Courtsey of AncasterNews.com

Ashley McCalmont is ready to accelerate to the next level of road racing.

The Ancaster resident and top female race car driver in the Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge plans a full return to the track a year after giving birth to her first child, son Jackson.

McCalmont, 23, unveiled her new 2010 Camaro SS last week, a car she hopes will carry her to victory at the Daytona Rolex 24 Hour race in January. With a top speed of about 260 km-h, the eight-cylinder Camaro produces between 350 and 405 horsepower.

McCalmont’s new wheels will allow her to compete in the Grand Sport class, a step up from the ST class in which she competed last year. The Camaro, complete with more than $100,000 in upgrades, is faster and more powerful than McCalmont’s Chevy Cobalt, the car she drove last season.

McCalmont hopes to ease her way back into racing by competing in two or three events this year.

“This year we are just going to get the car out and see what we can do,” said McCalmont during the June 9 unveiling of her new wheels.

“It’s new and we were able to develop it ourselves.”

McCalmont’s father, Mike, is also a veteran racer who still competes in Porsche club racing. A former Continental Tire competitor himself, Mike knew years ago his daughter has what it takes to excel against North America’s top road racers.

“After Ashley started passing me, it was time to say ‘that’s enough,’” said Mike.

McCalmont has signed on with CKS Autosports for the remainder of this year and next year.

Despite moving up to a higher level, McCalmont said she isn’t intimidated by the enhanced speed of the GS class.

“It’s all relative to the car,” said McCalmont. “The faster the car, the better the brakes and the better the handling.”

McCalmont knows fans may look at her differently as a female racer competing in a male-dominated sport.

“Maybe the fans (view me differently) but my fellow racers, I just think they look at me as another racer,” McCalmont said.

Some fans have compared McCalmont to American IndyCar driver Danica Patrick.

“People often ask me if I want to aspire to be her,” said McCalmont. “I just want to be as good as I can.”

McCalmont has been an avid racer since her father first placed her in a go-cart at age eight. From there, she moved on to CASCAR Junior and the professional circuit, as soon as she could legally drive.

Five top-five finishes In her last full season of racing, McCalmont had five top-five finishes with her driving partner, Kirk Spencer, including two podium finishes.

Working with her father, McCalmont completely rebuilt her Camaro with custom shocks, roll cage and all the essential racing components.

Viewers can see her in action on Speedvision, a cable channel which carries the Continental Tire series.

For more information, visit McCalmont’s newly updated website atwww.mccalmontracing.com

[News Source]

[Picture Source]