CHATHAM-KENT, Ont. – August 5, 2016 – Jake Hooker continued his impressive rookie season in the UMP Late Model division at South Buxton Raceway as the 15-year-old driver finished on the podium four times in July. Hooker is now set for another busy month with four more races scheduled for August.
To date, he’s run 11 events at South Buxton and has finished in the top-five nine times.
“We’ve had a good couple of weeks. We had a couple of rough nights too with tearing up equipment, but we always manage to focus on the car and come back,” Hooker said.
The only night he didn’t finish in the top three last month was on July 23 when he made a last lap blunder that proved a valuable learning experience. Hooker tried to pass two cars on the final lap while running with the leaders, but the car didn’t stick with the extra momentum and he spun.
“I thought if I could throw it in hard enough, I could go by them, but there wasn’t any bite where I was driving. I learned a lot. There’s a lot of horsepower when you go into the corner. I scared myself because I through it in really hard,” Hooker laughed. “I learned a lot of safety stuff and I learned where my limits are.”
Hooker, who will start grade 11 in September, has noticed his own improvements since his May debut in South Buxton’s top division. There’s no shortage of veteran talent for him to learn against, either.
“I tell people it’s the top dog class. I’m racing against the Michael Jordans of South Buxton racing,” Hooker explained.
“I really enjoyed racing with the top guys. On opening night, they would pull away from me. Now, I’m sticking with them. It’s cool to race against those guys and see how much respect is given. It’s all coming along. It’s a slow process.”
To help with his development, Hooker has been reviewing footage from an onboard Go Pro camera. It offers a different perspective of the race for the Chatham teenager.
“It’s crazy to see all of the car, your hand movements and what you should have done. When you’re in the racecar, you don’t see how much room you have to the wall. It’s crazy to see all that stuff, ,” Hooker said. “My dad (Kirk), Andrew (Rheaume) and Matt Wauthier have all given me pointers as well.”
With his recent success, but also simply as a racecar driver, Hooker has developed a handful of routine he follows meticulously on raceday. After some early Saturday morning work, Hooker then heads to the shop for a final inspection on his car. From there it’s time for a short swim and then a shower before getting dressed. On the way to the track, the Hooker team stops at the same truck stop where he fills the cooler with precisely two bags of ice. It doesn’t end there.
“I am the worst for superstitions,” laughed Hooker. “I wear the exact same things every week. I put a certain amount of tearoffs on (my visor).”
He hopes his quirky routine will help him earn his first win next month. Hooker knows it’s up to him once he gets on the racetrack and feels the checkered flag is within reach.
“I really want to get that first win. We’ve been so close so many times. We’re pushing for that win, knocking on its door,” Hooker said confidently. “We got second last weekend, second once before. We’ve had some bad luck, but we’re right there.”
For now, he’ll continue to work with the help of his dedicated crew that includes his dad Kirk, mom Dianne, sister Taylor, Andrew Rheaume, Matt Wauthier and Derian Wauthier. Perhaps the blood, sweat and tears from a committed team will produce a bit of glory sometime soon.
SEASON STATS
Jake Hooker 2016 Season – 11 Races: 0 Wins, 9 Top-5s, 11 Top-10s
GET HOOKED!
Follow Jake Hooker’s rookie Super Late Model season at the following links
Facebook: facebook.com/JakeHookerMotorsports
Twitter: @Jake_Hooker38
Schedule: www.southbuxtonraceway.ca/schedule.
Jake Hooker would like to thank his dedicated corporate sponsors who support his 2016 UMP Super Late Model, including: Country View Golf Course, Triple P Farms, Profota’s Garage, AP Engines, Harris, Vertec Contractors Ltd., Churchill Transport, Steve’s Pizzeria, Waddick Fuels, Ray-Mac Auto Parts, Xtreme Bodies by Hook, RPM Design, Five Star Racecars, Westside, Inside Track Motorsport News, Spira Fire Protection, Chatham Outdoor and Pedal, Leaf Racewear, Drum Chip Inc, and Clayton Johns Media.
Prepared By Clayton Johns Media
Photo: Jake Hooker drives his No.38 Super Late Model at South Buxton Raceway on July 16, 2016. (James McDonald/Apex One photo).
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