The Bench Racers Journal

[Terry Bentley]

Chapter 13

I pushed on the gas and my head jerked back a little. Wow, didnt know these bushing motors had much power like this feels. So easing out on the track, I was careful and didnt want to find my self walking back to the pits. Took me a little practice just to modulate this gas pedal so my head wouldnt buck back and forth.

Speaking of helmets, Mr Cates did find me a loaner. It is a half helmet like was more common a few years ago. I see a lot of Harley riders using them in the movies. Just one thing messed up with this particular helmet. It is red. Really bright red. You cant miss it. Even when not in use. It is shouting Red.
The black patent leather sides cover ears and straps to secure under my chin. I noticed a small hole in the back. A little bit of sawdust was finding its way out. May just be what I feel tickling my back right now.

What really stands out about this helmet is the big black dots all over the screaming red. I know what a lady bug feels like when being stared at. Uhhh. Embarrassing.

I feel like a moving chicane with flashing stop sign on top of my head. Not much different than a big sign on back of kart that says "WATCH OUT Newbie driving"! I am sure someone is getting a good laugh with me wearing this helmet. Right now I could not care any less. I am driving a kart on the track for the first time and loving it.

Several laps pass and I am slowly warming up to how the kart handles. With what little I really know this kart does go where its pointed. Didnt take too long to get used to the brakes either. Just me being too nervous and afraid of screwing up.

Steve screws up all the time and doesnt let it get to him. But he doesnt have to deal with older brothers that ridicule him for anything and everything he does. Oh well, I need to face my fears. If I screw up then deal with it later. Right now I am going to get this figured out and maybe start racing soon. Well maybe, anyway the night is still young. At least I dont have to worry about a glass slipper.

I am still having trouble figuring out exactly how to get thru the turns. Dont know for sure if going in too low or tight before steering and coming out. Probably using too much brake, just am not sure.

I first tried something that didnt seem to work out so well. If you put a string around the track and pull tight, well thats the shortest way around, right? But trying to drive that way doesnt seem to work so well. Kart keeps wanting to push hard on the exit, and loosing way too much speed.

How were the fast drivers getting around? Some were going really high, then dive down late, and speed out while kart is drifting up to the outside. But that seems an easy way to get passed by another driver. Leaving yourself open too much. Hmm.

The next lap as I pass the track entrance, Steve is waving and pointing to the guy waiting on his kart. I recognize the other drivers kart. He is David Watkins. One of the locals here in Garland that has made a name for himself on the track. He speeds past me just as easy as one can with real driving experience. He taps on the back of his helmet then points forward. Oh I get it! He wants me to follow him around. Cool.

So for the next few laps, I try to follow his kart being careful not to get too close. Now I am getting thru the turns a lot better. Following him I see the line he uses to get around. He is really coming out so much faster than I am. He brakes only for a second, then while steering, back on the gas quickly and barrels out of the turns. So that seems to work well for him.

Mr Cates is waving his arm and pointing to the ground as he said. I respond with a quick wave. Ok that wasnt smart. Get both hands back on the steering wheel, dummy. A slight quirk when I did that. Ok, I can do this. Going around and pulling out on the back straight, then carefully reach over, but my hand is bouncing all over. I finally grab the carb, but motor just lays over and nearly dies.

My fingers are getting sucked in. Oops!, that isnt good. Let go and engine cleans out a little. Try again. Keep fingers away from front of carb. Hand is out searching. I work around from outside, over top and get a good hold on carburetor. Then walk my fingers to that high speed needle. There it is. Hah, not a big deal. I got this.

Now for the next part of this little maneuver. I put thumb and pointer around the extended needle, just like had been instructed and practiced. Then slightly turn in clockwise. Motor sounds much worse. No, the other way clockwise, duh. Then it immediately clears out and jumps forward like getting kicked in the butt.

Wow this is great. I barely have time to grab the wheel and enjoy a noticeable boost in acceleration. Uh oh, thats the end of the straight away there. Got my grip good back on that unique butterfly steering wheel. I get to negotiate the turn at end of the long straight at a much faster pace this time around.

This kart is getting much more predictable. Now I have someone showing me how to drive the turns, and is so much faster at the end of the straights. It sounds like the motor is actually reving up a lot higher. So this must be about the top speed. I can get used to this. It feels awesome.

I am impressed with a bushing motor. Didnt have a clue they felt so fast. Or maybe its just I havent ever driven anything like a real kart before.