Bright lights, family fellowship, and the need for speed. One thing is for sure— a backyard dirt track filled with speedy go-kart racers surrounded by family and friends as spectators makes for a special weekend night in Attala County.
Nearly every weekend, Terry and Katie Cauthen host races in their backyard at their home track (commonly referred to as the Cauthen Track). Community participation and support regularly brings out more than 100 people for these events. On average, there are usually at least 50 go-karts that race to the delight of 150 spectators. Open to all, go-kart racers range in age from 5 to early 70s.
Drivers line up before their race, waiting patiently for the signal to start their engines.
Landon Gibson / The Star-Herald
The Cauthens originally created the track during the pandemic’s first mandated quarantine period of 2020 — primarily due to interest from Terry Cauthen and his son, Trent. Cauthen got his friend Jay Weeks on board, and they began alerting more of their buddies about their vision. Katie Cauthen said people were looking for fun, wholesome activities during the trying time, so the Cauthens decided to build a track on their property to host go-kart races.
The Cauthen family — Terry and Katie and their children Trent and Abbi — smile after an exciting night of racing at their home track.
Landon Gibson / The Star-Herald
The popularity of community go-kart racing escalated to a vast local audience. Shortly after the Cauthen Track was built, other racers from surrounding communities began setting up their own tracks. Now, there are tracks in Hesterville and French Camp, as well.
Racers unite online on a community Facebook page named “KO Kartin,’” where racing families receive weekly information concerning the local tracks and decide which they will be racing at when the weekend arrives. The page only features local tracks with no entry fee, unlike several tracks in neighboring communities where entrants ‘pay-to-play’ and race for cash prizes.
There is no charge to race or watch at the Cauthen Track, but donations are accepted.
Racing parent Brad Shaffer appreciates the Cauthens for hosting a track where families can race for free.
“It keeps everything family-friendly. I know it costs them money for gas, generators, and other things like that. We contribute donations to help them cover some costs. It’s just great for the kids to have something to do and somewhere safe to go,” said Shaffer.
The Shaffer racing family: (back, left to right) Brad and Amantha Shaffer, (front, left to right) Jase Roberson and Parks Shaffer.
Landon Gibson / The Star-Herald
Terry Cauthen, owner and racer, confirmed that he spends nearly $200 per racing night to keep the track viable. Lights outlining the track are powered using generators, and tires surround the track to prevent racers from running off-course.
Racers are divided into seven classes to compete in, based on their go-karts and skill level.
• Beginners — new racers.
• Girls class — lady racers.
• Stock appearing boys (two groups) — typically aged 7-14 and have racing experience.
• Box Stock adults — motor comes straight out of the box. It must appear to be stock and have a stock carburetor.
• Stock appearing adults — typically adults aged 15 or older.
• Open — any style or model go-kart can race.
Racers compete in three heats within their respective class. Following traditional guidelines, the racer finishing in first place in the first heat will begin the second heat positioned in first place. However, Cauthen said sometimes they do an “inverted race,” where the first-place finisher in the first heat lines up in last place for the second heat.
A driver eyes Cauthen and signals that he is ready to begin.
Landon Gibson / The Star-Herald
After each race, winners proudly hoist a white-checkered flag as they circle the track for a victory lap.
Last Saturday night, the Cauthen Track had Smoke-N-Roll’s food truck on site, selling concessions to attendees. Katie Cauthen said a group of women used to prepare food for everyone, but with growing attendance, they decided to invite one food truck per weekend to their races. They plan on rotating the trucks to give people a variety of food.
Hunter Hood, 19, races two go-karts. Coming from a racing family, his father Joseph Hood also participates along with siblings Peyton, Mase, and Alexis. In total, their family owns and maintains seven racing go-karts. Hood said he and his dad work on one go-kart per day until Saturday arrives.
Hood began racing before KO Kartin’ and the Cauthen Track existed. In fact, he started when he was 9 or 10 years old. The family used to travel to Sturgis and race, but now they have a quality track much closer to home.
Kosciusko native Frankie Thorpe regularly races his go-kart with his son Colton. Thorpe said he came to watch one weekend, and Michael Biggers of Central Tire Service encouraged him to drive Biggers’ go-kart. Thorpe thought it would be fun for his son Colton, but the thrill roped Thorpe in as well. The father-and-son duo enjoy spending time together at the racetrack and working on the go-karts.
The same sentiments are shared by Brad Shaffer and his stepson, Jase Robertson, as well as Terry and Trent Cauthen.
If families are looking for a place to spend time together, share fellowship with community members, and watch go-kart drivers vie for bragging rights, there is nowhere else to be on a Saturday night than at a KO-Kartin’ racetrack.
“In Attala County, there's nothing for families to go do. That’s why we like it, because even if people don’t have someone racing, they can come out here and watch,” said Katie Cauthen. “We don't charge anything, so bring your family and come do something exciting with your kids.”
