A Brief History of Backyard Karting
In 1998, professional racecar driver, Trevor Hilliar along with several racer friends began driving older pavement karts around in the backyard of Hilliar’s Essex, CT home in order to get some inexpensive thrills while keeping the competitive edge between races. During 1998, Hilliar was joined by legendary hill climber, Daniel Rutan, in establishing a loose organization of backyard kart tracks in the Connecticut Shoreline area. Over the next several years, the number of backyard karters and kart tracks began to grow as the word spread. Aspiring racers and race fans alike tried their hand behind the wheel of a backyard kart and were instantly hooked.
Racing action from the T-Bone Ranch, 2006
By 2003, over 30 karts were racing in Hilliar’s and Rutan’s backyards on a regular basis. It was at this point that the idea of a nationwide network of backyard kart tracks began to seem like a distinct possibility. In an effort to create such a network, Hilliar launched GrassPass.Org to serve as a central gathering point for backyard karters as well as an organizing body to promote the sport and establish a set of universal kart preparation rules.
In 2004, recognizing the need for a purpose built backyard racing kart, Hilliar formed T Karts and began development of the original backyard racing kart, the T1. The T1 was the culmination of five years of backyard karting experience and 15 years of motorsports knowledge. It offered would-be racers the chance to buy a turn key kart with a proven track record and start racing immediately.
The Benefits of Backyard Karting
It is difficult to overstate the positive aspects of backyard karting. Much has been written on GrassPass.Org about the benefits of backyard karting over more traditional forms of motorsports. Backyard karting is a family friendly activity that allows multiple generations to compete on a level basis in a safe and friendly environment. Unlike stick and ball sports, parents and children can participate together safely and evenly.
Any experienced racing driver knows that the most valuable tool in the chest is seat time in a racecar. Yet operating a racecar, or even a asphalt racing kart, is prohibitively expensive, time consuming and potentially dangerous. Below is a comparison of the relative cost of driving various types of competition vehicles per hour of seat time. These costs are based on first hand experience and include all of the associated expenses that go along with organized motorsports.
|
Type of Racing |
Type of Vehicle |
Cost Per Hour |
|
Professional Sports Car Racing |
Grand Am Cup Car |
$5000 |
|
Professional Formula Car Racing |
Formula 2000 Car |
$3500 |
|
Amateur Road Racing (SCCA) |
Formula or Production Car |
$2500 |
|
Circle Track Racing |
Street Stock Class |
$1500 |
|
Organized Kart Racing |
WKA Oval / Sprint Kart |
$1000 |
|
Backyard Kart Racing |
T Kart T1 |
$50 |
Due to the nature of backyard karting, racers do not need to waste valuable time and money traveling hundreds of miles to racetracks, sleeping in hotels or campers, paying entry and pit fees, memberships and license fees. Backyard kart races can happen after work or after dinner, next door or across town, and without the hassles of difficult officials, hostile competitors, foul language and eight dollar race gas. Backyard karters tend to be friends first and competitors second, creating an environment where fun competition is almost guaranteed.
The Future of Backyard Karting
The founders of T Karts / GrassPass envision a nationwide network of backyard kart tracks locally owned and operated by backyard karters. As an organizing body, GrassPass will continue to provide a stable set of kart preparation rules as well as promoting the concept and sanctioning larger events. Through the web site GrassPass.Org backyard track owners will be able to announce upcoming events, post results and manage their local competitors. Karters will be able to search for local racetracks and events, contact track owners and maintain an online profile. A driver and track feedback system will be instituted to let competitors rank tracks or drivers similar to the feedback system used by online auction giant EBAY.
Recognizing the need for liability protection, GrassPass is working in conjunction with major motorsports insurance carriers to develop an affordable insurance package for backyard track owners. Once implemented, GrassPass approved track owners will be able to quickly and accurately manage their events, providing insurance coverage for participants, all with the click of a mouse or using a touch tone phone. Track owners may choose to absorb the insurance costs themselves or pass them on to the competitors through their GrassPass membership account.
Kartstock is the Backyard Karting National Championship and is open to all GrassPass members. In 2005, 26 karters from 4 states convened to crown a National Champion. As the number of tracks and competitors grow, regional, divisional and national events will be organized by GrassPass and hosted by willing backyard track owners. Future Kartstock National Championship Events will be held at tracks deemed to be the finest in the country as determined through competitor feedback. Kartstock winners will be given the chance to show their talents driving a real racecar in an organized test at the professional level.
The future of backyard karting is still an unwritten chapter, but the potential is unlimited. Every new kart track and additional driver that participates in the concept will add to the depth and strength of the movement. Backyard karting will become the foundation upon which all other forms of motorsports in the world are built.
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