THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608010200
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 54 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SOUTH MILLS LENGTH: 48 lines
Auto racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. But Dixieland Speedway's owners are not taking any chances. They're taking matters into their own hands and working hard to attract youth to their tracks.
Two activities this year have brought youngsters to Competition Park: being able to ride with the drivers in real race cars and racing go-karts on the track between auto races.
Last Friday, kids rode in the ``Dixieland Showcar'' with a professional driver between races. It was just like the real thing. The driver took two practice laps. Then the green flag dropped. The showcar sped around the track for two laps at the same speeds of a normal race.
In another event, the speedway had two divisions of go-kart racing: yard karts and racing karts. Yard karts are meant for backyard use. Racing karts, with souped up engines, are just what the name implies.
Usually, go-kart racers compete every other Saturday at the Albemarle Kart Club's oval, which stands in the shadows of Dixieland. Last Friday, kids ages 6 to 16 buzzed around the big track and competed for trophies in each age class. Track official Delores Ferrell said go-kart racing is scheduled twice a year at Dixieland Speedway.
``It keeps the kids interested. And it gives them the experience of running on the track,'' she said. ``It gives the children with yard karts the chance to race as well. We have had some kids race go-karts out here and then, later on, race ministocks when they got older. Some of these boys will probably be racing cars out here.''
Apparently, the racing bug has caught on with the go-kart drivers.
Steve Hassell, an 11-year-old from Elizabeth City, clutched the winner's trophy in the racing kart division after his race. ``I love to race,'' he said. ``I've been doing it for about three years. I was second place in the points competition in the Albemarle Kart Club last year. And I'm going for first place this year.''
Sam Keel, 11, of Corapeake wants to take the sport to its ultimate level. ``I love the speed, the motion, the noise. When I grow up, I'm going to be a race car driver,'' he proudly announced. Keel placed third in the yard kart competition this month.
Virginia Beach's Rickey Craft, Jr., 11, was the top finisher in the yard kart race. He also says he likes speed. His father, Rickey Craft Sr., said the love of racing runs in the family.
``Me and my wife met at a drag strip,'' the elder Craft quipped. ``We love NASCAR, any kind of racing. This gives the kids a chance to learn how to drive - and how to learn concentration.'' by CNB