6 months later, I'm here, Introducing myself

[Brown23]

Well Norton22 said I would be on after Christmas... and as the title says- 6 months later I'm here. It was very hard to get interested and into the karting while having to travel to work on the kart (which I did not do much, if any.) However, we just got our garage and both our karts are home!!! I'm changing clutches, gears, bearings and soon the oil now. Teach me whatever you know... I want to learn how to take care of my kart! One day I would like for Norton to tell me to do something and I can turn, grab the tools and do it on my own. (something besides changing the tires, by the way) Until then he'll just have to explain everything.... Sorry Norton!

I got in to go karting almost the same way Norton got back into it. He brought me to Oswego's track (behind the speedway) on a Thursday night last year, his kart wasn't running and his friend let him take his and I took it out for hot laps- practice for a powder puff race- Man was I HOOKED!!!!! Adrenaline rush! My whole body was shaking- from my toes to my fingers My knees were the worst. Corey (Norton) says my grin was from ear to ear but I think it stopped at my cheeks. I took the helmet off, looked at him and said "I gotta get me one of these." And guess what- well you all knew before me- I got one for Christmas. Theres nothing like unwrapping the biggest box under the tree to find an engine- "Just what I always wanted." Luckily for me the rest of the kart was at a friends garage being put together. (A lot of nights spent in that garage explained) So here I am- a go kart driver and having a blast doing it!

My first race was 2 weeks ago. (hot laps that night was the 2nd time I had been in a kart-ever- besides at amusement parks.) Norton posted in the "Clone Photos" topic- like a proud dad (Gizzyracing you know what I'm referring to). I'm finding the biggest challenge to be explaining to Norton what the kart is doing. Pushing, pulling, tight, loose.... The tight I think I've got. The pulling- well I don't have a trailer hitch so I don't think I'm doing that. Pushing- I don't want to mess up my paint job so I stay away from the guy in front of me. Ummm Loose...

I want to say thanks to everyone and anyone who helped Norton with their advice- Thank you!!! If you have any advice for me, as a driver, it will be appreciated as well!

Kim

[GIZZYRACING]

First off sorry for the mistake about who you was . Now you have only been on the track a few times so first , the best teacher is track time no mater what anyone tells you you have to apply it ,so trying new things on the track is where you learn .
Your kart has to handle right to accomplish a successful night of racing . It will take time to learn how to communicate what your kart doing to you crew chief or to learn how to fix it yourself . I suggest you find an experienced driver your size to drive your kart to tell you what is wrong . That's if you want to get it handling now . If not you may struggle a while . Once you get your kart handling good you have to learn the fast way around the track . Find the fastest guy in your class try to get behind him on the track even if you have to slow and wait for him to come around ,then follow him in his tire tracks ,notice where he drives on the track thats where you need to be . Most tracks are the same wide close to the wall on the straits then dive low in the corners. But Norton has to be experienced if he runs KT100's so ask him who to try to copy .
You ask for advice on passing , this is very hard to say not know how good you are now . The best advice I can give you not seeing you drive is once you find the fast groove, you have to set up a pass in the corner following the kart you want to pass as close as possible then on exit turn under him and pass on the strait . You may have to go side by side into the next turn so this is where you have to know your kart's limit on turn speed so you don't over drive into this corner .But you have the advantage your on the inside .Doing this without touching the other kart is the trick . Always try to be smooth and don't rough up the other karts . Roughing up ,banging ,hitting other karts usually hurts you more than them.So learn to be smooth .
This class is a momentum class try not to scuff off speed in the corners .
But the best advice I can give you is what I tell all beginners Watch all the races you can while you at the track . Watch the better drivers , learn their track position while passing how they work traffic . It's all in front of you all you have to do is pickup their habits and it wont be long and you will be as good as them . It's all according to how passionate you go about it . Hope this will help some way . Ask me anything if I can help I will . Deriell

[GIZZYRACING]

Oh I forgot .Welcome to Clone Racing ,this can be a valuable site to someone who wants to use it . Many knowledgeable racers on here willing to help others . Use it to your advantage . Again welcome.

[Dennis]

Welcome to Forum. We are fairly new to forum. This forum is Valuable if used. Our 1st yr with the Clone motors around 7 races so far. I know I've gained couple yrs experience here by not having to figure some things out myself. Time & money saved from mistakes. Which makes more fun.
I'm loving the Clone motor and karts. 47 yrs being around racing different things. This is best combination going i've been involved in. Affordable for all ages. Gets back to basic's and fun. Just what I needed for Brent and plan on keeping him in Clone classes until I just can't go any more. Brent is getting knowledge that will help him thru life.

Kim you've got the fever. Have fun and learn it. Teach you're children when time comes. When you experience the whole racing thing. Look back when older. Wow you won't belive it. Dennis

[Dennis]

47 yrs around racing is wronge should be 37 yrs. I'm at home sick today havn't been feeling good last couple wks. I've noticed having problems in memory area when feeling like I am. Dennis

[GIZZYRACING]

Kim let us know how you do at your races.

