PI Wonderful - Running at the worlds fastest one mile oval  (5/18/2001)

With the ProMoto Sacramento race out of reach due to school conflicts">

PI Wonderful - Running at the worlds fastest one mile oval  (5/18/2001)

With the ProMoto Sacramento race out of reach due to school conflicts, the opportunity to get some track time at Phoenix International Raceway was a natural filler for the weekend.  Carl has been dreaming of running PIR with his go-kart ever since he started watching races there 12 years ago.  Additional motivation was the invitation from Deborah Harpur-Davis, IKF Karter editor, who had invited Carl out when she told him about the June cover featuring Car at Santa Maria.

So, we loaded up and headed out to Avondale, arriving too late for any practice and getting the lunch hour to switch over from sprint to road race.  Taller gear, change the track, adjust tire pressure, tape up some stuff, add fuel and check everything to make sure it would stay on.  Then off to the grid for a 30 minute race around the 1.56? mile road course.  Having never seen the track, Carl tagged the sit up sprint class for a lap and then started to wind it up.  Within three laps, he was at a steady 1:13.4 per lap and moving through traffic.  Around lap, 16 he passed a 135cc for the lead and built about a 15 second margin at the end of the race.  Although we didn't achieve the desired 100 mph, he had a good time. 

Calling upon the great people of Southern California Karters for a bit of a favor, Carl got onto the one mile oval for a few quick laps during a break in the afternoon.   Dream fulfilled, although dodging cones did slow him up a bit.  The IRL wont have to worry, however, as the best lap was around 88 mph versus the 170 plus the big guys put up.

Thanks to SCK and Deborah for their hospitality and this great opportunity to fulfill a dream.