The Ways

Off-Road Racing: Support Through Community

Hunter VanZile: It’s very nerve-wracking at the start. We could all crash or we could all go through smoothly. But when they wave the green flag, all the pain, all the anxiety, nervous

Everything just drops.

My name is Hunter VanZile, and I drive a Pro Spec for a Championship Off-road. This one is the Forest County Cup.

Were all as a family, were all communities coming together, enjoying the race track. Thats Forest County Potawatomi.

My dad let me race short-course karts about nine years ago. He supports me more than anything. Its just, hes my backbone. Hes taught me everything he knows. And I’ve learned from that.

We kind of have that bond of two heads at it, and we knew what we needed to do to be involved in racing.

He’ll tell me like to do this and then I’ll say, No, let me do this. And there’s just He knows a little bit more than I do, and I know a little bit more than him. We work our way through it.

My first ever race, my dad was my spotter. I had no idea what I was doing out there, but we got lucky and got third. As soon as I got up on the podium, I knew, I was like, Alright this is exactly what I want to do, the rest of my life is do this.

Back then, it was just a family thing. Now we have sponsors, the community, my family, friends, everyone’s there with me now.

After I won at Bark River, the tribe, Forest County Potawatomi, and the whole community seen it. And that really exposed me out there. I got my name out there, and I was the first-ever Native American to do it. That caught a lot of people’s attention. That’s when I felt like the community was right with me the whole entire time.

I try to give back as much as I can.

I love to work with the tribe. I usually bring my truck up to the rec center to show the kids, like, what it’s all about. They always want to get in and touch every button in there, and just slam the gas is what they want to do.

Anyone is willing to help if you ask. I might not know the guy, but if I ask, Hey, can I get a hand with this on my shocks? They’re willing to help

There’s been times where I broke parts and I needed help. There are always people who are willing to help us get there.

Ive got a lot of friends that are supporting us. Sponsors are a big thing. I mean Forest County Potawatomi has been there since I started. I have a lot of family that is supporting me, a lot of friends that will support me.

I have my dad helping me. My mom’s there to cook, keeping us fed and everything. And my sisters are there for the entertainment. Everyone, every single one of them, keeps me happy.

Even if I travel out far, Crandon is my hometown. This whole community is all there with me.