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SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sieblanc@miltoncanadianchampion.com A t three years of age, Alexander Cerullo likely didn't know the mean- ing of speed. But that sure didn't keep him from craving it. Having barely shed the need for a high chair, the rural Miltonian was already kick- ing playtime into high gear. "We got him one of those electric cars when be was three. The first gear was about five miles (an hour) and the sec- ond went about seven. As soon as be figured out you could go faster in sec- ond gear, that was it," recalled mother Patricia. "We spent a lot of time chasing him down the driveway... and beyond." Of course Alexanders need for speed didn't exactly come as a surprise. Some of his earliest memories are of vis- iting southern Ontario race tracks, where father Rocco could regularly be found near the front of the drag racing pack - having twice been the True Street champion at Cayuga and once won the Ontario Fastest Street Car title in Grand Bend. Said Alexander, "I'd go out there with my head phones on and watch my dad race. Sometimes I'd even get te steer it (car) back to the pit afterwards. It was cool." Fast forward several years and father and son have undergone a role reversal, with Rocco having recently put the brakes on his racing days and Alexander - now nine - deeply immersed in the go-karting scene. "I've always loved racing and working on cars, but honestly it's even more fun watch- ing him out there," said Rocco. The young adrenaline junkie will have a lot more than just family eyes on him later this month, when he bits Bowmanville's Mosport Raceway for the start of filming for a reality TV series that'îl offer a behind-the- scenes look at go-karting. Among 24 pre-teens picked from among 80 applicants for the junior cadet division, Alexander will be part of the Stars of Canada five-race series (races third weekend of every month from May te September) that will fea- ture driver interviews and paddock clips - along, of course, with plenty of racing action. Learning about the new show through a friend and fellow go-karter, he jumped ai the opportunity - and was selected for more than just his racing ability. "Alex was accepted for a number of rea- sons..." said driver administrator Tina Isaac of the Russ Bond Agency, which is producing the series. "... his personality, his driving skills and his potential to make it into a motorsport career." With seemingly limitless enthusiasm and a strong racing pedigree, Alexander appears quite capable of doing just that. While his competitive debut at Hamiltons Cameron Motorsports last year was marked with a humbling last-place finish, it wasn't long before the spirited youngster found himself in regular contention - eventually placing third overall in the Rookie Series. Contrary te what many believe, competi- tive karting is a far cry from what's offered at amusement parks and recreational facilities. "When Alexander first started even I couldn't believe how mucb faster they were couldn't believe how much faster they were than what you would drive just for fun," explained Rocco. That added speed certainly presents the possibility of injury, even with all the safety equipment and precautionary measures involved. "One race last year I went hard into the tires (that line track) and lost a tooth," said Alexander, who enjoys watching Formula-1 with his maternal grandfather, but much prefers being a racing participant than a spec- tator. "It hurt, but didn't make me want te stop. You can get huit in any sport." The young racer also doesn't seem hesi- tant about making the jump to a two-stroke kart, which tops out at 65 miles an hour. Said Patricia, "Hes like the Energizer bunny. Given the choice, Alexander would rather be outside on his trampoline or rac- ing than inside playing video games." While Stars of Canada will provide the karts, the Ccrullos and their series coun- terparts will have to foot the bill for tras- el costs and other series-related expenses. They've already gotten a major shot in the arm from area businesses. Atnong those from town helping out arc Milton Honda (Team Powerhouse), Uniboard Canada Inc., Fifth Wheel Truckstop and Milton Hardwood Flooring. "The supports been great," said Patricia. In a field with racers up to three years older than him and many with more experi- ence, Alexander will certainly have his work cut out for him in the hunt for the $10,000 grand prize. But just the chance to take his racing to the next level seems te be more than enough incentive right now. "1 just want to do my best and have fun," said Alexander, who also plays soccer and bas a musical side as well - as a student of both the piano and guitar. There are no dates set yet for Stars of Canada, although it's expected te air in late summer or early fall. The stations it'îl be shown on have yet te be released, though Isaac said they'll be national networks. For updates on the series, visit www.star- sofcanada.com.