Column: Melcolm Banks Is The Next Generation Of A Family Racing Operation
Column By: JIM CLARKE / BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY – BROCKVILLE, ONT – A bright future is waiting for the next group of talented young racers.
After making his start in the karting ranks in 2017 at age 5, Melcolm Banks moved to the Novice Sportsman ranks at Brockville Ontario Speedway in 2023.
Under the tutelage and guidance of his father Joseph – himself a 3rd generation racer and multiple DIRTcar 358 Modified feature winner – the youngster gained experience and developed his skills on the way to becoming the youngest main event winner in the track’s history – at age 12 – with his Saturday, August 10th checkered flag.
Banks also finished 2nd in the point standings for the 2nd straight season.
Despite his youth, Melcolm Banks is part of deep provincial motorsports lineage. His great uncles Ed and Ab Banks were regulars at tracks in Eastern Ontario, while his grandfather Pernie followed their path into the weekly racing ranks at Brockville Speedway.
His father took the next step in the family’s pursuit of checkered flags, competing in the Mini Stock and eventually Small Block Modified ranks.
Heading into the 2025 season, the 8th grader at Rideau District High School in Elgin will move-up to the Sportsman-Modified division at ‘The BOS’. While he hasn’t set any immediate goals for his transition to the new class, Melcolm Banks says he’s looking forward to getting some additional seat time and maybe travel to some different tracks before ultimately moving up to a 358 modified ride.
“Every time I get into the car, it is like the first day of school. There is so much to learn. I really like the way the conditions change and the challenges are different each we roll onto the track,” said the young driver. “I’d like to thank my family for everything they’ve done to give me this opportunity and all of my friends and fans for their encouragement at the track and behind the scenes.”
The No. M75 Banks Racing Team would like to thank their marketing partners including Kason Farms, Dirt Outlaw Apparel, D & J Transportation, Herlehy Home Hardware, A1 Siding, CHE – Cylinder Head Engineering, French’s Trucking, Welch’s Drywall, Milk – Leeds County Dairy Producer, Hewitt’s Livestock, Willard’s Bakery, Levac Propane and Willows Agri Services for their continued support.
At home in the shop and at the track, Melcolm Banks counts on Joe Banks, Pernie Banks, Tyler Hazelaar, Paige Banks, Cynthia Banks and Mila Banks to set-up the car each week and make sure it is ready to chase the next checkered flag.
