Marty Hansen

"To Crush Everyone", is the objective of Marty (McFly) Hansen as he wheels his #33 demo car, in hit-to-pass competition, around Western Speedway on Saturday nights.

"It's a process of elimination and I'm going to crush everyone," said the 40 year old Colwood resident who is quick to extol the merits of hit-to-pass racing. "It's heads up racing at its best and if you get caught sleeping, you pay for it."

Seldom though, is the wily veteran caught sleeping as he currently holds down second spot in drivers point standings, and has a room full of trophies to show for it.

At 14, Marty got his first taste of racing behind the wheel of his uncle Gary Hansen's demo car. Working together, his uncle would start the race, then pull into the pits. Thereupon Marty would take over and finish the race.

This scheme worked well for the Hansen duo until Marty won a race and was caught. His racing career was put on hold until he reached the then legal age of 16.

Marty's "no-holds-barred" driving technique apparently runs in the family as his brother "Dr. Death" Keith Hansen, is equally dangerous on the track. The brothers are considered two of the most aggressive drivers to strike the hit-to-pass scene.

He admits to working as a team with Keith and uses it to his advantage every chance he gets.

Not even a dislocated shoulder (from slamming a lamp standard sideways) or a broken ankle, fingers and toes, can keep Marty from the precarious sport that he loves.

"Taking and giving hits at 70 miles an hour is totally exhilarating. It's more fun than anything else I've done - and there's nothing like taking your frustration out in a legal way."

He believes that a demo driver has to posses a bit of a mean streak. "It's the nature of the business," he said, " and if your not aggressive, you'll get beat up."

An example of Marty's unconventional race strategy is to intimidate his opponents - by laughing.

"I am looking at them and laughing, and usually the guys can hear me. I'll do whatever I can do disable their cars." He acknowledges however, that he is easier on the rookie drivers - "unless they mouth off."

According to Marty, there is more to winning and finishing a race, in order to succeed at this game. "There's the high maintenance of the cars, when after every race you are pulling and re-welding frames and adding new tires and rims. Tires are the biggest expense as I run new tires every race."

Marty agrees that demo cars have advanced considerably over the years. "I have progressed to a full roll cage," he explains, "and I use extra cross bars and door bars. I have a better motor than some of the Sportsman cars at the speedway. We have no restrictions on our motors and we're allowed headers."

When Marty isn't barrel-rolling his car down the front stretch of the speedway, and earning his nickname "McFly" (from "flying" his cars flying through the air), he runs a sign & printing company called Side Lines.

Aside from racing, he enjoys helping out with his kids baseball team, and restoring old cars.

His wife, Robin and kids, Haley and Hayden, are supportive of his favorite pursuit - and Marty couldn't be happier.

McFly will continue to smash his way through cars, and if he catches you driving on a flat tire - he will slam you! "It's my opportunity to get you every time".

In the meantime, his ultimate goal is to try and win that (so far) illusive championship.