Driving an MX-5 on a GoKart Track in Atlanta

This was a surprise stop along the 2014 Mazda Adventure Rally.

I’m driving a 2014 Mazda MX-5 on the gokart track, at the Atlanta Motorsports Park.

This is basically my first track time.

This kart track has more changes in elevation than any other track in the world, including one that’s 43 ft.

More photos of the track here.

Here’s the whole rally blogged: #MazdaRally, and there’s links there to my newspaper stuff there.

Until this trip, I thought the Miata was a princess-y car, nope. It loves off-roading?! Huh.

 

 

Kids in Karts in kartSTART

Give ’em a healthy respect for speed early on.

kartSTART – Safety through education, brought to you by Toyota

Says founder Russ Bond:

“This kartSTART program is very unique in several ways,” Russ Bond Agency, Inc (RBA) owner Russ Bond says. “What we teach here is how a vehicle works. What makes it go, what makes it stop, and what makes it turn. We teach our students what is happening to the vehicle as they travel down the road. The key here is we teach youngsters in vehicles that fit them, our karts.” Bond adds.

I got out there, and got schooled by an 11 year old (hi Tim).

(photo credit: Gary Grant)

Back’atcha!

Gary writes and photos for Wheels.ca, and has blogged forever too (since 2005, nice): TheGarageBlog.com

The program is travelling coast-to-coast this summer, click here for the schedule.

If you ever get the chance, go drive a go-kart.
It’s a good reminder of what speed really feels like,
and brings back a respect for driving & the road

(here’s a column and video about that)

 

Driving Shifter Karts at Mosport

Best driving experience!  

130 km/h, inches off the ground, G-force = 5, want more.

Wrote a column about it.

My favourite line in the article:

… “It also serves as a wake up call to what 100 km/h actually feels like. With the technology in today’s cars, it’s easy to become complacent and forget that driving is really piloting a large, fast moving weapon.”

That above line is why I love driving so much.

The footage came out great eh; it was my first time using a GoPro.

Thanks for the duct tape security, Luke.

This is at the Mosport track.  Come on, I’ll show you.

Make sure to chew gum when you go; your teeth will try to smash themselves together.

Above is the end of the longest straight-away, braking and

downshifting hard, going into a hairpin, turn 5.

The owner and your host, Mike Salmon of SalmonShifters.com – 0 – 200 km/h in 6 seconds.  Welcome to my blog, Mike!

You will be bruised, because there is no suspension, you are the suspension.

My lower left back was blue. I’d have posted a photo, but there wasn’t time, because I heal like Wolverine :|

The engine is a 6-speed Honda 125cc.

Only place I know of in Ontario where you can do this.

If ever the opportunity arises for you to go karting, shifter kart or not, say yes – you’ll emerge a better driver.

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