[Brown23]

This week wasn't to good... for me. We had a funeral in the morning which left me with a migraine. I went out for hot laps but when I was done I was little dizzy. Thought it was best not to be out there for the 12 laps let alone 25 for a feature. We have a 13 year old (Tyler) that runs gold restrictors and an amazing driver that we asked the rest of my class if they minded if he drove... We've found that Norton has set up a kart that can win- Tyler won the heat, but got taken out in the feature from a spin out that damaged the rim and left us with a flat. Norton and I grab the wrong tires (ones drilled for his kart) so we didn't have a replacement. But it was a great night - we learned that the kart is good!

PS Thanks for the advice and the interest!

[Brown23]

Week 4- Got to race tonight Did alright- started 3rd in the heat and finished a very close 4th- Ty advised me on running a little bit out on the straight aways and tight on the corners. (With how small the track is, its all corners to me.) I still had a blast- especially running without a headache! Went out for the feature started outside poll. On one of the laps (I don't count them, then I would get dizzy) not quite half way, I felt something funny going around turns 1 and 2. Slowly I started having the feeling I was out there alone then the flagger showed me the "you're being lapped flag" 3 karts had lapped me. I was slowing down even though I wasn't breaking. What is wrong- I ran very close to these guys in the heat- like bumber to bumber close. Then a red light was flashing on my Mychron.... I pulled off. My right rear tire had gone flat. And the motor was hitting a temp of 400+. I got a DNF. Thank goodness theres next week!
Good luck one and all!
Kim

[GIZZYRACING]

Don't get down on yourself . Remember your a beginner every race you will learn something . Now you know if you slow something is wrong . The best thing is seat time . I have to congratulate you on having the courage to race not many females race so you have to be proud.

[Brown23]

Exciting Nite!!! Week 6 but my 5th race and I had pole in my heat of 5 karts. 2 heats total of 10 clone karts. Kept 1st for the entire heat!!!! I got pole for the feature and held 2nd for most of the laps-22 to be exact. Got passed, but took 2nd back one lap later!!!! BUT 2nd to last lap the dude that passed me and I passed back, decided to ride my shirt tails... well my tire... almost spun out, but held on for a 4th place finish!!!
Gosh racing is fun when ya learn how to do it!! Hopefully have a video for ya of it!

PS Thank you Gizzy!! Norton is proud enuf for the both of us, but Thank you!

[Brown23]

PS and the guy that almost spun me out- ended up no better then he was before he ran into me! I'm still trying to get the video

[GIZZYRACING]

Now you learning . Every race you will learn. Now you have a feeling of accomplishment . Now you understand how hard it is to win . They don't give wins away you have to earn them and you are getting closer to your goal . Keep looking for ways to get better, keep the desire and good luck .

[Brown23]

Hey everyone- sorry its been a few weeks.... but been busy- kinda gettin into the maintance part of this whole kart racing. I really enjoy it. I've posted a couple videos on youtube, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhACxogmGUs This is from last week at Oswego-I won my heat (of the same five guys) and they inverted all of the heats for the features (I guess to weed out some alternative players.) If I had only started "racing" earlier in the race (as Norton has asked why didn't I do) I might of passed the leader. I have figured out that its hard to win a race in 5 laps. The other video is of Norton - the bright yellow kart and his friend Dave. They both run a Yamaha KT100 in the open class.

I've started racing at "MooseMountain" (AKA Moose) in Hastings, NY also. They typically run lawn mowers. I've been asked to add the Moose video from 2 weeks ago- which I will do tomorrow morning. I was the only clone motor so they put me in with the lights and mediums running flathead motors. I didn't do bad. Obviously I was out powered by them, but I wasn't that far behind- Didn't get lapped!!! The kid that wins that race is 13- Ty who raced my kart when I was sick. His dad has helped me with correcting the set up of the kart at the track while Norton is busy getting his ready or corrected. This past weekend at Moose there were 3 clones- one who races in Oswego and a kid that had no weight- I had him out weighed by 160+ pounds. It was fun though. My goal with Moose is to get track time- not to win... We do not have a kids class for clones yet.

Friday is coming up soon- so I will be back Saturday to let ya know what happens- maybe a video of my first feature win... we'll see!
Kim

PS will have the video of June 13th with my 4th place finish uploaded too.

[Brown23]

No feature win yet... I'm getting closer.

Started last in the 2nd of 2 heats with 5 clones each, moved up to second actually with some ease.

Started 3rd in the featured fell to 5th and one or two laps later moved up to 3rd with a pass on the inside of 2 other karts while they were tangled on the outside. The kart that finished first was disqualified - he lost his muffler.

I'll have that video posted. Sorry about the last post- didnt get the videos loaded- internet went out with less then 10 mins to go.

Hope everyone has a great weekend of racing- I sure did!

[GIZZYRACING]

I watched the video of your race I'd say you have learned a bunch . If you keep the rite mind set you will get better every race you run . Hey Norton I see another champion in the making . Better make room at the top of your team you may not be king long .