Go-kart racing family affair for Bridgmans

By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
May 7, 2004
For Windell Bridgman of the Clarkdale community, go-kart racing has become a family affair.
Whenever there is a race at the Causeyville Race Track, Bridgman and his sons, Jason and Daniel, are in the mix seeking the checkered flag.
"We got into this last year," said Bridgman. "A friend talked me into buying a couple of cars and we race in Laurel last season. We decided to race in Causeyville this year and stay closer to home."
The cost for getting into a go-kart depends on how much you are willing to spend, Bridgman said.
"If you want to buy a brand new one, you are looking at about $4,000," he said. "But some people are trying to sell them and get out of if. You can get one for about $2,000."
As the storm clouds closed in on the Causeyville track last Saturday, the Bridgmans were making last minute adjustments to their cars.
"The upkeep is pretty basic," Bridgman said. "We keep the oil changed. The dirt is pretty rough on them so you have to keep it off of them.
"We get to the track around 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and usually get home around 11 p.m. On Sunday, we spend about four or five hours on them, and that's about it."
No one got to race Saturday as heavy rains hit about the time the drivers finished their heat laps. The next race set for Causeyville will be May 15.
Racing at Queen City Saturday night
The same rain storm caused the cancellation of races at the Queen City Speedway last week. A regular slate of races is set for this Saturday night with the drivers' meeting at 6:30 p.m., and the time qualifying to start at 7 p.m.
Queen City will be busy place May 15 with the annual Summer Sizzler 50 lap Late Model race. The Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series race comes to Queen City on June 1.
Thirty-lap race set for Columbus
The Columbus Speedway will be host the Columbus Speedway Weekly Racing Series Saturday night, including a 30-lap Super Late Model main event, according to internet reports Saturday's race will also serve as the first point's event of the season for the Columbus Speedway local divisions as part of the 2004 Columbus Speedway Weekly Racing Series. All divisions will be in action including Super Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, Pro Street, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Cruisers.
The Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series race that was rained out last Saturday in Columbus has been rescheduled for May 14, and will feature the 40-lap $2,000 first place prize, and $250 to start. This will also mark the first Richard Underwood Memorial main event. Action will consist of Brown Engineering Pole Qualifying locking in the top eight qualifiers with positions 9 through 20 set by Cliburn Tank Lines B-Main events plus two provisional starters to complete the 22-car starting field.