OK, We Saw Talladega Nights...(then we had to race something)

M.D. Holloway · 07:56 PM

I brought our Boy to see Talladega Nights last night and we thought it was pretty funny. Our 7yr old and I just giggled like idiots through the whole thing.

Going in I was thinking that some lingo would be a bit rough but it wasn't any worse than a day on the farm during harvest.

So today we spent most of the afternoon at Speedzone racing go-carts. It was 104 and the lil guy couldn't get enough. We raced 2 man cars at the beginning. First two races we got the last car in the line and I'll be darned if we didn't win both times! Seemed like all the kids had their Dads take them racing - last day of summer vacation. Well, a combination of aggresive driving, having the Boy checking the right side as I kept a eye to our left while keeping a tight line was a proven combo for the checkered flag.

3rd race we were in the 4th position. As we were strapping in, the guy that works there was making sure we were in proper, I mentioned that the "car was running a bit slow, could ya adjust the throttle?" My Boy just broke out thinking that was the coolest thing. The guy smiled, turned it up and we took another win!

4th race was mixed with single man cars and duels - we had the lead till the last lap and the guy trailing us all the way (bump'n and chump'n us) took advantage of a my mistake of not holding a tight line and spun us out. "Dad, if we don't win we crash!"

5th race was no competition, we lapped 3 cars. Feeling cocky we went to the Grand Prix track were its all about time.

Each race we shaved 2 to 3 second off. The helmets in the 104 heat made it a tad nasty but hearing him laugh and say "I wanna go fast!" made us both bust out. Out of 5 runs, only once did we blast into the wall. First race we were 54 seconds, last race was 43 seconds - the trick was to floor it the whole time and feather the brakes into the corners just a little. I'm sure that you race guys can offer up even better techniques.

Shake-n-Bake!

Jims5543 · 08-13-2006, 08:00 PM

Fun stuff, I find the 2 man karts to be faster. They seem to give them a bit more power than the 1 man karts.

I started with my 3 y/o at the back and my 13 y/o who has Karted was in 4th. By the last lap I was behind the 13 y/o who was blocking me from getting by. He was in second. He was in 1st but this girl spun him off a corner like you and he said screw it and let her by sick of being bumped to death.

We teamed up to go after her but ran out of time.

Look for a real Karting track that has arrive and drive. Your 7 y/o would be allowed in his own kart there. My son loves going. We are preparing a KT-100 Kali Kart for him now and I just picked up a Tony Kart with motor for $1000. I am having to dump another $500 and some sweat into it and I have one too.

The onyl thing I recomend for that is a good jacket. You can get one from a karting supply for about $40. They supply helmets at the arrive and drive. I prefer my own jacket though because they usually will let you run the rentals in a t-shirt.

jdlowery · 08-13-2006, 10:36 PM

Just remember, "If you're not first, you're last".

lendaddy · 08-14-2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Sweet - can't wait until my two-year old is old enough!

-Wayne

Wayne, I just took my two year old on two-person carts yesterday. He loved it, but he did not love waiting in the cart during the BS safety speech, nor did he like that we had to stop

We have been riding the four wheeler together for over a year, so maybe he's used to the speed.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

OK, so the question my wife doesn't want to hear the answer to: at what age is it acceptable to start a kid out in karts? (Where they're driving/racing solo?)

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

They just built this 1/2 mile from work...
http://www.grandprixspeedways.com/
Gotta be 16 though...

M.D. Holloway · 08-14-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Noah930
OK, so the question my wife doesn't want to hear the answer to: at what age is it acceptable to start a kid out in karts? (Where they're driving/racing solo?)

I have heard kids driving at age 5. Our son was riding 500cc quads at 5. I think 7 is a pretty good age. Some guys may say earlier others say later. I guess it depends on the kid.