Southern Road Racing Series
Roebling Road Raceway
May 17-18, 2003

I can't believe it's been close to two months since my last kart race. I guess I'm overdue for a report...so here it goes.

This weekend was round two of the Southern Road Racing Series at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah. I bought a new (used) kart in April, so this was going to be the first test.

Saturday was very hectic (I had to go to a company picnic in the middle of the day). I only got one practice session in the new kart. I went out, came onto the front straight, I was drafting with Charles and all of the sudden the kart pulled to the left...my front wheel came off.

Saturday's race was just as bad. I got off of the grid last and stayed there for about 25 minutes. It was a 45-minute race, but I just couldn't handle riding around that long with a kart that was spitting and sputtering. So I came in and watched the race from pit wall.

Sunday's practices went much better. Even after an engine change the kart was spitting and sputtering, so we cut off one fuel tank and only used the one closest to the engine. That solved the problem. Then I went to working on gearing.

Sunday I got a much better start. It was hectic coming off of the line because we voted not to have a split start, so we were mixed in with Sportsmans. I got a good start, but Richard Marz (#1), Dad and Charles got a better start. I settled in and decided I wouldn't push too hard on the first lap. I was able to pick my way by dad going into turn six and then I set my sights on Charles.

On the second lap Dave pulled up beside me on the straight and we went into turn one side by side. I managed to beat him out for third spot, for now. As we came around on the front straight again Dave and #02, a sportsman, went zipping by me. I pulled right into the draft hoping the three of us could work together to catch Charles and #1. No such luck as Dave pulled away from me and 02. But we stuck together and I was patient (not something I'm known for). After about 10 minutes I could see a little yellow helmet in my view.

I kept talking to 02 telling him to just pull me along. We caught Charles and he and the sportsman had a great battle. I just laid back and watched what was going on. A couple of times I got beside Charles in the turns, but I wanted to wait until the end of the race to make a suprise pass. I knew time must be getting near. Charles and 02 swapped back and forth on the straight and I just waited my turn. Charles would pass 02 coming up the hill and 02 would pass him at the end of the straight. Just when they were getting predictable 02 decided not to pass Charles on the straight, so I knew I better make my move or I might lose him. I passed 02 on the inside going into one and stayed on Charles' bumper.

I must have missed the five-minute board and as we came around turn nine I saw the checkered flag. It was now or never! I did everything I could to push my kart by Charles, but in the end he got me...but only by 0.019 seconds. He never even knew it was me!! Needless to say we've had lots to talk about this week. I just keep reminding him he only has bragging rights until July!!