Getting into the motorsports world is difficult for talented young Canadian drivers, but there is an organization looking to help change that.

 

The Journie Driving Academy was created in partnership with Journie Rewards, their parent company Parkland, and Chip Ganassi Racing, with the goal of making motorsports more accessible and affordable for racers in the country.

 

Drivers will receive support that will be beneficial to them both on and off the track.

 

They’ll receive a helmet and fire suit, as well as financial support from Journie and Parkland to aid them throughout their karting career.

 

 On top of that, they will have access to mentorship opportunities from the Chip Ganassi Racing’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES team, including young star driver Kyffin Simpson.

 

“I think it's a little bit weird to be calling me a mentor at 19 years-old to be fair,” he said when speaking with RaceCanada on the matter. “But I think Chip Ganassi Racing has done a great job of supporting me and helping me become the driver I am today, and now being able to pass that on is an honor.”

 

The first entrants to the driving academy are three fast Canadians that are trying to make waves in the karting scene.

 

Sloan Sterling of Ontario Pro Racing is entering year two as a Briggs Jr. driver. She has displayed incredible commitment and enthusiasm, and her strides in development have been nothing short of remarkable.

 

A third-place finish in the Jr. Briggs Championship at MIKA has given her more momentum to build off of, and when asked about dreams and goals for her career, she said she didn’t have “a specific place” and was just looking for more speed and to be the fastest.

 

Marley Chaudhary of Kevin Glover Racing is in his third season of karting. He’s quick with tons of natural ability, and a level of hard work and dedication not seen from most in his age group.

 

The awarding of a spot in the Driver Academy is big for him and his family, as it allows him the tools and resources for him to pursue his dream and goal of getting to Formula 1.

 

Nigel Longley of Prime Powerteam has one year of experience behind him and has secured multiple podiums in the Briggs Jr. category. His mother and grandfather work as his mechanics and are big supporters of his dreams to race in IMSA.

 

The financial support from the Journie Driving Academy removes that burden from them, allowing for the focus to go back to what really matters.

 

These three are just the start of the impact that Journie Rewards and their driver academy hope to have on the Canadian motorsports landscape.