No matter how much time they’ve spent in the sport, weekly racers never stop looking for ways to learn from their motorsports experience.
Ian Gordon is getting ready for another year of travels with the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club. Piloting his No.17IG ride, the 37-year-old racer from Glenburnie, ON – who has worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator at Dig’n Dirt Construction for the last 11 years and travels to race dates on the annual schedule with good friend and unofficial teammate Tim Hegarty – understands the irony of looking ahead, while competing in a racing series that is based on the machines of the past.
While there are others with more experience than he has and more who’ll develop their talents at the craft as they move along in the division, Gordon – who ran his first Vintage Racing stock car laps with about a handful of events remaining in the 2021 schedule – is committed to taking each lap as it comes. He says travelling to different tracks and running through the changing conditions and set-ups is the best way for him to grow as a racer.
“Seat time makes all the difference; talking about racing is fine, but until you can strap into the car, fasten the belts and hit the pedal, nothing else matters,” said Gordon, who finished fifth in the 2022 point standings. “You need to take advantage of every possible opportunity to learn what you can about your equipment. We have 16 events during this year’s schedule, with seven shows at Brockville and four on the 2023 line-up at Cornwall Motor Speedway. We’ll have the chance to learn how the car handles under some different track conditions and changing weather situations.”
Heading into the new season, Gordon’s colourful No. 17IG ride will be proudly supported by Dig’n Dirt Construction, J & J Automotive, Dedicated Environmental Services, Eco Tree Care, Vulcan Welding, Donaldson Plumbing & Heating, Wilcor Concrete Drilling & Cutting, Kid Electric and Link Line Fence. Like all weekly racers, Gordon says that he is always interested in hearing from potential sponsorship partners and appreciates the encouragement from his girlfriend Ashley and the unconditional support of his four-year-old Golden Retriever Macy, as well as the good friends and crew members who lend a hand in the shop and at the race track.
Family, friends and fans can follow Ian Gordon at the different tracks on this year’s Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club schedule or through the 17IG Gordon Racing Facebook page.
- By Jim Clarke/Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
