By Jimmy Mack
Design by Maria Bertrand
Who doesn’t love a good race? Kids in Ecuador sure do! Each year, they come together to make and decorate wooden go-karts, and then the race is on!
Wooden go-kart racing in Ecuador dates all the way back to the 1940s. Early races started in the country’s capital of Quito, but today races happen all throughout Ecuador, including in Guayaquil where this race occurred!
The construction process of the go-karts is pretty interesting. They start out as blank canvases made only of wooden planks and small rubber tires.
It’s up to each team to decide how it wants to modify, enhance and decorate its go-kart.
Some modifications are simple …
… and some are more complex! This team, in particular, used a plastic water tank, bicycle parts and wheelbarrow tires to spice up its go-kart.
Once the go-karts are complete, it’s time to prepare for the race. The track can be marked by anything, even old car tires and homemade paper cones.
Then, all that’s left is to line up at the starting line, get ready, and …
Drivers race two laps around the track, and then the winner is crowned!
After a fun-filled day of races, everyone is exhausted, but no one leaves without a smile on his or her face. The only thing left to do? Start thinking about next year’s race!
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