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22 * WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Local teenager setting his sights on a championship goâ€"kart victory Behind the wheel hirteenâ€"yearâ€"old Dale Wilson I isn‘t old enough to get a driâ€" ver‘s licence, but he‘s already spent more than half of his life behind the wheel. His father Stephen, a former stock car driver, bought him his first goâ€"kart before he turned six, and he‘s been racing ever since. "I started in Batavia, N.Y. because 1 wasn‘t old enough to tace in Canada," he said. When he turned seven, he got a membership at the Waterloo Regional Kart Club so that he could compete locally. He wins his fair share of races but competition can be fierce, especially when he‘s up against alder boys. "If you‘re gonna race in a class with people who are 15, which I do, it takes a certain level of matuâ€" rity and you need to know what Dale Wilson, 13, has been hooked on goâ€"karting since his dad bought him one years ago. â€" By Laura MetnycK Chronicle Staff you‘re facing. If you try competing against guys who have been racing for eight or nine years, then you have to know what you‘re up against and strategize," he said. To compete at this level, he has to get a new kart each year. But good equipment only gets him so far â€" hard work and dedication are also important. Dale spends most of his spare time maintaining his kart and preparing for races. Goâ€"kart season begins in April and ends in October, which means his summer is often filled with practices and competitions. But for Dale and Stephen, racâ€" ing has become a hobby and an opportunity for them to spend time together. And he‘s happy to help his son with the necessities, like a new kart every year and a trailer to store it Although Stephen enjoyed racâ€" ing in his 20s, he said at 13, Dale is much more successful at it than he was. LAUR® MELNYCK PHOTO SPORTS in. When Stephen was young, he didn‘t have the same opportuniâ€" ties as Dale. "The anly thing I push for is 100 per cent," said Stephen. _ But Dale never gets tired of racâ€" ing and loves the thrill. "If you‘re leading in the race with one lap to go and people are on your tail, you get really excited," he said. _ And he‘d be at the track everyâ€" day if it was possible. s Dale Wilson, 13, wins many of the goâ€"kart races he participates in, although the competition is fierce, especially against older boys. To get additional practice time when the Waterloo club is busy, he participates in the Arrive and Drive program at Erbsville Kartway in Waterloo. The Kartway gives Dale the opportunity to get a quick practice in. But the disadvantage is that he can‘t use his own kart there. Practising is important because it helps improve speed. The goâ€" kart travels between 97 and 113 kilometres per hour, depending on the type of track. To compete, his body weight 10 CHROA and kart must total 130.5 kiloâ€" grams. Since he only weighs 40.5 kilograms, most of this weight comes from the kart. But goâ€"kart racing can be danâ€" gerous and has its risks. Dale feels fortunate that he‘s never damaged his kart beyond repair. But he has suffered a concusâ€" sion as a result of a goâ€"karting acciâ€" dent. To protect himself, he wears either a firesuit or a slideâ€"resistant suit, proper shoes with laces hangâ€" ing in, a rib protector, a neck "Every lap I get a knot in my stomach." â€"Stephen Wilson Dad of goâ€"kart racer www.vwwaterioo.com guard, a helmet and gloves Even though Dale‘s well proâ€" tected, his mom doesn‘t like to watch. And his father gets anxious every time he gets into the kart. "Every lap I get a knot in my stomach," said Stephen. But he said he‘s always taught Dale that safety is first and the win is secâ€" ondary. Now that racing season is comâ€" ing to an end, Dale has been thinkâ€" ing about next year, when he‘ll have to switch to miniâ€"truck racâ€" ing. He looks forward to more comâ€" petitions in the future and said he‘s setting his sights on a champiâ€" onship victory. "You never know what will hapâ€" pen down the road, but it will defiâ€" nitely be a high pick on my career choice." For now, he‘ll keep a close eye on his idols, Canadian NASCAR drivers Ron Fellows and Dale Earnâ€" hardt Jr., for racing tips. Yolkswagen New & Certified Preâ€"owned Cars Volkswagen Waterloo SugMTTED PHOTO