Run Away Racing

HES2 Motorsports had a couple of weekends of back-to-back racing this month.

Hadyn started her racing season back up with a good showing in her Kid Kart class. She still has a long way to go, but the girl will hold her ground, stay on her line and just deal with the boys trying to knock her off the track. I loved watching her stay on her line as they would come up to pass (lap) her. She hasn't had the privilege of having Mom and Dad on the track training her the way we did her brother in that class just yet, but after years of watching and listening, she has a good idea of what to do. Of course, it can only get better!

She was so bummed after her pre-final heat when she came in because she came in last out of 8 karts (non-competitve class, so they all get 1st place, but they know where they finish). On the final, however, she caught sight of two karts that spun off the track so when she finished, she came in with a smile saying, "I'm not last - there are still 2 karts out there!"

Oh, yeah. That's our girl!

Hunter ran away with both of the races for NTK's Spring 4 and Spring 5 races. We're not sure what has happened to our competitors this year - engines, chassis', set-ups, confidence? We're just not sure, but hope and pray that something clicks soon - Hunter doesn't want to win this way - he wants to race - and I know they do too!! And as much as we might enjoy seeing the numbers rack up in the win column, we want him to compete, as well. But we are trying to learn as much as we can while we are there. We just moved his motor over to a new (to us) chassis and are trying to get the set-up just right on it for him.

Our track changed from our usual course lay out to our "short track" configuration for this last race. It was fun to figure out set-ups on this one and in practice and qualifying times, looked like it would be a close race. But Hunter Blue Bolt Stine took off from the pack and never looked back - until the very last corner of the very last lap when he just....spun out!! He laughed saying he didn't know what happened - we heard someone in the crowd saying he was so far in front he fell asleep at the wheel! Oh my! (Video clip attached here is the first few laps of the short track race - pardon the wind noise - It looked like it was going to be close at the start, but then...he took off!)

After the race, the boys all took turns in each other's karts and racing each other again just for fun. Because having fun is what it should be about!!

The Student Becomes the Teacher

Recently, a long time friend of ours purchased a kart and decided to come race with us at our last club race. He had done some indoor kart racing and has had a long time passion to race the big karts on our track, so he wasn't entirely new to this, but still new enough.

We had to convince Hunter to restrain himself somewhat in wanting to "coach" our friend. We told him to wait until Coleman came to him to ask for advice. Now, for a 10yr old boy, waiting to share your vast knowledge of the thing you know best is excruciating! But he calmly and patiently waited and it paid off. Coleman did come to Hunter to ask him for his advice on how to handle our track. It was a sweet moment and Hunter gladly stepped up to the plate. The advice must've been good, since for his first race, Coleman stayed on the track and finished the race!! Hunter went on to win his race and is the points leader for the Spring series so far!


In other news, we received word from the Kidz in Motion television show creators that Hunter's segment is finished. We think it looks great and would love to share it with everyone, but we have to wait until it is released/distributed. It is looking good for the show - 35 countries have expressed some interest in the show!

Whoo!! A kart racing TV star in my house! Maybe I should get his autograph now? LOL!

Paparazzi and Racing!

Since we didn't get to run NTK's Spring 1 race due to severe weather, the rain kindly held off a couple of days so we could get in our Spring 2 race this past Saturday. And we had fun!

The paparazzi was following Hunter (and our friend Hannah) around all day long. Okay, not really paparazzi, but the filmmakers that are working on the Kidz in Motion television program that will feature Hunter and Hannah in a couple of episodes (hopefully this will be picked up for USA distribution). Both kids gave the film guys a good show!

Hunter was excited to be back in the saddle at NTK, so to speak. He took the pole during qualifying, then won his pre-final heat. During the final, one of our friends visiting from New Braunfels was getting the track dialed in and kart set up where it needed to be and posed to give Hunter a run. But lapped traffic caused some distance between the two and Hunter won the final.

We look forward to the next race on April 21st.

To give you a taste of what he does, here is a sample. This is from one of the film makers, Russ Ansley, and some of the footage he has gotten of the kids. It's from NTK and the Texas Lone Star Grand Prix race. Enjoy!!

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!!

New Year...New Opportunities

2012.  A brand new year. And hopefully the Mayans just ran out of space on their calendar. ;)

I have been busy putting together a letter and schedule for Hunter to deliver to some local businesses to solicit for sponsorship in exchange for mobile advertising. There have been some changes to the scheduling around here and one of our big race series that we can race with our current engine has been dropped. If we can pick up a different engine package (and preferably another chassis to go with it), we can add some National series races to his schedule.

He can continue to race at the club level, but as good as the kid is, we'd like to see what he can do in a more challenging arena and get more experience from that. We also have plans to travel to New Branfels and Katy to race with our friends from around the state as much as we can.

Hadyn will really get into her club level racing this year and we are excited to see what she will learn. She'll be propelled into a higher learning area as well, since she'll be with us on any travels we may take. Pretty good experience for a five year old!

If you know anyone that has a business they would like to advertise in exchange for some racing $$, let us know! Hunter is well worth the investment!