Wrapping Up the Lone Star Grand Prix

It was a long, crazy weekend. But it was a good one! 

On Friday, we drove down to downtown Dallas to Fair Park - home of the Texas State Fair and the Cotton Bowl.  We got parked by some great friends of ours from New Braunfels and set up for a great weekend of racing. Friday afternoon, we were allowed to go out and walk the race course. The City of Dallas had repaved some areas, but it was most certainly going to be a rough one. We heard that some people decided to go ahead and pull out, but we trusted our young driver to give it a go and let's see what can be done. Since no one had driven this course - ever - no one really knew how to set up for it. There was a lot of discussing and sharing of suggestions going around the pits with our class and we all set up for the first practice on Saturday morning.

Throughout our practices there were many more changes made. When it finally came time for qualifying, we were still trying to dial in a good set up. We were limited on our choices, but when limited, you make do with what you have and ask your driver to do the rest. And he did a great job. He went out and drove a tough course - still trying to build confidence - and being VERY cautious - and qualified in 4th position. 

Getting coaching from our friend, Chris Williams. 

Starting in 4th position for the final heat on Sunday, he moved up to 3rd after our friend Kaleb's side pod fell off (yeah, we know how THAT one feels, too). The front two karts had a big lead so there no catching them. The race, however, was for 3rd and Hunter was leading the charge. In the 1.4 mile long course, we could only see the kids for about 25-30 seconds, and then they would disappear for over a minute. Nerve wracking hardly describes the feeling. Finally, they came around and took the white flag - only one more lap to go. When they emerged again, Hunter was still in front of the pack for 3rd. He came around the last couple of turns when all of a sudden...

He started to slow down - pulled to the side to get out of the way of the others on his tail and coasted around the final turn - with the checkered flag in sight - and then coasted off the course into the infield lot. *Sigh* It was a broken chain. And a broken heart. The supporting cheers that went up for him from the spectators around the fence was incredible. People we did not know were yelling for him - telling him how good he had done. The corner worker told me later in a FaceBook post how impressed she was with his sportsmanship. 

He was crushed, but he handled himself so well. We have been trying to teach him all along that people won't remember who won, but how the racers handled themselves. So it wasn't the finish we were hoping for, but it is one that we can remember and rejoice in.

Until next time....race on, my friends!

Hunter being interviewed during a Red Flag stop in practice. This is for the Kidz In Motion TV show.

Lone Star Grand Prix - March 17th-18th

Tick tock, tick tock....

Next Saturday and Sunday, March 17th and 18th, will be the inaugural Texas Lone Star Grand Prix karting event held at Fair Park in downtown Dallas. I'm not sure, but I don't think there has been a race down there since the 1984 Formula 1 Dallas Grand Prix. But nonetheless, Hunter will be racing at the event!

This is a 1.4 mile long road course set on the streets and areas around Fair Park. The City of Dallas has been working to pave and smooth out the course for our karts. When you are racing between 60-120mph just a couple of inches off the ground, you'd like it to be a bit smoother than not.

The people working on this event have done an outstanding job and are expecting between 5000-10,000 spectators over the weekend. The Texas Museum of Automotive History in Fair Park is having a large car show with many classic and race cars.

Our Cadet racer, Hunter, is beyond excited for this event. We didn't think they would have the Cadet karts running when it was first talked about, but they did include us and we will be there ready to go. Hunter will have practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday, then on Sunday there will be a practice, Pre-Final race, then a parade of cars and karts setting up the Final event on Sunday afternoon.

Also, we were contacted by a company that is producing a kids sports television program called KidzInMotionTV. They would like to include Hunter in their program and will be at the race (and some NTK events, too) to get some footage of him racing. This company has a world wide distribution deal and is working on getting something in the USA, too. So, if you decide to come watch Hunter race, wear your blue colors for Hunter "Blue Bolt" Stine!

Spectator tickets are just $10 per person, so grab the family and come on out. Read the website for more details and we hope to see you there to cheer Hunter on!!

Starting a New Year!

Thank you to our new sponsors for 2012: Dutch "E" Enterprises - Oil and Gas Production, Zrii - Natural Wellness, and Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney!! We appreciate your support of our racers!

Hunter raced a couple of weeks ago at North Texas Kartway in the final Winter Series race to break in the engine after a rebuild. After almost three months away from the track, it didn't show for our racer boy. He cruised to a first place finish! Hadyn was chomping at the bit to get back out and race, too, but that race was just for Hunter's engine break in. Next time, Sis.

Coming up for the kids is the start of the North Texas Karters club Spring series on March 10th. We will run at Spring 1, and then the following week, March 17th and 18th, Hunter will be racing in the Texas Lone Star Grand Prix at Fair Park in downtown Dallas. This is quite a different event for Hunter as this is a 1.4 mile long road course - the same place that Ayrton Senna raced in the 1984 Formula 1 Dallas Grand Prix. Ooooo...feel the history there!!

We could still use more sponsorship to get Hunter into the new SKUSA Texas ProKart Challenge races coming up. They are offering use of an engine, but the entry, parts and travel fees will need to be covered for three weekends in Texas and one week in Las Vegas for the SKUSA Super Nationals race. If you have any leads, please pass them on our way!

Looking forward to a great year!!