Douglas Rollo
PBI, RLD, Burris, QRC, Birel, Arrow, all brand names for racing parts, hardware and accessories are on the shelves for display and purchase. I you find yourself a bit lost with those brand names. It is because these racing parts are for a different sort of dirt oval rocket. I am talking about dirt oval Karts. The kind that give racers with a twist for something different and with a different budget. Do not be confused however as this sort of racing is still very much fun and competitive. And interesting to say the least.
Track-Announcer.com stopped by Kam Kartway this past weekend. On my drive to the place I had no real idea of what to expect once I got there. Once I arrived. I was in for a treat! Our hosts, Mike Engstrom welcomed me and the rest of the Track Announcer gang with a warm reception. Mike gave me a tour and I quickly found that this is indeed real racing. And fun at that. I also quickly found that it is not only fun to participate in. But also was fun to watch.
Mr. Engstrom led me to the parts department. On display was some fine looking Karts. As they shined and looked racy on each display stand. They looked fast sittin still! And let me tell you something. THEY ARE! Off we went through a door way and Mike revealed the service department. Chassis, motor’s and the guts to these machines revealed that they are indeed intended for racing. And with each Kart they had been built with safety in mind. All sorts of types of Karts for various race divisions are made available for all types of racers at any age and budget. VERY COOL! Basic to sophisticated Karts are available to wet anyone's appetite. Dang, I nearly pulled out my Visa card and bought one! Lol! This shop is also a official North Texas Rotax Service Center. All requirements for certification, licensing and training has been met to sell, service and provide advice to customers.
Kam Kartway got it’s name from Mike Engstrom’s three daughters first initials of the names they hold. Kaley, Amber and Megan. This is so fitting since you will see the entire family all at the track and working and playing. The entire staff was seen working and having a good time when Mike took me outside and walked the grounds. As we weaved in and around the pit spaces. I could see young and old, advanced racers and rookies working side by side. All tweaking, adjusting and taking in good doses of racing. But at the same time enjoying family time and friendship with others. The place had lights for night racing. A scoring stand and even a tech area complete with scales. Methodically the racers would go to the pre race stage area on directives from the stewart. And when the racers would take the checkers. they would exit to the pits while the next race was ready to pull out from a different entrance. These folks have it together folks! The track announcer did one heck of a good job informing everyone of who these clay oval bandits are as he played the role of ring master. Each safety marshall wore safety vests and was constantly making sure safety was being used in all area’s of the racing program. Strict rules of racing and of doing it safely was followed by all who set foot on the property.
Mike Engstrom began Kam Kart way back in 1996 in east Fort Worth Texas. And then moved this racing pleasure to it’s current location of 4746 East Hwy 114 in Rhome, Texas with him opening the track up for racing in 2004. It was not long after wards that his phone number of 817-638-5278 began to ring with racers wanting to come and race at his place. His all volunteer staff, yes, volunteer’s, came to make the track a bonafide team of officials that run this deal like a fine tuned Kart motor. They come on time and leave happy. Without a pay check and they come back and do it again the next week. How is that for loving the sport?
I wandered off on my own and I met Brady Ross and his family. Brady is only four years old but this little guy startled me with his knowledge and ability to conduct a interview that would make even Jeff Gordan jealous. He answered all my questions and quickly explained to me at a ( 21 year olds experience level ) everything I needed to know about his hot rod Kart. We closed out the interview with him telling me that he likes to win trophies and he is not the least bit scared to race! When this family was done racing for the day, off they went clear back to the other side of the metroplex to Rockwall, Texas.
I moseyed on down through the pits and found Don Bowland changing axle gears, tire pressures and more. Mean while his wife Katharine and his daughter Victoria all take part in this racing operation. “Johnny B”, the pilot and son of Don Bowland made his presence felt with competitors. He was fast, smooth and was never rattled by the competition when he drove his Kart named “ Sunshine”. Remember this drivers name. He could go placed in the racing world. You heard it first here on Track-Announcer.com
Awnings, trucks and trailers abound and it’s the sign of any raceways pit area. But the camaraderie and fun seen and felt at this track was high level. A refreshing sight to see for sure. I checked out the magazines such as National Kart News, Go Racing Magazine and the many brochures back in the service area of Kam Kartway. I also checked out the web site for the track at www.kamkartway.com . This is not a fly by night sport. It is a sport that will provide you with racing at any level and taste that you desire. This is often the place that tomorrows stars shine early in racing and move on to be mega star’s at the bigger local raceways many of you often frequent. We here in the metroplex have seen some of the farming results of Kart racers. But I am here to say that they are just some of them. As many have no desires to move on. The Kart racing scene is everything and more for many of it’s competitors. You will never see them racing a Modified or any other type of dirt oval race car. They have already found the dose of adrenaline they like and plan to stay put. So in order to see for yourself what Kart Racing is all about. Take the trip to Kam Kartway. Bring a lawn chair and buy a soda from the concessions stand. Relax and take it all in like I did. You will certainly find yourself going back for a return trip.