Minor changes planned in second seasonAfter a successful first season that saw the organization attract 40 members, the Park County Kart Club is gearing up for a second year of go-kart action at the Park County Fairgrounds. Ten race dates dot the season calendar. “Our whole goal when this started was to create a family-friendly and fun sport in the area,” said Jane Faulkner, the organization's secretary and treasurer and a self-proclaimed kart enthusiast. “This is something that all ages can do. We had as young as age 5 participate last year. It's just something that anyone can do for the fun of it.”This year's Kart Club schedule begins with a 7 p.m. meeting on April 21 at the fairgrounds. On April 25, a swap meet, fun day and training day will take place at the fairgrounds beginning at 1 p.m.Competitive racing begins on May 2. There will be two additional race dates in May, as well as two race dates in June. July will be an off month for club members, aside from participation in the Fourth of July parade. Racing action resumes in August before wrapping up with a pair of race dates in September, including the Sept. 19 season finale. Similar to last year, a season-long points standing table will track drivers' performances throughout the competitive season and awards based on those standings will be handed out after the season.While there will be many similarities to the first season, Faulkner notes there will be a few changes in store for the 2009 race season. “Last year, being the first year, we really didn't know what to expect,” said Faulkner. “This year we've seen what worked and what didn't work so well. We received feedback and we're looking to make it more fun for everyone.”The biggest of those changes will be the implementation of time trials this season. Racers will then be grouped together into eight-kart heats based on their qualifying times for a shot at advancing to the night's finals. “We ran divisions last year and one of the problems we had was that some of the divisions just didn't have that many karts,” said Faulkner. “It's just not that exciting when there's only two or three karts in a race, so I think everyone from the fans to the drivers will be excited by this change.”Another obvious change for this season is that there will be no admission charged by the fairgrounds for this year's racing events. Fans will also get to witness the NASKART experience —go-karts sporting mock NASCAR bodies. “We're hoping that everyone who came out and watched last summer will come back, because we think this year will be even better,” said Faulkner. “We should have a good turnout for the April 21 meeting, but we're always wanting more. Anyone who's interested can show up. The more people we get, the more exciting the racing.”

Minor changes planned in second season

After a successful first season that saw the organization attract 40 members, the Park County Kart Club is gearing up for a second year of go-kart action at the Park County Fairgrounds. Ten race dates dot the season calendar.

“Our whole goal when this started was to create a family-friendly and fun sport in the area,” said Jane Faulkner, the organization's secretary and treasurer and a self-proclaimed kart enthusiast. “This is something that all ages can do. We had as young as age 5 participate last year. It's just something that anyone can do for the fun of it.”

This year's Kart Club schedule begins with a 7 p.m. meeting on April 21 at the fairgrounds. On April 25, a swap meet, fun day and training day will take place at the fairgrounds beginning at 1 p.m.

Competitive racing begins on May 2. There will be two additional race dates in May, as well as two race dates in June.

July will be an off month for club members, aside from participation in the Fourth of July parade. Racing action resumes in August before wrapping up with a pair of race dates in September, including the Sept. 19 season finale.

Similar to last year, a season-long points standing table will track drivers' performances throughout the competitive season and awards based on those standings will be handed out after the season.

While there will be many similarities to the first season, Faulkner notes there will be a few changes in store for the 2009 race season.

“Last year, being the first year, we really didn't know what to expect,” said Faulkner. “This year we've seen what worked and what didn't work so well. We received feedback and we're looking to make it more fun for everyone.”

The biggest of those changes will be the implementation of time trials this season. Racers will then be grouped together into eight-kart heats based on their qualifying times for a shot at advancing to the night's finals.

“We ran divisions last year and one of the problems we had was that some of the divisions just didn't have that many karts,” said Faulkner. “It's just not that exciting when there's only two or three karts in a race, so I think everyone from the fans to the drivers will be excited by this change.”

Another obvious change for this season is that there will be no admission charged by the fairgrounds for this year's racing events. Fans will also get to witness the NASKART experience —go-karts sporting mock NASCAR bodies.

“We're hoping that everyone who came out and watched last summer will come back, because we think this year will be even better,” said Faulkner. “We should have a good turnout for the April 21 meeting, but we're always wanting more. Anyone who's interested can show up. The more people we get, the more exciting the racing.”