Animal Sportsman Points Race #2

Points Race #2 - We had a gorgeous day to start. We left the house at 7:45a.m. I made sure we had a lot of drinks for the driver and the rest of the Bruce Racing crew for it was about to get really hot. We arrived at Badger Raceway earlier than usual and parked at our usual spot. Tom and Connor went to registration and had the tech check done right away for which the go kart passed. Then they both were called to the Driver's Meeting while Colin, Tommy and I stayed behind. We could hear the meeting over the loud speaker throughout the track so I did not miss anything. It was the usual going over the rules and information updates, etc...

   Before practice started, Tom and Connor had to go to the "Common Fuel Tank." Every kart is required to have its fuel emptied out into this big tank and then fill up from the same tank so that everyone shares the same fuel.

Tom & Connor having their turn at the fuel pump.

   When the Animal Sportsman class was called to line up on the grid, Bruce Racing go kart #21 had a problem with the clutch. So Connor was not able to run in the first practice. Luckily, Tom found someone who made a temporary fix on the clutch (that is, until we could buy the part that it needs) in time for Connor to run in the second practice.

   The Animal Sportsman ran with the Yamaha Junior during second practice. There were six in the Animal Sportsman while there were three in the Yamaha Junior class making a total of nine go karts running the track in Connor's second practice time. Connor finished third.

   During the 1st Heat, there were eight karts in the Animal Sporstman class. There was an accidental bumping and Connor spun. He ended up finishing fifth.

Animal Sportsman lining up before the green flag during 2nd Heat with Connor in the lead.

   In the 2nd Heat, Connor got a good start and led for almost three laps with seven go karts behind him. Soon after, #17, the fastest in his class, caught up to him to take the lead. A lap later, #18 passed Connor and Connor finished third.

   It rained shortly after the last class ran the 2nd Heat. It was windy for the most part of the day and the rain finally came. The red flag was thrown for about half an hour. When the rain passed, the Features were started right away with the hopes of getting all the classes in before it rained again.

   In the Features (final) race, Connor started fourth and that's how he finished.

   Go Connor!

#18 made a pass on Connor during 2nd Heat

The next race is on June 3rd at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL: http://www.blackhawkfarms.com/

Animal Sportsman Points Race #1 - Rained Out

We arrived at the Badger Raceway a little later than we did last Sunday. It was overcast and the weather did not look promising.

  Tom and Connor went to register and came back for the kart to take it for tech check. The kart did not pass although Tom did all the adjustments he thought he needed to make the day before. The weight, used to compensate for the required weight of kart and driver, (obviously, Connor and the kart were lighter than they're supposed to be) in the front only had one nut. It needed to be double-nutted. So Tom had to make that adjustment. After that, they both went to the Driver's Meeting.

   The Animal Sportsman class, the class Connor is in, was called to line up on grid B. Three different classes had already ran the track and a couple more were lined up to go before Animal Sportsman. By now, it had sprinkled for about a few minutes and I could see karts were still running on the track. As soon as Connor, Tom and my dad (he came with us) wheeled the kart away from our truck, the red flag was thrown. The guys wheeled the kart back to the truck and parked it under the tent that we had brought and set up. We huddled in the back of the truck while it rained with thunder and lightning. After several minutes, the race was called off. The drivers who came earned 200 points--equivalent to winning a race. Race #1 is checked off, everyone is tied in points and on to the next one on May 20th.

Connor and Colin or Connor?

