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SPORTS PEOPLE
Quickly, Kettering teen shows track talent
Cody Robinson swept four classes at a national go-kart event in May.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Jeff Robinson had heard about the go-kart racing at G&J Kartway in Camden and took his son, Cody, to check it out.
That was about nine years ago. There's been no looking back since — well, only to see how far the competition trails.
Cody Robinson, a 15-year-old from Kettering, is a championship go-kart racer and competes nationally. Cody, who turned 15 on Saturday, didn't take long to be considered an up-and-comer in the sport. He's arrived.
The Kettering resident earned accolades — and the cover of GoRacing magazine, which NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray autographed — after sweeping four classes at the WKA Nationals in South Bend, Ind., in May.
As a rookie in the junior division in 2006 he won eight titles.
Sponsored by L&T Manufacturing in Dayton, Slattery Racing in Cleves and BTK Motorsports in Alabama, Robinson is certainly on the fast track. His racing options include a chance for a Skip Barber Racing School scholarship, dirt late models and sprint midgets.
In his words
"It's definitely different. I'm lucky I get to drive go-karts before I turn 16. I think I'd be more comfortable in a car than most kids.
"The ones that know I do it think it's all right. Others think I'm messing with them and think I'm racing at the amusement park or something.
"I asked for a little pocket bike or a dirt bike (for my birthday).
"When we go to Florida I get to go to the beach and swim in the ocean. When we went to Colorado we were near the Rocky Mountains so we saw them from the track.
"I like all the people, all the traveling. I just love driving and the competition.
"Skateboarding. I go to (Kettering's) DC Plaza and the Cellar, street skating. I'd say I'm all right. I'm better at go-karting.
"(McMurray) asked me how I got on the cover and I told him I won four races at the nationals. He said he hoped to see me in NASCAR.
"If I had to choose (a favorite class), right now in high school there's a cooking class. But I also like math and science.
"I like to hang out with my friends, especially my friend 'Kota (Dakota Pesek). We skateboard and stuff like that."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991 or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
