Kyle Guba, the son of Jay and Elaine Guba, is still learning the skills of racing as a rookie with the Sudbury Kart Club but organizers expect him to be an expert by season’s end.
In his first race June 4 when the club hosted the Northern Ontario championships, the 10-year-old won the second heat to qualify for the final, where he took third place.
Then at the second-annual Sturgeon Falls Grand Prix, the Long Lake elementary school student did well on the Saturday and even better on the Sunday, taking two seconds, including the final.
Supporters from both sides of the family attended the event.
The 3/8 mile track at Sudbury features an asphalt surface and is in excellent shape, with tires all around it so the carts can’t fly off the track. Scores of drivers already have signed up for the season, with plenty of room for others to join.
Rules are in place to keep the drivers safe, with the emphasis being on participation and safety.
There are several different categories in place so each racer competes against those of the same ability. For instance, carts are divided based on a racer’s age, engine power, and if it is homemade or bought.
A cart looks like a miniaturized dune buggy, with an engine about the same size as a lawn mower but powerful enough to race. Prices range anywhere from $3,000 and up.
The engines go from $200 up to $2,000, and can be made at home or purchased.
The cart sits low to the ground to prevent any rolls, with the faster ones reaching speeds of about 60 km/h.
The speed–and just having fun–is what attracted young Kyle to the sport.
His dad, Jay, certainly is no stranger to racing, having been a pitman for Tom Jackson in his early years in Emo. And he knows quite well the risks surrounding the sport.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
