LEARNING THE LINES // CTD.COM KARTING - PART 3

Our editor was on track again today, running his second practice session with the guys from Seattle Karting Specialties. Prepping for the coming Winter race series at Evergreen Speedway, Mr.Coffey had this to say about his time on track today: "I felt much better this afternoon. Having a couple of weeks off to lick my wounds helped, and with a full day of practice, I certainly felt my confidence level begin to rise. I was taking corners at a much greater speed, at least it felt that way, and with the help of Mr.Garner (see above), I was able to gain some insight into what a proper racing line looks like. I spun a few times, hell, I even had to pull my kart out of the grass once or twice, but I definitely felt more comfortable by days end. I am looking forward to the coming race season, a bit nervous, but overall feeling confident that I can surprise a few people. Practice makes perfect, and I hope to have a few more days on track before I see my first green flag..."

With the SKUSA Vegas Super Nationals but a few weeks away, practice time may be limited until we return, but be sure and stay with ColdTrackDays, as we will continue to cover Justin Coffey's attempt at 125cc TAG kart racing // 10.30.2008

OPEN PRACTICE // CTD.COM KARTING - PART 2

"Today I am humble. After a solid afternoon of lead-follow and open track lapping at the PSGKA's Mt.Highway Raceway, I end the day like I do most, at the desk, on the computer. But tonight is a bit different. Tonight my rib cage is screaming at me, tonight my arms feel like helpless spaghetti noodles, tonight it hurts to type. So, after a beer (or two) with dinner, I ease back into my office chair and give you this, my first experience in a 125cc TAG ItalKart.

As you may know, the gentlemen at Seattle Karting Specialties have handed me an opportunity like no other. They are sponsoring me for the winter race series at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. Before the race series begins, they felt I needed a bit of time behind the wheel, hoping to improve confidence before they cut me loose in a fixed-gear rocket. Today was to be the first day of open practice, and we headed out of Seattle early, South toward Tacoma, and were suiting up and chatting about the karts before I knew it. Jeff Garner of Seattle Karting was on hand to give me a few pointers, as well as run some practice laps with me. He lead, I followed (as best I could).

The first thing you notice about a 125cc kart, is seat position. You are but an inch off of the tarmac, with no suspension and nothing but horsepower behind you. Throttle response is raw, launching you from dead stop to holy s#!t in no time. We ran the karts for a handful of laps, came in to the pits and discussed the experience. My lines were way off, breaking way to early, lifting when I should have been gassing, turning in too soon, etc... A second and third session on track proved my previous racing experience was a worthy investment, as I gained more confidence and soon found myself on the threshold, braking later and avoiding spin outs. The day ended when my hands had become permanently molded in the shape of a steering wheel, my arms dangling loose from my shoulders and my ribs feeling like I just took on a light-heavy weight boxer. All in all, I cannot say enough good things about the guys from Seattle Karting, or the experience they have provided me with. I look forward to making progress, learning the lines and exuding my confidence on the competition!"

Stay with ColdTrackDays, as we will have continued coverage of Justin Coffey's attempt at 125cc kart racing, with follow ups on practice sessions, race reports and plenty of photo and video coverage. Click through to our YouTube Channel for some additional videos, or head to our photo gallery for some shots from today's practice session // 10.16.2008

GETTING FITTED // CTD.COM KARTING - PART 1

Our editor, Justin Coffey, has been given a very unique opportunity. The gentlemen at Seattle Karting Specialties are going to sponsor him in a 125cc TAG (tough and go) race kart, for the upcoming winter series at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. With little karting experience (none, unless Traxx counts), Justin will have but a few days of open practice to sort things out before he sees his first green flag.

The 125cc ItalKart that Justin will be racing, features a non-gearbox (fixed gear) setup, and is capable of producing G-forces similar to that of a Formula Atlantic (not to mention a top speed nearing 100mph). We headed South this afternoon to Seattle Karting's store-front in Tacoma, WA, so Mr.Coffey could get be fitted for a kart, race seat and race suit. Justin will run open practices at the Mountain Hi-Way Raceway in Spanaway, WA, a 3/8th's mile race track that is home to the Puget Sound Go-Kart Association. Stay with ColdTrackDays, as we follow Justin's karting career, giving our readers a first hand look at what entry level karting is all about // 10.09.2008

ColdTrackDays Exclusive Interview // Al Unser Sr.

As the editor of ColdTrackDays.com, I am entitled to some perks, perks that accompany my job as automotive journalist, perks that make my friends jealous. Some better then others, rides in fast cars, spending time with race fans and endless days at the track. But this perk was beyond anything I could imagine. I was contacted by SOVREN and asked if I would be interested in interviewing Al Unser Sr. Exclaiming my excitement in inappropriate four letter words and then calming myself down, I accepted their offer with gratitude and enthusiasm. And so it went. Yesterday, after an exciting ride around Pacific Raceways in Thor Johnson’s ‘66 GTA, the Indy legend himself, Al Unser Sr. showed up. King 5 News was there as well, and laid in with the questioning, filming a short piece to be aired tonight as well as on their website (King5.com). After the television interview, the crowd dispersed and Mr.Unser and I were left alone, sitting across the table from one another, eating lunch. Questions came in from our readers after our initial post regarding the interview, so I asked those first, hoping to maintain a mellow, laid back atmosphere, as opposed to the time crunch television variety he just went through. Informal is putting it mildly, after our interview, Mr.Unser, myself, his wife and a few other drivers who had gathered to join the conversation, sat and enjoyed lunch and the sunshine that filled the afternoon. Al Unser Sr. was everything I expected from a four time Indianapolis champion, polite, direct, and above all else, an incredible man. I cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity that I was presented with, and can only hope that Mr.Unser and his wife enjoyed my company as much as I did theirs. Below is a small portion of our interview:

CTD // First question from our readers is a simple one, what kind of car do you drive on a daily basis?

Unser // “you mean everyday? Well I drive a Ford Excurssion most days”

CTD // Very nice, big and roomy. Second question from our readers was, what is your favorite track, besides Indianapolis?

Unser // “I cant say I have a favorite. Take here for example, if I won here today it would be my favorite, but in two weeks if I
lost, it wouldn't be my favorite anymore. Do ya understand what I mean?

CTD // I certainly do

Unser // I do like the dirt tracks though”

CTD // Like oval dirt track racing?

Unser // “Yeah, I liked going sideways and fast on the dirt”

CTD // Were there a lot of those tracks where you grew up?

Unser // “Yeah they were everywhere. Plus I raced at Pikes Peak as well ya know”

CTD // I suppose Indy has to be a favorite?

Unser // “The speedway was great, and I did well there, but I just cant say I have one favorite race track. There were so many great places, to say one is my favorite would be unfair.”

CTD // Third question was, what do you think of Danica Patrick?

Unser // “I think she is doing a terrific job, I always told people I thought women could do it.”

CTD // What do you think of the youth in racing, with guys like Hamilton being only 23?

Unser // “I think it is great. I didn't get started racing until I was 18, but that was because you had to be 18 years old to race, now they get started so much earlier. It is great for the sport”

CTD // Ya with karting, kids are starting at six and seven if not younger.

Unser // "It is great that they have that opportunity. Things haven't changed that much, the technology has, but driving a race car is stlll driving a race car."

CTD // You and your wife will be here throughout the weekend for the SOVREN vintage races, I hope you guys have fun and I am sure the fans will be excited that you are here

Unser // "Well thank you, it should be a fun weekend."

Stay tuned to ColdTrackDays for more from our interview with the Indy legend himself, Al Unser Sr // 07.04.2008