Gabby Allshouse

,

​Welcome to the first installment of “Young Guns”.  This idea was presented to the QSAC leadership by Chris DiMascio.  Given Chris’s enthusiasm and excitement, it only made sense for Chris to conduct our first interview.  We hope you enjoy reading about our first “Young Gun”, Gabby Allshouse.

Biography:
My name is Gabby Allshouse.  I am 18 years old, and I have been racing since the age of 13.

It all started when I went to Freddie’s Hobbies and told him I wanted to race. Freddie built me a great car, with an extravagant pink chassis.  Ever since then, Freddie has always been willing to give me anything I needed.

I started racing with Herbbie Coulbourne. Herbbie used to take me to my home track, Freddie’s Hobbies, on Fridays during the day where I would just keep running laps.  I probably drove hundreds of laps just in one day.  Fred Coulbourne would stand on the drivers stand with me and help give me tips, and show me how to really drive and be aggressive.  After racing some smaller week-to-week races at my track, I ended up getting my first 1st place Limited Sportsman finish at Lakeside Speedway in Clover, South Carolina.

Someone else that really helped me become a better driver, and work on the car was Chris Dimascio.  Whenever my car needed worked on, instead of just doing it for me, Chris would teach me how to fix it, and what the different changes did to the car.  Kenny Tillman has also shown me how to work, and how not to bump another car’s left rear while on the track!  Once they saw how serious, and devoted I wanted to be, I moved to working with my grandpa, Mr. Liehr, and my Uncle, Ricky Liehr.  I really love working and racing with my grandpa and uncle; they have both shown me how you work on your car, and how you race to win!  Who says a little family competition is bad?  ?  We have traveled to Ingalls, Indiana; Lansing, Michigan; Newton Park, Indiana; Clover, South Carolina; Machesney Park, Illinois; and of course, our home track, Freddie’s Hobbies in Ravenna, Ohio.

In the past couple years I’ve also had a great time working with the Hilber’s; Matt and Greg. They have both really helped me with my driving as well by just going out on the track with me and running lap after lap. Matt has also shown me how to straighten out your car quickly when someone has spun you, lol!  But they have been such a great team always willing to help me if I’ve had car trouble, as well as giving tips and tricks to be fast.

A few years ago I won the Freddie’s Championship Series for the Limited Sportsman class. After that win, we decided it was time to move up to the Sportsman class.It has been a huge challenge. All of last year (2017, my first year in Sportsman), I spent the year chasing the big dogs. But in 2018, I have already earned a 2nd place A main finish at Lakeside Speedway in Clover, South Carolina; a 2nd place A main finish in the first race of the Freddie’s Championship Series, where I also earned a heat race win..

It’s all about putting in time, effort, and devotion.  I have met so many great people from a ton of different states.  It’s amazing to think I have friends and family from all across the country; Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Florida (Yea, even you, Gregg Grahn!).  I enjoy racing so much, and I plan to continue racing as long as I can.  I would encourage anyone interested to at least try it, and not be scared to crash before they win.

,Question and Answer:
Chris DiMascio took the time to sit down and talk a bit with Gabby. The transcript of their question and answer session follows below.

Chris DiMascio:
Gabby, you were young when you first started.  Explain how you felt the first few times you were on the drivers stand with essentially grown adult men; both then and now.

Gabby Allshouse:
I felt intimidated and scared to race them hard.  But now I know them, and know that they just want a fun race.  So, I am completely excited to race them, and race them hard! LOL!

CD: Tell me a little about the dedication and work it takes to get to the level where you are currently?
GA: It has taken be going to the track, and not only on race day.  I am running lap after lap, fueling up, and then running more laps!  Though, I still have a ton to learn.

CD: How much goes into preparation, pre-race day, with your car?
GA: Normally, throughout the week, I clean the car and body; get the rocks off of the tires; and make sure everything is tight; and anything else Grandpa lets me do.LOL

CD: Do you have other hobbies?
GA: I am a dancer, and I enjoy photography.

CD: Are there any sponsors you would like to mention?
GA: JR Quarterscale; thank you, Freddie!  I would also like to mention that BRP makes a great racing tire!

CD: Well, thank you for your time, Gabby!  This young racer is having a blast racing with her family and friends.  She is a beautiful and kind-hearted individual; inside and out.  But make no mistake; she will wear you out on the race track!  If you see Gabby at the track, stop and say “hi”; she would love it!

Editor’s note: since the time of this question and answer session, Gabby made a huge impact by taking the Sportsman “A Main win at MPR for the first leg of the Tri-State Series.  This was Gabby’s first feature win in Sportsman, and this was against a very talented field of racers; some of the best to pick up a controller and race a quarter scale.

JB: Gabby, coming off of your big win at MPR, is there anything in particular you would like to share about how you felt; or how your mother and/or grandfather felt in the after moments of your win?

GA: After I won, first I was in shock. I have been running in Sportsman for a little over one year now, and had never won; I couldn’t believe it.  After my shock, I cried because I was so happy; that was the best weekend ever.  My mom cried too and gave me a huge hug when I came down (from the drivers stand), and my grandpa was smiling from ear-to-ear!  All I want to do when I race is make my grandpa happy.  I was so glad to make him proud.  He even ran out on to the track to take a picture of me!

Thank you for taking the time to read our first installment of “Young Guns”.  We hope you have learned about a great young racer from Ohio and that you will be looking forward to our next installment.​,

,

Checking on set-up

Gabby takes the time and effort to check her tire temps to determine how well her race car is performing.

Filling up for more laps!

Gabby works closely with Chris DiMascio re-fueling her race car getting ready for her next round on the track.

Proud family moment

Gabby celebrates her 2nd place finish with her grandfather, Mr. Liehr at Lakeside Speedway in Clover, South Carolina.