Ever since I was a kid and especially the past several years, I've tried to become good at golf. I actually enjoy the companionship, the outdoors and the exercise, but I never got very good at it. It seemed like most every time I left the course, I'd leave discouraged.
Last year I discovered a new hobby. Since I'm fast approaching the big five-oh, I decided it had better be something appropriate for a mature gentleman. I found GO-KARTING! When I was a kid, I remember hearing about the go kart track by the Milton Junction water tower, but I never actually saw a race. Since then, I've become interested in auto racing and even attended a few of the Skip Barber classes at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI.
The Sugar River Raceway in Brodhead has become my track of choice. It's been around since the 1950s and has remained under the same family ownership ever since. It's paved road race type course is almost a half a mile. I try to go out most Thursday evenings at 7 p.m for what they call Turn Key Thursday. That is a chance for anyone (over 18) to enjoy 30 laps, broken up into 4 separate heats with whomever else shows up. I've seen anywhere from 2 to 27 participants and it's always different but always fun.
Another thing I've taken part in is private races. Anyone can get a group of people together and reserve the entire track for their own race group. Last Tuesday, Todd Hesgard and I hosted 26 friends from 16 - 65 years old. One of the guys who showed up was a temporarily unemployed NASCAR racer named Travis Kvapil! Travis had never been to the track and as far as I know had never even raced go karts, but being the big show off he is.... BEAT US ALL! That was the one time I didn't mind finishing in second place.
Since we had so much fun with our last private race, we already have another one scheduled on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. If you're interested in joining us (and I don't think you're faster than me) we just might have a spot for you. Let me know soon, because our grids are filling up fast!
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