The Skyliner

Issue date: 11/9/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: photo courtesy of Brett Miller Brett Miller races against 26 other karts in the final 2005 WKA Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt series event in Carnesville, Ga.

Media Credit: photo courtesy of Brett Miller Miller in kart that will be on display at Daytona USA.

Adam Henson
Editor-in Chief

Beginning Dec. 26 Brett Miller's kart will be on display at Daytona USA in Daytona, Fla. for the following year. Miller, junior marketing, is being honored with the display after winning four of the World Karting Association's five national kart races this year.

Growing up near Lake Hartwell, Ga. Miller began racing at 9-years old at local tracks as a hobby with his dad. Miller stayed at the local tracks for the next few years honing his skills as a kart driver.

At the age of 16, he got his first break earning a sponsorship from Hi-Tech racing based in Greenville, S.C., moving to Greer in 2002. In 2003, he won a Georgia state championship, and in 2004, he won two national championships. Now at the top of his game on the karting circuit, Miller is speaking with representatives from Rousch and Hendrix racing, hoping to move onto the next level of what has so far been an illustrious racing career.

"I want to do everything in kart racing before I move up," Miller said. "You can get recognized [on the kart circuit], most NASCAR drivers originated in the WKA."

The kart circuit, stretching from Ohio to Florida, runs from the late spring until the fall. "We usually race three weekends each month during the regular season," he said. "In the off season we run less."

The titles and recognition aren't the only reasons for racing the kart circuit. "We do travel to some 'money races' which pay anywhere from $1000 to $10,000," he said. "I raced in a $10,000 race in Florida, I lead half of the race and ended up coming in third." Miller split $50,000 in earnings with his sponsors last year. "It makes a nice part-time job." In addition to the National Championships, Miller won a North Carolina state championship this year and two Georgia state championships in 2004.

Miller won WKA national races this year in 4 different classes: Stock Light, Limited Light, Animal and 4-cycle medium. "There are about 15 classes that range from age divisions to modification differences," he said. "Usually 40 to 50 racers try to qualify for a race, but only about 30 usually do," said Miller. "It's a pretty big deal."

There are dangers involved, though. "We race fifth and quarter mile dirt tracks, the karts run around 50-60 miles per hour on the fifth mile and push 80 on the quarter mile tracks," he said. "National races are only 20 laps, so at those speeds they go by quick, but some of the money races are 50 laps." There isn't a harness system like in NASCAR, but it is a pretty tight fit in the kart - and it is safe, but I did see a guy get killed in a race, Miller said.

"It's really a family thing," he said, "its really tight knit." National races last the whole weekend so they have a worship service on Sunday mornings at the track, Miller said. "Its great to come together like that."

"The Lord has really blessed me in this," Miller said. "I want Him to receive all the glory in anything that He allows me to do."

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