getting started in sprint racing

Scott Minehart · Joined: 22 Jul 2001 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA

I am trying to get started in sprint racing but i have a couple of problems. Right now i am autocrossing with an 80cc shifter. I am 15 years old. I am from Raleigh NC and i am aware that there isn't any sprint racing around here. Its all circle track. I have been up to OVRP to watch once. Its just pretty far away. I have heard of tracks in Maryland but don't know where they are or when they race. I travle south alot more than i do north though. Any tracks in the jacksonville or daytona area? I am trying to get as much seat time as possible. thanks

Scott

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2944

Scott,
Yes there is a track in Jacksonville. Check it out at: www.nfkc.org

CM www.racearsenal.com

Rob Hogenmiller · Joined: 20 Jul 2001 Posts: 855

Pretty amazing that WKA bases itself out of an area with no paved tracks. Maybe you could contact the WKA and they would have heads up on a practice spot. Not sure how close you are to Atlanta, but if I recall they built a new track last year also.

I don't know of any in S.C.

Sounds like you might even have to drive further than me to practice. 3.75 hours for me to practice one way.

If your looking at Florida, there is also the new Ocala track which opened early this year.

Scott Minehart · Joined: 22 Jul 2001 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA

Thanks for all the info guys. I have relatives in ocala and daytona in FL. I will have to check into the charlotte track also. Hey Marc, great kart. Had to dial in some more castor and the front end just sticks. I am very excited about getting into this. Want to start racing with other karts on course at the same time. haha

Scott

Marc Miller · Advertiser Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1834

Scott-

There is organized practices at the karting facility almost weekly at the Charlotte motor Speedway. In fact, many of the NASCAR guys run their shifters there sometimes when they have time to play.

You may want to contact the WKA office to find when the track is available. Last I remembered, the practice sessions there were not expensive and they were during the week.

Marc

Greg Keresi · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2001 4:19 am Post subject: getting started in sprint racing

quote:
Originally posted by Marc Miller:

There is organized practices at the karting facility almost weekly at the Charlotte motor Speedway. In fact, many of the NASCAR guys run their shifters there sometimes when they have time to play.

Not as often as you may think or have heard. There have been maybe 3-4 times this year this has taken place. Ricky Rudd has been about the only one that has showed up when we have been there along with Steve Peterson of NASCAR who is the one who organizes these sessions. Several people who work in the shops may show up as well.
Sprint racing on a regular basis in the Carolinas is virtually non-existent for someone living here unless willing to travel a good distance for it. Enduro racing seems to be doing well though in the southeast and much more oppurtunities than for sprints.

Scott Minehart · Joined: 22 Jul 2001 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA

I am aware of the sprint racing issue. My problem is that i am in a family of autocross. I can't afford to have a sprint kart and an enduro kart. Also i am more into the sprint racing style. I like the intensity you get from it. I am fine autocrossing now i would just like to race with other karts. Some people find it stupid but we travle up to 17 hours for about 6 minutes of total seat time. Nationals were this past week. They are at the Topeka Air Force base. Becuase of the current events half the event got cancelled. So instead of 6 runs 2 courses. only got 3 runs on 1 course. Not too many people felt like racing after the events anyways. The main reason i am trying to find a sprint course is so i can get seat time. I have done only 2 autocrosses with a shifter now. I am good witht he handeling and lines to take. But getting used to when to downshift and braking is just totaly different than a yamaha. I wanted to do a summit point race with my kart now but wka says 16 to race shifter on enduro karts. I race a lot in atlanta i was just told about a track in barnesville. So i am going to try and head that way. And going to ocala events too, grandparents live there. thanks for all the help

Scott