09.30.2007
Getting a hint of The Pit
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Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 2 Eddie Sharp Racing Dodge, takes a test drive around “The Pit” go-kart track at Saturday’s open house.
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Motors revved, tires screeched and fans stood on the sidelines with their right feet itching, wishing it was them behind the wheel.
The scene was an open house event Saturday at an indoor go-cart track in Mooresville, and the drivers of the carts were some up-and-comers on different pro racing circuits.
The Pit, which will officially open in December, features a winding track - marked by more than 1,500 used NASCAR tires - that is one-third of a mile long.
“It’s very fast and very technical,” said Aric Almirola, a NASCAR driver who next year will take the wheel of the No. 8 car now being driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Almirola, who did several laps on the track Saturday, said that while the thrill did not quite reach the level of a NASCAR race, it was a joyful experience.
“I can tell you what, each kind of racing is a little different, but this really is a lot of fun,” he said. “You can seriously get a taste of what we go through out there.”
Michael McDowell, who is currently a driver on the ARCA ReMAX Series circuit, concurred.
“It’s really cool out there,” he said. “I started carting when I was 8 years old, and I still love to cart. And I can tell you, this is a great track. It’s very physical, and you are using the same muscles you use in the big cars.”
The Pit is the brainchild of Matt Thompson and Don Towne, two Mooresville businessmen who were looking for something the town was lacking.
“We were looking for something that was unique and could not be easily copied,” Thompson said. “And we wanted something that could fit into Mooresville, and this is about as good a fit as you can find.”
McDowell agreed with that last part.
“Mooresville has become the headquarters for the racing world,” he said. “If you want to get into auto-racing - from the business end or the mechanical end or the racing end - you are going to have to spend some time in this area. Mooresville is racing central.”
Justin Barnes, 27, was one of the admiring fans. He took advantage of sign-up package The Pit was offering and can’t wait until the place opens for business.
“I know I’m going to come here at least once a week,” Barnes said. “I’ve got a lot of friends who are going to do it, too, so we are going to do some racing. You’ve got to know how to drive to get out there, these aren’t toys.”
Indeed. Thompson said there are two kinds of carts: one for kids 8 to 15 and one for those 16 and older.
He said the larger carts can get up to 40 miles per hour.
“These aren’t bumper cars, they are top-of-the-line carts,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the track can accommodate 20 carts at a time and that drivers will be sent out in stages.
He said special packages can be arranged for parties. Or even weddings.
“Tell me what groom wouldn’t want to have his wedding here?” he said.