The Bench Racers Journal

[Terry Bentley]

Chapter 8

So much for listening and learning. Most of these older guys just pushed kart to their pits and found some shade. So I ran over to where Steve had stopped and focusing his attention. As I got closer, then realized the karts are Go Kart 800's. The real thing. I have only seen them in the ads when reading magazines. These karts looked awesome. One had a Mc6, another with Mc10, and that dual had 2 Mc10's. Hey, I dont remember that guy making time trial. What gives?

While we were just standing over these really cool karts and drooling, one of the team members walked over and introduced himself. Hi there, boys, my name is Bob Bosemer. We both acknowledge him, and say how cool these karts look. He then goes on to tell us that they are some of the team drivers for Go Kart. I just about swallowed my tongue with such a gasp inhaling more air than could use for a few more breaths.

You sometimes read about people and places in the magazines. They always seem bigger than life. Like the movie star thing. Except this is more down to earth and believable. But I am standing in the pits of some of the biggest names and best drivers out there. Almost like a dream, but my eyes are open for this one.

Wha...wha...what? What are you, uh factory team drivers doing at this small track for a weekend race? Well we are here to race, isnt that what you normally do at at a track? I felt ten shades of stupid. Steve nudged in the side with an elbow. Yea man, what else would they be doing at a track? In a meek tone in response, I thought you guys are usually going to all of the big meets like Mansfield and Rockford. And where is that other big race? That island. Oh yea, Bahamas.

You are exactly right. We are making all of the major races this year. Including those you just mentioned. But the company decided we should visit as many tracks between those scheduled races that we can. This is for good PR and exposure to sell the Go Karts. Understanding and shaking my head, Oh that makes sense. But doesnt it get boring going to small weekend races with only local drivers and just winning all the time?

He then responded with an unlikely answer that would not have crossed my mind. He explained; Going across the country on tracks we dont have any drive time on, doesnt mean we will be the ones winning. There is a lot of local competition that is really hard to beat. They have the home track advantage with drive time and setup we dont. Makes for some interesting racing at times, if you know what I mean.

Wow that makes a lot of sense, now it has been explained. As I was eyeing all of the karts, noticed none of them had been in the time trials. I asked why. He said they had practiced earlier and normally just start back of the pack in all three heat races. It is always fun to win, especially when everyone is really competitive. But it is a lot more fun to race. This way we keep our driving skills tuned up top notch.

If I went out and was fastest in time trials, then start at the front, there is no real nose to nose racing. Then all I would have to do is hold my position and dont make any mistakes. It would likely be an easy win that way. But to start in the back of the pack, especially with a bunch of unknowns, I have to actually drive and pass people. This isnt easy as it might sound competing with drivers I have never driven with before. There is the real challenge. Then if I do win, it allows everyone to see how well the Go Kart really handles. Especially thru traffic. If we dont "clean house", he added with air quotes, it at least is a real good race for the drivers and spectators.

Normally we do really well at local tracks when traveling between the big meets. But we dont always win. There is some serious competition out here today. Just being a local driver doesnt mean you wouldnt be competitive on a national level. If there was a big race here, we would focus on the faster locals first and then work on setup to improve from that. It is a fairly reliable way to learn a new track in short amount of time that way.

Bob then introduced another driver. He said this odd looking guy with a flat head is Sets Kanamoto. He runs the A Unlimited kart. Its all of none for him. This guy will probably clean house. His engine is really maxed out and hard to beat. The other guy over there is Tex Bell. He is running the B Super class. He is really fast and extremely hard to get around. The only way to pass him is getting the jump out of a turn. Because once he is running down the straights, is almost untouchable. If a driver passes him, hes got game. Well it is nice to meet some of the local competition out here. I then told him, Unfortunately we were just spectators, but hoping to start racing soon. He said from the look in my eyes, was able to tell I would be one of those guys racing for a long time. It gets in your blood and nothing else you do will curb the desire.

We got chased out of the pits right after that. Then thanking Bob for spending time to talk with us, headed back outside the fence to watch some racing. After the second heat was finished, there was intermission. Finally time to slow down and absorb everything that has taken place. Man there is no way I will be getting any sleep after this is over and back home tonight.

We walked away from the track heading towards the concession stand. On the way, Steve asked if I saw how that kid in the junior class was acting after he got beat. I did notice he seemed to really be mad about something. He started yelling at the other kid that won. The parents had to separate both of them. A few minutes later, the kid that got beat was being lectured by his dad. He took him behind their car and cussing up a storm. His arms were waving all over the place It looked to me like that kid was flinching every time his dads arms went up. Steve cut in saying, You know if my dad caught me cussing like that...well I wouldnt be able to sit down for a month of Sundays. Not to mention I wouldnt be getting to do any racing long as I was living at home.

