Beachburg’s Nathan Blok gets set to hit the track during the Ted Powell Memorial Race Weekend at Calabogie MotorSports Park July 26. In his first-ever F1600 Formula Ford racing competition, the young driver had a podium finish on Sunday, finishing third in his class.

There was lots of excitement at the third annual Ted Powell Memorial Race Weekend at Calabogie MotorSports Park, but perhaps no one was as thrilled to get on the track as Beachburg’s young Nathan Blok, who raced the first Formula 1600 race of his life on Saturday.

Blok followed up a respectable ninth place ranking July 25 with an impressive third-place podium finish on Sunday. “I have never been more excited,” said Blok. “Nothing compares to it.”

Highlights of the weekend included an appearance by John Powell, son of Ottawa area racing legend Ted Powell, who waved the green flag to start the GT race.

Motorsport Club of Ottawa’s Craig Lee says the Calabogie facility is a great location for the Ted Powell race and the event has grown over the years.

Once run on just part of the track, a larger bank of qualified marshals and volunteers meant the entire 5.5 kilometre track was in use.

“It’s been excellent. We’re very pleased with the number of spectators,” said Lee.
Close to 200 drivers were involved in what is becoming a popular event on the racing circuit. There were several classes, including Formula Libre, F1200, GT and vintage classes.

PRAISE FOR BLOK
Nathan Blok’s performance received high praise, said his mom Sandra.
“Everyone was quite pleased. A lot of people in their first race don’t make it past qualifying,” she said. She and husband Steve are very proud, said Sandra, and Nathan was thrilled with the whole experience. “He was ecstatic when he finished the race,” said Sandra. “There weren’t enough people around to hug.”

Nathan has been racing go karts since he reached the required age of six. Now, he races as the youngest member of the Mortimer racing team, based in Ottawa, one of the major teams in the sport. Drivers must be 16 years old to participate in racing events.
Among Blok’s teammates are former major-general Lewis MacKenzie and driver Matt White, who finished first in Saturday’s race.

Nigel Mortimer, owner of Mortimer Racing, says Blok performed well.
“We’re very pleased,” he says. “His learning curve is very fast and he’s a lovely kid to work with. He goes out and does exactly what he was asked to.”

Nathan can benefit from his teammates, too, says Mortimer. “He’s got the benefit of a lot of people with decades of experience and like I said, he listens.”

Nathan’s list of sponsors is impressive, says Mortimer. “Without money, you can’t go anywhere,” he says.

During Sunday’s event, Blok and his teammates spent some time with optometrist Dr. John Granda, learning to test and hone their vision for maximum performance on the track. Granda regularly works with sports professionals like race car drivers and baseball players.

OTHER INTERESTS
Racing’s not Nathan’s only accomplishment. The Fellowes High School student is a junior black belt in karate, is trained in piano and he curls in the fall.

Next up for Nathan is a race in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. He would like to race at Montreal’s upcoming Nascar event, dependent on funding.

In terms of mental preparation, Nathan says there is no specific method. ”I just get in and do my job – do what I do best,” he says.

Nathan’s fastest time so far is 200 kilometres per hour. He would love to one day get into Formula 1 racing.

Motorsports can be an excellent activity for young people, says Paul Swinwood of Motorsport Club of Ottawa.

“If you want to race – young kids want to have a good time and see how good they are – come out here,” says Paul Swinwood of Motorsport Club of Ottawa.

“Safety marshals are on hand, everyone’s going in the same direction, it’s much safer to test your speed on a controlled track,” he says.

“Calabogie MotorSports Park offers training schools and lapping days for those wanting to learn more or try out the track. The atmosphere at the race and in the racing community is supportive.

“It’s a nice family, it’s a tight family,” says Swinwood.