As a young boy, Riley Mercer loved to watch Sprint Cars at Ohsweken Speedway and wondered how he could become one of those drivers. His dad Robert Mercer, an open-wheel race car driver, told Riley that he needed to start with go karts and drive them as hard as he could, as often as he could – hence, the seed was planted.
Riley’s journey started about eight years ago, with a junior sprint kart at Ohsweken and Tillsonburg’s Little Middleton Speedway. This was not Robert’s first rodeo; he knew that Riley needed good equipment, plus extra engines and parts, to have a chance. Riley started in the Junior Division and was a natural; he won many races, including a couple of Dash For Cash victories.
Riley is a smooth and focused driver, who watches the cars in front of him and makes calculated decisions; he learns from other drivers’ moves and finds the holes to make a pass. He also has a calm and relaxed demeaner, always keeping his cool.
After about four years in the Junior Division, Riley met the age requirements to move up to the Box Stock class. He was quite young in the big boys and girls class but quickly got control of the power; he knew the track, how and where to drive, and found victory lane on many occasions. There was only one position that Riley wanted and that was first.
It was sometimes hairy watching this young racer on the track. The drivers battle inches apart; when they tangle, they go for one heck of a ride. Riley has had his share of wild rides, but always shakes it off and straps back into his five-point harness in pursuit of the checkered flag.
Last year, Riley experimented in two divisions at two tracks. He ran his Box Stock class, with his usual top-five finishes, in fields that sometimes totaled 20 karts on the track at the same time – talk about action!
He was also starting to practice in the Open Class, with 500cc motorcycle engines and drivers ranging from 14 to 50-years-old, some of them racing full-sized sprint cars. The learning curve is virtually 90-degrees – the power has tripled and karts are constantly sideways through the corners, with wheel-to-wheel action; if you haven’t seen it, it’s worth watching this choreographed dance on wet clay.
Last year had its thrills and spills, with Riley learning from each incident. By the end of the season, he won his first feature in the Open Class at Ohsweken.
Looking ahead to this season, Riley and his dad are prepping two Open Class karts to go racing with; he’s looking forward to the challenges it will bring. While he knows that the support of his parents is so important, he says that great sponsors are a key component to success.
Riley works with all of his sponsors personally and would like to thank the following companies for their support: Grand River Power Sports in Cainsville has been incredible, with the Kawasaki 450 engines and technical support; The Norbruis Group has been a multi-year sponsor with continuous growing support, insuring a dream; and Anthrafilter Media & Coal of Brantford. There’s also B.C.W. Lumber and Plywood, who have been Riley’s sponsor since the very beginning.
Riley hopes he can make his sponsors as proud of him as he is of them, for their support and the opportunity to get closer to his dream!
