Dirt Karts Prepare Young Drivers for Sprint Car Racing Careers
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Just as Knoxville Raceway serves as a firm foundation for the careers of countless sprint car drivers, the English Creek Speedway has launched many young drivers into a career of racing at Knoxville Raceway. Jamie Ball, Devin Kline, and Tony Shilling are all examples of successful drivers who began racing dirt karts at English Creek. In a nod to this legacy, Marion County Auto Body presents the First Annual Marion County Fair Dirt Kart Races on July 14th at the Knoxville Raceway.
Another fan favorite who began her career in dirt kart racing is McKenna Haase. Haase, a 305 driver from Des Moines, is an avid proponent of the sport. “Kart racing is one of America’s hidden gems where the talent that drives professional motorsports is born and brave youngsters get their first taste of the speed, thrill, and danger that forms the sport of racing,” says Haase. Haase began kart racing at Slideways Karting Center before transitioning to her first full English Creek Speedway racing season at age 13. While a kart driver, Haase raced in the Box Stock class.
Thanks to the support of her parents and sponsors, Haase had the opportunity to transition into sprint car racing, and credits her successful transition to years of dirt kart preparation. Regardless of preparedness, one challenge any driver must face when making the leap from karts to sprint cars is the transition in speed and size of the car. “Control and consistency are very important factors in sprint car racing, not only to yourself but to the racers you compete against, so being able to adapt quickly is important”, Haase details.
Haase understands the legacy built by kart racers who move into the professional racing circuit. “One of my earliest inspirations was Skip Jackson, when I raced at Slideways Karting Center. I got the chance to race Skip one-on-one…it was the coolest and most inspirational experience”, Haase recalls. “The 500cc class was always made up of many talented and daring drivers that were great role models for all of the younger racers.” Haase, along with the other sprint car racers who cut their teeth at English Creek Speedway, now serve as the daring drivers to whom young dirt kart racers look for inspiration.
Come celebrate the next generation of racers on July 14th as the First Annual Marion County Fair Dirt Kart Races visit Knoxville Raceway. Tickets are $5, and available at the Ticket Office or by calling (641) 842-5431.
The English Creek Speedway, located 11 miles south of Knoxville, Iowa, is a 1/6 mile clay oval racetrack which hosts dirt kart races every Friday night throughout the summer months. Classes of dirt kart racing include R-Box Stock, Box Stock, 125cc Outlaw, Open/500cc, Adult Wing Outlaw, and 390 Adult Clone.
|