The head sock, as I came to call it, fit tightly around the face as I slipped my head into the Bell helmet marked Large. It was cold, well below 40 degrees, but we were indoors and there was no wind, so the chill seemed almost bearable. Most of the group came in appropriate attire, long sleeve shirts, sweaters and jeans. I on the other hand, showed up in a t-shirt, and was fighting desperately not to shiver and loose all integrity as a man. Those that choose to, suited up in cover-all's marked to look like racing suits. Once properly suited, the track keeper then lead the group from the changing station to "the pits." 12 or so karts, lined nose to tail, side by side in rows of six, sat eagerly awaiting to consume fuel and spew out excitement. We were given kart numbers and filed in, squeezing into the black plastic bucket seats, shoulder harness pulled tightly against the chest, feet pressed on the pedals, waiting for ignition. The track keeper, one at a time, pulled the draw string on each kart, a fury of four stroke lawn mower noise ensued. Off she went, the first of our group, headed into turn one clamoring out of the pits, bouncing across the smooth black track surface. My kart fired on the second pull, foot jammed into the throttle, there was a hesitation in throttle response, but she still pulled out in a hurry. Entering the first turn, you quickly realize that this is not the sedan you drove up here in. Four stroke lawn-mower engines provide enough horsepower to top out on the sweeping right, shortly after pit lane, and enough torque to pull you through the turn when power slides appear the only option to shave a little time off of your lap. The track is short, consisting of mostly S curves and extra sharp hairpins. Each turn is offered at the same speed as the last, you rarely life off the throttle. There goes the the girl that took off shortly before me, I'm looking at the rear of her kart, shes all over the track. A wide hairpin presents itself, turning sharply and darting underneath the foot bridge we used to get to the changing station. She takes the outside of the turn, wide enough for me to tuck in, tight to the wall, all throttle. I wave as I pass. She gives me the finger. The leaders, the two boys who have done this before, are just ahead of me. I make quick time, throwing my body weight into each corner, sliding when necessary, looking ahead for each apex. They are just out of reach, just fast enough to stay out ahead. I tailgate the slower of the two boys as the track keeper waves the checkered flag, we pace a lap and head into "the pits." Definitely worth the $15 a race pricing and the brief waste of time safety video you are required to watch. Definitely worth the drive to Mukilteo, but I do suggest something a bit warmer than a t-shirt, at least until we can call it summer. Check out http://www.traxxracing.com/ for more info on this North end location. Also, if karting is your thing and maybe a move from the lawn-mower powered single gears, to a 125cc shifter kart is in your future, check out http://www.nwkarting.com/. For some serious kart racing, a sport with a huge following across Europe, a sport that has produced F-1 drivers such as Lewis Hamillton and Michael Schumacher, check out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=u-6KJGoK7_s&feature=related Stay tuned to Cold Track Days, as we are headed to K1 Speed in Redmond WA in the next few weeks for a comparison.
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