The New Generation

Go-Karts are the best training ground for any driver who aspires to go professional

After watching the 24 hours of racing in Daytona it hit me. Many drivers are familiar, and some more familiar than others, at least to me. Watching the new breed of young drivers in the Rolex 24 hour race I was amazed at how seasoned they seemed! A mix of experienced older drivers and what appeared to be old souls handling themselves with agility and speed, most within seconds of one another.

Let’s go back a few years and you will see why this hit home for me. In the early 2000’s I owned a kart track in Central Florida and I fondly remember watching youngsters’ race junior karts, with trepidation, but still with the dream of someday being a professional race car driver.

Sometimes I would speculate as to who would make it, and who would not. I have since come to realize that it’s not always the fastest driver, and rarely the ones without fear that make it to the pro’s.

Contrary it’s a complex mixture of skill, personality, connections, and yes a little money helps. The total package.

Soon after opening the track I realized that karting was made up of the most dedicated athletes I had ever met, traveling from every part of the United States, and in many cases other countries, all for a plastic trophy, bragging rights, and a chance to make it big.

The cost to race was not cheap, in fact I remember spending more on my karting habit than my later SCCA racing. Even still, I’m sure if you ask any professional driver they will tell you that the experience gained in a kart is invaluable in other forms of racing, especially sports car racing. This is why you will often see your favorite pro practicing in karts.

Over the years I’ve seen a thing or two, I’ve had the pleasure of watching Marco Andretti race my track as a fourteen year old. I’ve watched Memo Gidley practice in the rain side by side with Graham Rahal, I’ve had the pleasure of tuning karts for Ricky and Jordan Taylor. I raced for 24 hours against Wayne, Ricky, and Jordan Taylor with my teammates Glenn Howe, Jay Demarken, and John Dean, yes, in go karts!

What an incredible time we all had, and what a beating we all took. I had Jonathan Summerton attend my driving school and later race on my team, what memories.

And as I watched the Rolex this year, I realized a large number these kids are no longer kids, they are the very pro’s they dreamed of becoming. Watching Wayne race with his two sons along with adopted family member Max Angelelli was truly a thrill for me, and to say that Rickey and Jordan are the total package as drivers is an understatement!

They’re as great at being people as they are drivers. If you get a chance, go watch a kart race, you never know which one of those kids will be the next great champion!