(Almost) Better Than the Real Thing

Indoor karting?  It's a beautiful thing.  Okay, yes, it's indoor karting.  It's arrive-and-drive.  But what would I do without it?  It allows me to do some real-enough driving while having the time and money for other interests, like dance.  Not only that, but it's an ideal starting point for people who are thinking about getting into racing--you can find out if you really like it and if you're any good before making a commitment.  It's also a place to lay a foundation of skills, as well as to keep them sharp once you get going.

I have spent an overwhelming number of hours at my track since it opened six or seven years ago.  When I was eleven, I drove in a house youth league.  It didn't go as well as I'd hoped.  I finished fourth in points.  I didn't win a single race.  I thought I'd gotten really good, so it was a bit of a hit to my ego.

But in time, I got better.  We spent a lot more time at the track.  My dad organized an endurance race  for public safety agencies in the Raleigh, NC area in the name of team building.  And when the house youth league didn't come back for a second season, he partnered with a coworker, and the Raleigh Area Public Safety Youth League was born.  By that time, I had had two more years to improve, and I could feel it right away.  I ended up winning the championship with three wins.

Sadly, I aged out of the league when I turned fifteen.  I now drive the pace kart.  It's a neat gig, but I'm jealous of the drivers.  There are a lot of them, and they're good.  The races are intense.  Some of these kids have been in our league for a few years, and I've seen them fix their mistakes, become more aggressive, and get better results, like I was able to do.  I guess I always knew you really could learn something indoors, and every time I watch them drive, that belief is validated.

One day, maybe I will do something bigger--club racing, auto cross, Skip Barber--but at least for right now, a little indoor karting goes a long way.