12 year-old Robby Douglas from Derry, NH is one of the young drivers who races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in the Gifford’s Ice Cream Bandolero Series. Halfway through the race season, Robby is second in points behind Casey Call.
Making the move from Tiger Sprint karts, racing at Route 106, to Bandoleros was a logical step towards Robby’s future racing in NASCAR: “I had a lot of fun at the arrive and drive and I really wanted to drive on NHMS and I wanted to learn how to drive a stock car so this is a good stepping stone.”
The Bandolero Car is very different than the karts Robby has raced in the past: “The Bando has shocks and the Bando is more of a driver’s car than the go-karts because the kart was just foot to the floor racing and the Bando you have to let off so you have to learn car control.”
The Bandoleros, along with the Legends, race on the Mini Magic Mile at NHMS. For the young drivers learning to race, the track is a big part of the experience. According to Robby, the key point to getting around the oval course is, “getting through the turn one transition.”
Though Robby has made a number of trips to the podium, namely top three finishes at NHMS, he is still looking forward to that checkered flag. So what will it take for Robby to get his first win? “A little more seat time and some driving and set-up changes.”
Robby is not just a driver – he is a racer who likes to get his hands dirty with grease and gear oil: “I help with alignment, maintenance (mostly oil changes), putting on stickers, setting the car up on the scales, making gear changes, or just getting tools for my crew (“The Douglas Boys”) and all of this helps me learn so one day I can do more to set it up and do more complicated things like adjusting the chain and changing the shocks on my own.”
Even though Robby spends much of his time racing, he did find time to enjoy other things: “Hanging out with family, keeping up with my black belt in karate, hanging out with Casey Call, working on the race car, going to soccer camp in Bethel Maine, going to boy scout camp in Gilmanton, NH, and making changes to my Traxxas Slash RC car.”
Since Gifford’s Ice Cream is the sponsor of the Bandolero series, Robby – along with some of fellow drivers – agree they should serve ice cream in victory lane! Robby would like to thank his sponsors, Mom and Dad.