CAYUGA—Cayuga’s Kami Scott has been putting the pedal to the metal since the tender age of 9, and she continues to chase her need for speed eight years later, now regularly racing her new dragster at Toronto Motorsports Park and placing high on the rankings in her class while turning heads with her prowess behind the wheel.
We spoke with Scott, now 17, for a look at what motivated her to get behind the wheel of a race car at such a young age.
“My father and mother raced, and I was always at the track helping them. I saw a helmet when we were buying parts one day and wanted it so bad, but the only way was to start racing – so I did. I never did get that helmet,” said Scott.
Her parents, Mike and Tammy, feel a great deal of pride having watched their daughter grow in her command of the sport as she matures toward adulthood.
“The confidence she has built by not only winning but losing as well. Her mother and I are proud of the friendships we have watched her grow,” said Mike. “Watching her help and encourage newer drivers and experienced drivers shows us that she understands the family side of racing. The confidence she has built internally has really helped her in her everyday life.”
Scott recalled her first race behind the wheel of her junior dragster nearly a decade ago.
“I was very nervous that I didn’t know what to do, but after a couple passes I was hooked,” she recalled. “I realized that watching the other juniors for years, I had already learned so much without realizing I was learning. The speed and competition are very addicting.”
She said it’s always thrilling to overcome lowered expectations placed on her because of her young age.
“Some people think that we are just kids and we don’t know what we are doing, but as I watch others graduate from juniors we are showing them we are really good at racing and the future of the sport,” continued Scott. “I take pride when older racers come and talk to me about racing and tell me I am doing a good job.”
She said repetition is key to her pre-race preparations.
“I go through everything in my head over and over. From starting to get in the car to reviewing my time ticket at the end of the track and shaking my competitor’s hand. We always tell each other good race no matter if we win or lose,” she said.
The efforts are paying off, with Scott already leaving a mark on the sport despite only recently graduating to a full-size race car.
“She won an NHRA JDRL (Junior Drag Racing League) Wally at the NHRA open and three weeks later won another at an RCSS (Race Cayuga Sportsman Series). She also has multiple wins in the series we race, RCSS and Canada Heads Up. She has been in the top five in points in both series for the last four years,” said Mike.
That’s not all. In March of 2024, Scott travelled to Gainesville, Florida where she completed her Super Comp license at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School.
In her first race in her upgraded dragster, Scott was able to best veteran drag racer Joe Ferrari.
“Even though Joe lost he was very excited to see Kami win,” added Mike.
Scott sees herself continuing to race well into the future, continuing her winning record as she graduates out of the junior divisions.
“It will be an uphill battle as the competition is more experienced, but I am up to the challenge. With my parent’s support and the support of everyone that helps me it will make my learning curve smaller I hope,” she said.
She passed along some advice for other junior racers contemplating following in her footsteps.
“Don’t be too scared, every pass it gets easier. The kids that you will race with will always help and support you. And you will make lifelong friends in this sport. Come to Toronto Motorsports Park and talk to kids that already drive. Come see me at any of our events and have the opportunity to sit in our Scott Family Racing cars.”
Mike added, “You just need to go to your local track and talk with people that are already racing. You will get all your questions answered honestly. We were all the new person at one point and we know it is intimidating to start but everyone will give you as much assistance as you need for as long as you need.”
He concluded, “We believe she will have a very bright future in racing and with the backing of some of the best racers in the area (Keith McKellar, K.C. Kovacs, Joe Ferrari, and Les Kiss) and the people that run the Race Cayuga Sportsman Series (Lou Ramundo, Charlene Lepp) and Canada Heads Up (Ian Hill) there is no limit to where she can go.”
In addition to her racing prospects, Scott’s educational outlook is sunny. She graduated from Cayuga Secondary School and is headed to Niagara College this fall.
