By Jim Clark
ROSLIN, ON-Home track racers come from different directions as they looking to make their mark in the weekly motorsports community.
With a background that includes time spent on the road with the Outlaw Midget and Can Am TQ Midget tours, Jamie Kay has made the transition from asphalt to dirt track racing, now running a Crate Sprint Car with Brockville Ontario Speedway as his home track. The 48-year-old and his family made a move from Hamilton to Roslin, Ontario more than a dozen years ago and makes his living as the Information Technologies Manager with Quinte Healthcare at Belleville General Hospital.
Although his dirt racing experience has been limited, Kay is learning the subtle handling characteristics of his new ride and currently sits 12th in the overall point standings, with a trio of top-10 finishes in his 4 2023 starts at Brockville. The rookie Sprint Car racer says he’s thankful for the support and encouragement he has received in his latest motorsports adventures.
“Everyone has been so great when it comes to helping out the ‘new guy’,” said Jamie Kay, who lists farming as one of his interests outside of racing. “Even the racers who want to beat you on the racetrack will help you out behind the scenes, answer your questions and show you how to make your car better and faster”.
Like most weekly racers, Jamie Kay points toward his family as his biggest cheerleaders, with Shelley, his wife of 25 years and their children Sarah, Zach and Carson heading the charge. 2023 sponsorship for the team is provided by Oasis Fuels and Rodger Cook, with the driver’s sons Carson and Zach helping get the car ready behind the scenes and at the track. Family, fans and friends can follow the team through the Kay Racing Facebook page, with hundreds of followers and growing.
“I’ve met a lot of people and made some lasting friends through racing. I see that trend continuing with the Sprint Car,” said Jamie Kay, who is a University of Western Ontario and Mohawk College graduate. “Once I get a little more experience, I’ll look at doing some travelling to different tracks. For now, I want to find my comfort level on this playing field before venturing too far away from home”.
Jamie Kay says he tips his hat to the track owners in the east end of the province who are doing everything they can to promote local racing and the Crate Sprint Car division. The No. 4K team will always be part of the plan.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
With top-10 finishes in all but one of this year’s starts, Roslin, Ontario’s Jamie Kay (No. 4K) is enjoying his freshman season of Crate Sprint Car racing.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media