A bright future is waiting for the next group of talented young racers.
After making his start in the karting ranks in 2017, at age 5, Melcolm Banks moved to the Novice Sportsman ranks at Brockville Ontario Speedway in 2023. Under the tutelage and guidance of his father Joseph – himself a third generation racer and multi-time DIRTcar 358 Modified feature winner – the youngster gained experience and developed his skills on the way to becoming the youngest main event winner in the track’s history – at age 12 – with his Saturday, August 10th checkered flag. Banks also finished second in the point standings for the second straight season.
Despite his youth, Melcolm is part of deep provincial motorsports lineage. His great uncles Ed and Ab Banks were regulars at tracks in Eastern Ontario, while his grandfather Pernie followed their path into the weekly racing ranks at Brockville. His father took the next step in the family’s pursuit of checkered flags, competing in the Mini Stock and eventually Small Block Modified ranks.
Heading into the 2025 season, the 8th grader at Rideau District High School, in Elgin, ON, will move up to the Sportsman-Modified division at ‘The BOS’. While he hasn’t set any immediate goals for his transition to the new class, Melcolm says that he’s looking forward to getting some additional seat time and maybe travel to some different tracks before ultimately moving up to a 358 Modified ride.
“Every time I get into the car, it is like the first day of school. There is so much to learn. I really like the way the conditions change and the challenges are different each time we roll onto the track,” said the young driver. “I’d like to thank my family for everything they’ve done to give me this opportunity and all of my friends and fans for their encouragement at the track and behind the scenes.”
The No. M75 Banks Racing Team would like to thank their marketing partners, including Kason Farms, Dirt Outlaw Apparel, D & J Transportation, Herlehy Home Hardware, A1 Siding, CHE – Cylinder Head Engineering, French’s Trucking, Welch’s Drywall, Milk – Leeds County Dairy Producer, Hewitt’s Livestock, Willard’s Bakery, Levac Propane and Willows Agri Services for their continued support.
At home in the shop and at the track, Melcolm Banks counts on Joe Banks, Pernie Banks, Tyler Hazelaar, Paige Banks, Cynthia Banks and Mila Banks to set-up the car each week and make sure it is ready to chase the next checkered flag.
Follow the No. M75 team in weekly action at Brockville Ontario Speedway and through the Banks Racing social media channels on Facebook and TikTok.
- By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
