hands down, it would definitely have to be the Brock Leonard Memorial race last season. To this day I still can’t believe I got my first win in that race. Everything fell into place perfectly for me that night and it will be hard to top the feeling of winning a race like that. I just remember how excited everyone was for us and all the hand shakes and congratulations I got.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
RB “The UMP Modifieds have always peaked my interest. I wish they were more popular around here. I just love the fact that have so much horsepower, but they only have an 8-inch-wide tire to get it to the ground. I always enjoy when they come to Ohsweken Speedway.”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
RB “Just do it! There is nothing else like it. You will meet some awesome people and have a ton of fun – most of the time! I don’t have any regrets getting into racing, even if I ever have to quit I will always have memories that will last a lifetime.”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
RB “I’ve always kept an eye on Kyle Larson even before he got to NASCAR. He’s a talented guy that is exciting to watch no matter what he’s driving. I like how he can jump in with the World of Outlaws and win and that’s hard to do because those guys are the best of the best and are racing 3-4 times a week. He doesn’t really influence my driving style though, I’m way too conservative compared to him.”
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
RB “I’d like to run a Modified in the Summit Modified Nationals. I don’t know if I could handle it, but 30 races in about a month and a half sounds like a blast to me. There are a bunch of tracks on that schedule that are on my bucket list to go to as a fan, so I can’t imagine what racing on them would be like.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions?
RB “I always try to wear the same t-shirt to the race track on race day. I’ve tried to wear different driver’s racing shirts in the past and I always seem to wreck something, get a flat tire or the rain comes, and we have to pack up early.”
Beagle is currently among the top-10 in the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock point standings and continues to have strong finishes each week. We wish the No. 84rk Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock continued success for the second half of the 2018 season. Thank you, Ryan, for sitting In The Driver’s Seat this week.
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Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Tickets and Camping Available Now!
Advanced reserved seating tickets are on sale now for the 14th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on September 14-15 are on sale now! The event features two full nights of Sprint Car action, including Saturday’s $10,000-to-win Feature Event. Visit www.ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com or call 519-717-0023 to order and for more information. For the full 2018 schedule of events, click here.
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.
2018 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 23rd 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 to view the schedule 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, while the season finishes each year with the 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 in 2018: Arrow Express, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Renway Energy, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Hoosier Tire Canada, EPIC Racewear, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Ackland Insurance, Strickland’s GMC, Lucas Oil Products, Burger Barn, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, Insta-Insulation, Middleport Mechanical, HRW Automotive, and Gale’s Auto Aftermarket.