You have to be at least 14 years old to race in the Prince George Auto Racing Association and Riley Ouellet didn't waste a minute signing up to become a legal race car driver.
He celebrated his 14th birthday Saturday, then came to the track at PGARA Speedway to show racing is an inherited tradition, a talent that's been passed down to him.
In his racing debut, Ouellet won his dash and heat races and finished fifth out of 11 cars in the mini stock main event. That ought to give him something to talk about today when he comes back for another day of Grade 8 classes at Duchess Park secondary school.
If it appeared Ouellet was cool beyond his years with the pedal pressed to the metal, he comes by that trait honestly. His dad Livio, uncles Marc, Earnest, Paul and Remi, and older brother Darrell have made the Ouellet name famous at PGARA Speedway for their habit of winning races, especially in the mini stock series.
"It's in my genes to be good, ever since I was six years old I couldn't wait to race," Riley said.
"My dad stopped racing for a few years and the minute he asked if I wanted to race, I wasn't sure if he was serious. I was excited about this day, I was counting down the days for it."
Riley lost his air filter during his qualifying laps, about the only glitch in his day, and he promises he'll be even better at the next race meet, May 28.
"I've been around cars a long time but I'd never raced them at the track, just two or three practice sessions," Riley said. "At first my dad just said, 'Don't wreck the car,' and then he said, 'Don't be afraid to be aggressive, like your brother.
"It's adrenaline-pumping, I forget everything I do because my adrenaline is pumping so hard.
"My dad and my uncles win races, my brother wins races, and I had to follow through. That No. 68 car (that Riley now drives) was actually my uncle Remi's and uncle Marc's car. Two trophies, I'm happy."
Livio predicts a long string of success for his Riley, but that won't come without a hitch. It's up to him to learn how to make his car run fast.
"He actually surprised me today, he did very well and that makes me proud," said Livio.
"He did very well for his first time and he'll do better yet, it's in his blood, and he'll keep it right on this race track and keep it safe. He's going to learn lots about how to fix his own cars."
There could be a resurgence of Ouellets racing at PGARA before too long.
"Marc has a couple of daughters and I'm hoping they will get into some race cars,"
Livio said.
