Craig Revelle
Special to the Western News
The 2011 racing season ended long ago, but Sarah Cornett-Ching has remained very active within the racing community. She attended the final classes of the Race 101 program in North Carolina, which also included a test session at the famous Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C.
On Nov. 29, Cornett-Ching took to the track despite a gloomy forecast, and the rain held off long enough for Sarah to complete her test session.
“I had a blast driving the Race 101 test car,” said Cornett-Ching. “Hickory Motor Speedway is such a historic place, and it was just a great experience to get on the track here.”
After completing the test Cornett-Ching, along with Race 101 representative Anna Marie Strawhand, were driving from Charlotte to Orlando, Fla for the PRI Trade Show held Dec. 10, which hosts over 1,000 vendors from the racing industry including sellers from Canada, USA and other countries.
“The first day of the PRI show was overwhelming,” said Cornett-Ching. “There were so many people and vendors. I didn’t know where to start. It was a long day, but well worth it. I was able to meet so many people and talk about different racing products.”
One of the highlights was meeting up with friend Tyler Case, who was with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion Scott Steckley.
“It was pretty cool to go to dinner and get a chance to talk racing with the champion of the series that I want to race in next year,” said Cornett-Ching.
After a short break over the holidays, Cornett-Ching will make one last trip early in 2012 to graduate from the program.
“I really can’t thank the entire Race 101 staff enough for everything they have done for me this year,” said Cornett-Ching. “It was such a great experience for myself and the other students. It has been a great year all around, and I just have to thank everyone that helped me this year.”
In 2012, Cornett-Ching is hoping to put together a marketing program that will allow her to run a limited schedule in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. She also plans to battle for the OK Tire ARCA West Series championship.
Since 2005, Cornett-Ching has racked up awards one of which was champion in her division.
In 2010 she claimed fifth place in points in both the Okanagan Street Stock Series and the West Coast Sportsman Series. She was also named Most Improved Driver and Most Dedicated Driver of the West Coast Sportsman Series.
In 2011, Cornett-Ching again won Most Improved Driver in the West Coast Sportsman Series, finishing fourth in points and won Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved Driver in the OK Tire ARCA West Series, finishing eighth in points.
