Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (September 12, 2018) – Ohsweken Speedway officials are pleased to have No. 01 HRW Automotive Mini Stock rookie driver Tristan Da Silva “In The Driver’s Seat” this week. Each week “In the Driver’s Seat” showcases a driver from the Thunder Stock or Mini Stock division and provide some insight into the driver wearing the firesuit and behind the wheel.
Da Silva would like to extend his appreciation and thanks to his sponsors, including Let’s Landscape Together, Leggat Chevrolet, Jibs Action Sports and Darcy Douglas of Snap-On Tools.
Tristan credits the hard work of his great crew members Mark Da Silva, Kyle Da Silva, Carter Baker, Logan Martin, Dale Robinson for getting him out on the track each week. Many thanks guys!
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in the Mini Stock division?
TDS “I started racing when I was only seven years old in a Go-kart with the Waterloo Regional Kart Club at Flamboro Speedway. When I turned 14, I made the move to dirt racing in the Bomber Division at Ohsweken. With the demise of the Bomber class at the end of last season, I moved up to the Mini Stock division. This is my rookie season in this class.”
How did you get involved in racing?
TDS “It all started when Mark Czuba asked my Dad to be Crew Chief for his Outlaw Thunder car. Then Mark put my Dad into a Mini Stock at Flamboro Speedway. When I was seven, my Dad bought our first pair of Go-karts and so began my racing career.”
What was your scariest situation in a race car?
TDS “The worst situation I’ve had to date happened when I was 12 years old. I was practicing at Flamboro Speedway, so I could start racing there. I was driving my Dad’s Mini Stock and I lost control of the car and sent it into the wall at 100km/h. Luckily I was unhurt but the car on the other hand, was sent to the scrap yard.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
TDS “I get some of the biggest nerves before a race. I’m going up against experienced drivers with some real fast cars, but I know I can trust the car my Dad has built for me and I have to trust the other competitors out there to know what they are doing.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
TDS “I have a few favourite moments. There was my first win in Go-karts when I was just seven. And then there was my interview at the Big 0. Just being #1 on the podium with everyone standing there cheering for you is just the greatest feeling! And last, but not least, there was my first third-place in the Bomber division. Doing my interview, knowing there were people were watching and listening to me as I spoke left me with the same good feelings.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
TDS “If I could race in any other class, it would have to be the Thunder Stocks. I don’t have any plans on going up to higher than that, like the Sprint cars. I’m definitely more comfortable running in full body cars.”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
TDS “The first thing I would advise anyone getting into racing would be to drive at your own pace. Don’t overdrive a car to try and keep up to everyone else. Just run at a pace you are comfortable at and run (and hold) your line. Take the time to get to know your car, get seat time and experience.”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
TDS “The two drivers I admire most would be Dale Earnhardt Sr and my Father. However, my driving style is the complete opposite of Dale Earnhardt Sr. I’d say I drive more like my Dad, where we give people plenty of room and don’t like to come in contact with others – although sometimes contact is unavoidable.”
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
TDS “Honestly, I’m quite happy with my racing career at Ohsweken Speedway. If anything, I might like to try the Pumpkin Smasher at Delaware Speedway, but my “home” is Ohsweken.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions?
TDS “I don’t have any superstitions, but I know my dad does. Any time something has gone wrong with the race car, he would tell me later that he’d had a bad feeling about that night before it started.”
Da Silva is currently 10th in the HRW Automotive Mini Stock point standings. Ohsweken Speedway would like to wish Tristan and the No. 01 HRW Automotive Mini Stock team a safe finish to the 2018 season. Thank you to Tristan Da Silva for climbing ”In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
___________________
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.
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.