COLUMBUS - Since he was a young boy, Brandon Garbers, 14, has watched the races at the U.S. 30 Speedway waiting for his turn to be in the driver's seat.
His turn came this summer as he joined the pack at the starting line in his 350 horsepower, 1985 Buick Regal in the Hobby Stock Class.
Garbers is the third generation of race enthusiasts in his family. His grandfather Fred Garbers has owned, maintained and sponsored hobby stock sprint cars since 1969. His father Jason raced go-carts for five years as a teenager and now Brandon carries on the tradition in his race for the points at the U.S. 30 Speedway.
Garbers also continues the family tradition of using the number 69 for his car. His grandfather first used the number in 1969.
“Brandon added the ‘G' to the number ‘69' this year to carry on the tradition and to make it his own too,” Jason said.
Garbers described the feeling of what it's like to race.
“When I sit in the car at the beginning of the heat, I've got a lot of adrenaline going,” Garbers said. “I'm really not thinking about anything but the race and getting through it in one piece.”
Garbers has run in three races so far this season. He's qualified for the B Feature race each time. Weather permitting, he'll race twice more before his first season ends.
“Before the race I'm responsible for checking the tire pressure, the seat belt and making sure my helmet and gear are with me,” Garbers said. “Mentally when I'm in the car I just think about my speed and how I'm going to go through the turns. What I'm learning to do is to go as fast as I can and slide through the turns because that helps you when you get through the turns to the straightaway.”
Garbers' father said He and his wife told Brandon to drive as fast as he is comfortable, to stay out of the other drivers' way and to have fun. He said his son has become bolder with each race, which is making Brandon's mother a little nervous.
Garbers said he thinks the experience will make him a better driver when he gets his license and he's learning responsibility through the different things he has to do to be ready for the races.
“I'm doing it because it's really fun, and it gives me something to do,” Garbers said. “I couldn't race though without a lot of help from my family and crew.”
Garbers car is sponsored by Crackers to Caviar and Shell Valley Companies Inc.
“I want to thank Crackers to Caviar, Shell Valley, Mom & Dad for getting me in a car, Eddie Kraus for all his help and words of wisdom, Ligenza racing, Becker racing and Dana Dankert for hauling us to the track each week,” Garbers said. “I got involved in racing because my dad has been helping on cars, and I have been around it all my life, just like him. My biggest goal is to keep getting better each time I run.”
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