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Rodgers Racing - Passing It Down
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Anyone that’s been around racing in New Brunswick, has surely come across the Rodgers clan.
We caught up to them at Centre for Speed and sat down for a chat. First up was Bob Rodgers “I always wanted to race so in 83-84 a friend of mine wanted to get into it too. We built a Sportsman car and I started racing.”
“The cars are a lot different now. When I started they were more or less like the street stock, now they’re getting close to a pro stock. They’re fast. The bodies were steel when I started or original bodies.”
“ I haven’t won any championships. I only
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raced six or seven years. I was too old when I started. I got so far along and wasn’t getting any better so I decided to stop.”
“I started at Petty. I raced a few times at River Glade and Hammond River. I did win “Rookie of the Year” and a feature at Petty. When I made the decision that I wasn’t going any further, my son wanted to try it. After that we couldn’t get him out of the car.”
Bob left us with one final comment “Glad to see that my grandsons’ are interested. With Steven’s eyes being bad, he wants to give it up and let my grandsons race.”
The conversation then turned to Steven. “I started in 1991. Dad raced for about six years and wanted to step back so that was my opportunity to step in. When I was young, I wasn’t interested at all, then I saw how much fun my Dad was having so I thought I would like to give it a try. I haven’t won any championships but I’ve come second, fourth and fifth. Never finished first. I started racing at River Glade and finished second one year. I raced at Speedway 660 and came in fourth and fifth.”
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The conversation then turned to his son Matt. “I think the car would be in good hands. I’m quite proud of how he carries and handles himself. I’m proud of both of my sons. They’re involved in hockey, football, soccer and ball hockey. They’re involved in a lot of extra-cirricular activities. They’re honour students in school. They have never done anything to disappoint me and it looks like Andrew will follow in our footsteps as well. He’s starting next year. We’re going to test the car at River Glade next week. Next year I’ll have them both racing. It makes me feel old.”
“ I’m kind of happy to see the Rodgers name stay in racing. There have been a lot of Rodgers’ involved over the years and its great to see my boys carrying on the torch.”
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With that he told Matt it was his turn. Matt, with an undescribed expression of excitement, “I started racing go-karts when I was five years old. My first year in Go-Karts, I won “Rookie of the Year” and the championship. Then I didn’t do that good later on. Then last year I started racing four cylinders at River Glade. Now I’m racing the Sportsman. It’s just a whole bunch of fun and a huge adrenilan rush. I plan to move up to Pro Stock eventually. It depends on him.” as he looked up at his father. “and the time is right. When I get old enough, I’d like to race in Fredericton.” Matt proudly pointed to his car and said “I just picked up a new sponsor. They’re on the hood now.”
Lastly, it was Andrew’s turn. Andrew was asked his feelings about racing. “Dah!!! It’s fast and it’s fun. I haven’t raced on a track yet, just around our house. Next year, I’m going to be driving my brother’s four cylinder. Matt’s doing fantastic. Once he finishes and gets rich, I’ll get the Sportsman, when Matt goes to Pro Stock.”
Bubbling with excitement, Andrew was clear on his goals. “My goal is to get that Sportsman from Matt.”
With that the guys went back to preparing the Sportsman for competition.
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