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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1960)
Medford Tribune MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 1960 New Family Sport A new sport and hobby is spreading in the Rogue valley. An increasing number of men and boys are buying or building their own-pint-sized motor vehicles known as "Go-Karts." The little four-wheeled carts,, powered with two-cycle engines of the type used on chain saws and garden tractors, are providing fun for both dad and junior. The men have formed the Medford Go-Kart club, with about 30 members, and meets are now held at a spot in the Camp White area off Table Rock road. There is also a national organization, and the local club adopted its rules. Until recently the owners and fans met Sundays at the parking area of the new Medford shopping center and shown here on a recent Sunday are two young drivers, Gary Swindler (at left) 8, and Ted Dawson, 12, sons of club members. Whenever the Go-Karts are out,, a crowd gathers. Douglas Kimmons (kneeling, center) who often drives the cart owned by the McCulloch Chain Saw company, and Gary Croucher (kneeling at left) tinker with the motor. V. R. Moore (standing left) McCulloch company owner,and his son. Tommy, were also on hand. I Y ;.; : : Mm. f : - M: ' s v. Y-; i-MYYY. Y' -YYY. 1 AH heads turn toward the course when the Go-Karts really "go". Some have but one motor, some two, and the small ve hicles can get up a speed of 30 or 35 miles an hour. A Los Angeles man is credited with building the first Go-Kart intended for competition. Now the new sport is spreading to all parts of the country, with the sanction of police and traffic officers who believe that in the case of the youth ful driver, it can be a useful recreation which will teach the driver about motor ized vehicles. Douglas Dawson, who acts as flagman for the Go-Kart meets, is shown on a recent Sunday explaining the course layout to several drivers. Official tracks are 20 to 30 feet wide. . . r - : - - If the little Go-Kart needs a helping hand on the start, some one is always willing to push. Here driver Charles Culmer, Ash land, gets a push from Floyd Young (at left) and Monte Wray. As in other sports, the Go-Kart owners find that their common interests promote friendships and a spirit of fellowship. Mem bers of the local club believe that if interest grows, it may be possible to have an official track here. The little carts are not intended for use on crowded highways. 1 mIIlf: -ES'cs " i t Top1 (Kenn Knackstedt photos) When something goes wrong with a cart, the driver can "get out" but he can't "get under." Here driver Blair Crosby, a former hard top racing driver, tunes up one of his cart's two tiny motors while Louis Metcalf makes ready to offer advice. Many of the cart owners are truck drivers, or former truck driver; all are interested in cars and engines. Howard Funk (standing), a Medford fireman, arid Monte Wray, car salesman, are president and secretary of the Medford Go-Kart club. The two men, shown here laying out a course, have been interested in the new sport for about a year; the club was formed several weeks ago. Mr. Funk made his cart and both his sons are also drivers; the club head believes that youngsters can learn a lot about handling a regular automobile by driving the little carts.
