Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Following a year filled with consistency across the 16 nights of racing – one win, 13 top fives and 16 top 10s – Mike Gettliffe was crowned the 2013 Barrie Speedway Pure Stock Champion.
“It’s pretty special,” Gettliffe commented. “There are a lot of names on that trophy that are good friends of mine. So that’s cool. Beyond that its nice to be able to piece a complete season together and have a result that reflects your effort, ability and of course luck.”
To win a championship in the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stocks at Barrie Speedway is no easy feat as Gettliffe says the level of competition is steep.
“There is literally 6 or 7 cars that are a serious threat,” he said. “To Finnish on the podium at Barrie on any given night is a feat. But province wide the ministock class is super tight. You go to the invitationals and if your racing 15 to 20 cars going the exact same lap times of you. This class is challenging and deserves way more credit.”
The championship didn’t come easy by any means as there were many tough nights, including the final championship night. Following the heats, Gettliffe went into the feature, two points behind Doug Butler. The feature didn’t start out that well as Gettliffe was involved in a lap one wreck with several cars. Restarting at the back of the field, Gettliffe made his way through and finished second to win the championship.
He knew he had won the championship when he saw his girlfriend Lisa.
“The moment that sticks out is on the cool down lap I was driving around back to the flagstand where the top three get interviewed and I seen my girlfriend Lisa running along the fence cheering,” he said. “It was my first indication that I had possibly pulled of what I didn’t think was possible. It was special to see her that excited.”
The champ got interested in racing through his father, watching races as a young kid at Sunset Speedway.
“He then returned to racing after a close to 20 year hiatus in 1999 at Barrie speedway,” Gettliffe said. “Then Barrie introduced the pure stock division in 2001 and my dad built me a car. And taught me the basics and really owe it all to him.”
In his experience behind the wheel, he has learned a couple lessons of his own.
“Never give up on yourself, don’t count yourself out, and never think something is impossible,” he said. “The other would be go to the track with the car right, you can’t run 100% without confidence in the car. And I have always said confidence is worth 2 tenths of a second.”
Looking towards 2014, Gettliffe isn’t 100% sure of his plans, but says he’ll most likely be back at Barrie Speedway in his Mini Stock once again.
For their support this year, Gettliffe would like to thank his sponsors: Tmk Mechanical, Bromley Automotive and TSS Top Shop Auto Body Supplies, as well as his family and friends, particularly his dad and girlfriend Lisa.
