Engineering, speed, team work, competition and discipline. These are all the key elements that will lead you to success in motor sports and they were all put to test yesterday in San Ignacio. The Belize Automobile Club organized a fun karting event for the community to promote kart racing in Belize. According to the coordinators, this is just the start - just a seed that they hope will grow into a flourishing industry in Belize. We went to San Ignacio yesterday to find out more.
Courtney Weatherburne
"These guys are gearing up for a ride on the Joe Andrews Boulevard, but while it may seem that they are simply tweaking a toy, in fact they are preparing for the future of kart racing in Belize."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
And the road to that future begins here. There was no clearly mapped out karting circuit, just a bend in a newly paved road and according to the coordinator, that's what grass roots motor sports is all about.
Victor Murga, Sporting Director, Belize Automobile Club
"What we want to do is build motor sports on a whole, we have avenues that we can go into 4x4 competitions, everything."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So this is where it begins, this is where motor sports begins?"
Victor Murga
"Yes, grass-roots is where it begins."
Another unique feature of this version of kart racing is the go-kart itself.
Victor Murga
"The reason why it is called 'grass-roots racing' is because if you have two karts, they have to be the same, no modification. That way you can distinguish who has the better skill in driving. So who's the better driver is never dictated by the car you have, but in karting."
With everyone on a level playing field, the competition comes down to skill and fearlessness.
Grant Millensted, President, BAC
"I think that inside of us we have that desire for speed, handling machine and also competition. The human is very competitive."
But for others, it is an interactive motor sport
Victor Murga
"It's an activity where a parent and child can be working together, getting the kart fixed, getting it going. That way you don't spend money paying somebody else to do it, and that's the activity. That's a discipline but it's also interaction as well and its very family oriented."
Whether you want to take a ride in a go kart for fun or in the spirit of pure competition, these karting enthusiasts want to take it to another level.
Victor Murga
"We want to take the karts all over the country. You know, motor sports is an industry but first you need the demand, so you have to create it. You know, and I'm pretty sure that people are into cars so we have to get them the incentive and go karts is the way."
Courtney Weatherburne
"And while it may seem like it's just a sport for boys, I am here to prove that it's for anyone."
Anyone willing to floor the gas - and on this first try I have to admit, I was a more than a little reluctant, quickly turning this go kart into a stop kart.
The coordinators will be set up an exhibit at the Agriculture and Trade Show this year. They also plan on taking the go kart event across the country.
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