TRENTON, Ont. – June 2, 2016 – Shelby Mills is developing a consistent strength in her ABC Taxi/Dibbits Excavating No.78 Canadian Modified and is building confidence after a successful opening month in her new division at Brighton Speedway.
“I love it. It’s the same as the beginning of the year. I enjoy every time I get in the car. I’m always having fun,” Mills said. “I feel challenged. It’s something different and new. It’s just more exciting.”
The Trenton, Ont. native is a rookie in the Canadian Modified division this season after winning the 2015 Comp 4 track championship. Mills drove to three straight 10th-place finishes in her first month of the season. The results met, and in some ways surpassed, her expectations.
“I’m happy with the way it’s gone so far. We’re consistent with three 10th-place finishes,” Mills explained. “I notice small improvements from the first week to now. I’m being a little more aggressive. I’m trying to pass a little more.”
Prior to the April 30 season opener, Mills had turned laps in single-car test and tune sessions, but not with other drivers on the track. The race action was a new learning experience for her.
“I really enjoy it. I was nervous to start racing with everyone else and to see what it would be like, but it’s definitely different,” Mills remarked. “At first it was a little intimidating because they are pretty aggressive on starts, but it’s a lot of fun.”
“The rear-end comes around right away and everyone is kind of sideways. At first I thought ‘wow, this is crazy’. It’s a thrill right away,” she added.
With a month of racing under her belt, Mills as already keyed on areas she would like to improve. The Canadian Modified division is so tightly contested and, as a result, she knows its small adjustments which will bring big gains.
“I can’t be afraid to make adjustments because the track changes so much. Even if you think it’s going to be okay for the beginning of the race, it might not be good at the end of the race. It definitely takes a lot more thought than the Comp 4,” Mills said.
“I think making small changes and seeing small improvements is rewarding. Slowly, I’ve learned. You see what everybody else does and you take notes,” Mills remarked.
As she enters a busy month of June with four races on four consecutive Saturdays, Mills is already working towards new goals with some new found experience and added confidence.
“I’d like to be between sixth and eighth, but it’s so hard to say that when you look at the guys in this class. They’re done so much research, they’ve done so much work to their cars and they’ve got all this experience. It might be tough because that’s halfway through the field, but I think I can do it,” Mills said confidently.
Look for Shelby Mills to return to action on Saturday, June 4 at Brighton Speedway alongside the Workman’s OK Tire School Bus Races. For complete event information and the view Shelby Mills and the Dirty Fast Racing Team’s 2016 schedule, visit www.brightonspeedway.com.
Follow Shelby Mills’ rookie Canadian Modified season all summer long by ‘Liking’ the Dirty Fast Racing team page on Facebook at facebook.com/DirtyFastRacing and follow her on Twitter at@Shelbs78.
Shelby Mills is racing in support of Muscular Dystrophy research via the Laps 4 MD program. Shelby will donate $1 for every lap she leads during the 2016 season. For more information on the Laps 4 MD program, visit www.muscle.ca/laps-for-muscular-dystrophy/.
Shelby Mills’ 2016 Canadian Modified season is supported by a number of dedicated corporate sponsors, including: ABC Taxi, Dibbits Excavating, KD Transmission, C. Smith Machine Shop, Rest Easy Home Inspection, Empey Tire, Hennessy Point Landscaping and Hotch’s Auto Parts.
Prepared By Clayton Johns Media
Photo Attachment: Shelby Mills drives off turn two at Brighton Speedway during her first month of competition in the Canadian Modified division. (Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media photo).
-30-
