Billy Duff

GoPro Motorplex Karting Challenge Hoosier Racing Tire Briggs Senior Driver of the Week, Billy Duff, is seemingly young at the age of 16, but he is admittedly getting a late start into the sport of karting where many drivers begin as young as five years old. However, now that he has started racing, Duff has achieved success early. He credits the Briggs Lo206 Division as an accessible entry point into the sport for jump-starting his quick success.

“I have always loved racing, we just never really had the money to get into it,” said Duff. “When my sister was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a few years ago, it just really took a big hit on our family. It was a big lifestyle change, but she’s awesome and tough. We all stuck together and have adjusted and I am truly blessed to now have a kart and be able to race.”

As big brothers do, Duff boasted proudly about 12-year-old sister, Rachel’s fearless battle with diabetes. However, he was also quick to name Rachel as his biggest fan at the track. Growing up in Florida, attending the Daytona 500 events with his mom and dad fueled his family’s close bond and passion for racing.

Duff is also very passionate about soccer, playing regularly at Mazeppa Park which neighbors GoPro Motorplex. Three years ago while at the park playing soccer, Duff and his father heard karts on track, walked over to watch, later participated in a rental race, decided to schedule a test drive in a racing kart and the rest is history.

History book worthy, Duff has achieved success quickly, winning 7/8 races last year and becoming the first GoPro Motorplex Briggs Junior champion in 2014. However, this season has been challenging for Duff, moving up to the highly-competitive Briggs Senior division where he competes against 15+ karters each round.

“We have had some tough luck in the first few races this season,” admits Duff. “I want to go for another championship this year, but it is all just really good experience for me no matter what. I’ve carried over so much from the Briggs Junior division that is helping me this year. The Seniors are just very competitive with the top-10 karts all battling for the win until the last lap.”

We sat down with Duff as Driver of the Week to learn more about how his quick success in Briggs Junior has helped him transition into Briggs Senior this year.

Billy Duff

Fast Facts:
Name: Billy Duff
Birthday: October 26
Age: 16
Hometown: Mooresville, NC
School: Mooresville High School
Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, Basketball, Football, Fishing, Spending time with family
Favorite Food: Sushi from JJ Wasabi’s or Tokyo
Years Racing: 2015 is second season
Sponsors: Currently searching for a sponsor!

Q&A:
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I either want to be an orthodontist or a chef. I really like cooking for my family. It would be cool to be a race car driver. Hopefully, we can find sponsorship and keep moving up.

Q: Who is your crew when you come to the track?
A: It’s pretty much just my dad. I can’t thank him enough for all of the work he puts into it. He will work until 1 a.m. some nights and get back up for work at 5 a.m. He has taught me a lot and always helps keep my head up.

Q: Do you remember your first race?
A: Gosh, yes. I threw up because I was so nervous! But, I ended up winning.

Q: Wait, so you threw up because you were so nervous, then you raced and won?
A: (Laughs) Yup. Once I got out there, I calmed down an ended up having a lot of fun. I felt more comfortable once I got in the kart.

Q: How did you get your first kart?
A: My first kart was a Christmas present in 2013. My dad brought me to the kart shop (KartSport North America) to test drive a Rotax and a Briggs, but I didn’t think I would get a kart so quickly. When I came down the stairs and saw my gift, it was surreal because I knew it was all starting. I finally would get the chance to do something I always wanted to do.

Q: So, you test drove a Rotax and a Briggs, what made you choose the Briggs?
A: Well, Brandon with KartSport kind of told us how the Briggs was an up and coming series that was really going to grow. There wasn’t any negatives to the Rotax, but I am so happy with my choice to start in the Briggs division. Our family is busy with soccer and work and my sister’s cheerleading. The Briggs just seems like so much less maintenance and less of a time commitment. I wasn’t ready for a Rotax.

Q: Would you recommend the Briggs division as a starting point for other karters?
A: Absolutely. It really teaches you to carry momentum. It has slower speeds, but still so competitive. It would definitely help someone progress in racing or even if they are just looking for a fun time.

Q: Would you do anything different if you had it to do over?
A: I wish I would have started earlier! But, starting in Briggs Junior was perfect for me. I was able to learn patience and things like ‘you can’t win the race in the first corner’ and to not bump people. I use all of my Junior experience now that I am in Senior.

Q: What would you tell other people who are thinking about getting into karting?
A: I would tell them to come try the rental karts, then if they are interested to schedule a test drive. I watched a lot of videos online too. The Kyle Larson GoPro video was probably my favorite.

Q: You have already been a champion, so what are your karting goals for this year?
A: I definitely would love to battle for the championship again. Winning last year in my first year karting was so much fun. Just going to Team Penske for the banquet and seeing all of the history there was so cool. I loved it. If we can get past this bad luck, I think we will be contending for a championship again.

See Billy in action during Round 4, June 6:
Round 4 of our 10-round club series will be on Saturday, June 6. Round 4 will feature 10 karting divisions, as well as the Rental Kart Heavy division. Each segment of the Karting Challenge consists of two practice sessions, qualifying and two finals per division. The race day starts at 8:30 a.m. and Spectator Admission is free! Competitors can pre-register in advance at a discounted rate on MotorsportReg.com. For more information on the Karting Challenge series, CLICK HERE>> (http://www.gopromotorplex.com/racing/default.cfm?cid=56753)

2015 Driver of the Week Program:
The Driver of the Week program is new for the 2015 Karting Challenge Presented by Hoosier Racing Tire. The goal of this program is to spotlight our club series karters each week leading up to a Karting Challenge race. Each “Driver of the Week” will be chosen at random by blind draw from Driver Bio forms that are returned. Each “Driver of the Week” will represent one of our 10 divisions. Competitors can click here to complete a Driver Bio Form>> (http://www.gopromotorplex.com/assets/Driverbioform.pdf)

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