Points Race #2

With all the stuff we had going on since the start of the weekend, the boys were not able to go to practice at the track yesterday and Tom hardly had time to get the go karts ready today though he had been working on them everyday last week, save for Friday and Saturday.
 Today being Mother's Day, the mothers got free passes to the pits. Normally, anybody who is a non-driver pays ten dollars to get in the pits while the drivers pay twenty dollars on race day. Otherwise, it's ten dollars per driver and non-driver to go in the pits on non-race (practice) days.
 Today's run was also different from the previous ones (though there had been one time last year that the run set up was the same as today's). The drivers still had two practice runs on the track but the heats were replaced by a qualifying run and a pre-feature race. The pre-feature race determined a driver's position in the features (final) race (as I understood).

Colin on the grass at Qualifying.

At qualifying, Colin went on the grass and Tom had to come to his rescue and push him out of there down to the pits.
 During the pre-feature race, Connor started second but spun at least twice leaving him to finish 5th and Colin finishing 6th. This was how they started in the features race but Connor finished in second place. Connor almost did not make it to the final race for Tom found a leak on his gas tank and he had to quickly repair it. The Animal Sportsman class was already called to line up on the grid when Tom was still fixing it. Colin finished at the end of the pack.

Connor's #21 with new body and colors.

Connor and Colin with their karts.

Next points race is Sunday, May 19th. The boys should be able to go practice on the track on Saturday as next weekend would not be as hectic as this one had been.

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/

Getting Ready for a New Season

Tom's been working on the boys' go karts for a few weeks now. Both Connor and Colin are racing this year and each has his own kart. Connor's go kart is getting a new motor, body and number colors as well as Colin's. Connor will still be #21 while Colin chose #12. (Then I suggested the #121 for Tommy's go kart next year to incorporate both #s 12 and 21.) We will not be wearing green this year but red, the numbers color that both boys picked.
Much to Tommy's dismay, he would still just be a cheerer on the sidelines. Hopefully, he'd have his own go kart to drive next year when he will be eligible to drive at five years old.

Go Kart 1

Go Kart 2

Front Body

Right now, Tom, Connor and Colin are at the track helping clean and set it up. Badger Kart Club's Briggs and Stratton Raceway Park will officially be open for practice tomorrow. There are a few changes this year. There is no longer a Briggs Sportsman class but Connor and Colin still belong to the Animal Sportsman class like last year which means they will be racing against each other. There has also been a change in the kart and driver weight limitations. This year will be Connor's last in the Animal Sportsman class. He will be moving up to another class next year for his age.

Connor's Number Decals

Colin's Number Decals

Driver's Names Decals

For more information about Badger Kart Club, Briggs and Stratton Raceway Park or racing schedule, pleave visit: http://www.badgerkartclub.com/

BKC Banquet

The awards ceremony banquet for Badger Kart Club was held last Saturday at the Sheraton in Brookfield. The place was packed. The same family atmosphere at the track was present here. It was nice to see the drivers not wearing their racing suits. Some of the boys wore ties and the girls wore cute dresses. A prayer followed by a buffet dinner officially kicked off the ceremony. The awards was the longest part for there were sixteen classes and several other special awards were given in between.

The trophies.

The trophies were impressive and there were lots of prizes and raffles. Connor received his trophy for winning second place in points in the Animal Sportsman class. He also received prizes for placing second in the Junior Summer Series. He also received recognition along with the others who had perfect attendance for the year.

After the awards ceremony, the lights went off, the disco lights turned on and music played. The kids stormed the dance floor. Tommy, who we thought would fall asleep halfway through the ceremony, was awake the entire time and joined one of his friends who was first on the dance floor. The other kids joined and they just danced on and on. My boys would have danced all night but we had to go. Grandma and Grandpa were both getting tired and we still had to have our pictures taken outside. (Note: sweaty kids in the family picture.) It was way past ten when we left. Next year, we'll get a room and let the boys dance all night long. Just a thought.

