Season Opener - Points Race #1

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity! Le'ts go racing, boys! Go kart racing that is!

Such happy dispositions my kids had today! I could only attribute it to their excitement to race! They were up and at 'em, bright and early. I didn't have to urge them to do anything for a change. They were the first ones out in the car, ready to go. In the car, they were singing, "Nugget in a biscuit, dip it in mashed potatoes?" Whatever. They even had time to appreciate the scenery driving down Sunset Drive--"What a beautiful view!" Tommy had exclaimed; their conversations were nothing but lively; and for once, there was no bickering during the half-hour drive to Dousman. It was Tommy's first time out to the track this year while Connor and Colin had been out there a couple of times to practice and once to help clean and set up the track.

Connor, #21, Colin, #12 and Crew Chief Dad on the grid.

 Connor and Colin were antsy to race. They've been antsy since the track opened for practice the first week of this month. The fact that the track was closed last weekend, which was supposed to be the first race of the season, due to the wet conditions on the track and the fields, only compounded the restlessness.

The day started out cold but it warmed up during the day and the sun finally came out.

The two practice sessions were uneventful, as they usually are. It's a chance for the drivers and machines to warm up before the actual races. It's when the drivers try to feel their go karts to see if changes or adjustments need to be made.

Lining up for the green flag.

 During the first heat, Connor would have finished second had he not been mistakenly asked to pull over by his dad who thought it was his go kart that blew off an exhaust when in fact, it was Colin's. Instead, Connor was instructed to pull over to the pits on the very last lap preventing him from finishing and for which, he was not too happy.

Connor

 During the second heat, Connor started second but as soon as the green flag was waved, he took the lead and held it to the finish while Colin finished in the back of the pack. This was Colin's first race and he is considered a novice and will be playing it safe for a while by starting in the back of the pack, which was where he usually ended up finishing during the heats. He is a little more cautious, and definitely, not as aggressive and not as fast as his older brother. But he's having fun.

Colin

During the final race of the day, Connor finished second and unfortunately for Colin his engine blew even before the green flag was waved so that he never got to start in the final race.

I forgot how exhausting an entire day was spent at the track but the boys had fun, especially Tommy since it was his first time back there this year, playing and chatting with their old friends. Some of the kids from Connor's class moved on to different classes so that there are only four of them who are original members of the Briggs Animal Sportsman class from last year. Colin is one of the new additions but he is not a stranger to all the other kids from last year.

Points race #2 is scheduled for Sunday, May 12th, to Tom's relief and Connor's dismay. That's three LONG weeks--for Connor. But that's three weeks of rest for the mechanic and crew chief that's Daddy.

For more info about Badger Kart Club or Briggs and Stratton Raceway Park, or to see the 2013 Race Schedule, please go to  http://www.badgerkartclub.com/