It has been a long hard winter here in Ontario, but it looks like the snow cover is finally beginning to recede somewhat and most racers are thinking about that first race weekend. One of the best ways to get the juices flowing is to visit with some old friends and make new ones at a local swap meet. Tomorrow marks the first annual Canadian Karting Expo at the Pickering Markets in Toronto’s east end. Whether you are an old pro looking to hook up with friends, or are racing for the first time in 08, this event should be just the thing to get your blood pumping on a cold but sunny Easter weekend.

For all the details, visit Mosport International Karting

Karting. To the uninformed it is kid stuff. Those in the know, know that kart racing is serious stuff. In many cases, just as serious as the top levels of motor racing. There is good news though: karting is accessible for everyone. From 8 years old until you can’t do it anymore, karting can be an affordable way to prove your skill as a driver. Here in Ontario, there are a few drivers in their Seventies still competing!

The most accessible and affordable way to go racing has to be an arrive and drive type of series, where drivers just show up and drive the supplied school karts. Make no mistake though, these are no wimpy indoor karts, rather they are real racing machines. Here in Ontario, the perhaps the best place is in the outfield of the legendary Mosport track at Mosport International Karting. Not only does MIK boast the best track facilities in Ontario, but the support staff include some of the best kart racers & tuners that Ontario karting has ever produced. The team is equipped to nurture that competitive urge and help guide budding drivers, old & young to whatever level they hope to attain.

Last weekend, Ken Flute & Petri Ranta took to a local mall to offer local kids a more exciting alternative to summer camp than the more traditional paddles, kicks and math camp. For less than the cost of a nice dinner, one can spend a day at the track racing! It really is that affordable. What’s even better is the whole family can get involved and stay involved.

If you really do feel the need to go fast, why not take it to the track and visit an arrive and drive track like MIK?

You wouldn’t coach your kid gymnastics, unless you actually were a gymnast would you? I didn’t think so. Well, while I may have driven performance rally, I’ve never squeezed my behind into a kart so why would I try to teach my kid how to drive. Besides, sometimes there are benefits that come from another person talking to your kid. Let’s face it, a 13 year old girl really doesn’t want to hear what the old man has to say anyway.
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Sunday morning dawned dark and stormy, with thunder and lightning on the horizon. On the way to the track, we had spots of heavy rain and the clouds looked to be centered over Mosport, yet there was bright sky directly north. This was an indicator of how our day was to go.
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