RPW Exclusive: Creating The Next Generation Of Racers In The State Of Michigan
Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – LAKE ODESSA, MI – Introducing kids to racing at a young age, whether it is on asphalt or dirt, is not just about building future champions. It’s about fueling the next generation of passionate, innovative, and lifelong fans that will drive the sport forward.
While in Michigan for a work trip, I wanted to check out local tracks nearby where I worked. The first track I chose was I-96 Speedway. Located in Lake Odessa, Michigan, just west of Lansing. I-96 has recently changed ownership in 2023, with Larry Curtiss taking over in January of 2023. A few northeast dirt modified fans would recognize the track name, as the Super DIRTcar Series visited here in 2012 and 2013.
On any regular Friday night though, the pits are packed with IMCA modified, UMP late models, street stocks, pro stocks, and kid mini wedges. The biggest car count of those five divisions you wonder? The kid mini wedges was the class that stuck out the most to me.
A total of 25-30 mini-wedges were in attendance, ranging from the ages down from 6, up to 14. Two sets of separate divisions, ranging from 6 to 9 year olds, and 10 to 14 year olds. I talked with Mike Betts, the promoter of I-96 speedway about this class and its importance.
Curtiss since taking over the track has been improving the mini wedge class as a whole for the kids. Curtiss has been improving the program by improving the mini wedge track and installing a scoring loop so that the cars could be electronically scored and their car numbers would show up on the scoring tower for the fans to see.
“They are absolutely critical for the future of the sport, if we don’t have those kids, and we don’t promote those kids, the sport would eventually go away,” explains Betts, “the sport isn’t as big as it used to be.”
“The mini-wedges are the future of racing, and the future of I-96 Speedway,” Curtiss says.
In recent years, you could go on social media and potentially see the unfortunate news of a track closing due to one reason or another. With classes like the mini wedges around though in Michigan, it keeps developing and growing the next generation of racers.
“If we don’t have these kids around at racetracks, racing, it will hurt the sport as a whole,” Betts explains, “there’s a lot of tracks hurting and we only have so many in the country, and even fewer that have divisions like the mini wedges for the kids.”
When it comes to getting kids involved in racing and hands-on with their own equipment, there are a lot of things to be learned, Mike Betts says.
“Many parents do a lot of the work, but kids do get involved, and it shows they need to be dedicated to what they’re doing, be responsible for what they are doing, and learn the rules and guidelines that need to be followed,” Betts explains.
Each week, the kids go through the same process as other drivers would, whether it is in a big racecar, or a mini wedge.
“All the kids have their own raceivers so they can listen to the race directors and track people of where to be or to slow down, they have to listen to the flags,” Betts says, “it teaches also life lessons with responsibility, structure, sportsmanship and much more while also having and being competitive.”
Each Friday, the kid’s mini wedges are included into the main program, racing their main features ahead of the full sized divisions. Giving the kids a chance to put on a show for the fans and their favorite drivers.
“A lot of tracks that have the wedges will host of them prior to the show, or before the races,” Betts says, “we have our mini wedges race during our main show, gives them a chance to race in front of all the fans, and give them that big race feel.”
Mike Betts, has been apart of the track since 2023, but has already seen the importance of having the kids involved in racing locally.
“The kids are the future of the sport. Without them, the sport would go away. We need divisions like the mini wedges,” Betts exclaims, “we need the kids to be involved in the future of racing, get them involved, then eventually we can get them into the bigger cars and see them keep growing.”
In comparison, a mini-wedge is meant for younger kids wanting to get into racing, compared to a slingshot that is more common in the northeast. Mini-wedges have smaller motors, usually a 6.5 HP OHV Predator Engine or Honda 6.5 HP Engine. I-96 Speedway has their own set of rules for the kids and their wedge teams to comply with each week.
As a strong advocate for local short track racing, when you go visit somewhere new, try and find a local short track, whether it is asphalt or dirt, go support that track. You’re supporting the future of the sport as a whole.
