Travis MacDonald of Gonor, Manitoba, has been on fire this season, winning three Pro Champ 440 finals so far including the season opener in Beausejour. This 22-year-old has big things ahead of him including the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships back in Beausejour on March 5 and 6, 2016. MacDonald will have a lot of pressure on him being a hometown favourite, but we think he’ll be able to handle it. We caught up with MacDonald before he headed out racing in Wisconsin to find out how he became such a prominent racer.
Where do you call home?
Gonor, Manitoba.
How long have you been racing?
I have been racing for 10 years.
How did you get started? Who introduced you to the sport?
One day I walked to the shop and asked my dad if he could build me a sled and it kind of just started from there.
What is your day job when you’re not racing?
Plumber.
What do you do for fun in the warmer months?
I enjoy fishing and dirt biking.
Did you grow up riding snowmobiles?
Yes, as a child I would ride my Kitty Kat around the yard. I got my first sled when I was three years old.
Was it easy to transition into racing?
The transition into racing was not too difficult. The first day I went out practising, my dad didn’t think I had it in me as I was going very slow around the track, but when we went out the second day my dad said it was a night-and-day difference. When I entered my very first race in JR 1 Sprint 380 I was leading the final until my sled broke down on the last lap.
What is your current sled setup?
My current sled setup is a 2014 Wahl chassis with a Ski-Doo engine.
How did it feel to win the season opener in Beausejour?
Winning the season opener in Beausejour was a great accomplishment for myself and the team. It was extra special doing it at home in front of the crowd.
Do you feel more pressure racing in Beausejour as a local?
Yeah, there is a little more pressure racing in front of a hometown crowd because I feel like there are more people rooting for me to win.
How has the season been for you since then?
The season thus far has been one to remember, as I have never won three Pro Champ 440 finals in a single year.
Are you racing most weekends?
Yes, I would say we do 10 to 12 races a season starting from the beginning of December and ending in March.
Who travels with you to your races?
My crew consists of my dad, Jeff MacDonald, two-time world champion Brian Bewyck, Barry Bennett, and my No.1 fans, my mom, Mandy MacDonald, and girlfriend, Elizabeth Romaniuk.
Do you work on your own sled before each race?
Working on my sled is a group effort. My crew and I each have our own special task in order to get me around the track as fast and safe as possible.
How are you going to prepare for the championships back in Beausejour in March?
Our biggest focus coming back home for the final race of the TLR Cup series is speed, handling, and the hole shot. All are key components to getting me around the track in first place.
Would you like to thank anyone?
I would like to thank all of my friends, family, marketing and sponsors: Ski-Doo, Lennox, Woodys, Ryback Custom Machine, SuperTrac’s, Enns Brothers, ServPro, Sun & Snow, SEG Excavating, Bennett’s Marine, Hedman Construction and MacDonald Plumbing and Heating.
