Axton ready for fast action

A proper beginning for the story of Willy Axton would be when frustration mounted at an all-time high 10 months ago.

The ending to his story? Well, that’s not close to finding. It can’t be when the story’s about a 7-year-old.

But 10 months ago, yes, that was when Willy was mad. He never thought to quit what has become his favorite sport, but he was angry, nonetheless. Kid Kart racing is not a hobby for Willy.

“It’s a serious sport,” Willy, a Costa Mesa resident, said of how he approaches Kid Kart racing.

So, it makes sense why there was frustration when he finished next to last, a lap down in the season opener for the International Karting Federation. Willy’s in the Kid Kart racing class.

It features mini cars that are roughly five feet long and three feet wide. The cars, rolling just over an inch from the ground, have a size 50cc motor. The average speed is about 35 miles per hour.

Willy took hold of the right speed last month and found the reason why he loves racing so much. Ten months after that awful season-opening day, he took his dad’s breath away. Willy turned the corner.

At the 43rd annual California State Championships, Willy nearly won, finishing second in the 5-8-year-old division on Nov. 25 in Apple Valley. He just missed by two-tenths of a second, coming in behind Ryan Cansdale.

Willy was passed with half a lap to go, yet finishing second still felt monumental, considering the experience he went through 10 months ago. In Apple Valley, he had some of those feelings again, but this time it was because he came so close to being the champion.

After winning the heat race to grab the pole for the main race, Willy continued to build off that momentum. He led by about two car lengths during the first seven of eight laps, reaching a top speed of about 42 miles per hour.

But with that half lap remaining, he had to find contentment with second. That was easy because he beat his nemesis, Mikey Womack, who’s really a friend, but that’s off the track.

On the track, Willy found victory in finishing ahead of the third-place Womack, who’s going up an age division. That means Willy is expected to be one of the top racers in the 5-8-year-old division’s southwestern region when the new season begins in February.

Until then, Willy, a first-grader who attends Woodland Elementary, is just like any other kid, who is getting ready to open Christmas gifts in eight days.

“Moon shoes,” he said of what he wants, the mini-trampolines made for feet. “And, a flute.”

A flute? Yes, Willy has different moods. He also plays the guitar and Rock ‘N Roll is his favorite music genre.

But on the track, behind the wheel in his Kid Kart, this is where he belongs. That was evident in Apple Valley.

“I think it’s his ability,” said his father, Jeff, explaining Willy’s ability to improve so much within 10 months. “I really don’t know enough to teach him. He just has the aptitude to go out there and do it. I don’t want to say, no fear, but at the same time he knows he can do it and not be intimidated by what he’s trying to do.”

At times, the sport can be scary. In addition to the speed, there’s also the chance that the car can roll over.

The Axtons have seen that happen. Usually, there’s no physical pain, yet there are racer’s tears mainly because that roll means the race is over. But fortunately for Jeff and Pam Axton, it hasn’t happened to their son.

Instead, what some might consider a dangerous sport, has brought the Axton family closer.

“I never miss a race,” Pam Axton said. “And, [Jeff] is with him at every practice.”

The races also have a family atmosphere, Jeff Axton said, and the camaraderie builds throughout the season.

Once, the spark plugs in Willy’s car wore out and Jeff Axton forgot to bring spare new ones. Another racer’s father gave Jeff Axton new spark plugs from his pocket.

Jeff Axton learned, yet he felt bad for not thinking like that other racer’s father. This racing is serious business. If racers finish in the top five in a race, they go to what people call, “The Room of Doom,” where there car is broken down into little pieces to inspect everything from tire pressure to wheel spacing.

When dealing with Kid Kart racing, a competitive fire always seems to be present. That’s why Jeff Axton showed distaste for not thinking to bring extra spark plugs. But Willy was there to console him, Pam Axton said.

“Dad, it’s OK,” Willy told his dad, while patting him on the back.

But don’t mistake Willy for not being just as competitive. He’ll be showing his passion when the new season begins in February.

The story of Willy Axton continues …