Column: Keeping The Tradition Alive, Xavier Perrin Follows In Family’s Footsteps
Column By: JIM CLARKE / BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY – BROCKVILLE, ONT – While their only knowledge of the motorsports past might be stories shared across the family dinner table, through pages of a photo album in an occasional newspaper clipping, today’s young racers like Xavier Perrin will take an active role in the family racing legacy by making their own name behind the wheel.
Like both his Grandfather and Great Grandfather before him, the 18-year-old – who attended South Grenville High School and now works on a variety of different projects at Mulder’s Welding in nearby Spencerville – says he loves the thought of chasing checkered flags in front of the hometown crowd at Brockville Ontario Speedway and wherever else his racing travels make take him.
From his first laps in a go kart at the age of 6, to the last 3 seasons in a DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified, the talented youngster has seen his talent, skill and experience grow to the point where he expects to take the next step in his motorsports development – with a move to the Small Block Modified field – in the next few seasons.
“Its great to be able to race in front of my family and friends, but COVID-19 has made that almost impossible this year,” Perrin said. “We miss having the fans at the track to support but what we do. When I’m in the car, I can’t hear them or see them; but just knowing they’re in the grandstands cheering for me is a real shot in the arm and makes our hard work and dedication worthwhile.”
Perrin – who enjoys fishing and camping in his time away from the speedway – runs a car number that is similar to the other members of his racing family. Great Grandfather Ernie Perrin Sr. started the ball rolling with No. 41, while Grandfather Ernie Jr. used No. 41J during his tenure in the Small Block Modified division at Brockville. Xavier Perrin has been carried the X41 brand since his first laps of stock car action.
“Family members have always been an important part of my racing career,” said the young speedster. “My Grandpa Ernie, my Nan, Aunt Sheena and my Uncle Jamie Murphy help out behind the scenes and at the track, while my girlfriend Gracie Bentley is my biggest fan and offers her unconditional support with every turn of the steering wheel.”
Now that Brockville Speedway’s abbreviated 2020 season has wrapped-up, Xavier Perrin is looking forward to running his Nature’s Reality Botanical Blends, Mulder’s Welding, Hodge’s Flooring, 99.9 MYFM, Steve Polite Sand & Gravel, Augusta Motors, KSK Limited, Solid Rock Masonry & Repair, Herrington Graphics Bicknell Racing Products machine at the October 2nd and 3rd during Brockville Speedway’s Northeast Fall Nationals, presented by Dirt Outlaw Apparel and Nature’s Reality Botanical Blends.
