Small vehicles provide big thrills for racers

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Lance Arakaki is obsessed with NASCAR — the speed, the pit crews, the crashes.

"This is the cheapest motorsport in the country," says Scott Waracka, president of the Pacific Karting Club. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

But instead of racing cars a la "The Fast and the Furious," Arakaki went with the affordable option: karting.

"Cars are too expensive," said the 30-year-old auto parts salesman from 'Aiea. "If I had money, I'd race cars. But I don't."

Karting could be considered the next best thing. With karts that can move up to 115 mph, this motorsport gives riders that same thrill of speed and maneuvering — without forcing them to take out a second mortgage.

"This is the cheapest motorsport in the country," said Scott Waracka, president of the Pacific Karting Club, established in 1959. "For approximately $3,000, you can come out and race. You get the competition and the thrill of speed."

The club boasts about 60 members between the ages of 7 and 65. They meet about once a month at the Hawai'i Raceway Park near Barbers Point to race around a track seven-tenths of a mile long.

In full gear one Tuesday afternoon, three drivers barreled down the asphalt track, twisting around corners and kicking up speed along the straightaways.

Veteran racer Mike Wilcox showed off his pride and joy: An 80cc shifter kart with six-speed transmission, several steps above Arakaki's KT100 gas-and-brake kart.

Racing is in Wilcox's genes. His father owns a sprint car on the Mainland.

"I've always been involved in racing," said the 40-year-old from Makiki. "This is another toy to have."

Drivers typically spend about $1,000 a year on karting, from buying fuel to replacing tires to upgrading the engine. But Wilcox is not your typical driver, spending well into the thousands of dollars on the sport.

This year so far he's spent about $800 on new paint and tires for his newly sponsored kart.

But the amount spent is a personal choice. Used karts can cost anywhere from $1,000-$5,000; new karts range between $3,000- $10,000.

Helmets, shoes, jumpsuits all range in price depending on quality and style. Protective gear, including a head sock, neck brace and gloves, is required wear for karters.

The only fixed cost is the price to race. Because the club lost its tracks at Barbers Point and Ford Island a few years ago, it has made Hawai'i Raceway Park its home — but at a price. It costs $500 per day to rent the race track, forcing the club to charge $50 per kart driver to race. And because the park also serves the motorcyclists and drag racers, the karters have to compete for times and days to reserve for racing.

But to drivers racing go-karts it is well worth the cost.

"It's the ability to drive as fast as possible," said Wilcox, who owns a CD and tape manufacturing company. "Instead of racing Hondas and imports on the freeways, you can race head-to-head here — legally."

The club began as a way to introduce children and teens to karting, which explains the club's high youth membership. Races on Sunday afternoons turn into potlucks and family picnics at the track.

"Kids are the best racers," said Waracka, whose 16-year-old son Scott Michael races karts. "They don't have the attitudes and emotional problems adults do."

That family atmosphere, the camaraderie between drivers, the safe fun on weekends are what sold Arakaki.

"Everybody here is so friendly," he said, pausing. For a moment he forgot about the competition, the thrill of speed, the pursuit of a first-place finish. But just for a moment. "I just want to beat that 16-year-old."