When you think of kart racing, those winding tracks off the side of the road in Branson where your kids beg to stop likely come to mind.
However, Keith Freber, president of Margay Racing, says the world of competitive kart racing is much different—and that the St. Louis metro area has a lot to offer in the fun and fast world of the sport. With Margay, Freber says kart racing is available for drivers anywhere from ages 5 to 95 and, though apt for an exciting hobby, can also offer much more.
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Margay racing team member Evan Stamer, 16, has travelled to Daytona, Indianapolis; North Carolina; and Wisconsin for his racing and works out and practices during the off-season to prepare for the upcoming racing season. Moreover, Stamer’s plans for his racing career don’t end at karting.
“I want to keep karting for as long as I can,” Stamer says. “I plan on going to the Lucas Oil [School of Racing] in Florida and get started in cars.”
Stamer began racing when he was 12 at the Gateway Motorsports Park Kartplex (700 Raceway Boulevard) in Madison, Illinois. The Kartplex hosts a variety of racing series from April through October and is a great place to start for new racing families, according to Freber, because of its “non-intimidating atmosphere.”
To that end, Margay Racing, the leader of the karting industry located in St. Louis, is hosting a free seminar about youth karting at the Kartplex on Saturday, March 10 from 10–11:30 a.m. to introduce kiddos and their parents to the world of St. Louis kart racing.
At the seminar, attendees can meet Margay racing team members and parents, like Evan and his family, and learn how to get involved in the racing world. Registration must be completed online.
