Few things satisfy as much as racing with friends. Most of us in the BMW CCA love our time behind the wheel no matter how it comes. Tours, driving schools, and club racing are all great examples of the different ways we scratch that driving itch.

Some of us have also discovered the joy of indoor kart racing. A happy addiction, It’s fun and (somewhat) affordable. At least it won’t drain your wallet as fast as club racing. It’s especially fun when we get to race with fellow enthusiasts, who have a better handle on performance driving than the general public.

Sixteen racers, four different clubs

Sixteen of us had the great pleasure of competing at Pole Position on Saturday, March 9 for the 2019 Winter Karting Shootout. The event was open to others, and we enjoyed the company of members from the Miata Club, the SCCA, and the Porsche Club.

Each of us competed in three races, in groups of eight racers. The racing was fast but friendly as some of us shared speed tips with those less experienced.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Winners were determined by calculating the average of the five best lap times throughout the three races. Prizes were awarded for first through fifth place. Other prizes were awarded by random drawing. We all eagerly awaited the results, but had a pretty good idea who would take the top step of the podium.

Third place was taken by Tim Shackelford. Second place was taken by karting veteran Joe Winkelmann, while the top step was occupied by his son Brad, a former employee of Pole Position. The Winkelmanns have the great distinction of having competed together at higher levels of karting.

More racing this year

Based on the survey information. we expect to see members karting more often together, possibly on a monthly basis. Watch for announcements in the near future.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Granite City Food & Brewery, G&W Meats, Redline Oils and Pole Position.

Check out this video of the event. (Thank you to Brandon Merz for the bulk of the camera work)