A long-time driver in the Estevan Motor Speedway’s (EMS) hobby stock division is excited to have a new race car, and he believes it should extend his racing career.
Lampman’s Riley Raynard raced the car for the first time at the May 30 season opener at the EMS. It was a learning experience, especially when it comes to the hand controls that will make steering a little bit easier.
“I think we could some things that could help make it a little bit easier yet, but other than that, a little bit of adjustments here and there, and it should be pretty good,” said Raynard.
Raynard picked up the car a few weeks ago. He was supposed to be gone for a few days, but it ended up being nine days. Parts had to be ordered, and he needed to ensure they had everything they needed.
He’s looking forward to racing the car once all the kinks are worked out. He went off the track four times at the opening program, but still wound up sixth in the hobby stock feature.
“It’ll be awesome. I can’t wait to get that thing going around the track well,” said Raynard.
Raynard’s exploits in racing have been well-documented. Born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, he started racing a hobby stock in 2012 at the age of 14, and has won numerous races, and has been recognized for his commitment to the sport. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Ken Schrader Real Racer Award from Speedway Illustrated magazine.
He is among the drivers at the EMS who has supported Laps for MD, donating $1 for each lap led to the fight against muscular dystrophy.
His previous car had a hand brake to the left of the steering wheel, and a sprint car pedal that was attached to the ground.
The pedal had a ring around the top of his foot so his foot could rest on the ground.
The new car has full hand controls.
“We have a brake to the right of the steering wheel, and that controls the brakes fully. And there’s a ring … that probably only goes around the back of the steering wheel, and I pull the ring to use the gas,” said Raynard. “We have to figure that out a little bit more, but I think once we get the steering a little bit easier, then I think it’s going to work a lot better.”
A GoFundMe campaign was created last year for Raynard’s new race car that helped with the purchase of the car, and a lot of sponsors have been helping him out.
“That’s a pretty huge part of racing,” said Raynard.
The new car, with all of the added equipment, was pretty expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run. Raynard is looking forward to putting on a show for the fans with the car.
“I don’t know how much longer I have to run my car and everything, and how much strength I’ll have in the next couple of years. If I have a couple of years or five years, then we have something figured out.”
It’s going to prolong his ability to race, and racing is all he’s wanted to do.
