The world of racing is one filled with challenges and sometimes high-risk situations. But some stare those challenges down and end up standing in the winner’s circle at the end of the race. Colin Ruess, an 11th grader from Farmington High School, plans to be one of those racers.

“Racing wasn't my main sport until I was 10 years old, I’ve done basketball and baseball previously,” said Ruess. “It was like, baseball was more of my priority for most of it. Then when I got a little older, I started to enjoy it – racing, and I really wanted to become much better as a driver. I made that my priority.”   

He and his family, since he was little have been racing various vehicles. From motorbikes to snowboards and now, what Ruess has started – pro go-karting. 

“We’re pretty much in the pro go-karting circuit,” he said. “But not quite yet. I have a Miata, but I haven’t done any races. I’m working on getting my race license. But we are starting to travel around America doing the big races, it’s tons of fun and a really good experience.” 

Ruess said it is technically a team sport. “You have your team, but it’s really your ability against other drivers’ abilities. Of course, there are a couple of things, like mechanics, and car setup, but I really like that for the most part it’s all in my hands. It’s my responsibility.”

It hasn’t always been easy though. Ruess has had to learn how to juggle high school classwork and work on his racing career at the same time.

“You’re at the track early in the morning,” he said. “You leave at 6:30 or 7 in the morning, and then you get back at 9 at night. You’re just tired, you just ate dinner, so you’re just going to bed at that point. You really have to do the work when you get back. But when you get picked up by a team and you end up traveling all the time, that’s all you do. It’s one hundred percent worth it though.” 

And the work he has put in just takes him closer to the goals he wants.

“I would say my biggest goal so far, is next year, we have two planned races,” said Ruess. “We are also looking at trying to get more sponsors. And maybe add another race on the calendar, maybe even two to get a big sponsor. But I would really, really like to be able to podium this next race I’m going to, which is a United States Pro Kart series.” 

Along with the various races Ruess has done he has even started up his own car detailing business to be able to pay to be in the races and take care of his vehicle. At least until he is able to get some big sponsors like he is hoping to get soon. 

He has also learned some very valuable skills from this business as well. From how the mechanics of the car works, to installing and detailing and much more.  He has even been able to apply this to his skills in racing.

“Of course, the goal is Formula 1 or the Daytona, all those big things,” said Ruess. “It’s all obviously the goal. But what I’m really focusing on right now is the next step to get there. I’m focused on one step at a time. Right now, for me it’s Miata, so I’m mainly specializing in the Miata class for now. It’s a club. You get to develop experience and you move on to something more like, there’s this MX-5 Miata series that I wanna move up to.”