Go-karts move to Emo oval

Parent/organizer Monika Galloway said go-kart enthusiasts just “needed a place to drive.”
Fear not–the Borderland Racing Association is coming to the rescue in a joint effort they hope will increase local interest in the sport.
The association will hold a car show this Saturday at the old Causeway Pontiac parking lot here in Fort Frances, which will offer a chance for stock car drivers and fans to mingle and talk racing.
Defending modified champion Mark Davis and mini-sprints champ Ken Perry will be in attendance. But the newest addition to the show will be kids and their go-karts.
After the home of previous go-karting, the Rainy River speedway, closed its doors for the year due to renovations, Galloway decided go-karting was important enough to continue.
The clay go-karts tracks will be placed in the middle of the main Emo racetrack. Every Saturday at 3 p.m., go-karters will have a chance to race for roughly two hours.
Galloway said it will be a perfect lead-in for the main races of the evening.
Karen Davis, Mark’s wife and association treasurer, said they are willing to try something new.
“We did a little bit last year. There are some rough edges to work out,” said Davis, who wanted to make sure all go-karters will be off the track before the stock cars begin engine warm-ups.
The group hopes scheduling their go-kart sessions before the stock car races will build interest–over time.
“It takes a while for things to get started,” noted Galloway.
In order to race, each child will have to buy and put together their own cars, a process Galloway said is half the fun of go-karting.
“Basically, lots of people aren’t aware of such a thing,” remarked Galloway, whose son, Joey, has been racing for two years. “It’s a learning experience for children that teaches them to do many practical things like check tire pressure.”
Davis stressed the family involvement. Along with her husband, she has two sons who race go-karts.
“It’s a lot of fun, it’s actually a family thing,” she said, joking that the transporting of the go-karts “doesn’t take up a whole lot of space in the truck.”
The stock car racing season is slated to kick off Saturday, May 19 at the Emo Speedway.