FROM CORNER 5
A different approach
by J. Wally Nesbitt/The Scugog Standard

The recognized route to motorsports success seems to be to master the dirt track and then make the leap to asphalt ovals. Setting the modern-day trend in motion were such notables as Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart.

Not one to follow normal tradition, Caesarea’s Derek Frohlich is taking the opposite approach ... and it seems to be working.

For eight of his 21 years, Derek has campaigned an INEX Legends car, a scaled-down version of the early (1930-40) racing sedans. Powered by a 1250 c.c. powerplant pushing out close to 150 horsepower, the Legends have become spectacularly popular throughout North America for both the fans and the drivers.

“I think these cars appeal to the common person,” said Derek. “From a driver’s perspective, you can’t throw millions of dollars at it to gain an advantage. If you know how to set it up, and can wheel a car, anyone can be competitive.”

Obviously capable on both counts, Frohlich - having started his career on the Ontario short tracks of Peterborough, Flamboro and Barrie Speedways in 2002-03 - continued his motoring path when his family moved south of the border in late 2003. Based in Arizona, the transplanted racer became at home on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway ‘Bull Ring,’ as well as the I-95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City in Arizona and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ‘little track.’

Competing against such notables as Kyle Busch and James Buescher, the young Canadian set the pace, celebrating seven consecutive state Legends championships (four oval/three road course) and a National title at the 2008 WinterNationals in Arizona.

Having conquered this discipline (although he still plays locally with his Legends mount), Derek moved into the Late Model stock car fraternity in 2006.

“My very first Late Model race I started on the pole and led the first three-quarters of the race. We had a green/white/checkered finish, and I got freight trained and dropped to fourth, but that was one stellar race.”

As a true race fan, Derek is also interested in other forms of motorsports, and it was the wild World Of Outlaws Sprint Cars that caught his eye.

“I was awestruck at the Outlaws Sprint Cars,” he said. “I sat there and wondered ‘How do they do that?’”

Looking at Sprint Car racing as a way to “continue the fun,” Derek has recently taken to the dirt, this year racing in a 358 cubic inch, 680 horsepower winged Sprint Car at Williams Grove and Lincoln Speedway in Pennsylvania. Based out of the Poncho’s Racing Products shops in New Oxford, Derek has enjoyed the learning curve, with his Elementary Planet/Cam Hiltz Trucking/Carsmosis Sprint Car carrying him to a season-best second place finish so far.

“You roll into a corner full out, your eyes go into the back of your skull and you pitch the car into the turn. It’s an amazing feeling. These are the most difficult and uncontrollable cars I’ve ever driven. I’m still learning. I don’t have a big bag of tricks yet, but they’re coming.”

Looking to advance his career into a 410 Sprint Series, Derek’s ultimate goal is to be the only Canadian running in the World Of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.

“That,” declared the potential superstar, “would be utterly phenomenal.”