Figure 8 Races Are Fast, Fun And Cheap
Jon Earl - 1998 Figure 8 champion

-by Lois Pollard-Grant

Jon Earl drives figure-eight cars because they are fun and affordable.

After four years of competition, the 21 year old took top driving honors in the mini figure 8 division, to capture his first championship since he began racing in 1995.

That first year, he said, "I didn't finish a single race." But he's made up for lost ground since.

Jon drives a Honda Accord in the no-holds-barred, and often dangerous figure 8 class, because he says, it's fast and strong.

A fast and strong car, has evidently helped John win the championship, as well as two main event victories - six heat races - and a couple of trophy dashes.

The Belmont High School graduate was also named the Most Improved Driver (In 1997 he received the Junior Achievement Award).

His interest in racing began when he was twelve years old and he worked (at what better place) than All Fun Water Park, situated just across the way from Western Speedway.

By 17, he had bought his first car for $30. "It was the cheapest class to get involved in." he said. "The cars are easy to build - it only takes a week to build a figure 8."

Jon said he has "no time" to race full time this year - "but I will be helping some new guys build a new car."

-as printed in the March 24, 1999 edition of the Goldstream News