Fueling the passion for Canadian Motorsports
Get to know Pontello Motorsports
Our Story
Our journey started with a family of six kids, two of whom were born thrill seekers with an insatiable passion for speed and racing.
Marcello, the eldest of the two, started racing motocross at 12 years old, finding ways to get to the track with the help of neighbors and family. By 15, he convinced his younger brother Mario and their older brother to race stock cars at Merrittville Speedway—though, as minors, they had to get creative with the rules.
Their passion for motorsports grew stronger, leading them to race drag cars at Cayuga Dragway (until forgetting to wipe the race numbers off their mom’s car).
As they grew older, Mario took on a new adventure with the military, joining the Lincoln Welland Regiment in 1981. Meanwhile, Marcello explored his love for cars and speed on the road with Anthem Records. In 1986, Marcello, Mario, and their brother Angelo opened an oil change center, combining their automotive knowledge and love for helping others.
Enter the next generation: Jesse.
Growing up, Jesse was surrounded by racing, karts, and speed. His father, Marcello, was deeply involved in karting, and his uncle Mario would frequently visit with his street bike, fueling Jesse’s excitement for motorsports.
By 8 years old, Jesse was already helping out at the oil change center, checking tires and cleaning windows. Watching his father and coach Joe Middlemiss work with drivers, Jesse finally asked, "Can I race too?" His father’s response? "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"
From there, Jesse began racing karts at Merrittville Speedway and Cameron Motorsports Park, moving up through the ranks to race Junior Late Models, DIRT Sportsman, Vintage Modifieds, and Asphalt Late Models across Canada and the U.S.. He even trained at Finish Line Racing School and worked with top-tier teams in the Carolinas.
1
Introducing more families and young drivers to the sport through mentorship, education, and accessible entry programs.
2
Making racing more affordable and inclusive by providing high-quality karts and parts at competitive prices, helping drivers get started and stay in the sport.
3
Establishing Niagara as a hub for motorsports in Canada, known for developing top talent and fostering a thriving racing community.
Serving Racers Across Canada & the U.S.
We work with drivers throughout Southern Ontario, New York State, and Pennsylvania, partnering with Merrittville Speedway Kart Club as technical directors to help shape the future of karting.
With over 60 years of combined racing experience and 90+ years in automotive expertise, we’ve lived the challenges of starting from scratch, learning the hard way, and fine-tuning our skills. That’s why we’re passionate about helping young drivers and families navigate the sport faster and more successfully.
By offering correct, honest advice and guiding racers in the right direction from day one, we help keep families in the sport—and that keeps racing alive.
Why Phantom Racing Chassis?
We proudly carry Phantom Racing Chassis because of their precision, quality, and affordability. As one of America’s top manufacturers for speedway and outlaw karts, Phantom has proven to be a dominant force on the track.
Their chassis are designed with advanced engineering and meticulous research, ensuring racers stay competitive season after season. Unlike other brands, Phantom karts remain top-tier with proper maintenance—no costly chassis replacements required.
For us, Phantom Racing Chassis is the best choice for long-term success in karting.
