NEW HAMBURG, ON- After an impressive run with the Waterloo Regional Kart Club, third-generation competitor Jake Watson finds himself more comfortable with his place in the Mini Stock division as he prepares for his sophomore season in a full-bodied racecar.
At 12-years of age, young Watson has been looked upon by many in the short track scene as a driver to keep an eye on. The New Hamburg, ON native shows excellent car control and an understanding of the sport that’s well beyond his years.
“I grew up at the speedway”, says Watson. “I watched my Dad race for as long as I can remember. As soon as I was old enough, I told him how badly I wanted to try it”.
The middle school student maintains that his eagerness to learn is what helped him through the growing pains of his rookie season.
“Moving from karting to the Mini Stock division was tough. The car handles completely different. It was a lot to deal with, especially at the beginning, but we kept at it. I’ve wanted to do this my entire life, so I wasn’t going to give up. Comparing how I felt at the end of my rookie season to my first few nights, I learned a tonne”
With his first full season of competition under his belt, Watson has decided to move to Sunset Speedway’s perennially competitive Mini Stock division in 2014.
“Flamboro Speedway was a great place for me to start out in a Mini Stock”, explains Watson. “But, my Dad and I talked it over, and we feel that we’re ready to step our program up this season. Sunset has one of the best classes in the province, and we feel that the more we race with drivers of their caliber, the better we’re going to get”.
Jake’s 2014 campaign will be supported by Spira Fire Protection, The Process Group, HYPE Energy, Expressway Ford, Stewart’s Equipment, Cloverleaf Farms, Race2Way.ca, Lucas Oil, GUNK, Artik Ice, Chetty’s Hot Sauce, WIX Filters, Tirecraft, NUCO and Dominion Sure Seal.
To learn more about Jake, follow him on Twitter @JakertWatson.
By Spencer Lewis
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