From the Pits: Karting is Much More than Just Racing

Karting events aren’t only about what happens on the track. It’s what happens between the families and within yourself. It’s about developing yourself and being part of something greater than yourself all at once. This amazing sport provides opportunities for growth, sense of achievement, and fond memories both as an individual and as a family. However, there can be times when the frustration, disappointment or anger take over and seemingly blot out all the good.

We would like to share some of the “good” we have received that often goes unspoken. We hope that this letter resonates with you and your family and not only brings back special memories for you, but encourages you to create more of these memories. All racers have some hard times, but it’s the good times and memories that bring us back.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude for all of the extra efforts made by you and your Team to organize, coordinate, facilitate and officiate one of the best Karting activities ever! Our family experience at Daytona in December resulted in perhaps the best Kart Week ever in our Karting journey with Cam both on the track as well as off the track.

It is difficult to put into words that describe the memories that we are making as well as others as we watch families come together in not only the thrill of victories but are there for each other even when not so victorious. This sport seems to provide the highest of highs and often the lowest of lows however in a good way. We learn to enjoy the wins as well as accept the losses. In all cases we always get something to take away for us both young and... not so young. ;-)

In closing, I have attached a few photos of ‘Family’ that are priceless and reflect how much more significance your events add off the track just as much as on the track.”

Respectfully,

Steve Moles

WKA appreciates your kind words, Steve, and we are glad that you have felt the significance off track as much as on track. And you are right, all ages can benefit from these events. There are always opportunities at the track to take on a role of support, mentor, mechanic, or friend. Thank you for reminding us.

It is clear that karting provides opportunities for……

Supporting new friends…

Meeting new friends & families….

Learning new skills in teaching others…

and practicing your faith.

Strengthening your family bond…

#RaceLife Spotlight: Austin Olds

TERRE HAUTE, IN - WKA’s #RaceLife Spotlight racer for the month is 11 years old Austin Olds. Austin has been racing since he was 6 years old after his father and grandfather bought him his first kart.  His favorite part of racing is passing other drivers, going fast and winning. Austin races in the Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series  and enjoys racing at WKA events because he feels like the series attracts some of the fastest racers and that makes him both more competitive and a better driver. Read more about Austin Olds below:

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?    

Haute Terre, Indiana. 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING?

Since I was 6 year old.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

I got into racing because my Grandpa Grant and Dad went to Lapel, IN and bought me a kart when my mom was in grad school one day. I have wanted to race since I was 2 years old. My Grandpa Bill raced for years and I always wanted to drive his go-kart and dirt bikes.                          

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF RACING?

My favorite part of racing is passing people, going fast, and winning. 

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?   

My goals for the future are to win championships in racing and also then move to IndyCar and then win the Indianapolis 500. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS?

My pre-race rituals include talking to my coach, Charles Maxwell, and listening to his advice and also visualizing winning. 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?

My favorite racer is Dan Wheldon. He was such a great driver with a great personality and always made people laugh. 

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

My favorite track is Road America. However, I haven’t raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yet.                                                                          

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WKA RACES?     

I like the competition level at WKA races. The competitors are some of the best of the best drivers out there and it’s great to really race against them. They make me a better driver. 

WHICH WKA RACE SERIES DO YOU RACE?                                                         

We race the WKA ManCup series.
 

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE? 

Other than racing, I play basketball, play outside, and hang out with my friends. I love to watch racing on TV when we can’t go outside. 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? 

When I grow up, I want to be some sort of racer. I would love to race IndyCar, sports cars (IMSA) or Formula 1. If I can’t do that, I want to be involved in motor sports somehow.   

ARE THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

I have the honor to work with Michigan State University with their Motorsports development program. I also have a lot of Indy500 trivia and can name any winner from 1949 to present. I love to learn all about racing and it’s history. 

To read more about Austin Olds and his racing, check out his website and Facebook page:

AUSTIN'S WEBSITE:



AUSTIN’S FB PAGE:

#RaceLife Spotlight: Alexander Kardashian

PINE SPRINGS, MN - This week's WKA #RaceLife Spotlight racer just started at Purdue University and has been racing karts for 12 years! Alexander Kardashian is 18 years old and races in the Bridgestone Manufacturer's Cup Series.  He was also a National Champion in 2015.  His favorite driver is Max Verstappen and loves coming to WKA races because of all the competitive racers who attend.  Alexander plans to graduate from Purdue with an Engineering degree and wants to use his degree by becoming an engineer in the motorsports industry, preferably on a racing team.  Read more about Alexander below.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?        

"I used to live in Pine Springs, Minnesota (a suburb of Twin cities), but I have just moved to Purdue University. Boiler up!"

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RACING? 

"I am currently in my twelfth year of racing."

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RACING?

"My dad has always enjoyed racing and since he couldn’t do it when he was young, he let me try it at a track near our home.  I loved it and still do."         

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? 

"My favorite moment in racing is when I am coming up to a passing zone on someone’s bumper and I get to dive inside for the lead."

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? 

"I am going to be an Engineering Major at Purdue University.." 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS? 

"I get in to the kart from driver’s left and then retighten my helmet."

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RACER?  

"Right now, Max Verstappen."

WHICH TRACK IS YOUR FAVORITE?

"PittRace in Wampum, Pennsylvania because it’s a fast track, with super-fast chicanes, elevation changes, and lots of technical corners." 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WKA RACES? 

"I love the stiff competition that shows up to race."

WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES RACE?  

"I love to work-out and play cards.  I also help my dad run our business, AMK Race Products."

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?    

"I want to be an engineer in the automotive industry…preferably with a racing team."

IS THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

"I have a lot of seat time playing F1 2016 and have a top 50 time at 5 different tracks in the time trials of that game."