Two Schuylkill County youths brought home gold from the 35th annual Motorama Arena Races and Speed Show last weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
Tyler Ulsh, 7, of Schuylkill Haven, placed first in the "Kid Karts" go-kart event and Kevin Graff Jr., 15, of Lost Creek, won the 13-15-year-old quad class.
Motorama attracts 50,000 motorsports enthusiasts annually and is the largest all-indoor motorsports event in the nation with 1 million square feet of exhibit space, according to the event's website at www.motoramaevents.com.
The event features more than 2,000 racers and more than 700 vehicles on display. It was held Feb. 16 and 17.
The "Kid Karts" class is for children ages 5 to 8 and tracks are usually about a quarter-mile long with drivers making 20 laps.
Ulsh has been racing go-karts for the past two years with last weekend being the second time he raced at Motorama. His father, Rodney Ulsh, is an owner at John Ulsh Used Cars in Summit Station and has raced for years at Big Diamond Speedway in Forrestville.
"He enjoyed watching and I bought him a kart and off we went," Rodney Ulsh said Friday. "It was kind of like signing your kid up for baseball or football. I signed him up for racing. He likes it and is doing pretty well with it."
The go-karts race at about 40 mph and younger drivers are required to wear a helmet, a neck brace and a chest protector. At first, Tyler's mother, Lynn Ann Ulsh, said she was nervous seeing him drive, but was happy to see him enjoying it.
"It's fairly safe," Rodney Ulsh said. "I've never seen anyone get really hurt."
Rodney said the risks are about the same for a child playing any sport and Tyler has never been hurt or crashed his vehicle.
"He is just a real smart driver. Some kids are good at basketball at a young age, he is just good at driving," Rodney said.
During the summer, Tyler rides different vehicles around the house and spends almost every weekend at Shellhammer's Speedway in Leesport.
"He also likes to race four-wheelers, anything that goes really," Lynn said
Rodney said Tyler has also raced at events in Selinsgrove and Kutztown.
"It's something different and it gives them a little more challenge," Rodney said.
He also said driving go-karts has been a hands-on experience for Tyler as he learns mechanical skills and it has prepared him for his driver's license. Racing has also helped Tyler make new friends.
Although shy, Tyler is always competitive when on the racetrack, especially against his 6-year-old sister, Amber.
"He really likes to win," Rodney said.
He is also proud of his trophy and likes to show his classmates and teachers at Blue Mountain Elementary West, Friedensburg.
Graff also started motorsports about the same age. Seven years later, he has collected about 100 trophies from races up and down the East Coast.
"He just started for fun and was just a natural," said Kevin Graff Sr., his father.
Graff Jr. started out racing bikes but quads then became his favorite. He never rides without his helmet, neckbrace, pads and other gear.
"As long as he goes out and rides smart and wears his gear, we worry, but are confident he comes home in one piece," Graff Sr. said.
As he got older, Graff Jr. said he has been more careful when racing.
"When I was younger, I was pretty much fearless," Graff Jr. said. "When you're flying in the air, that's when it gets scary, but I feel pretty safe when I ride. Fear is good but you can't have too much of it."
Graff Jr. was introduced to motorsports by his uncle, David Moyer, Schuylkill Haven. Moyer was also an accomplished racer.
"I just like the thrill and it's fun. I like the competition and the adrenaline," Graff Jr. said. "It's an awesome experience."