Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes 
With the kart racing season just weeks away, organizers of the sport say they would love to see more people involved in what they call the best kept secret in motorized sports.
"Our main goal is to promote the sport. It's the only organized motorized sport in the city," said Mike Leclair, vice-president of promotions and marketing for the Sudbury Kart Club.
The track has been around for 30 years, but the club got started in 1995 with a handful of people who wanted to bring more awareness to the sport in northern Ontario.
Snowmobiling and ATVing are popular in Sudbury, which may take away some attention from kart racing, said Leclair.
The sport is quite popular in southern Ontario, as well as other areas of North America and Europe.
Phil Taus, track owner and past president of the racing club, said kart racing is a great family sport.
He said it brings the whole family out, as the parents are essentially the pit crew. The sport is heavily regulated, and a child cannot go out on the track if there isn't a parent present.
Many parents get involved in the sport as well. There are father/son, as well as father/daughter team combinations.
Taus chuckled that it's usually the kids who get involved first, and then the parents begin to show an interest in the sport as well.
The club currently has 35-40 members. Once you're a member of the club, you can choose to race locally or race out of town in other competitions in Ontario.
Every major city has their own club, but every club is affiliated with ASN Canada, where everyone abides by the same rules and regulations so that it's consistent across Canada.
Racers are categorized in novice, junior and senior rotax. Members race with a Honda four-stroke engine or a 125cc rotax two-stroke engine in the senior rotax class. Karts can go up to 70 km/h in the younger classes and 80-100 km/h in the senior class. The two-stroke engines can see the karts getting up to 120 km/h. Leclair said while it is a motorized sport, it is a very safe sport.
While some may be wary about trying the sport and unsure of their skills, Leclair said there are always people available to help.
"The go-karting community is phenomenal, where all you have to do is ask a question and the answer's there," he said.
Taus said the sport has also helped many young racers become less timid. As well, he said the racers learn how to compete, but they also learn how to commit.
"In order to be competitive, you have to practice. It's like any other sport," said Taus.
He said it takes a lot of mental focus as well, and it's pretty amazing to see the focus that these young kids have.
The sport is an individual sport and the racers are competing against the clock. They're always trying to improve their time, he said.
"It's a thrill to watch to kids go out and challenge themselves," Leclair said.
He noted when the racers get off the track, it doesn't matter what happened out there. Everyone is high-fiving each other, including the adults. He said once you experience it, you're hooked.
Leclair said the racing community truly is a family.
"I had my most fierce competitor help me out two minutes before a race because I broke something," he said. "We're here to have fun. We're here because we enjoy racing."
Leclair said racing at a young age helps to develop friendships within the sport, but it also creates a better relationship with the guardian who's involved.
"As a child I think you develop an incredible bond with whichever parent is helping you out as your mechanic. There's a lot of time spent with that individual. They learn how to communicate."
He said that's the really big thing, because the driver needs to communicate with their parent, who essentially is their mechanic.
The racing season at the Sudbury Kart Club begins May 17, and new members are always welcome. Racers practice every weekend. with races taking place on certain Sundays throughout the summer.
Anyone who may be interested in trying the sport can contact an organizer through the club to set up an appointment.
There are always karts available for anyone wanting to get their feet wet. They'll sign a waiver, and they'll go through all the safety aspects before getting out on the track.
Volunteers are needed at the track as well, and Taus said it's a great way to get involved for anyone who loves watching the sport.
Those interested in becoming a member or volunteering their time are asked to visit www.sudburykartclub.com .
