Paying his fifth visit in five years to Bonnechere Manor, where his mother works, Blok put on a casual demonstration for residents and staff of the long-term care home in Renfrew.

He only reached speeds of about 40 kilometres per hour, but he told an audience of several dozen people that the 24-horsepower Rotax engine is capable of moving the machine to speeds of up to 165 km/h on straightaways.

He’s not just a passionate go-kart racer, though, he told his audience. Blok has his junior black belt and this past weekend he was scheduled to perform on the piano at the Beachburg Fair.

However, go-kart racing has been “my passion as long as I can remember,” said Blok, whose sponsors include George Jackson Toyota of Renfrew.

Blok not only won his first official go-kart race, but two years ago placed third among 33 drivers on a novice racing circuit with four-stroke, junior Honda Machines.

Last year, he moved up to the faster Rotax junior class on the Coupe de Montreal circuit. “It was very challenging last year because we had a difficult learning curve and we had some engine difficulties,” Blok said of the season in which he placed 12th overall among 25 entrants.

Having the teenager visit the Bonnechere Manor is a treat for the residents, said Manor recreation supervisor Nellie Kingsbury. “They enjoy this activity because this is not anything they’re able to go out and see,” Kingsbury
observed. “He does it once a year and, as you can see, they enjoy watching him.”