Whiz Kid: Speed Racer

Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Renee Farren, 14

Whiz Kid's School:  Yorkville Middle School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Race Car Driver

At the tender age of 6, Renee started racing go carts after watching her cousin race.  “It looked fun!” she said.

Renee’s parents bought the first go cart for her little sister, but she was too young to race.  Renee took over the cart and the adoration for racing eventually lead her into the stock car arena.   

“If I'm not at some kind of race at least once a weekend then it bothers me," she said. "Because I really want to be there to watch or help and hang out with friends I have met racing.”  

Renee says she helps change tires, fill fuel and clean her cars, but she is “always asking questions” to learn more about how to work on the car herself.  In order to learn and grow as a stock car driver Renee sometimes rents the track for extra practice.

The whole point to racing is to win and Renee is proving she is a fierce competitor on the track.  

“I won the championship for the Jr. 3 Gold division at Jules Raceway in Wilmington and I also took fifth place in their Pro 350 division [an adult class where she raced with anyone from age 15 to 35,]" she said.  “I got third at Route 66 Speedway in Pontiac and last year in the Burris Thunder Tour I finished sixth.  I also have 28 heat race wins and 14 feature wins in the go- karts.”

 Although there are other girls who race go- karts with Renee, she is the only girl currently racing street stocks.   

“It really isn't difficult being the only girl because I can be just as tough as any other person out on the track," she said. "A lot of the guys that I race street stocks with are always asking how I am doing or if I like it and that tells me that they support me being the only girl out there.” 

Renee attributes her success to the great help she receives from her parents and family friend Dave Johnson.  She also has several sponsors supporting her racing career.