BIG BANG FOR THE BUCK

by Terry Lovejoy

It’s racing season again, and I just wanted to bring a little attention to a form of racing that I only just had the chance to experience a few months ago. A sport that has not been as recognized in the Midwest as it has been along the coasts and in Europe. As an avid autocrosser, member of SCCA, and a big fan of motorsports in general, I’m always looking for fun on the track without breaking my bank account. Back in October Christopher Baye asked me if I would like to try out shifter karts at Raceway Park in Shakopee. I literally jumped at the chance. Let me tell you these things are nothing short of unbelievable! I was piloting a state-of-the-art CRG chassis with a Kawasaki 125 cc dirtbike engine and a six speed gearbox. Acceleration is mind-boggling, and cornering far exceeds that of any other form of four wheel amateur road racing. If there was ever an adrenaline rush, this is it. Since my fun at the track I’ve been looking into the sport and found that there is no bigger bang for the buck. One chassis manufacturer advertised 0-60 in under 4 seconds, and a lateral G-force up to 2.5 G’s. That’s the next best thing to Formula 1. Eau Claire seems to hold races quite frequently, and word of a new half mile track being built just west of the suburbs means access to events are a short drive from the Twin Cities. Hopefully more local clubs will allow shifter karts in their autocross events. And after the initial costs of buying a kart, the only real expense throughout the season is tires, which usually run about $30 each. Anyone who is interested in a low budget form of racing, I highly recommend looking into either sprint karts or shifter karts. If you’re one who would like to some day drive professionally, this is a place to start. Most of the big names in racing today started in karts. This sport is sure to explode in popularity, once people give it a try. It’s got me hooked! If you’re interested in more information on karts or the new track west of the metro, contact Darkhorse Enterprises at (320) 275-3729.

Copyright 1999, Land O'Lakes Region.
Last revised: May 8, 1999