Calvin Takes the Win!

The weather was iffy July 26th. It looked like Calvin's race would be cancelled, but Jeff Blow, the owner of Rocky Ridge Raceway, called it a go. Calvin and Eric showed up at the track to find many of the usual drivers absent. All of the six Cadet drivers present were combined into one class. 

Calvin won his heat race which meant that he had to start his feature at the back of the pack. He had a strong start and patiently made his way around the field, passing one driver after another until he took the lead. Each time around the track expanded his lead until he lapped the field once and then again before finishing in first place. 

On the podium, Jeff asked Calvin how long he's been racing. He was surprised to learn that this is only Calvin's second year. Jeff was impressed with Calvin's patience and persistence on the track.

Calvin Holds His Own

July 12th was a HOT day at the track. Calvin had two races ahead of him with his regularly scheduled race and a rain make up race. He was serious and focused. He hit the track for practice ready to warm up his kart and get back his feel of the track. On his last practice lap, he was following another driver a little too closely. The driver spun out and Calvin's kart got collected. Both boys were fine and their karts were able to be repaired for the races. 

This was a learning opportunity for Calvin. He learned that practice is for testing out his kart to find out if everything is running properly. It's a chance for him to drive and communicate his experience to his dad in order to make adjustments for the race. Practice is not a time to race. Lesson taken to heart! 

Calvin drove very well on the 12th! He has a feel for his kart's limits and is able to push himself around corners, right on the edge of spin out, doing four wheel drifts. He's patient, watching and waiting for his opportunities to pass and move ahead. He's modest and repectful of the other drivers.

Calvin finished 2nd and 3rd in his two races. He was proud of his finishes and trophies and took a photo to share when we got back home.



Calvin is racing again today! The track owner took a chance on the weather and decided the race was on. For more information about Calvin's race series and to see the rest of this season's schedule, please visit the Vermont Shifter Karts website.

2015 Kick-Off Race

     Calvin started off the new season strong May 17th. He was placed in the Cadet A class, the faster group of drivers. As you can see in the podium photo, Calvin is one of the youngest drivers in this class at Rocky Ridge. 

     Calvin has fresh new tires from his sponsor, Noyes Automotive in Burlington. These made a big difference in the handling of his kart. Other changes to his kart included moving his seat back (he grew!), moving weight forward and a mandatory gear ratio change. The gear ratio change results in the drivers getting more power out of the corner. Top speeds are slower, but the lap times are the same or faster with that extra power. 

     Calvin had a great first race of the season. He went from 5th to 2nd in the heat race and finished 4th in the feature with a last lap pass. 

    The new video on Calvin's video page is of the heat race. Watch to the end to see Calvin make a double pass. He's #11 with the while helmet.

     A new requirement this season is for each driver to have his or her own transponder. This little device sends information from each kart to the timing and scoring booth. In the past, drivers have shared transponders. This really slows down the flow of race day with four different groups driving two races each. We are currently seeking sponsorship to rent Calvin's transponder this season. Rental includes use of the equipment for each race and a warranty. Please see our "Sponsorship" page for details on how you can help!

     Thank you for supporting Calvin's racing passion! Please follow Calvin's progress this season on his blog and on Facebook. (under Eric Noel and/or Hannah Noel)

 

Calvin Ready to Race!

              

         Calvin and Eric

He does it AGAIN! and AGAIN!

First Race First Place Trophy

Calvin went into today's races after two shaky practices, unsure if his kart was going to handle well. He spun off the track again and again on the fresh, cool track with the tires we've decided he's finishing the season. His dad, Eric, had transferred weight from back to front hoping it would help Calvin stick to the track better, but after the rough practice sessions he moved the weight back. 

Calvin hit the track for the first set of races ready for anything. There was some good racing on the track today! The Romeo brothers put up a good fight for first. Confusion about a flag signal slowed Calvin down in the first heat race and he took second. In the first feature race, where it really counted, he pushed for first making some close passes and triumphed! First place finish!

Second Race First Place Trophy

In the second set of races today, the driving direction was reversed, and Calvin thrived! He's at his best on this track when he's racing counter clockwise. Again, his closest competitors, the Romeos fought to the finish. This feature race was exciting with spins, tire rubs, bumper bumps, tire climbs - we were on the edges of our seats! Calvin pulled it off again with a healthy lead. Two first place finishes in one afternoon. 

Calvin is modest and shows great sportsmanship. Never gloating or yelling! He just shows that shy smile, admires his trophies, accepts knuckle bumps, and glows from the inside out.

Calvin Takes First in the Boulder Classic Triple 25s!

Calvin is on FIRE! We got to the track today unaware of the change in race format for the day. The track was COLD, so handling was different too. All drivers had two practices - one counter clockwise and one clockwise. Practice was followed by individual time trials (qualifying). 

Then the racing began! The cadets and the shifter karts alternated through a total of 12 races today. Jeff Blow reported before awards that there were a total of 300 laps driven today with 100 laps run under caution.

Calvin won first place in his first two races and second place in his final race. This gave him a total of 4 points for the day...the lowest score in ALL classes...and earned him first place in the Cadet B class. 

Calvin was lucky to have a best friend with him today too to cheer him on and help him relax with some play in between races. Thanks for spending the long day with us Colby!

Short Video of Calvin in the Lead

Calvin Takes Second in a Close Race!

Calvin started out the day strong taking first place in his heat race. A young man returning to the track after a couple years' break was hot on his heels. In the feature race, Calvin had a great start pulling into the lead. He spun though in the bottom bowl turn, letting his closest opponent speed by. Calvin caught up and stayed on his tail and finished with a fast second! Way to go Calvin! "Pit-Crew Pepere" drove him to the race again today and grabbed some photos.

Calvin with Admiring Fan After the Race (4-year-old Kid Kart driver just learning)

Calvin with Pepere after the race

Calvin Takes First Place!

Today in his first race since June, being rained out both races in July, Calvin took first place in both the heat race and the main event! We're so proud of him! Eric (his dad) has been coaching him, talking through the track, visualizing the race and each corner for the last month. Yes, seat time is essential. BUT look at how powerful the mind is! Amazing boy! Photo of Calvin and his trophy coming soon.