Connor and his second place trophy for Animal Sportsman class.

The Animal Sportsman Class receiving their trophies on stage.

The Animal Sportsman Class.

Grandma Dot and Lolo came to celebrate with us.

Racing Season Ends

The 2012 racing season ends at Briggs and Stratton Raceway Park. The track was officially closed on Saturday, November 3rd after volunteers, including Tom and Connor, helped clean up the track. The Backwards race was the last race of the season, which happened the weekend prior and one in which Connor participated.
It was a cold day that Sunday, October 29th. Not many drivers showed up. As with the regular races, there were two practices but the classes were combined. The 2-cycle engines became one class as well as the 4-cycle engines where Connor belonged. There were two races after practice and Connor impressively won both races.
Great way to end the season for Connor who finished second in points in his class and where he and others will be presented with their awards at the banquet next month.

Connor Wins Again!

Animal Sportsman Last Points Race of the Season

We had a late start this morning. We barely made it to tech check and driver's meeting when we arrived at the track and hardly any spaces left to park a pick-up truck with a trailer. The day started out really cold, too and I was walking around the track to keep warm. Only later did I find a great bike trail just a few feet away from the track: Glacial Drumlin Bike Trail. I discovered it accidentally while exploring a new vantage point from where I could take pictures. Had I known that there was such a trail, I would have brought my jogging shoes and went for a run in between practices. Colin, Tommy and I explored the trail where we stopped at a woodplank bridge, looked at the water below and took some pictures.

At the start of the first heat, everyone jumped and vied for the better position on the track. Someone spun right away but I could not see what happened from where I was. Connor led the race and finished first only to find out that there was a black flag and it was for him. He was called for the aggressive move that spun the driver on the first lap. Because of that, he finished last even though he got to the checkered flag first. Lots of lessons to be learned. Patience. Maturity. Self-control. And so on.

 Before the second heat started, we had some visitors arrived at the track. They were just in time to see the start of the second heat. At the second heat Connor started at the front because he finished last the heat before. He and #17 battled for first place, one that he won by a nose when they crossed the start/finish line.

 During the final race, Connor and #17 again battled for the first spot where each had a turn in leading a few laps at a time. In the end, Connor won again. Overall, he finished second in points for the entire season. Two features races wins, four, including today's heats (minus the black flag), in a row! Not bad for a rookie! Way to go, Connor! We're very proud of you!

Connor, pushing his go-kart to the pits with racing buddy, Jacob, driver of go-kart #17.

A group picture of the Animal Sportsman class--not complete but of all who were present today.

This is the incident where Connor got black-flagged.

Along the Glacial Drumlin State Trail

A visit from one of Connor's sponsors, Phil and Lily Hanger.

Connor with some of his racing buddies.

Father and Son Together on Racetrack

Connor was anxious to go back on the track. It had been exactly twenty days since he raced last. (Yeap, Connor counted the days.) There was a scheduled race last Sunday but it was cancelled due to rain. He was very upset then. He waited two weeks for that day to come only for it to be cancelled. He would wait almost another week to put his suit on and drive.

Tom and Connor, waiting for their turn to go on the track.

On Practice Day, father and son were able to go out on the racetrack together. Tom tried the new (new to us, anyway) go-kart that we bought which we will swap for Colin's go-kart this weekend. It was the first time that the two were able to ride on the track together--and maybe the only time, for a while anyways. Tom has no immediate plans to have his own go kart to race (at least, I hope). Connor was running his usual 44s (44 seconds +) while Tom's first run was timed at a slow (or I should say, pitiful) 1:09. :D

Father and son together on the track.

 After a few laps, and a few turns on the track, they were both satisfied that Connor's go-kart is ready for the race today, the last points race of the season--and either Tom got to shake that go-kart racing bug out of his system or he just fostered it. We'll see.

Tom, heading for the pits.

Connor, heading for the pits.