How To Start Racing
I guess for me it all started with my family, by that i mean with my Dad. We lived in England in a town called Rugby. The closest proper race track was Mallory Park. I can remember going to watch the motorcycle racing in the 60’s. Bill Ivy,Geoff Duke, John Cooper, Phil Read to name a few. My father started racing in sprint races at Church Lawford, nr Rugby. He raced our family car, a Mini. Basically drove it to the track, put some numbers on the side and went racing. Hopefully keeping it in one piece so we could drive home in it, later that same day. It was a family affair. The four of us, my Mum & Dad and me and my younger brother. Mum was the sandwich maker, tea/ coffee maker. My brother and i, were involved in timekeeping, cleaning and making sure Dad got to his start time ok. It was all amateur stuff. But the beginnings of the racing bug were forming in myself and my younger brother. Dad raced at Church Lawford, Mallory Park and also Curborough. All sprint races.
As time went by, Dad stopped racing and eventually if was our turn. Our first introduction to kart racing was at Kimbolton. We had been buying the Kart Magazine from our local newsagent, so knew from reading, that Kimbolton meetings were held every second, weekend of the month. The day arrived and off we went to watch our first ever kart meeting. My first impression was how fast these little machines went!!! Damn they were quick. The track at Kimbolton is partly built on an old runway. In fact many of the kart tracks we eventually raced on we on old airfields. Anyhow, the speeds at Kimbolton were particularly impressive. There is a long flat out start/finish line followed by a tight almost hairpin like turn. To stand just at the braking zone and watch these karts screaming towards you, then in a flash they zip by and stomp on the brakes. The noise of these little 100cc engines absolutely at the rev limit, the smell of the brakes, rubber burning, the tires sqweeling all added to the amazing sight. WE WERE HOOKED.
We spent the day, in the paddock area, in the company of two local aces. Two local kids who were miles in front of the rest. They were good, they almost took it in turns to win their heat races. One was a lad called Chris Barnet and the other Derek Bliss. They were both so good, they had been picked to race in the British Kart Racing Team. Green overalls, green helmets with red , white and blue stripes. In fact Derek went on to become Junior World Champion in 1972.
A few weeks went by and our first kart was brought home on the roof of our family car. It was a Zip chassis with a 100cc, direct drive Komet K33. I say our but it was my brother who was first to start his karting experience.
We loaded up the car. Strapped the kart to the roof of the car and off we went. Again as a family!!! I can’t stress enough that karting is a family affair. We had become members of Shenington Kart Racing Club. Well Shenington is another of those tracks built on an old airfield. It could be a desolate and windy place, stuck on a hill, as most airfields are!!! Anyhow, we arrived and unpacked our tools. First problem of the day was to get the damn kart started. You go through a routine!!! Check fuel, yes we have fuel in the tank. Check spark, yes we have a spark. Check carburator. After disassembling the carb, yep carb is ok. Check this, check that!!! Now by this time the sun was going down!!! We would not be defeated. Maybe if we towed the kart behind the car?? we could get enough speed up and it would fire up? Sometimes these ideas work. Hmmmm. I can’t remember now who was in the kart when it suddenly spluttered into life but i do remember almost having my arm pulled out of its socket as i had it wrapped around my wrist, being pulled along behind the car, trying to get the damn thing working. I can also remember my Mum having her first and only ride in a kart. We managed to get her wedged into the kart seat, goggles and helmet on. Eventually the kart started and all you could hear was her laughter!!!!!OOOOOOH ERRRRR!!! How do i steer, how do i stop!!!
We were on a roll. We eventually moved from the pit lane and onto the track itself. Only problem now, was it was dark. Couldn’t see where the track goes. So no problem only thing to do was get the kart going and follow behind in the car and therefore lighting the way around the track. Our first karting experience.
Best thing to do if your interested in kart racing or even thinking about starting is to go to your local kart track, where you can chat and meet, friendly people who can help you.
My local track is Lafayette Motorsports Park near Lafayette, NY.
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