Monteith family continues racing tradition at Mosquito Speedway

NOLALU -- Kevin Monteith has been racing his way around North America’s dirt tracks for more than three decades.

But for more than a decade he’s spent his summers on the road, chasing his racing dream south of the border, unable to showcase his talent to the hometown crowd.

Last summer that changed, with the return of dirt-track racing to the long-closed Mosquito Speedway. Thousands came out to watch, prompting organizers to try it again in 2015.

Monteith, whose son Kyle also competed at this weekend’s Thunder Bay Dirt Track Invitational, said it’s fantastic to see racing back in Northwestern Ontario.

“It sure helps out the community,” the veteran racer said.

And the demand is obvious, he added.

“Last week we were down in Superior, Wisc. and three-quarters of people were from Thunder Bay. So it’s really good to see and I’m glad they took the chance and I hope it turns out well for them,” he said, crossing his fingers for the Simpson family, who reinvigorated the sport at the local level when they launched the inaugural invitational last summer.

“Thunder Bay’s a racing town. It’s well-supported. I just wish we could do it every week. But I guess that’s not happening.”

Still, Monteith dares to dream the popularity of the sport will make it possible to race at home more often, as he winds down his competitive career.

“Yeah, I would like to see two or three of them. Even once a month would be nice. There are a lot of guys who don’t get to travel. I travel, but a lot of guys only bring their car out once a year and that’s a big investment for once a year,” Monteith said.

Having his son Kyle competing is great too, he added.

“I’m glad to see him out there finally. I’m hoping I’ve got maybe another year or two left and then I’ll just pit for him.”

The younger Monteith is just as excited to see racing back as his father.

“It’s been 10 to 12 years since we’ve had it,” he said.  “We had it last year, but it’s kind of a dream come true.”

It’s the competition that keeps him on the track.

“It’s what I like to do, I guess,” said Kyle Monteith, who grew up around the sport, no surprise given who his father is.

But it’s one thing to watch from the stands or the sidelines and something completely different to be racing around the track at top speed.

“There are a lot of nerves before the race, but once you get going, they seem to calm down.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, he said there’s no love lost on the track, despite how close-knit the family might be.

“We’ve only actually been in the same race a couple of times before. He was way ahead, but still, it’s pretty cool. But he wants me to do well,” Kyle Monteith said.