CARIBOU — The 2013 season is quickly approaching Spud Speedway, and new things will be happening to make the show more entertaining under the continued management of Troy Haney and his staff.
This year, Spud Speedway aims to be more kid-friendly with several events geared to get youth involved in racing. The first big announcement is the return of Go Karts to the track in more than 20 years for a regular series that will take place each and every week.
Haney explained that karting was once a staple of the 1/3 mile asphalt oval as racers cut their teeth learning how to set up a kart and race, which can translate to race cars in later years.
Spud Speedway officials are looking to make sure that everyone has a chance to learn what karting is all about by hosting a seminar at the Caribou Regional Technology Center at the Caribou High School on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m.. The class will take place at the Caribou FFA agriculture shop where we will have past Spud Speedway kart racer and teacher, Tom Hale on hand to answer questions about his past experiences at the track.
The keynote speaker and trainer of the day will be former Aroostook County resident, Nate Anderson, owner and operator of Thundering Valley Raceway in St. Albans.
“Nate has great knowledge and a long history of karting all over New England and will be looking to share that knowledge with anyone who is interested in karting at Spud Speedway,” Haney explained.
Anderson was born and raised in Mars Hill and left shortly after being drafted in the Army. He built his first go kart in 1967, which he raced in Centerville, New Brunswick. After a few years off, Anderson got back into kart racing in 1992 with a club that raced at Wiscasset, Bangor and Unity on the big tracks.
Since Maine never had a track built specifically for karts, Anderson and his wife, Marti, decided to build one. They located their facility in St Albans as it’s centrally located in Maine and just off the Interstate, and this will be the Anderson’s 15th year operating Thundering Valley Raceway. As one of the first kart dealers in Maine, Anderson has established a working relationship with dealers throughout the country. Anderson builds engines for several tracks and sells karts throughout New England, and has agreed to help Spud Speedway establish proper rules and technical support to those who get involved in racing karts.
Bringing karting back to The County, Spud Speedway will be starting with three classes of karts: Kids Karts, ages 5-7; Jr. Sportsman, ages 8-12 and a Sr. Sportsman class for anyone 13 and over.
“If you are interested in attending this seminar please pre-register by e-mailing thaney@maine.rr.com or calling 227-0897,” Haney said, adding that other events this year for kids will include pedal bike racing and box car races for even the smallest of kids.
“Box car racing is where kids take a cardboard box and design it to look like a race car that goes over their shoulders and then the foot race is on,” Haney explained. Kids will race other youth in their age group.
“These type of events will be expanded upon based on the popularity and participation as Spud Speedway looks to ensure a great family fun environment each and every week at Spud Speedway,” Haney added. “The 2013 race season will start on Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 25 at 1 p.m. and we hope to see everyone there!”
