Looking to get some performance parts for his car, Marty Monette walked into Brandon Robertson’s business 25 years ago. He saw a racecar while he was there, and as they say, the rest is history.

“I was a forever fan, and I just started hanging out with them and to be quite honest, I watched Drew race at Flamboro and thought, ‘Well, I can do that,’ so next thing you know, here I am,” he commented. “If I hadn’t met these guys, I probably would’ve still been on the fan side – I’d probably have more money in my pocket, but I wouldn’t be as happy.”

While having spent his career behind the wheel of a variety of cars from Super Stocks to a modified, the 2021 campaign will see him write a new chapter of his racing career with the Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods. His interest in the series developed through spending time at the tracks with Robertson’s team.

“To be honest with you, I really liked the group of guys that are racing in it,” he commented. “Being involved with Brandon and Drew – kind of got hooked on it and wanted to do something back in my own equipment instead of driving for somebody and have more say in what was going on. The Hot Rods seem to be a good fit for everybody. We’re all out of the same shop and we’re all leaning on each other for help and knowledge, so it just seemed like a no-brainer really.”

Seeing Monette now as the latest driver to join the division continues the trend with the Hot Rods being the fastest growing division in the province.

“I’ve said it a couple times to Dave that I’m really glad he stuck with this division and like you said, it is exploding and there are new guys, lots of talent that has come out,” he said. “I think it’s great. I’m really happy for Dave and his group of people that work in the series. I’m really looking forward to getting out there with the likes of Steve Book and hopefully Tom (Walters) is still doing his thing out there and seeing where we stack up. But at the end of the day, it’s fun – that’s the biggest thing.”

Now heading into the season Monette hopes the Mustang finds its way to several tracks throughout the summer – including the return to Kawartha Speedway.

“We know Dave Gainforth is working very hard in making things happen and we’re obviously going to be ready,” he said. “So we’re hoping that we have a chance to show off our equipment, and the one thing I like about the Hot Rod series is the guys that we run with week-in-week-out. It’s a great group of guys, everyone gets along well, and we do our thing.”

Doing their own thing involved spending many months building the Mustang to perfection, which has caught the attention of fans since the first photos surfaced on social media. The attention to detail meets the team’s expectation to be front runners from the drop of the first green flag.

“I think you’re going to see an influx of guys that are faster,” Monette said. “I’ve heard some rumors about a few guys coming in that should make the series better. The level of competition is going to be up there so to run up front is the expectation, to get some wins, and just be contention every week.”

When Monette takes to the track for the first event, fans will see a number they have grown familiar to seeing with him in the No. 72.

“Basically, 72 was the first number that I ran back in the Outlaw Thunder Car days,” he revealed. “We changed to 66 as a bit of agreement back in the day to have someone else run the 72. So when we went to the Hot Rods, 66 was taken and 72 wasn’t so it seemed like a no brainer so hopefully we can have some success with it.”

With the experience he has earned through the years, his advice to those looking to get involved like himself – do your homework.

“It’s tough to do by yourself, that’s for sure,” he added. “Get aligned with some guys and build a friendship, relationship there, but do your homework. Know what you’re getting into because there’s nothing easy about it – nothing. There’s a load of work, a load of time, and a load of money.

“I always say if I was sitting in the stands I’d have a pocketful, but I don’t know how happy I’d be.”

Be sure to keep up with OSCAAR by staying tuned to the series website at http://www.oscaar.ca. Also, make sure to “like” the official OSCAAR Racing Facebook page, while following both the Twitter and Instagram accounts (@OSCAARRacing) to keep up to date on everything you need to know.

OSCAAR’s 2020 racing season was supported by several dedicated partners including Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC, Knightworks Design, Living Lighting Canada, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd., Touchwood Cabinets, Sauble Falls Campground, The Fyre Place & Patio Shop, Ohsweken Speedway, American Racer, and Grisdale Race Products.

By: Ashley McCubbin