Ok, ok. I yield. It’s true we’re all pretty hopelessly addicted to racing. Broccoli isn’t that bad.
Sounds like a busy year for everyone so far!
My son is now off at school and I have been racing less and less and less with him. 
Have fun with your boy!
I am considering signing him up for the SC league so he can squeeze a couple heats in over his break. Expensive for just two races though.
2023 was definitely a learning year for me. Only my second season after a successful rookie year we decided to do the full ckna, plus club, a new kart and moving up to senior. Ckna was decent, struggled a lot the first two rounds with the new kart and learning the tire but showed much more promising pace once we switched back to my 8 year old kart. Qualifying 2nd and 3rd at ckna badger and around the top 10 in a stacked field at whiteland showed I can do it when the kart is in a good spot. On the other hand essentially 4 full weekends feeling lost with both karts was frustrating. Club wise, 2 wins and 2nd in points wasn’t bad but moving away from that for a variety of reasons.
2024 I’m doing the full ckna north schedule as well as grands and summernats and the final round of ckna Canada. I think they do a great job and you can’t get much better in terms of 206 competition. Managed to get a hold of a Sodi Kart as well, excited to try that out. Basically just want to take as much as I can from 2023 and build on it for the new season.
Also going to try not to break my hand this year since that didn’t help my driving during May 
I’m still pretty new at karting, and my racing budget is pretty tight so, for me, the highlight of my '23 racing season was just being able to do several practice days. I suppose it seems simple, but I just like making laps.
The two race days I attempted were a bit of a bummer. I showed up to a downpour at NCMP completely unprepared for rain. Then, the day I went to WRP, I bent an axle after spinning in front of another racer and getting hit.
My best results in racing were the 5k runs I did. I got a second place in July and a first place in September in my age group.
So, over the winter, I’ve been doing a lot of work on my truck in preparation for trips to the track and I’m trying to get over health related stuff. The big plan for '24 is more practice days, get my lap times down, and show up more prepared for race days. I have a set of rain tires now😅.
Here in Eastern TN, we are big on flat-kart oval racing. I grew up on asphalt, racing a 67 Tornado with a MaC 9 in NY state at the Greene airport track. It was a blast. Now, my 9-year-old has picked up the sport of kart racing at Godspeed and Ashway near Knoxville. Dave and I are having fun together, and he is learning how to use tools, the fundamentals of racing karts, and race driving. This past season, he took three 1sts, one 2nd & one 3rd, and 1 DNF. His first season was a success. This year, we are going with a new body and decal scheme, moving up to Rookie Predator, changing out the bearings, the axle, front spindles, installing a floating sprocket hub, and he gets a new “Bell” helmet. Now, once TN gets out of the refrigerator, Dave and I will get into the garage and start on this year’s changes.
I’m jealous of all the oval stuff, that seems like a ball.
in my dreams im an owner of a small coutry sided oval track and in the weekends i am in the microphone of the stands and make the comments for the suturday and special sundays night races …
You should meet Scott Monison, he’s living the dream.
He has an oval on his property (a real one) and he and his brother race pretty much every weekend. He’s 65.
Scott’s track is pretty fun, I didn’t get back out there in 2023, but I will in 2024.
I found something to race. 
2024 is going to be one of the Best karting seasons I’ve had in several years.
when do you get back in the seat?
Is this a hint? Am I being dense?
Never mind. I’m like inspector poirot with Google.
Congrats!,. this is exciting. Let the dank memes commence.
Well done detective. 
My first event should be round 2 of the Stars Championship Series, as I will be on vacation and missing the first one.
Should be a fun program, and I will be documenting a lot of stuff here for all you to read.
Moving my son to KA senior after 2 1/2 years in junior. As a 6’1, 145 kid who turns 14 in May, I know our karting days are numbered. We will enjoy club racing at Badger and Road America. We are fortunate to be 30 mins from one and 60 mins from the other.
Personally, I am on the BOD at Badger, and will be extremely busy helping run likely the busiest, and most successful/exciting years for our club. We will also be celebrating the 65th anniversary of Badger Kart club in Dousman, WI.
Not to get off topic but speaking of the BestKart I’m interested to hear how @Paul_Montopoli thought it was with the Lo206. I was wrenching at Charlotte and it looked good out there especially early in the weekend but looked like you got caught up in some incidents.
I actually loved it. In the wet, low grip and qualifying it was so easy to drive. Steering is super precise. Maybe the easiest kart to drive since my 2009 Firstkart which is still in the garage.
The bestkart got bent in heat 1 because of the red flag crash and it took til the final to sort it but then were behind on the chassis adjustments.
This chassis is super stiff (there are 4 bestkart FO3’s) - super soft, soft, standard, and hard. It is all in the heat treatment and tubing thickness, the chassis shape is the same.
In any case with a harder axle and less caster, we could have been on the money.
Very cool, it looked really good through the hairpin when I was watching. Excited to see how TJ does next year with it as well. Always a fan of something new or different when it comes to chassis manufacturers.
Maybe not as new and different as you might imagine. Tubes are Kart Republic KR2 welded by bestkart and components are AMV.
It is obviously a great starting point.
Ah I see. Still cool though 
Ronald Swift Accelerates Swift Karting and Fabrication’s Racing Legacy as Factory Driver
Today marks a thrilling chapter in my racing journey as I proudly announce my partnership with Swift Karting and Fabrication as their newest factory driver. Founded by the visionary Mark Cerk in 2017, Swift Karting and Fabrication initially made waves in the street racing scene, boasting victories in prestigious venues like Quincy and the Rock Island Grand Prix. Now, with a strategic pivot towards permanent karting facilities, the company is poised for even greater success.
My passion for karting runs deep, fueled by years of professional racing experience and development. Having clinched multiple karting championships in the esteemed OVKA Series, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence both on and off the track.
As I prepare to embark on this exciting journey with Swift Karting and Fabrication, I am eager to tackle the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. Our racing schedule will encompass a full season in both the Senior and Masters 206 categories of the OVKA series, where I aim to showcase the true potential of the Swift Chassis.
Additionally, I am thrilled to participate in thrilling events such as Kart-O-Ween at Motorsport Country Club and a series of CKNA events, including the highly anticipated Grand-Nationals Ocho at Newcastle Motorsport Park. Each race presents an opportunity to push the boundaries of performance.
In the words of racing legend Michael Schumacher, “Just being a mediocre driver has never been my ambition. That’s not my style.” With this ethos ingrained in my approach to racing, I am committed to pushing the limits and striving for greatness with Swift Karting and Fabrication.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mark Cerk and the entire team at Swift Karting and Fabrication for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. Together, I am confident that we will redefine what it means to be at the forefront of karting excellence.
For sales or further information, please contact:
Mark Cerk
President at Swift Karting and Fabrication
Email: [email protected]
Hey that’s awesome! Congrats and may the podiums be many and the partnership fruitful!
