Tracking the Short Tracks: Outlaw Modified Competitor Dave Hodgkinson

With 39 years of experience behind the wheel, Dave Hodgkinson has certainly been around plenty of tracks across Ontario. The years haven’t gone without success, either, as Hodgkinson won the F4 Championship in 2012.

With one race in the books this season, Hodgkinson has started off the season well with a fourth place feature finish and currently sits fourth in points, eight behind race one winner Chris Maxwell.

Here’s Hodgkinson’s answers to the common 15 questions as we kick off “Tracking the Short Track – Outlaw Modified” week.

1. How’d you get started in racing?

In the early 70’s my brother-in-law, Bernie Drexler, got involved with the Limited Sportsman division at Flamboro; he asked me to tow the car and help in the pits.

2. First racing memory

We raced the Sportsman at Cayuga on Friday night and wrecked, drove back to Kitchener and worked all night and the next day to repair the car for Flamboro on Saturday. We were rewarded with a Feature win at Flamboro, YEAH!

3. If you could be sponsored by any beverage, which would you want to be sponsored by?

Guinness

4. Story behind your car number

My favourite number is 3. It was not available, so next choice was 33 – also not available, so 33 + 3 = 36…..Get it?

5. If you have a nickname, what is it and why? If not, what do you think should be a good nickname?

Nick name is Mowog. It’s a fictional character, a Canadian sash-quash. Also because I first drove an Austin Mini in ice racing (Austin was made in England by Morris Motor works company or M.O.W.O.G).

6. If you could race against any NASCAR driver, who and why?

Mark Martin because he always drove a Ford back when he drove for Roush ….my mentor.

7. What’s your life like outside of racing? Hobbies?

Racing and my family is my life.

8. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

A dog – St. Bernard or Labrador

9. Favourite pizza topping

Olives

10. Dream vacation spot

Hawaii

11. If you were stuck on an island, what would you have to have?

My wife and a Guinness