In the beginning, we thought that Connor and Colin could alternate driving in the races. If Connor drives in Race #1, then Colin drives in Race #2 and so on. The two boys could not race on the same day because it would be too much to modify the kart and adjust the strategy to fit each boy's skills and personality. They could always practice on the same day since we could take our time and there is no pressure in getting things done in a short period of time. But as the race season neared, we realized that it would be too much for Tom to coach two boys of different ages and skills in one season. So we decided for Connor, since he is older and only has two years left before he moves up to the next class, to drive in all the races. (At first, we also thought that we would just randomly run the races but that has changed also. We will try to participate in all the points races even the ones held in Illinois.) It took a long time to break the news to Colin who was expecting to race this year and when we did break it to him, needless to say, he was disappointed but was a good sport about it. He would still be practicing and would be gaining and building up some good experience to prepare him for next year. For now, he'll be daddy's big helper in wheeling the starter and helping in other ways as daddy works on the go kart. He can also run all the laps he wants at practice! That's the exact same smile he wore on his face on the photograph below when we declared this last bit of information. :o)

First Race of the Season (Non-Points)

   Arrived at the track early and plenty of time before the Driver's Meeting at 9:30a.m. The campground was full of RVs and trailers. Kids in their racing suits were running all over the place while dads worked on the karts. Some  moms were cooking while others walked their dogs. The track sure was bustling with family activity.

   After the meeting, practice began. Connor's class, Animal Sportsman (among many other classes), practiced for 4 laps. About an hour later, they had another practice for 3 laps. Practices were pretty uneventful. It gave the drivers time to get used to the track condition. Another good hour passed before the 1st Heat started. Connor spun but quickly regained control of the kart. He finished second. There were 6 registered go kart drivers in his class but only 3 chose to run in today's race. After all, it's a non-points race. But Connor needed all the practice he could get on the track that's why he ran today. After another break, the 2nd Heat started where Connor led the first two laps but was passed by #31 who took the lead to the finish. Connor spun also but was able to get back to racing right away. He finished second again. Before the main features started, we had surprise visitors. The Flanagans, who live only a few miles away from the raceway, stopped by to watch Connor race! The Main Features then started at 3p.m. We were threatened by rain. A few drops did come down as soon as the second class was done racing. The Animal Sportsman was the fourth class to race. It was their final race for the day. They raced for 10 laps. Connor finished a solid second!

   It was a good first race for Connor and a fun family day for all of us. We only wished it was not as cold as it was.

Badger Raceway and Badger Kart Club

Badger Raceway

   Badger Raceway is a 6/10 mile paved road course located in Dousman, WI. It is owned and operated by the Badger Kart Club (http://badgerkartclub.com/). The Midwest Sprint Series, Route 66 Series and other go kart races are run here. The raceway has a concession stand and a play structure for the kids. There is also free camping for the club members. It is a very family-oriented atmosphere. Kids can start go karting at the age of 5 and it's a pretty good mix of boys and girls alike.

Karters Kafe

Badger Kart Club

   
We joined the club shortly after we bought the go kart. Since we are rookies in this field, we don't know anything and need all the help we can get. So far, everyone has been generous to lend a hand or just give a piece of advice. The club is all about families helping each other and for children having safe fun in go karting.

First Practice

First Practice

The old track.

   On March 31st, volunteers came to help clean up the track so it can be opened for the season. Tom and the boys went. Unfortunately, I had to work so I couldn't come. The drivers or their families who helped clean up the track get to practice on the track that day and the following day for free. (There is a fee for each driver and the pit crew every time they come to practice or race.) After the clean up, Tom and the boys went home and opted not to practice that day since I was not there. 
   We went to our first practice the next day. We arrived at the track around 10 a.m. Tom had to get some fuel (methanol) and borrow a starter. Connor and Colin took turns driving at the practice track, just across from the actual raceway. It's an older track that has not been used for races but for practices for those who are just starting and are not ready to go on the big track. It is also a much shorter track. Since this was the first time either boy got to drive the kart, we decided that they should warm up here before going on the big track. We stayed pretty much all day at this track with the boys taking turns on the kart and waiting for their turns on the track. 

2012 Badger Raceway Schedule

 

    This is the 2012 Badger Raceway Schedule. Connor will run the points race and the first race of the season, which is a non-points one. If anyone is interested in coming to watch any of the races, just click on the image and it should magnify so that you can read it. Or you can visit http://badgerkartclub.com/ and click on SCHEDULE.