Why Do You Race Karts?

Deborah Davidson-Harpur · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 1128

There are several reasons I love karting, and choose to compete in this sport.

1.After helping at the track for several years I got tired of hearing my husband (then boyfriend) say "she can't drive 'cause she can't tune"... So when I win, I love reminding him that I STILL can't tune

2.It's a motorsport that I was able to get into with full sponsorship, gotta LOVE that!!

3. Driving on some of the USA's best race tracks really makes me feel super cool

4. I really love it when I do the best I can do and get the results I want on the track.

5. Every race I learn something! Sometimes it's a good thing, sometime's its a bad thing, but heck, at least I'm learning.

6. The people in karting are really terrific, and we always have a good time at the track.

7. Gotta love the speed and the competition!

ddh

Stephen Buckley · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 861

Deb,
The REAL reason you like kart racin' is so you can walk around in a custom "built" racesuit! hehehehe

John Bosanek · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2001 4:12 pm Post subject: Why Do You Race Karts?

What a great topic! Why I race karts.....when I started out in dirt karts some 15 years ago, it was because I wanted to race for a living. Got tired of the ever-changing rules and expense. Got back into it a year or so ago. My only requirement is that it releives workday stress and shoots me full of adrenaline! It's also fun because Janelle(the other half)likes to go to the races too. She had never seen a motor race of any kind before we met and now she asks when the next F1 race is on. And talk about out pits at the races.....she is the BOSS. Checking tires, taking notes. She runs the show and loves it because racing is something we can both be involved in. One last thing, there is nothing like improving on something. I love to come off the track and hear "that's your best lap yet!" My work-week pressure-cooker troubles are far behind......

deborah d-harpur · Joined: 31 Jul 2001 Posts: 164 Location: harbor city, ca

So when is Janelle going to get her own kart, and beat you on the track?

I can get her info on getting a custom suit like one of the guys referred to above

Hope to see her on the track soon!

Vince Cochran · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2001 3:27 am Post subject: Why Do You Race Karts?

I was hooked on bass fishing when early in learning to fish I caught a large bass. I was hooked on karting at my first race, I won and I was hooked. I looked into other forms of racing; SCCA, midgets, trucks. I don't want a career racing, and other forms of racing would just be more expensive toys. Also I grew up racing motorcycles and was injured to were I couldn't race anymore, karts fills the racing void.

John Bosanek · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2001 4:56 pm Post subject: Why Do You Race Karts?

quote:
Originally posted by deborah d-harpur:
So when is Janelle going to get her own kart, and beat you on the track?

I can get her info on getting a custom suit like one of the guys referred to above

Hope to see her on the track soon!

She takes mine for a spin now and again when we I go practice on the sprint tracks. All she has to do is say she wants to race and I'll make it happen! Next time there is a practice day at Thunderhill, I'm going to stick her in the seat and see how she likes it. We'll see!

Martin Secrest · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2001 6:39 pm Post subject: Why Do You Race Karts?

I once heard a bungee jumper's response to the question, "why?" He said it was for those 45 seconds he knew he was alive. I'd say the same for driving in an enduro race, except that the thrill last 45 minutes, not seconds.

Comraderie? Sure -- that's a major benefit. Sharing with friends what makes you go faster, and how they might be able to do the same. Strangely enough, even the wrenching has its appeal ... building the machine that beats the other machines. It takes time, thought, and dedication ... and if you could put those things in a bottle, everyone would have them.

As an aside, Patrick H., would you share with us how feel you've beeen able to avoid flips and other associated bad karting karma? (I've likewise also kept the greasy side down for three years -- this season I never even went off the track -- and I've raced pretty respectably, I think. My approach has been to be patient, and make setup and driving changes incrementally. I think the fastest way to the gravel trap is to adopt the attitude that you "must be two or three seconds faster today!" A surefire way to end up driving right through the hairpin.)