Go karts might bring to mind an afternoon of recreation and fun with family or friends at a local amusement park. For Shannon Ward, Jet Linx Houston Vice President of Sales & Client Relations, the kart is more than recreation – it’s a world of competition and opportunity.

Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles raced on scaled-down circuits. “I have been into Motorsports my whole life, starting with four-wheelers and dirt bikes,” Ward explained. Following an injury last spring, Ward set aside her dirt bike to find a new track-based obsession – race karting. “My family and I actually went to an indoor go-karting track for a birthday party and were shortly thereafter introduced to race karting. Since then race karting has been our number one hobby.”

The thrill of competition and flexibility of karting appeals to a busy, sales-oriented professional like Ward. “The track we race on in Katy, TX at Gulf Coast Kartway is a 0.7 mile paved road racing course with a 780′ main straight and a variety of left-hand and right-hand corners. I race with a team called Motorsports Development Group, and train twice a week for competition. There are lights at the track so we can come anytime!”

Ward’s first ever race resulted in a win. She immediately looked to expand her training and explore the additional challenge of the Men’s Division. “To race in the men’s classes I have to add 70 plus pounds of lead weight to my kart,” she explained. “I currently drive a Praga Chassis with a LO206 engine, a 4-stroke with about 8 horsepower and top speeds of around 65 mph. I’ve recently started training on a 125 CC TaG engine, a 2-stroke with about 30 horsepower, and much higher top speeds of around 95 mph. It is a step out of beginners territory!”

Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher ranks of motorsports. And Ward? Her love of motorsports might put her on a similar path.

“Race karting is a gateway to Formula One and NASCAR for many drivers. A number of those competing in the Le Mans 24 hour race start on and still train with karts. My goal with this sport is to get into car racing … I have my eyes set on a Praga R1.”