Southern Road Racing Series
Roebling Road Raceway
July 19-20, 2003

After a long month and a half break I was back to racing at Roebling Road in the enduro kart. As you may remember this is only my third race in my new/used Coyote kart.

Dad, Charles and I got to the track Friday afternoon to set up and meet the gang (Dave, Chuck and Clyde). We all went for dinner and then met back at the track early Saturday morning. Practice went well and I narrowed it down to the gear I wanted.

I started the 45-minute race second in class. Charles was third, dad was fourth. I got a decent start, but #1, Richard Marz, Dad and Charles all got by me. I passed dad going into turn six and set my sights on Charles. I caught him and passed him in the turns on the second lap. There was a junior kart who didn't get the message that we were all racing for position (not to mention bragging rights for the next three months). I finally pinched him coming onto the straight and I think he got the picture.

From there Charles and I battled back and forth. He had me coming up the hill onto the straight and would pass me. Then I'd pass him in the turns. Before long Dave and another guy in the Sportsman class joined our battle. I have thought for a day now about how to write this. Take four karts and every possible combination of pass and order, and that's what we had....45 minutes of pure thrills. I'd pass Charles in turn four, he'd pass me and Dave on the straight. I'd draft with the sportsman and pass them both back. At one point I stayed in front for four laps or so, but it didn't last.

On the last lap the sportsman backed off because he knew we were racing for position. Coming up the hill Dave was second, I was third and Charles was fourth. As we crossed the line Charles got me by the nose of his kart (a TENTH of a SECOND!!).

I knew I needed to change my gear and add a tooth for Sunday. I told everyone that was the only thing I was going to do. They all gave me the "yeah, right" look. So Sunday morning there I was, changing tires, gear and carburators. Okay, so they know me better than that!

The starting order was the same as yesterday execpt for another Charlie Fox started second, so I was third, Charles was fourth, dad was fifth. Dad got a great start and took off with #1. I thought it would be like Saturday and prepared to catch and pass him. Next thing I know, Charles is passing me. I passed him back in Turn four. Then he followed for a lap and passed me back coming up the hill. It was all I could do to stay with him on the straight. I could make up some ground in the turns and just use his draft on the straight. About 20 minutes into the race a pipe kart passed me going into turn six and got between me and Charles.

After that pass Charles was gone. Then I was all alone. He managed to hunt down and pass not only dad, but the other Charlie Fox to take second. I rode around for the remaining 25 minutes by myself. I was able to work on my lap times and making them consistant. That gave me something to think about. That and how I'm not going to make drastic changes again (I PROMISE)!

We have a while before our next race in October. I don't know if I'll be able to stand it.