Kids, Start Your Engines

Automotive racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is nearing its 100th birthday, and the popularity of the sport has never been higher. Since the sport's inception, Indianapolis has been at the forefront of the industry. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has boasted several major and historic events during the years, and the city itself routinely transforms from hoop crazy to high-octane every Memorial Day weekend. Still, racing can be an expensive passion. Fans from all across the country make the trek to the speedway, but many children in moderate-income families, growing up just blocks from the historic IMS, never really know what goes on inside or just how much time and preparation goes into each event. In an effort to change this, a pair of visionaries came up with the idea for a youth go-kart program, one that would not only teach kids about how to race, but the myriad of opportunities that automotive racing can provide. "We really wanted to cater to the urban kids, the ones who probably would not have normally been exposed to the career opportunities," said Rodney Reid, one of the founders of the Lucas Oil/NXG youth go-kart program. "We also talk a lot about the equipment, making sure that they are sensitive to the equipment, so that they understand it and can tell when something is wrong." Reid, founder of the design firm RLR Associates, and Charles Wilson, former Formula Ford Rookie of the Year, collaborated together on Wilson's racing career for a number of years. Their combined knowledge of high-performance machines translated into Nexgeneracers Inc., one of the few racing-oriented programs for young teens in the country. The initial purpose of the program was simple enough. Both Wilson and Reid fully understood the costs associated with racing and wanted to expose children to it at an early age so that they could spend their formative years immersed in the sport, getting a feel for its multiple nuances. The pair had another idea, though, one that would prove far more useful to those not seeking to become professional drivers. "Positive exposure to motor sports is our main goal," Reid said. "But we also want to teach kids about the mechanics of driving and proper vehicle maintenance." The program is for boys and girls from ages 11 to 14. These years were specifically chosen to try to teach kids about automobiles before they were ready to get their licenses. Reid points out that there is a certain folly to giving a 16-year old the keys to a several hundred-pound hunk of metal that can travel dozens of miles per hour. As opposed to restricting teens' ability to drive, Reid and Wilson think proper education is the best way to avoid unnecessary death and injury. "One of the first things that we do, before we even let them in the karts, is we spend classroom time going over each and every part of the kart," Reid said. "Sending kids to drive when they are not prepared and know nothing about their vehicles is a (dangerous) thing." The six-and-a-half horsepower karts top out at only about 35-40 mph, so it provides the ideal training ground for young drivers of all kinds. The program owns 13 karts and takes in around 20 kids each year. Due to equipment restraints, the program has not grown much in size, but it has expanded quite a bit in length. Starting in April, the program originally spanned four weekends. The program now runs through October and encompasses 10 weekends, which is ample time for the racers to not only get plenty of track time, but also the chance to hear from people involved in the racing industry. Those involved with the program have been able to listen to everyone from caterers to sales representatives to pit crew members. The program also has teamed up with the Lincoln Technical Institute this year, which has offered some of its students as assistants, to give each of the young drivers more one-on-one time with automotive professionals. In addition to driving the karts and learning about proper automotive safety and maintenance, the kids get a workout each time they get behind the wheel, a bonus that generally comes as a big surprise to the novice drivers. "Most of our kids are exhausted when they get done driving," Reid said. "They have no idea how tiring it is. That is why we also include instruction on proper sleep and nutrition." While Reid and Wilson are both racing enthusiasts, they understand everyone is not going to go after a career in motorsports. Despite that, each teen that enters the program can take away many valuable lessons. "Maybe we'll find the next Formula One champion," Reid said. "But even if we just teach them to respect and understand the vehicles, maybe we can prevent some unnecessary (accidents)." -