Darcy Fuller walked away from the first hit to pass event of the year with a pocket full of money.
The Fort Fraser driver outlasted 12 other cars, and one mini-car, in the 100-plus lap main event Saturday night at the Prince George Auto Racing Association Speedway to take home $2,500.
It was Fuller's second win of the night because he also won his heat. His night ended on a high but after two years away from racing it didn't start that way.
"In the first race I just got too excited and too gung-ho, but the next one I got out and actually kind of calmed down a little bit and just did my thing," said Fuller.
The victory was the cherry on top of Fuller's comeback after being sidelined for nine months with a broken back after a motocross accident in Fort McMurray, Alta., in May 2012.
"I went over backwards on the back of my dirt bike and the bike landed on top of me and I landed on top of a rock, fracturing the T-12 vertebrae," said Fuller. "I got medavac out that night to Edmonton and two days later I had surgery and they put rods and pins in my back. I had them in for eight months."
The 28-year-old said his recovery time was slow and painful and it was difficult to get his muscles working again when he needed them to because they were stiff from not moving around. Luckily Fuller didn't have to deal with paralysis.
"I get numb feet once in a while but other than that it's pretty good," he said.
Fuller said he spent much of his childhood racing dirt bikes but the "freak accident" convinced him to drain the fuel from his dirt bike for good.
"Life's too short," said Fuller. "I'd rather be around enjoying life."
Now his focus is on his other hobby and seeing his total number of hit to pass cars he's wrecked climb - it currently stands at 12. Fuller said he isn't worried about safety when he's driving.
"You're pretty strapped in," said Fuller. "You've got your roll cage, your helmet and safety gear and you're pretty boxed in there. In motocross you're kind of open to all elements."
Other winners Saturday night, included Guy Lefevre, driving a mini car in the rookie dash, while the two four-car regular dash winners were Bill Orser and Brad Christenson, who also took the second heat.
Lefevre said the June hit to pass is always his favourite because there is always many families with young children mingling among the more than 3,000 fans who pack the PGARA Speedway to watch the mayhem.
"I like this race the best because it's light till late so families bring their kids out," said Lefevre. "It's great live action entertainment that the family can watch together. These are local guys driving, so you're going to see them in the supermarket or the auto parts store."
The next PGARA race day is July 13 while hit to pass returns Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
