Cal Club Autocross Forums

He's gotten totally comfortable now in the kart with a cone course. And he holds the throttle down except when giving dad a thumbs up.
Now that he's moving at this pace, National events are going to REALLY SUCK the next three years. And he's stuck at this speed for those 3 yrs, he's already asking to go faster.

Not even in Kindergarten yet, but he's a "race car driver".



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MALuS0FT_GA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was watching when he went from over 100 seconds to the low 70's, dropping around 10 seconds a lap. Totally amazing to see him gain the confidence to go from a lot of on/off/on/off throttle to flat out for virtually the whole course. At this rate it won't be long before Steve gets wussed by his son!

Wait until you see Palero's photos!

Oh joy. We will be reading about it for years. ;)

WOW. A chip off the old block! Way to go Robert.

Rick Brown wrote:I was watching when he went from over 100 seconds to the low 70's, dropping around 10 seconds a lap. Totally amazing to see him gain the confidence to go from a lot of on/off/on/off throttle to flat out for virtually the whole course. At this rate it won't be long before Steve gets wussed by his son!

On Sunday he was running low 50's. 52.0 was the lowest I saw. But he ran all through 5th heat too when I was running. The way I drove and the car pushed I should have just stayed and watched the kidlet.

My first course design!

It was so much fun watching the kids run around - I honestly didn't get tired of it.

Mako Koiwai wrote:Wait until you see Palero's photos!

Oh, you mean these?

Sweet!

What's up with the element where he goes around the cluster of cones starting on the side with the pointer? Is that a Kart-specific thing?

Andrew-

Not a kart specific thing. KJ just took the Evo School phase 1. Anytime somebody does that and then designs a course, there ends up being a tight loop like that in their design.

My version of Kid Conemangler in Action:

http://checkenginelife.com/psccm1

Michael,

I think that picture of Steve with his son, discussing things, is the best autocross picture I have ever seen.


nalbar

I say submit it to Sports Car for a First Gear article (or even a sidebar mention). Robert may be the youngest SCCA autocrosser ever, only a couple months after his 5th birthday!

He was so serious. He was chewing me out for not adjusting his brakes right. And letting him run out of gas. Too bad he's going to be 6'5" 260lbs as a 16yo, because he'd make a heck of a race car driver. Modern racing you can't be over 145lbs as a late teen and you have to distinguish yourself by age 12.

"OK Dad, I will show you one more time... Late apex and squeeze on the gas." Looks like Steve is taking the first steps at moving from driver to car owner.

You can see some tension in those eyes... And Steve has the oh god what I have got myself into look on is face.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:He was so serious. He was chewing me out for not adjusting his brakes right. And letting him run out of gas. Too bad he's going to be 6'5" 260lbs as a 16yo, because he'd make a heck of a race car driver. Modern racing you can't be over 145lbs as a late teen and you have to distinguish yourself by age 12.

That is not a problem.... I have a problem. Jessica thinks she is Danica - going for the on camera face time while driving. I don't want to buy a kart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEP6Ngt1 ... annel_page" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Warren Leach wrote:Michael,

I think that picture of Steve with his son, discussing things, is the best autocross picture I have ever seen.


nalbar

Me too!

Who was the SSS? The Youth Steward???

All those curbs!!!

Pretty cute! How old is Jessica?

Notice she doesn't lift when she poses for the camera? Robert always lifts when he waves or poses.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:Who was the SSS? The Youth Steward???

All those curbs!!!

Pretty cute! How old is Jessica?

Notice she doesn't lift when she poses for the camera? Robert always lifts when he waves or poses.

That was "non-SCCA" event on a "closed course." The front wing on the car is due for a replacement - although that is from the older neighbor who cant seem to turn.

4yrs in two weeks, but with such a busy March she may have to wait till April for her b-day. If we change it now she will never catch on.

It is easy to keep the thing pegged when it only goes 5mph. I started her in the low setting, 2mph, that lasted about 30sec. Funny thing is we had the car for like 3-4 months and she had no interest in it, would not even sit in it, so we let the neighbors use it. Then one day it just clicked, and now she will go till the battery dies.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote: 4yrs in two weeks, but with such a busy March she may have to wait till April for her b-day. If we change it now she will never catch on.

That's a great idea, David's B-Day is 3/19...He's going on 14, do you think it'll still work?

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:I don't want to buy a kart.

I think I'm heading down that slippery slope

Sebastian Rios wrote:
That's a great idea, David's B-Day is 3/19...He's going on 14, do you think it'll still work?

It will if he is as smart as you. Jessica is also 3-19. We are going to take her to Disney, I figured that was enough, but Jennifer still wants to have a party later. :unimpressed:

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote: I think I'm heading down that slippery slope

Well if a 5yr old can run one I guess a primate is qualified. }:)

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote: I think I'm heading down that slippery slope

Well if a 5yr old can run one I guess a primate is qualified. }:)

OUCH!!!! ;)