Running in circles

Jeff Schwartz, AS ’81, never expected that he would one day be running an operation where clients pay for the privilege of going around in circles at 30-plus miles per hour and keep coming back for more.

They not only come back, Schwartz says, but they also bring their friends and business associates to Mid Atlantic Grand Prix, a race kart facility just south of Wilmington, Del.

“I read an article in an airline magazine about a kart racing track in Boston, and I just could not get the idea out of my mind,” says Schwartz, whose degree is in criminal justice. “I thought I would be in some kind of business but never really knew what that business would be. I guess it just took some time for me to find the right thing.”

A sales executive for 25 years with Aon, a global financial corporation, Schwartz says that perhaps the motivation for starting an operation like Mid Atlantic Grand Prix with his brother Robert might stem from growing up in the northern Delaware suburbs.

“I often heard the age-old complaint of young people everywhere, that ‘there’s nothing to do around here,’” Schwartz says. “Kart racing is something to do, and it’s also unique, fun and very entertaining.”

While youth and adults come to the 36,000-square-foot facility ready to race, all drivers must complete certain preparatory regimens before firing up one of the track’s 6.5 horsepower Honda Sodi Kart I racing machines.

“There is a safety briefing, where the rules and the operating features of the carts are explained and questions are answered,” Schwartz says. “Then, after donning a racing head scarf, drivers are fitted with the proper helmet and neck brace. Cell phones and pagers are not permitted on the track, and drivers must use the 10 and 2 o’clock hand position on the steering wheel.”

Schwartz says that most drivers on the one-fifth-mile course can cover 16-18 laps in the eight-minute racing cycle, while more seasoned veterans may complete as many as 20 laps in the same time period.

“The driver is always racing against the clock,” Schwartz says. “The key is knowing when to apply the brakes in order to set up your turn, and how to accelerate through the turn.”

A trio of race marshals helps to keep things running safely and smoothly by taking care of the timing system, pit crew management and ticket taking.

“One marshal takes the ticket from the driver and puts it in the system computer, which will record the driver’s time and vehicle number,” Schwartz says. “The pit crew marshal makes sure that that the riders are in their cars, properly equipped and ready to race.”

Like their heroes on the NASCAR and professional grand-prix racing circuits, drivers at Mid Atlantic Grand Prix are very competitive and love to compare times on printouts of computer-generated racing logs.

“The top 100 drivers are all within one-half second of each other,” Schwartz says. “It’s amazing how much fun people get out of racing. It certainly brings out the competitive spirit. There’s a lot of good-natured ribbing going on.”

Schwartz says that parents like the clean, controlled environment and often join their charges in taking a few spins around the track.

“I found out about this from a buddy of mine,” Dave Wiest, of Lancaster, Pa., says. “They had a blast, so I thought I would bring my boys down here. The place is nice and clean, and the cars are great.”

Evan Wiest, 14, adds, “It was awesome, even though it was hot in there. The ride is pretty smooth, but there are a lot of braking points you have to get used to.”

The track is host to a variety of special events, including youth and theme parties, as well as corporate meetings where participants team up on the track and in the 800-square-foot conference room.

Within six months of opening, Mid Atlantic Grand Prix was voted best place to have a kids party by Delaware Today magazine, Schwartz says.

“People show up, go out and try our facility. They buy credits and improve their performance times. Then, they often come back and bring their friends with them,” he says. “The corporate groups will have a half-day sales meeting, enjoy a catered lunch and team up on the track during the afternoon.”

The leagues and clinics are another popular driving option at Mid Atlantic Grand Prix. These events help to give participants the needed driving experience to advance to the next level of racing competition.

“We found kids who did their best in the fall leagues,” Schwartz says. “They were involved and also participated in the clinics we offer. They were a step ahead of the competition because of their ‘seat’ or driving time.”

Besides providing an enjoyable and exciting racing venue for youths and adults participating in organized leagues or in drop-in, “arrive and drive” sessions, the track is preferred by professional drivers who like to stay on top of their game during the off-season, Schwartz says.

“About 20 million people a year drive karts,” Schwartz says. “It’s how professional drivers keep their driving skills sharp.”