Go-Kart Alley

When the railroad tracks through Sumner are abandoned, twelve-year-old Jess McCormick and his little brother, Brian, find an opportunity to capitalize on the situation. Seventy-five miles of railroad right-of-way become a go-kart highway, practically running through their backyard. With technical skills beyond those of their peers, endless resources, tools and used parts, they become entrepreneurs by opening up a custom go-kart shop in an old work shed behind their house. Their shop becomes the go-kart center of the trail. Every kid in Sumner and the surrounding area comes to see the small-engine whiz kids about getting modifications made to their go-karts. Everyone scrounges, saves and raids area junkyards in search of resources to build the faster, better go-kart. Some come by the local pizza parlor to challenge Jess, who is known all along the trail to have the fastest go-kart. The hard working boys make a few enemies along the way, but they also embrace friendships. They make a little money, hang out a lot, go on a few hairy rides, and even get a friend or two out of a tight scrape. It isn’t until they venture into the world of Jr. Drag Racing that their mechanical as well as business skills are really put to the test.

Dennis Van Vleet grew up on two farms; one in Wisconsin and one in Texas. He made lifelong friends in both places who shared in experiencing the same kind of hijinks told in his stories. When he was eleven he wanted two things: a set of drums and a go-kart. He still has both and each has forever changed his life. Dennis is an inventor, a farmer, machinist, engineer, entrepreneur, technician, drummer, truck driver, writer, filmmaker, Christian, husband and proud father of four children.