Last week I was itching for a stick shift. It was (as usual) a great day here in So-Cal. Just the basic driver need to hop into a car, tack it up to 6K and shift into 3rd, watching the speedometer climb.

I needed something. I can’t rallycross or autocross the Malibu. The next TSD is a month away and no matter how many roller coasters I go on – it’s not quite the same rush as I get while driving fast.

Thankfully Karting has caught on. No, not the little kiddy places with the arcades. I’m talking helmet, fire suit, neck brace, karting. These are 9HP carts with slicks and good brakes. You’re only doing maybe 20MPH max, but your 2″ off the ground on a vehicle that weighs a little more then you do. 9HP is more then enough.

$25 for a 5 lap qualify, and 20 lap race. A buck a lap. Not too bad for this type of seat time. I found that I had a lot more late brake confidence then other drivers but some poor line choices in one or two of the corners. As usual they frown upon LFB (left foot braking, or power braking) but this tends to happen when you put a brake under the left foot and you drive a FWD rally car.

So, I got the blood pumping. I didn’t hop in the car all charged up and race home. I stayed to watch a veteran pull some fast laps. Watching and learning is always good. I’ll go back in a week or so. Turn some more.