CCES

Second-Grade Racer Setting Records on the Track

Kyle shows off his Bandolero racing car to his second-grade classmates.

According to his second-grade teacher, Leigh Stewart, Kyle is a very quiet student.

But bring up the subject of racing, she says, and his words race together almost as fast as the cars he drives for the Quarter Midgets of America racing circuit. "He is quite passionate about his racing and loves to talk about it," she noted.

On a recent fall day, Kyle demonstrated his racing technique to classmates in a car that he had steered to victory on November 5 in the last race of the season in Cumming, Georgia.

According to his father, these cars race on a 1/20th mile oval track at around 40 mph.

Kyle began Quarter Midget racing at age 5 and now races in three Quarter Midget classes: Jr. Honda, Jr. Stock, and Light Modified. Already he has an impressive track record, including 20 feature race wins and three regional victories in 2005! He holds three existing track records in Light Modified and Jr. Stock, and was the North Georgia Midget Association track champion in Light Modified.

Recently, Kyle celebrated his eighth birthday--a special milestone for him, because now he is eligible to race in the Bandolero car pictured here. These cars reach speeds around 80 mph on a quarter-mile track and have an impressive safety record. In his first race in this class (called the Bandits, for 8 - 11 year-olds) Kyle was running fifth out of 24 cars with three laps to go when he had to come off the track because of radio problems.

Kyle's father explained that the Quarter Midgets of America (QMA) has very strict rules about conduct and safety. "QMA works hard to keep this a sport that brings families together on the weekend," he said, adding, "They have been racing since the late 30s without a single death."

Kyle's father and grandfather accompanied him to the school as Kyle, enjoying "Student of the Week" status, shared his hobby with his classmates.

Mrs. Stewart recounted the excitement of going to see Kyle race in Georgia. "He was really amazing," she said. "He is extremely knowledgeable about all of the other racers and their stats. During the race, the expression on Kyle's face was one of determination and control.

"At that level," she explained, "the children do not have any communication with the pit while they are on the track. Several times other cars would have problems, and he would stay focused and avoid the accidents. He won the race!

"He was quite patient as he began the last lap three or four different times due to other racers spinning out. Each and every time he won the race and didn't seem to be frustrated at all. I believe he left the anxiety for his grandfather, uncle, parents, and me! It was really exciting to watch him in action!"

Mrs. Stewart was not the only one impressed by her young student's exploits. His classmates were fascinated too.

Many took turns sitting in the driver's seat of his Bandolero.

Spontaneously, some of the girls even started a Kyle Fan Club, and began to invent a cheer for him!

In fact, now everyone in the second grade is cheering for Kyle.