Photo by Ken MacIsaacJonathan Hicken Retires From Full-Time Racing October 2, 2020 Regional By Ken MacIsaac Prince Edward Island’s Jonathan Hicken has made an under-the-radar retirement from full-time racing, with the Toromont Cat 150 at Riverside International Speedway on September 26 his last as a full-time participant. Ken MacIsaac spoke with Hicken at Riverside about his decision… KM – So I heard earlier in the week that Riverside was going to be your last tour race. What brought on your decision? JH – Just a lot of years of racing really. My son Ethan is growing up, and I’m not getting any younger by any means. Ethan is at the stage where he wants to do his own thing and I want to do that with him. KM – You mentioned earlier in the summer that you may put him in a Bandolero. Is that what you mean? JH – That’s the plan. We don’t have a bando right now, but I’ll get one. We’re just gathering up stuff for next year. He already has a pit cart that he paid for with his own money. KM – He must really like racing to buy his own pit cart! JH – Ohhhh you have no idea. I don’t know where he gets it (laughs). KM – Is the plan for Ethan to start racing next year? JH – Next year off and on. I don’t know about full time yet, but I plan on doing a lot of practicing with him. We’ll practice at Oyster Bed and Scotia and take it from there. If he enjoys it and wants to race full time, then we’ll run full time. KM – You had such a great year so far, it’s just a bit of a shock to hear you’re giving it up. JH – I mentioned it to dad and Andrew (Hicken, brother) last year, and it’s something that I’ve been thinking about for the last couple of years. I just kept it to myself. I always said I want to leave while I’m still winning races, and I’m almost 40 so now’s the time. I don’t want to come back next year and struggle, and then leave. I’d much rather leave while I’m still winning races. KM – So will you sell the car and equipment? JH – Andrew says he may rent it, but we haven’t sat down and talked a lot about all that. It’s a group thing really. Mom and dad, Andrew, myself and the crew….. we’ll talk about it more because it’ll be a group decision on what we do with everything. KM – Would you consider coming back to run some of the bigger races? JH – That’s kind of my plan. Well, my top pick would be running the Mike Stevens race at Petty. Then maybe the International. I’d like to run a few races at Petty. I just enjoy racing there more than my home track. We’ll see what Ethan’s schedule will be. KM – So you won’t be completely walking away from the pro stock. JH – Not completely, but no more full-time racing. It’ll be my own schedule.
