George Durdin’s love of kart racing began as a kid growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.”I’ve been a racing fan for as long as I can remember,” Durdin said. During high school, he got into drag racing and in college, his focus turned to Sports Car Club of America racing. Like many college grads, Durdin was unsure what he wanted to do with this life so he decided to explore Colorado. He never left.”The mountains, weather, low humidity – all were major draws to me,” Durdin said.After working as a mortgage banker for seven years, Durdin left and joined an insurance company as an inspector. While visiting a small rental race kart track at the Royal Gorge, Durdin thought about the limited recreational opportunities in Colorado Springs and decided to open his own business based on what he knew best – kart racing. In 1979, Durdin opened Carefree Highway, a recreational kart rental and race track on Platte Avenue, near the Citadel Mall.”I had four tracks and 50 karts and the best location in town,” Durdin said. After 20 years of success, he sold the business.In 1991, Durdin bought 40 acres in Calhan and began to build his dream: a home and a kart racing track. In 1994, the dream came to fruition with the initiation of CRE Motorsports Park, a half-mile race track.In late June, Durdin will expand that track to one mile. Supported by membership service, retail purchases and event participation, the track is designed to the World Karting Association’s specifications. The WKA is a membership-owned nonprofit corporation formed in 1971 to regulate and promote the sport of competitive kart racing.Durdin emphasized that kart racing is a family sport. “We have young kids, teens, parents and grandparents who all race here,” he said. Seminars and training classes for all ages are provided on site as well.Children age 5 through 8 begin with the JDD Series (junior driver development), which was established to focus on the development of future racing talent. Kids learn the rules of kart racing, how to safely drive the karts and the fun of competition. Parents also are actively involved to encourage and support their kids.It’s not for kids and teens only. “Our biggest class is empty nesters – age 42 to 64,” Durdin said. Young girls and women enjoy the sport as well, he added.Kart racing is safe for everyone.”It’s one of the safest sports out there,” Durdin said. “You are only an inch off the ground and wearing a full helmet with neck support, padding on the uniforms, jackets and gloves.”Corporate, business and group racing programs are offered as well. “It’s a great team-building exercise,” he said. “We put them through the paces of a World Karting Association event from start to finish.” Participants learn to drive karts, hold practice sessions, qualifying sessions and a race where a winner is declared. “We can have up to 13 participants, and it takes about five hours,” Durdin said.CRE Motorsports Park has hosted the Colorado Rotax Max Challenge for the last four seasons. For the first time this season, CRE Motorsports will participate in the Champ Car Denver Grand Prix on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 at the Pepsi Center.Many people come to race at CRE Motorsports Park, not only from Colorado but also from other parts of the country. Race participants can camp on Durdin’s property at no charge.And there’s more to his dream. He plans to open an RV park in 2007. With continued growth on the eastern plains, Durdin’s dream equals a sound business plan.For more information on CRE Motorsports Park, visit www.cremotorsports.com.
