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  • Ron Petersen, right, and his father, Steve Petersen, load Ron's go-kart onto the maintenance cart after the final race of the Mayor's Cup on Sunday. Ron Petersen's son, Tony Petersen, won the Yamaha Junior Sportsman race.

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May 15, 2011

Go-karting brings three generations of racers together

By Sam Brattain The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. — After crossing the finish line, Tony Petersen, 11, said he was still too concentrated to celebrate his first-place victory during Sunday’s Mayor’s Cup.

“He gets really excited after a race, usually pumps his fists or salutes,” said his grandfather Steve Petersen, 61.

Along with Tony’s father Ron, 31, the Petersens represent three generations of racers.

Not even a teenager, Tony has competed in over 125 races, this being his sixth Mayor’s Cup.

“He probably has more experience than most of the drivers he’s racing against,” said Steve.

While Ron and Tony live in Brownsburg, Steve lives in Anderson, Go-kart racing has kept the family close. They serve as each other’s pit crews, and are there to give each other moral support.

Following the last race of the day, Ron Petersen struggled to determine how he placed.

“I think I placed second or third,” Ron said.

Having watched the race astutely from the sidelines, Tony assured him he had placed second.

The only Petersen who did not have a race over the weekend was Steve, who gave up racing motor bikes several years ago. However, through his employer, JD Byryder, he has secured sponsorship for his son and grandson. He said he’s even received support from NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, who is also sponsored by JD Byryder. On his cellphone Steve shows a picture of his grandson and Stewart. It’s no surprise that Tony is a big fan.

“He’s my favorite NASCAR driver,” said Tony.

Ron said Stewart had given them JD Byryder jumpsuits for their competitions years ago. These days, however, Ron says he has a harder time fitting in to his.

“Tony still fits his, even though he’s growing. I, on the other hand, am growing out,” said Ron.

The Petersens all agreed that the Mounds Mall parking lot provided a great venue for the event. The race took place in the south parking lot of the shopping center, where elevation and other dimensions of the parking lot made for a unique racing experience.

“I really liked Turn 1,” said Tony. “You’re trying to turn one way, but the slope is angled the other way,”

The track also featured interconnected plastic barriers, an upgrade over bales of hay, said Steve. Hay bales typically are used for go-kart races.

“These barriers don’t give. The hay barriers sort of suck you in,” said Steve.

As Sunday’s activities came to an end, Ron pushed his kart over to the team’s trailer. An end to another exciting outing for the Petersens.

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