Being part of a show at the local speedway has always had a special attraction. From the grandstand seats to the pit area, there are some people who just can’t get enough of the sport. Omemee, Ontario’s Rob Crick made the transition from fan to driver, taking his first ever laps in the 4Fub (now Bone Stock) at Peterborough Speedway at the start of the 2017 season and has never looked back.

The 39-year-old – who works as an auto mechanic – got involved in stock car racing at the suggestion of his girlfriend Heather Hicks, who took the former drag racing fan to Peterborough Speedway for the first time ever at an oval track. His maiden voyage in the sport was very successful, as the freshman campaigner picked-up a qualifying heat and feature race win during the regular season and finished 8^th in the final point standings. He also claimed a preliminary round checkered flag at the Autumn Colours Classic and was named rookie of the year and the most improved driver at the annual awards banquet.

“I had such a great time and made several new friends during my first year at the track,” Rob Crick said. “My entire family looked forward to every Saturday night of racing and couldn’t believe how quickly the schedule went by. They were very disappointed to see the final checkered flag at the A.C.C.”

With Peterborough Speedway’s 51^st annual season opener – featuring free spectator grandstand admission – slated for Saturday, May 19^th, Crick will be looking to accumulate even more impressive stats for his racing resume. He’ll return to the weekly wars at the popular local oval on Mount Pleasant Road and plans to follow some of the Bone Stock invitational events at other tracks.

“Heather is a huge part of the team and I appreciate her giving me the time I need with the car to get it ready,” Rob Crick said. “Our daughter Jadyn is at the track with me every weekend and our son Cory helps out whenever he’s able to get there. In our class, everyone helps each other so everything balances out.”

Crick says he has just started getting into NASCAR racing and picked Denny Hamlin is his favourite driver. Both racers run #11 and Crick’s daughter painted his car in a scheme reminiscent of Hamlin’s. For the 2018 season, Rob Crick’s Peterborough Speedway Bone Stock is supported by Canadian Tech Air Systems, Batteries Expert – Pickering, Fraser Chrysler, Fraser Ford, Fraser Carstar, Sign Design – Whitby, Go Green Contracting and Pat’s Auto Centre. Sponsorship inquiries from interested marketing partners can be directed to robcrick2009@gmail.com.

Rob Crick’s 2018 #11 Bone Stock will be part of the Peterborough Speedway display – April 30^th to May 5^th – at Lindsay Square.