Column: Geneva Sheffield’s Getting Things Ready For Her 2020 Racing Season
Column By: JIM CLARKE / GENEVA SHEFFIELD RACING – PICTON, ONT – It could almost be classified as a misnomer. When it comes to weekly short track stock car racing, there is really no such thing as a off-season. Even though her 2019 schedule wrapped-up less than a couple of months ago, Geneva Sheffield is already hard at work prepping her equipment for the next green flag.
The 25-year-old third generation racer from Picton, Ontario – who works as a bylaw enforcement officer with the local municipality – is looking to improve on her overall point finish in the Sportsman-Modified division at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
“I ran a limited schedule and struggled a bit with some different issues last year,” admitted the driver. “Even before the season ended, we came up with a plan to be better in 2020 and strong right out of the box. It’ll take some hard work and late nights in the shop, but if we start at it now, I’m sure we’ll be ready to roll.”
With a passion for the sport that the PECI and Loyalist College graduate inherited from her father, mother, great uncle, cousins and grandfather, Geneva Sheffield advanced through the Stinger and Comp 4 ranks at nearby Brighton Speedway, before trying her hand in the Mini Stock, Street Stock and Sportsman divisions at Brockville. She says that as much as she loves going fast, turning left and slinging mud on the track, she enjoys being part of the racing ‘community’.
“It’s the people in this sport that make it so great,” Geneva Sheffield said. “Over the years, I’ve made so many friends that have become like an extended family. Racing has brought my Dad and I closer together and I look forward to the time that we get to spend together; doing something that we both love and enjoy.”
Sheffield says her long-term goals are to continue to develop her skills in the Sportsman-Modified division, scoring some heat race wins and crack the top 5 in the main event running order. She’d also like to have the chance to compete on different tracks including Fulton, Ohsweken and possibly even the Dirt Track at Charlotte in addition to those close to home like Brighton, Brockville and her current favourite Cornwall Motor Speedway.
The driver of the #8 machine believes that with the combined experience of her family, friends and boyfriend/racer Tyler Lamarche she can achieve her goals; but to do so the team is looking for additional sponsorship support to join County Steel, The Vinyl Solution, Rapid Rad, Lafrance Performance and Trick Race Parts in her quest.
“We’ve been operating on a very low, ‘out of pocket’ budget,” said Sheffield. “It can be difficult to stay competitive and run with some of the best teams in the division, but I’m confident in the things this group can achieve with some hard work and dedication.”
