But it was the daughter, not the son who discovered the passion for speed. In her first year, Ashley placed seventh despite having to share the kart every other weekend. The next year, Ashley had her own kart placing second at the end of the season.

By the age of twelve Ashley was named Rookie of the Year when she placed second in the Toronto Kart Club’s Junior Championship and third in the Ontario Trillium Series. She finished the year with a Canadian Grand National Championship.

In 1998 Ashley graduated to the faster more powerful two-cycle engine to compete in three classes at the Canadian Grand Nationals, claiming the championship in Formula 100 Junior. When she was sixteen, Ashley made her debut racing the Maximum Benefit/Norbram Group/Big Sisters Formula 1200 car. Winning two races and scoring a total of five top-three finishes, she was awarded with the Muriel B. Knap Trophy (for “sportsmanship, ability and sparkle”) and the BARC Bob Attrell Award (for “best new driver”).

Ashley continued in the Formula 1200 competition in 2001 racing the “Be Anything With Barbie”.