“We wanted to go to a place where we could race and live our lifestyle,” Geoff says. “And we were interested in the social part of it. The people we were going to be around was important. We were barely getting by in California and we come out here and it feels like we are millionaires.”
They found some property in rural Bainbridge, Indiana. They have lots of space, and a bit of a shop. These are the kinds of things that are important to them. To get established now, Shayna has taken a position as a forklift driver at a Walmart distribution center, while Geoff is working for an excavating company running heavy equipment and driving a dump truck.
Geoff‘s goal is to find a ride with a team, but still be able to run a car out of his shop. Both parties have already raced in Indiana, but they have gone to battle with a 360 in a field of 410 non-winged cars. The other problem is that, at present, they only have one 360 engine and, amazingly, it is a piece that Geoff put together in 2015.
As if a marriage isn‘t enough of a balancing act, right now both of them want to be behind the wheel at a time where that‘s not feasible. “We both want to race,” Geoff says. “And we are super competitive with each other because we only have one motor. So, trying to see who is going to get the motor is always interesting.” Joking in a way consistent with their relationship, Shayna argues that the early returns suggest she has posted a better record in Indiana, but Geoff counters by noting that it is
a small sample size.
The good news is that both feel that they have been well-received in the Hoosier State, and as they are learning new tracks it is sometimes useful just to stand back and observe. “When I have wrenched for Shayna it has helped me setup-wise,” Geoff notes. “It gives me a different perspective on things. We‘re getting there.”
What has been very interesting to outsiders is watching how they work together. “It‘s funny,” Shayna says. “One weekend when we raced at Lincoln Park, we had been bickering a bit before we got there, then it was kind of like, OK, this is game time. We can‘t be arguing or having a tiff over something stupid.”
Concurring, Geoff says, “It is surprising to me how well we get along at the race track. In fact, someone from another team came by and said it was so cool how well we work together. We have the same goal.”
Not only do they have the same goal, it is clear they are willing to scrape as hard as they can and get their hands dirty to make things happen. There is some hope that longtime patrons Ted and Rose Finkenbinder might be able to help with a 410 — a necessity to be competitive in their new environment. Fortunately, the Ensigns have a built-in support system among the many former Californians who have migrated to Indiana. Beyond that, they are committed racers, and that alone gives them instant credibility.
Noting this, Geoff says, “You don‘t have to be the best of friends in the racing community. You ask for help, and people will reach out. That‘s why it is so neat to be a part of it.”
It is a simple fact that people will help others who do things the right way. What is clear is that this duo will do whatever it takes to make a dream become reality. Many in California, and beyond, have been impressed with their work ethic. And, as always, one can only hope that good things happen to good people.