@BrightonSpdwy •@Shelbs78 •TRENTON, Ont. (April 29, 2016) – Seven months removed from winning her first career championship, Trenton native Shelby Mills is tackling a new challenge for the 2016 racing season. The 2015 Brighton Speedway Comp 4 champion was the only driver at the track to finish every race in the top-five last season.
This year, however, she will relinquish her title to pursue her rookie campaign in the high-horsepower Canadian Modified division. Following a pair of practice sessions, Mills is increasingly excited for her debut in the open-wheeled car this weekend.
“It’s totally different and it’s so cool. You can feel everything the car does, the way it drives off the corner. It’s awesome,” said a very excited Mills. “Test and tune days didn’t use to be very exciting, but every time I went out I was excited.”
The track time is valuable for Mills who is racing a full-blown racecar for the first time. The transition has gone well so far, but Mills is ready to battle through any obstacles that will be thrown her way.
“I feel way more comfortable in this car than I have in any other car. I know it’s going to be a big change, but I feel confident that I know what the car is going to do, so it the rest is just me getting a handle on it,” she said in preparation for her first race.
The competition is fierce in the Canadian Modified division. Last year’s championship was decided on the final night and several drivers had a chance at the title entering the final month of the season.
“All of the guys in the division have raced in the class for years. It’s pretty intimidating going out with them, but it’s also reassuring because they know what they’re doing and they’re seasoned drivers,” Mills explained.
Mills is eager to get her first race under her belt as part of what will inevitably be a grueling five-month season. She developed a big-picture mindset as she set goals for the season.
“I’d like to win a qualifier and by the end of the year I’d like to finish in the top-five of a feature,” Mills said. “I want to stay up to pace and to finish every single race. The most important thing is to finish and try your best to stay out of wrecks while being patient.”
Her goals are certainly attainable, especially given the seamless nature of the transition thus far. It may take some time to grasp the details, but Mills already has a firm handle on the basics with her new car.
Shelby Mills’ Canadian Modified season begins on Saturday, April 30 at Brighton Speedway. Race time is 7:00pm. For complete event details, visit www.brightonspeedway.ca.
Follow Shelby Mills’ rookie Canadian Modified season all summer long by ‘Liking’ the Dirty Fast Racing team page on Facebook at facebook.com/DirtyFastRacing and follow her on Twitter at @Shelbs78.
Shelby Mills’ 2016 Canadian Modified season is supported by a number of dedicated corporate sponsors, including: ABC Taxi, Dibbits Excavating, KD Transmission, C. Smith Machine Shop, Rest Easy Home Inspection, Empey Tire, Hennessy Point Landscaping and Hotch’s Auto Parts.
Prepared By Clayton Johns Media/ claytonjohns@hotmail.com
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