Kart
Racer Rick English who was not expected to walk again hopes to wrap up a ten
year career in Kart Racing with a Championship in ‘08!
Story
by Sheila Tramontana, Sports Photojournalist
Veteran
Kart racer, Rick English, was injured 25
years ago and he started racing in 1996. He won his 1st championship in 2006 and
he won two championships (both divisions) last year in 2007. He is hoping to
win both divisions again this year for Championships #4 & 5. Today, he races in the Stock Lite
(over 325 pound weight class for car and driver) and the Stock Medium (350 lb)
class and is poised to win his second Championship before taking a break from
racing to spend more time with his young children.
Rick, who owns Rick English Lawn
Service based in Valrico has been racing Karts at local tracks such as Dirt
Devil Speedway in Land O Lakes since 1999. He claims last year to be his best so
far winning the Championship in the Stock Lite Division and tying for the
Championship in the Stock Med Class. He is currently leading the Points at DDS
this year with about seven races left in the season. Rick says the family
atmosphere, helping attitude of other racers and friends that he has made in
Karting is the reason he loves the sport so much. His wife, Heidi is very
supportive of her husbands racing and is his biggest and most dedicated fan.
Rick has a Prowler Kart body powered by a Rampage motor built by Blaze Martin. I
asked Rick how our local track, Dirt Devil Speedway compared to others he has
raced at over the years. “The facilities at Dirt Devils are just top notch.
Owner Sam Rodriquez takes care of his drivers and owns one of the best
constructed tracks anywhere!” Rick says the extra wide racing track and well
maintained grounds keep karts from incurring unnecessary damage therefore
minimizing a racers cost to keep their karts in great shape.
Rick races his #96 car without a
sponsor and races Karts for the fun & enjoyment and minimal cost of racing. “If
I tear up a cart, I can fix it during the week after work, if I raced a full
size racecar and tore it up, I could be out of racing for several weeks.”
Rick prefers night racing because
“the hot temperatures will really fatigue you during the day.” Even though Heat
races are only 10 laps and Features are 20 laps, with full safety gear (helmet,
jacket, neck brace and pants) your body can quickly heat up in the hot summer
sun.
Most all DDS Points races are run in the late afternoon beginning at 5:30pm.
When all is said and done this
year, Rick hopes to be awarded the Championship jacket, ring and trophy as well
as a new set of tires and kart body at the annual Kart Banquet held at Sam
Seltzers in Tampa. “It’s an awesome banquet and everyone really enjoys it.”
If you are a local and haven’t come to check out all the action yet at Dirt
Devil Speedway in Land O Lakes, you don’t know what fun you are missing! As the
karts accelerate at the beginning of each Feature race, your heart will begin
pounding with excitement as karts bump, spin and race inches apart for the best
track position. As karts head into the turns, there are only so many slots and
if you don’t squeeze into one, you will likely be pushed aside as others head
into the stretch. From age 6 to 76, men and women, girls and boys enjoy the
thrill of Kart racing at Dirt Devils Speedway. Track Operator Terry Decaire as
well as Owner Sam Rodriquez and all the drivers and families encourage you to
come out and support their racing right in your own backyard. Personally, I cant
wait for the next one!!!!
For Track Race Schedules and
Directions, please visit
www.dirtdevils.com
Check out more racing photos, please visit the
link below!
http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/SheilaT/KartRacing