After grabbing some refreshments, me and Steve head over to the picnic table and sit down with dad. He is there with Van Ingram talking about everything under the sun. Next to him is an older man I have not met before. Oh wait, that is the guy with the square tubing kart and plastic seat. Oh crap, this is embarrassing. Hope he didnt overhear anything I was going off about.

I didnt realize until that moment the square tubing kart was running in B Super class. It was the only kart that gave Tex Bell any real trouble. That oddball home made looking square tubing frame was actually leading for a few laps, then Tex made an amazing pass right at the end of the longest straight. After that he stayed on Tex basically riding his bumper. If Tex had made just one mistake, it is likely this kart would have been able to get back around and beat him to the checkered flag. The finish was about half way down the longer straight. Tex's kart seemed to have a real advantage and pick up serious speed towards the end of the straight.

I sit down and everyone stops talking and gives me a once over. Crap, why are they all just staring at me. Is my hair that messed up or grease all over my face? My dad says, Yea thats him. My son thinks he wants to start racing. What do you guys think? Van Ingram thought I was still a little puny, but might have what it takes. The other man that I had not met before, ask if I had the opportunity yet to even drive a kart. With my eyes looking down, No sir. Then my dad said, Well not completely true. A few years ago...as my dad starts to tell a story, the boy got his first chance to test drive a kart I put together when his older brother was interested at the time.

I realized then what story dad was getting ready to tell everyone. So this overly self-conscious body of mine just shrank down on the bench and my eyes stared down to the ground. This was really embarrassing and wished to have been anywhere else but there right at that moment.

My dad goes on with the great event that set my wheels in motion. Yea, it was about three years now, I built up a kart, much like was being put together back then. It only had a Clinton 4 cycle for power. Borrowed it off the cement mixer. Those old motors are really reliable, you know. But it was just something to get his feet wet. Or in my case run over, if I wasnt careful. The audience all gave a chuckle. Anyway the older boy did fine his first time driving around in the back yard. Fairly cautious and didnt take any risks. This boy here tho, as he ran his hand thru my hair, well he seemed really excited about maybe getting to drive it himself. His mom wasnt very happy about the idea tho, him driving one just yet. She said maybe still a little too young. I said you may be right, but lets see what he can do. So I told him how to sit and what the pedals did. Just start out and try to take it slowly. Guess he missed that last part. Again some more laughter from the crowd. No sooner the motor was started, he hit that gas pedal and didnt let up. No not for a second. Not for one second.

The wheel was turned left and he never missed a beat. Maybe he had his eyes set on dirt racing with that left turn only thing. I didnt realize until that moment the kart would go so fast. He was running in as tight a circle this kart would likely go. His eyes, well lets just say they were really big at the moment. He never let off the gas pedal. All the people sitting at that table started laughing and enjoying at my expense of total humiliation as the story continued.

So I realized maybe the boy here had froze and didnt quite know what to do. His mom was raising her voice in much needed concern. Before this racer(heavily emphasized) here killed himself or one of us trying to keep out of his way, I decided to take grab at him. He was getting a little too close to a tree nearby. No reason to make a trip to the emergency room that afternoon. I got lucky and was able to get close enough to reach down and snatch him up and clear of the kart. It worked out fine. The kart then just straightened out, but didnt slow down not a bit. It went straight for the fence. Drove itself right under the chain link and wedged in tight. So it got stuck. The tires were still spinning, so I ran over and killed the engine.

Went back to check on the boy and he finally seemed to relax a little, after waving my hand in front of him realizing what had just taken place. Since then all does is go on and on about wanting to start racing. By this time most of the elders sitting at the table were having a good laugh again at my expense.

The one man that raced the square tubing kart asked if I would like to drive it after the races were over. I was a little perturbed. Without looking up at him and said that it wasnt funny at all, and please not to tease me about it. He stared back with a firm face then said, Son I am serious! How else are you going to find out if you really want to start racing. I looked over to my dad at a complete loss of words. He suggested I should focus my attention to Lynn, since its his kart you are going to drive.

Then the man stuck his hand out for a shake. Hello, my name is Piner Lynn Cates. Now we are formally introduced you can call me Lynn. His name is Cates? I have than funny looking kart over there made from square tubing. A light round of laughter went across the table. It is nice to finally meet you. Seems you have made a name for yourself tonight. I have been hearing a lot about you. Talking about inserting foot in mouth. When am I going to learn to just keep it shut. Oh wait I cant right now. There is a shoe still stuck in my pie hole. Remember, listen and learn. If one talks too much there is no way to listen to others. Speak a lot, learn not.