The long tracks are where it's at



Last minute preparations



A couple of weekends ago we found ourselves at Blackhawk Farms Raceway for what could be the last time of our career. And boy did we miss it.

It was over eight years since our last go round of this place, and after the first practice session we couldn't help but wonder why it took so long to get back. Two miles of flat out (and wide) track that most karts don't get to see too often. And although some areas could have used a layer or three of pavement where the cars dug it up, an altered line or two solved what ever issue we thought we'd have for the weekend.

When we last visited the track Sam was barely ten years old. The kart he was in; a flathead Briggs powered full body kart that propelled him to somewhere around 60 miles per hour. Both his mother and I wondered just what in the heck we were doing letting our son play at those speeds.

Now nearly eighteen years old, and behind the wheel of a 125cc water-cooled kart, he averaged 93 miles per hour a lap and found trap speeds in excess of 110 mph on the front straight.

Why in the world was I worried back then when today he has his license? And my car. And girls to impress...

A father can only hope his lessons didn't fall on deaf ears.

Considering we originally had the wrong clutch in the kart, burned through tires at break neck speeds, and chased our tail for the better part of one afternoon trying to find the right gear, we didn't do all that bad.

Saturday's race found us in fifth place at the checker and Sunday we had to settle for a sixth place finish. But the big prize came in the form of the fastest lap time in our class at a 1.19.56. Not too shabby for being a few years away from the track and having a kart that we still felt had a lot left in it when we were done.

So we're off to Badger again for this upcoming weekend and a relaxing trip back to our roots at the local scene. There's something to be said about no pressure and just going out to have fun. Everyone is in a much better mood and the trip back after all is over is a lot livelier. I think we can all use a little of that.



Around for the summer

Looks like the European vagabond is going to be staying in the states this summer so our racing season is on.  I don't think he totally realizes it yet but unless he comes up with a part time job that pays him twenty bucks an hour I can't honestly say that I'll have the money for him to go.

We just received our notice from the university about just how much we can expect to receive in aid this year, and what we can expect to come flying out of our savings account like a bullet train.  Let me tell you it ain't a pretty story.  Middle class america does truly take it up the backside but I'll leave this rant for another time.

Right now I am cautiously optimistic in saying that something resembling a racing season will go on for 2012.  I've even managed to get myself believing that I will return to the track on the days that my son is not.  And why shouldn't I?  I've been the team owner, principle, chief mechanic, driver coach, and sugar daddy of all things billable for the last ten years!  I should get to play once in a while.

But it's not about me.  It's about him, and the class that is beginning to really take shape this year and promise to offer us many new competitors to race against.  We both welcome the new blood and look forward to a great season.  We hope you can be a part of it.