“If you build it, they will come”
Local track draws kart racers from multiple states
Sheila Harris
Free family entertainment is as close as Butterfield. Every other Saturday night, on a discreet 30-acre tract, a one-eighth-mile, banked, red clay go-kart racing track known as Twister Alley brings in drivers from hours away for an afternoon and evening of dirt, sweat and motor-racing.
Built in 2006 by Tony and Diana Cope, Twister Alley sees, on average, 100-plus drivers, their karts and pit crews every other weekend throughout racing season, which runs from April through October. Track promoter Chip Abramovitz said the track has often seen more than 200 drivers.
“Tony has always been interested in dirt-track racing,” said his wife Diana Cope. “In 2006, we were approached by a gentleman who told us our land in Butterfield would be the perfect place for a go-kart track, so we built one, kind of on the premise that ‘if we build it, they will come.”
The Copes’s faith was not misplaced.
In a motor-sport more affordable than stock car racing, child and adult drivers from hours away journey to Butterfield with their karts and get serious about racing.
Drivers pay an entry fee and receive the opportunity to win monetary prices.
Track promoter Chip Abramovitz, who came onboard with the Copes in 2013, has been part of the reason for the huge driver participation, says former racer Sam Mattingly, of Exeter.
“As a former stock car racer, Chip has the connections that bring drivers to the track,” Mattingly said.
According to Chip Abramovitz, many go-kart drivers are either on their way up to stock car racing, or are deciding to give up stock cars for the more affordable go-karts.
“We have 12 classes of races based on motor-types,” he said. “We have two quarter-midget races for kids through age 14, and several categories for adults.”
Abramovitz, who has a voice made for emceeing, invites drivers in full racing gear with meticulously presented go-karts to prepare for their individual races in performances which are, as Sam Mattingly says, “fun.”
“Kart racing is the ‘funnest’ sport I’ve ever participated in,” said Mattingly, who gave it up several years ago in favor of spending more time with his own kids.
Mattingly says Abramovitz is a strong supporter of the children who race.
“He comes up with some good sponsors and makes sure all the kids take home some money,” Mattingly said.
Because there is no charge for spectators to view the go-kart races at Twister Alley, it’s a great opportunity for parents to expose their children to the sport and get them involved, if they’re interested, Chip Abramovitz says.
“A person can spend as much or as little as they’d like on a competitive go-kart,” he said, “but we can give them information on how to get started.”
Mattingly, a mechanic at the former Gautney’s Garage, now called simply “The Shop,” says he’s helped many a kid get his kart ready to race.
“Go-kart racing beats a lot of stupid stuff kids can get involved in,” he said.
Races take place again on Saturday, August 7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Bleacher seats and a full concession stand are available. Feel free to bring lawn chairs or sit in the back of your pickup.
More information and a schedule of races can be found on Twister Alley’s Facebook page.
Free family entertainment is as close as Butterfield. Every other Saturday night, on a discreet 30-acre tract, a one-eighth-mile, banked, red clay go-kart racing track known as Twister Alley brings in drivers from hours away for an afternoon and evening of dirt, sweat and motor-racing.
Built in 2006 by Tony and Diana Cope, Twister Alley sees, on average, 100-plus drivers, their karts and pit crews every other weekend throughout racing season, which runs from April through October. Track promoter Chip Abramovitz said the track has often seen more than 200 drivers.
“Tony has always been interested in dirt-track racing,” said his wife Diana Cope. “In 2006, we were approached by a gentleman who told us our land in Butterfield would be the perfect place for a go-kart track, so we built one, kind of on the premise that ‘if we build it, they will come.”
The Copes’s faith was not misplaced.
In a motor-sport more affordable than stock car racing, child and adult drivers from hours away journey to Butterfield with their karts and get serious about racing.
Drivers pay an entry fee and receive the opportunity to win monetary prices.
Track promoter Chip Abramovitz, who came onboard with the Copes in 2013, has been part of the reason for the huge driver participation, says former racer Sam Mattingly, of Exeter.
“As a former stock car racer, Chip has the connections that bring drivers to the track,” Mattingly said.
According to Chip Abramovitz, many go-kart drivers are either on their way up to stock car racing, or are deciding to give up stock cars for the more affordable go-karts.
“We have 12 classes of races based on motor-types,” he said. “We have two quarter-midget races for kids through age 14, and several categories for adults.”
Abramovitz, who has a voice made for emceeing, invites drivers in full racing gear with meticulously presented go-karts to prepare for their individual races in performances which are, as Sam Mattingly says, “fun.”
“Kart racing is the ‘funnest’ sport I’ve ever participated in,” said Mattingly, who gave it up several years ago in favor of spending more time with his own kids.
Mattingly says Abramovitz is a strong supporter of the children who race.
“He comes up with some good sponsors and makes sure all the kids take home some money,” Mattingly said.
Because there is no charge for spectators to view the go-kart races at Twister Alley, it’s a great opportunity for parents to expose their children to the sport and get them involved, if they’re interested, Chip Abramovitz says.
“A person can spend as much or as little as they’d like on a competitive go-kart,” he said, “but we can give them information on how to get started.”
Mattingly, a mechanic at the former Gautney’s Garage, now called simply “The Shop,” says he’s helped many a kid get his kart ready to race.
“Go-kart racing beats a lot of stupid stuff kids can get involved in,” he said.
Races take place again on Saturday, August 7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Bleacher seats and a full concession stand are available. Feel free to bring lawn chairs or sit in the back of your pickup.
More information and a schedule of races can be found on Twister Alley’s Facebook page.
At left, a driver from out-of-state prepares his and his wife’s car for racing.
Photo by Sheila Harris.
Photo by Sheila Harris.
Above, Twister Alley track promoter, Chip Abramovitz, wets the track down between races. Photo by Sheila Harris.a
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Above, Twister Alley track owners, Tony and Diana Cope, pause for a photo in the July heat. Photo by Sheila Harris.
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