WILBERFORCE residents Brad Howard and his son Max had a thrilling trip to the US in July, where the pair raced go-karts around the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The pair have been racing karts all their life, often at the local Butterfly Farm track, and both are motor sport enthusiasts.
Brad said there was no hesitation in booking flights to Indiana to visit the fabled track, which among other races hosts the Indy 500.
It was everything he hoped it would be, he told the Gazette, and said it was a surreal experience to race around the track that some of his motor sports icons have.
“We had an absolute blast. For me to experience it with my son was great,” Brad said.
“It was so good. All our heroes have gone there and now we have too.”
The pair took part in a race series dubbed the Battle of the Brickyard, named after the speedway’s former brick track.
They acquitted themselves well in the race series too.
Brad ended up finishing seventh in a huge field of racers, and Max was going along nicely for a while before an accident.
Max was placed at one stage, before a puncture forced him to the back of the pack. He ended up making up for lost time over two days of racing to finish 17th.
Brad said he was impressed with how they both handled themselves on the track, when they went up against some pretty good competition, including a couple of champion American kart racers.
One of the highlights of the trip, Brad said, was when about 400 karts all lined up on the track to do a one lap procession.
“What a moment it was,” he said. “It was a very special thing to be a part of.”
Organisers of the race supplied the go-karts for the participants, many of whom like the Howards came from overseas to take part in the event. There is a similar event at the Daytona International Speedway, which Brad said he was now eyeing off.
“The feeling now is that this isn't the last time this is going to happen. I am hoping to go over there for the Daytona,” he said.
“It’s not going to be our last rodeo, it was such a fabulous adventure and experience.”