(May 12, 2015) : The little four cylinder, front wheel drive cars raised a few eyebrows when they took to the track a few years ago. But now the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters are one of Speedway 660’s most competitive divisions. Heading into 2015, Neil Miousse is looking for a few more podium finishes and a top five in points. Wade Wilson caught up with Neil to talk about the upcoming season.

 

A Conversation with Neil Miousse 

Wade: Neil it sure was a long winter and I’ll bet you and all of Speedway 660’s other drivers are excited and anxious to go racin in 2015.

Neil: I play a little hockey to keep busy over the winter, but my favourite sport is racin. We really start to get antsy in January after the race banquet and in February when the Nascar season starts. It’s been a long time since SpeedWeekend 2014 and I think we all are ready to get back down to the Geary Woods!!

Wade: When the Sharp Shooters started racing with us, some folks didn’t pay you much mind, but it didn’t take long before everyone became a fan of this tough little division.

Neil: Yeah it seemed that way, at least in the beginning. We started out with five or six cars, but now we have fields of 15 to 20 every week. We have rivals just like every division and we’ve also got some good friends to race with. But once we take the green flag, every team goes for the win. There are a lot of talented drivers in our division and it’s usually pretty clean racing. It’s an exciting division and I think we put on a good show each week for the great Speedway 660 fans.

Neil in number 71, dodges a spinner in Speedway 660 Sharp Shooter action. Miousse loves racin in front of his family, friends and other fans down in Geary. 

Wade: All of our other divisions are rear wheel drive. These little front wheel drive, four bangers look like a real handful out on the track. How hard is it to drive those things?

Neil: Personally, I’ve never driven a rear wheel drive before, so front wheel drive is all I know and what I’m comfortable with. But the bottom line is, we turn left just like everyone else, although our left turns are a little more adventurous than the other divisions. Over the years we’ve experimented a lot and learned a few things that help us get around the track. We get lots of tips, advice and a there’s a fair amount of trial and error involved. It’s harder than it looks, just ask my girlfriend.

Neil avoids a little Sharp Shooter “dust-up” and tries to chase down Ira Farnell in the 77. These little front wheel-drive units can be a hand-full down at Speedway 660! 

Wade: The idea behind the Sharp Shooters is to give people a chance to go racin in an inexpensive division. But it’s pretty intense and now teams really have to be prepared and do their homework if they want to run up front.

Neil: So true. At first all you had to do was build a $500 car and go racing. But teams have really done their homework trying to get an advantage and that has made it a heck of a lot more competitive. You just gotta keep trying new things and get as much seat time as you can. This little division has come a long way.

Wade: You had a feature win in 2014 and a couple of podiums on your way to eighth place in points. What are you going to have to do this year to crack the top five and perhaps challenge for a championship?

Neil: When we were good in 2014, we were really competitive, but we weren’t consistent and spent much of the season chasing a lot of car problems. It was exciting getting my first win and I’d love to go back to the Riverview Ford Victory Lane again this year. If we can get the car there every week and keep it in one piece we might be able to improve on our eighth place in points. If you are consistent each week, good things can happen. Neil Miousse has made a few trips to Victory Lane since he started racing in our Sharp Shooter division. Neil hopes to be a little more consistent in 2015 and get a few more of those checkered flags! 

Wade: You’ve got a dedicated crew and some great sponsors. Tell us a little about your team and the people who help get you to the track every week?

Neil: My Fiancee April does a lot and she keeps me on my toes. She paints the car every year and puts a lot of time into it each week. Jenn and Jeff Burry are also a huge help. I gotta say a big thanks to the boys in Lincoln who help me a lot. Then there are my sponsors L and L security, Best Metals, Will Venator at Jim Gilberts, Lincoln Auto, TCI Manufacturing, Jeff’s Appliances, A & S Electric, Clayhill Logging and Countyline Charolais. A special thanks to Jack Wilkins for the awesome decals. I wouldn’t be able to get the car out there each week without everyone’s help. And thanks to the folks from the Fredericton Gun Shop for sponsoring our Sharp Shooter division.

Wade: The Riverview Season Opener is always a blast. Fans are anxious to see some awesome short track racin and the lucky guys and gals who get to drive the cars are pretty stoked to see that first green flag of the year!

Neil: Yes it is a blast to see new people, new cars and paint schemes and see what this year is gonna bring. It’s been a long winter waiting for that green flag. Speedway 660 is a great place to race, we’ve got incredible fans and the Geary Woods is the place to be!The Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter Division is a tough little form of racing. Neil Miousse knows how hard it is to get a podium finish and he’s hoping for a few more in 2015.

Wade: Good luck this year Neil and I know all of the Speedway 660 fans will be excited to see you and all of the other Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters hit the track this weekend!

Neil: Thanks Wade, I hope for a good summer and would like to wish good luck to all teams in every division,” Let’s go Racing!”