Ad
Featured
Rio Rancho kids finish strong at racetrack
Published
Modified
ALBUQUERQUE — The Metro area has its own club of future NASCAR drivers, and several members are from Rio Rancho.
The Roadrunner Quarter Midget Association, which held its last local race of the season Sept. 14, gets kids ages 5-17 behind a wheel and on the track, according to Peter Reuter, the track steward.
“It’s the area’s best-kept secret,” he said.
He said that the event hasn’t gotten much attention and many people don’t know the program exists. They hope to bring out more spectators and drivers. Though this year’s season is over, they are already preparing for next year.
Reuter helps manage the track and keep everyone safe. Donned with a headset and radios to communicate with the kids and the people running the track, he called the shots. He helps sponsor a team as well.
“We sponsor what’s called ‘The Rascals’ race team. It’s part of the membership, but we run 14 cars, and our goal and our charter is basically to help kids who are kind of deemed uncoachable in i9 Sports or in Little League or Peewee football, and you put those kids in a car and they’re focused, and they do extremely well,” he said.
A huge part of the nonprofit program is helping kids with autism or other behavioral disorders get into a sport that allows them to have an aptitude for something constructive and fun, according to Reuter.
Before any kids get on the track, they are trained to drive and, most importantly, how to be safe both on and off the track. Another lesson they learn is just what exactly they will be driving.
“It’s quarter midget. That means it’s a quarter of the size of a true full midget race car. All the cars are basically the same, run different motors in different classes. The two primary motors we run are Honda and a Briggs and Stratton,,” Reuter said.
“Anybody new to the sport has to go through our rookie program, and the first rookie is called red because it’s a red plate that restricts the fuel and airflow to the motor, so it helps them keep control of the car.”
Ad
The next stage up is blue, then the more experienced drivers get less restriction on their engines. The Rookies have no age restriction, but the more experienced classes do. Reuter added that most kids age out at 14 or 15 because they can’t fit in the car anymore.
Kids can start practicing at 4 1/2 years old, however, if they will turn 5 by the time the season starts.
The program also offers an open track day where kids can try out the cars without any throttle and see if they want to join the club.
Some of Rio Rancho’s prospective drivers talked more about the pastime.
Ethan Mullen and his mom Vanessa have been with the program for just over a year and are loving it.
“It’s really fun, and I just like racing and the track,” Ethan said.
He added that his favorite part is passing, when the driver gets really close to other drivers around a turn and speeds past them.
Ethan ended his first season that day and placed second as a blue rookie.
“It’s just been great. It kind of teaches them how to compete, how to win, how to lose, but ultimately, what we’ve really enjoyed is these friendships that they make with each other. The friendships made with parents, too. It’s a really good community of people that support each other,” Vanessa said.
She added that when a crash or problem happens on the track, parents all help out in getting that kid back on.
Club President Jolene Smart, of Rio Rancho, not only oversees organizing the club but also her son BrentLee, who is a racer.
“My favorite part is having fun with friends and racing hard,” BrentLee said.
He added that he hopes more people join the club because right now, there are only a few cars in each class.
BrentLee’s goal is to move up in the ranks until he gets to the bigger dirt track and eventually NASCAR.
Jolene talked more about why she feels comfortable with her son partaking in the race.
“These are the safest cars you’ll ever put your kid in. It’s a five-point harness, so your kid can tip upside down and be perfectly safe. We do multiple training sessions before they come out and actually race. We do hold the annual arrive and drives where, as early as 4 1/2 years old, you can come out, borrow our safety gear and our car and let your kid come out on the track and try an actual race car,” she said.
Part of the training is purposefully crashing and tipping the kids so they can get used to it.
On Sunday, there were several crashes and pit stops due to mechanical issues such as chains popping off or tires going flat.
Albert, Mikah, Isabella and Noah Wuorinen are also a Rio Rancho family that races. Noah is the youngest club member who just recently turned 5 years old. Though he didn’t have much to say, his actions on the track spoke for themselves as he won first place in his class.
His sister Isabella had more to say about her car and racing.
“My favorite part is winning,” she said.
Her car, a cherry blossom speckled quarter midget, represents her nickname: Cherry Blossom.
Mikah said she feels completely comfortable with her kids taking part in the racing.
“They’re totally safe. I feel more comfortable with them in these cars than in an actual car, the way that they are belted in and helmets,” she said.
Another family did well in the friendly competition.
Jaxxon Richards celebrated third place in a couple of classes with his parents, Ronald and Alicia.
“He’s been doing it for three years. I feel it’s a very safe sport with the safety equipment,” Alicia said.
Ronald added that the club is fairly affordable as well.
“It’s no more expensive than club baseball, and how expensive it gets depends on how competitive you want to be,” he said.
The family said they have followed NASCAR for years. Jaxxon’s favorite racer is Kyle Bush.
They are also looking for ways to continue racing during the off-season.
For more information about Roadrunner QMA, visit roadrunnerqma.org.
