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ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH ERICA ENSOR
By: Rich Murray
Morris, IL (September 24, 2014)--Seventeen-year-old Erica Ensor is no stranger to making a quick impression. In 2012, the Sheridan, Illinois' driver burst onto the racing scene in by taking four feature victories and the STARS Classic Modified title. In 2013, she showed it was no fluke by repeating as champion again. She has only dabbled in the Classic Modified on occasion this season, instead focusing on making the transition to midget racing.
Throughout her rookie campaign in the open wheel ranks in 2014, she has run the pavement races on the Illini Racing Series schedule. She recently made her debut with the STARS National Midgets in the white Fox Sandblasting & Powder Coating/Ruane Construction, Inc. number 16 and has an eye on making the move to a national midget full-time in the coming years.
Ensor, born on November 19, 1996, is the daughter of recent STARS Classic Modified feature winner Ed Ensor. The full-time student at Serena High School currently resides in nearby Sheridan, Illinois and is already in her 12th year of racing. When she made her debut in the STARS/USAC co-sanctioned event at Grundy County Speedway on August 9th, she became only the second lady to compete in a STARS National Midget event (Taylor Ferns).
1. What do you race?
I am currently driving an Pavement Midget in the Illini Racing Series. The previous 2-3 years, I have driven a Classic Modified (Dwarf Car), a Super Late model, a Kenyon Midget, and a Super Cup car.
2. What is your family's background in racing?
My dad, Ed Ensor, has driven everything. He holds the world record for the fastest snowmobile on ice at 183 mph! He has also driven everything from drag cars to bikes. He has done some circle track racing a few times in the Classic Modified.
3. How did you get interested in racing?
I've been around it since I was in diapers. At a young age, I traveled all around racing drag mini snowmobiles and held a record for that. Eventually, I begged my dad to let me do circle track racing.
4. What do your friends think when you tell them that you are a racer?
I have met most of my friends through racing so that's nice, but my other friends struggle to understand what I do. It's frustrating, but I get it because I know I am not the typical teenage girl.
5. What gives you the determination to be a racer?
It's my dream to race professionally, but being a very determined person helps a lot. I enjoy everything that comes with the racing life and that is why I work so hard at it.
6. What kind of success have you had so far in your career?
I have one championship in the Super Cup and two championships in both of the years I drove in the Classic Modified. There's been a few really exciting wins like sweeping the night at Anderson Speedway and winning indoors in Michigan on thanksgiving in the Super Cup.
7. What is it like racing against all the guys?
When I'm out on the track, I feel like I am just another race car driver. Unfortunately, you do find people who think they can just treat you different because you're just a "little girl." I've learned to deal with people like that and ignore it.
8. Any funny on-track stories or lighter moments that you have been a part of during your racing career?
Through racing, I have met so many funny people and even good friends. Some of those memories are ones I will never forget.
9. How do your fellow racers treat you?
I am currently running with the Illini Racing Series and they have been awesome! The drivers and staff have been super nice to me.
10. What are your future aspirations in racing? Where do you eventually want to go in this sport?
I want to race professionally. My goal within the next few years is to be in a National Midget. I would love to be in something like Indy Cars or NASCAR someday. That’s a dream of mine for sure.
11. Who are your racing idols?
Pat Kelly. He used to travel all over the Midwest racing late models. I've been watching him since I was little and he has so much talent. He has been my crew chief for the past couple of years and he works with me so well. I’ve learned a lot from watching him race and talking with him. As far as NASCAR goes, it would be Kyle Busch; he's a great driver.
12. Who are some of your favorite female racers?
Drag Racer Erica Enders is my favorite. I've always been a huge fan. She is such a determined person and I think that's why she is successful. She is a great role model for young girls like me.
13. What is your most memorable moment at the racetrack?
There have been a lot. Any time the checkered flag has been thrown and I can slow down and look at my dad behind the fence, see him clapping and just tell how proud he is is a memorable moment for me. My two championships in the Classic Modified took a lot of hard work and it paid off; those mean a lot to me.
14. What is the most difficult part about racing to you?
It’s the work that goes into it. My dad works so hard every day to let me do what I love and there is no way I could to it without him. The time and effort that goes into racing is crazy.
15. If you weren't a racer, what would you want to be?
At this age, I honestly have no idea. Racing is all I have ever known and there is nothing I enjoy doing more.
16. Tell me something interesting about yourself that people might not know.
Uhm! One thing I say a lot when I get asked this is that, on a race day, I either don't eat at all or very little. Then, after the racing is over, I am the biggest pig ever! Haha!
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