Lakefield racer wins rookie title
Nissan Micra Cup racer Jake Exton likes to Moov-it, Moov-it
Jake Exton’s first season of racing in the Nissan Micra Cup circuit may not have started the way he would have liked, but it sure finished on a high note.
The 25-year-old Lakefield man rolled his car during the first race of the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park north of Bowmanville on May 19, but went on to be crowned the 2017 rookie champion.
“I feel like the luckiest guy, to live out my dream,” he said Tuesday.
Exton, who was not badly hurt, made up for the lost points in the 10 remaining races (two races per event) with a different car, culminating with finishes of 11th and seventh overall Sept. 23 and 24 as part of the Fall Classic at Circuit MontTremblant.
He topped the rookie standings with 102 points, with an 18-point buffer over second place, good for 12th place in the overall ranks.
The win “felt amazing,” Exton said, adding that it was that much sweeter because the smaller team beat out others that have factory sponsors, data analysis and personal chefs, for example. “We were always playing catchup.”
But the real story, Exton says, is how his team came together to begin with. The general manager of the Canoe & Paddle Pub in Lakefield first met car owner Craig Willoughby Sr. – who drove the car last season – at the bridge street business.
One thing led to another and Willoughby Sr., who raced on the ovals at Peterborough and Kawartha speedways for more than a decade, offered Exton – who raced in the karting circuit before emigrating from Guildford, England in 2007 – a chance to drive some races.
“That meant the world to me, to be able to follow my dream,” said the racer, who idolized British racing driver Damon Hill growing up.
Kart racing, or karting, is an open-wheel motor sport where small, open, four-wheeled karts, or go-karts, that race on scaleddown circuits.
Overseas, Exton finished fifth and third overall on the Formula 6 championship junior TKM in 2004-05 and 2005-06, respectively, and fourth and second in the junior royale in the two seasons prior.
He also finished second overall in the SPKC championship junior royale in 2002-03, as well as fourth overall in the Formula 6 championship Honda Cadets and second overall in the SPKC championship in the same class in 2001-02.
Willoughby Sr. praised Exton’s performance in earning the rookie title, pointing out that he doesn’t have previous car racing experience.
“He must have some sort of natural talent,” he said with a laugh.
Willoughby Sr. owns Neal Dr.based Lloyds Laboratories, a manufacturer founded in Toronto in 1919 that produces cleaning and lubricating products.
Team Moov-it, which is managed by Willoughby’s son, Craig Jr., is named after a penetrating lubricant made by the company.
The No. 00 car – a former media car – is sponsored by Trans Canada Nissan on Lansdowne St. W, the only Ontario dealership to sponsor a car this season.
As part of its sponsorship, Trans Canada Nissan provides support, such as a mechanic for the team who travels with them to the races, for example.
Next year will see another car added to the mix. Both Exton and Willoughby Sr. plan to drive together on a team, on the regular and senior circuit, respectively.
“We should be able to get exposure on both levels,” Exton said.
Willoughby Sr. said he has really enjoyed taking part in the three-year-old Nissan Canadasponsored semi-professional series, which has also taken the team to Trois-Rivières in Quebec. Two events are held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and three at Mont-Tremblant.
Road racing is much different than ovals, which have banked corners, Willoughby explained, adding how drivers also rely on momentum. “It’s a big learning experience ... You have to get your braking and angles set further in advance.”
The circuit draws drivers from all walks of life and all ages – from young racers wanting to hone their skills to move up the ranks to older drivers, such as a former police chief who simply enjoys the experience, Willoughby said.
The Micras may be small, but they are still really fast, powered by 1.6-litre, 16-valve four-cylinder engines that produce 109 horsepower at 6000 rpm.
NOTE: Jake Exton’s rookie championship trophy is now on display in the showroom at Trans Canada Nissan at 1189 Lansdowne St. W.