Local Williams Lake race car driver Ryley Seibert is quickly learning how to turn heads. The 18 year old has just returned from North Carolina after graduating from the RACE 101 program in Mooresville, NC which acts as home to the biggest teams in NASCAR.
RACE 101 was founded by Tony Blanchard, former development crew chief of NASCAR star Joey Logano, on the principle that young drivers need proper development not only in driving but also in public relations and car set-up.
Opportunities were priceless as students would also get the chance to test in the RACE 101 late model car.
Seibert was accepted into RACE 101 in January of 2010 because of his ability and eagerness to learn and adapt to any situation he faces in the racing world. He quickly got the attention of the RACE 101 teachers when he scored the highest mark in the class on a written exam, which was based on race car knowledge.
The drive to be the best did not stop there though. Throughout the year Seibert attended online classes as well as flew to North Carolina for classes in the RACE 101 race shop.
“My arms were often tired because of always holding my hand up to ask questions, add comments, and answer questions,” says the young driver.
Seibert was scheduled to be in the RACE 101 late model car in July but was forced to stay home because of all the rain that North Carolina was getting.
Finally, on Nov. 12, he got his chance to get into the car, and the young driver would not disappoint.
While other drivers were struggling to keep the car pointed in the right direction, Seibert impressed everyone with how smooth, fast, and consistent he was lap after lap.
“All I could think about was my dad’s advice — be smooth, start slow, end fast,” he says about his father, Trevor Seibert.
By the end of the day everyone could see that this small town western Canadian kid meant business being the only driver to not spin out or need further instruction after the first 20-lap session.
Once again a small town driver proves it is not about where you’re from but merely knowing it is possible to do anything you put your whole heart into.
Further on into 2011 Seibert will continue to race his sportsman car in the ARCA West OK Tire Series which tours all over B.C., and has fire in his eyes to win the championship. Seibert is also trying to raise enough money to do one or two races in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
For all those on Facebook, look up and follow the young hopeful on his fan page at Ryley Seibert Racing and press the “like” button to show your support.