It only takes gravity, a little imagination and a long stretch of road to get a community revved up.
Ten drivers used their creatively built derby karts Saturday to compete in the City of Fruitland Park’s fifth annual Derby Kart Race.
Christine Wilson, City of Fruitland Park sports and events coordinator, started organizing the event to open up more opportunities for families and community members to bond.
“I spent my childhood building race cars and racing with my dad,” Wilson said. “That is how we bonded and it meant so much to me. I wanted to create something that would give people the same opportunity that I had. People have the opportunity to spend quality time with each other while building their karts, then they get to enjoy racing and sharing the excitement of being rewarded for their hard work and dedication.”
Hassan Chehouri, a U.S. Legend Car driver who has won several races at Marion County Speedway in Ocala, christened Fox Hill Road by driving a Florida Legend Car, a 5/8-scale version of a race car.
“This is a very small car that uses a motorcycle engine,” the Lady Lake resident said. “These cars are like the entry-level car that the majority of NASCAR racers start out driving for Legend Car Racing.”
“I try to be an ambassador to get more people into this type of racing,” he said. “I think with the younger kids being able to see a car like this go down the street before the race, it will be stuck in their minds for a long time.”
The rules of the race, which was for ages 5 years and older, were that the racers would go down Foxhill Road three times with a Fruitland Park police officer tracking their speed. The winner of the race was determined by the fastest average time of the three races.
Of the 10 drivers entered, six completed the race: Aurora Berrios, Brynnleigh Halligan, Bryson Houalhan, Clayton Watts, Tyler Watts and Craig Zawalich.
Victoria Crosby, 13, was both excited and nervous to compete in her blue box-shaped, USA-themed derby kart she helped decorate.
“The blue on the kart is my favorite because blue is my favorite color,” said Crosby, who was unable to finish after she crashed, briefly pausing the first leg of the race.
An anxious crowd cheered after an assessment by first responders determined Crosby was uninjured.
Energy picked back up about halfway into the second leg of the race.
Tyler, 13, said he liked going down the hill and hearing everyone cheer for him.
Sitting on four bicycle tires, the body of Tyler’s kart was constructed of license plates and stop signs. A wrench with a shock adjuster attached served as the steering wheel and a pair of pliers worked for the kart’s brakes. This was the third time Tyler, who has participated in four of the derbys, raced this particular kart.
Using Tyler’s old derby kart, younger brother Clayton came in second place with an average time of 27.02 mph.
Bubba Watts, Tyler and Clayton’s dad, said they have four karts at home that they reuse.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Bubba said. “We try to change it up a little bit every year, but not a whole lot. Tyler helped put on the plates, he painted it and he helped grease the wheels. It took about two weeks to build.”
During the race, members of Connection Point Church sat under a tent and passed out free water, Gatorade and snacks to event attendees.
“We wanted to come and support our community for this wonderful family event,” said Kimberly Hersh, a church member and Lady Lake resident. “It’s been very exciting to watch the race and we always accept an opportunity to support the community.”
At the end of the race after times were calculated, Wilson presented Houalhan with a trophy for most creative kart.
Placing third in the race with an average time of 27.86 mph, Halligan received a trophy and a check for $175.
All the checks given out were sponsored by Hutson Automotive Repair and the City of Fruitland Park.
For winning second place, Clayton received a trophy and a check for $250 .
Winning the first-place trophy, the best-in-show award and $350, was 52-year-old and Port Richey resident Zawalich, who clocked the fastest time at 26.24 mph.
Zawalich raced in a kart that featured a hover board seat and a shopping cart base on top of soap box wheels.
“I do this all the time with my kids,” he said. “I registered for this two months ago, but it’s the week of their graduation, so they weren’t able to be here. I think this was a great event and I had a blast.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
