Carolina Motor Sports Park

Ladies and gentlemen, you may now start your engines!!!

Growing up has never been as monotonous and borrowing as when a person is reintroduced to the joys of childhood to reflect on.  This experience happened to me over the weekend when I was injected with the enjoyment of kart racing. For sometime the experience of kart racing has been presented to me, yet I had always declined the opportunity for multiple reasons mostly because I thought it wouldn’t be enjoyable to an adult.

BOY WAS I WRONG!!!

Little did I know the NEED FOR SPEED would quickly engulf my body delivering a jovial spirit to last a lifetime. While in South Carolina over the New Year 2012 weekend I traveled to Kershaw, SC to The Carolina MotorSports Park for the experience of kart racing; better known to the world as Go-Kart racing.

Carolina MotorSports was developed by a group of enthusiasts and racers from the Southeast. Two individuals, Joe Hooker and Bob Humphries played the largest role in getting the project of Carolina MotorSports built. The acquisition of land was completed in July 1998 whereas the full 2.3 mile road course was completed a year later in July 1999. Carolina MotorSport has a bit of historic relevance as well due to the fact that the speedway is on an old WWII fighter base training site. Located 4 miles south of Kershaw, 17 miles north of Camden on Hwy 521 in South Carolina and approximately 1 hours drive south of The Charlotte International Airport; the Carolina MotorSport Park is destined to ignite the inner racer in us all. Not just for kart racing, Carolina MotorSport is obtainable to all auto enthusiasts from motorcycle lovers, drifters, stock cars, etc…

The facility has day garages available for $50 a day or $125 for 3 days with a 200 ft. skid pad and irrigation system. Also on the grounds for easy accessibility to customers is the registration building with 4 service windows and covered waiting rooms for. The Timing and Scoring building has a sound proof race control room along with network capabilities. Wireless internet is provided throughout the Timing and Scoring building plus wired iCard. Also within the Timing and Scoring building is an AMB and AMB TnetX, restrooms with showers, offices, and medical area just in case an accident presents itself.

The Carolina MotorSport Park also possesses a 4 bay tech shed with lights, paved 100’x300’ false grid, public address system, and FM transmitter availability. Within the fueling area rests a public air hose for easy use by all. Sunoco Race fuel (93,100,110, and 112 upon request) Octane unleaded is also offered at the track. On the grounds exists a vendor area, free wireless internet in designated areas, and a snack bar which is open during race weekends along with the clubhouse and classrooms which are open to rent.

My personal experience with Carolina MotorSport Park came in the form of Kart racing. Being a novice to the sport I quickly learned why it can become addictive, exciting the endorphins to desire to go faster. The karts (Birel N-35 rock karts with 9HP Honda engines) can be rented at $20 for 10 minutes of track time. An age limit of 12 yrs. old and up is established to drive the rental karts around the .70 mile (3696 ft.) course. The kart track hours range from 9am-4pm. During my time at this facility I was surprised to learn all that went into kart racing. Things like the constant maintenance placed on these karts as though they were real stock cars. The karts are placed on lifts in order to better get to the needed areas of interest during the repairing process. This sport is so big I was shocked to learn it has multiple magazines covering it routinely. The largest shocker of all came when I learned that these diminutive racing cars can cost up to $1,000+. Upon hearing this bit of news I was like a deer in headlights and thrown for a loop. Equipped now with a helmet and neck brace I was now prepared for the track. For a first timer the sport came quickly to me and I enjoyed myself immensely. The karts are basic with ignition and brake, nothing more nothing less. I couldn’t help but wonder why the steering column in my kart was so stiff; only to find out that the steering column was stiff on all the karts. I couldn’t help but ponder if this was similar to the feel of most race cars. Whizzing around the track freely taking position after position in the form of passing other racers on the track I was quickly trapped in the moment of never wanting to exit my kart car. This kart racing experience was an eye opener and an event that will happen again in the near future with even more expectations and a lot more throttle.

New Years Eve Block Party! - Columbia SC

Curious to bring in the year 2012 differently, I decided not to stay in Atlanta for the annual Peach Drop and ventured next door to Columbia, South Carolina. On this year Columbia made a point to open the flood gates with a festive block party to rival all New Year celebrations in the Southeast. The bash which took place on Main Street in the heart of Columbia included beer, wine, and champagne vendors alike with the Grey Goose Lounge serving as the VIP spot of the night. The ESPN Zone even made an appearance to the party allowing college football bowl game fanatics to never miss a snap while still continuing to party the night away. Columbia made a statement this year with its signature Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon display during the midnight countdown. Music from regional acts like Pinna, who opened the musical carousing followed by Josh Roberts and The Hinges kept the revelers going until the musical highlight of the night hit the stage. Headlining all musical acts was none other than Kannapolis, North Carolina’s own Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic.

Upon arrival in downtown Columbia, after finally finding parking, I was dazed to witness the mounting anticipation in the streets for George Clinton’s performance. With WIS News 10 on hand reporting the action from street level as it took place, the party was off and running in full force with a Resolution board erected for all those willing to share in their New Year plans. Around every corner groups of partiers huddled together not only to battle the reserved chill in the air, but also to make grand attempts to sing their renditions of some of Parliaments classic and ground breaking tunes. I was stunned to witness some guests underdressed for a night outdoor block party with temperatures dropping swiftly, yet then again there’s always someone wanting to be seen.

As soon as Parliament hit the stage they didn’t disappoint the fans in the least. George Clinton on stage performed with ease demonstrating why he’s one of the greats of his time plus further demonstrating how far music has fallen considering the stuff played on radio stations today. By the time midnight arrived champagne corks discharged in the air displayed a menagerie of flying mastery, delayed numbers from the midnight countdown were yelled out and Auld Lang Syne (Traditional New Year Song) was erupting from the mouths of multiple celebrators. With fireworks a blaze and couples sharing their initial 2012 kiss; Columbia, South Carolina scored big with this celebration and only gives reason to assume what they (Columbia) will do this up coming year to rival this celebration. Whatever it is my interests are peeked and I may again have to be in attendance.