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Dennis Parker of Hay River has been racing cars for roughly 15 years. - photo courtesy of Art Loupret

HAY RIVER - Race car driving is in the blood for Hay River resident Dennis Parker.

After racing for roughly 15 years he said the talent for race car driving comes naturally.

"If you have a feel for it you have it, or you don't," said Parker.

Parker took part in the sportsman class in last weekend's Speedway Race in Hay River.

"I won my first qualifier and I placed second in the main event," he said.

He has also raced in Edmonton and B.C., as well as acting as crew chief for fellow racer Tom Hynes.

Asked what kind of training it takes to race cars he said bluntly, "None. You have to have a driver's licence."

But like most things, the longer someone races the better they become, he added.

As far as the dangers of speeding around the track, Parker said that drivers are protected with a roll cage in the body of car, a feature not included in typical automobiles. Because the roll cage doesn't bend, the driver is kept safe. Drivers are also harnessed into the seat.

"I don't even worry about it," he said of the risk of crashing that comes with racing, adding he's crashed "several times."

It took him three months to build his own car, working on it a minimum of 12 hours a day.

Parker's father also raced cars and his son is taking it up as well.

"My father raced all his life ... He raced until he was 66-years-old," he said.

Son Colton also took part in this past weekend's race in what is known as the street stock class.

"He's just a natural," Parker said of his son who was third overall in points and last year won top points in his first race.

"It's very addictive. Once you've done it, you want to do it again."