Need for
Speed
Leet Township’s Charlie Knoll loves life
in the fast lane. By Jennifer Brozak
A
t just eight years old, Leet Township’s
Charlie Knoll already knows how to
burn rubber.
Charlie, a third grader at Obsorne Elementary
School, is establishing himself as a fierce
competitor in the field of go-kart racing. He’s
competed in about 10 regional and national
races so far, earning podium spots in five of
them.
Charlie’s love of going fast began when he was
just three years old. His father, Chuck Knoll, had
brought home a three-wheeled, rechargeable
“Harley-Davidson” style ride-on motorcycle.
“It only had about one-and-a-half
horsepower,” says Knoll. “Within minutes, he
was riding on it standing up and was bored.”
Knoll took the too-slow toy back to the store
and came home with another one. This one had
about four horsepower.
“That kept him happy for a while,” he says
with a laugh. “But it just unfolded from there.”
The Knolls eventually got their hands on an
old-fashioned go-kart with a fiberglass frame. As
Charlie grew familiar with the kart, he started
trying out autocross-style drift turns in it,
displaying skills way beyond his years. Then they
learned about the Pittsburgh International Race
Complex in Wampum, known locally as Pitt
Race. The complex features an .83-mile track
called the Wilson Circuit, which is specifically
designed for karting.
Intrigued, they drove to the complex and
rented a go-kart. It didn’t take long for Knoll
to realize his son had an exceptional knack for
driving the kart.
“He just naturally knew how to shorten
the track by broadening the turns. People
started taking notice,” he says. Lessons were
recommended, and soon after, Charlie got his
own kart and began entering competitions.
Since he started competing a few short years
ago, Charlie’s had one third-place finish, three
second-place finishes and one fifth-place finish
in a national race. In December, he raced at the
Daytona Kart Week, which was sponsored by
the World Karting Association. He worked
his way up to 8th place in a field of 20, racing
against drivers who were up to 12 years old.
And even though he didn’t win, he considers
the Daytona race to be his favorite.
“The competition was the best I’ve faced,”
says Charlie, who incidentally is a grandson
of the late Catherine Baker Knoll, former
lieutenant governor of PA.
His dad agrees. “Whether he finishes first
or fifth, he just loves the competition. He
always tells me, ‘Well, we’ll get them next time.’”
He trains regularly, both on and off the track.
As with professional racecar drivers, Charlie and
his fellow kart racers also rely on sophisticated,
computer-driven data to up their game.
Because the karts can reach speeds of up to
55 to 60 mph, there is an element of danger
involved – but it’s no worse than with any other
sport or activity, says Knoll. The kart’s low
center of gravity, coupled with the appropriate
safety equipment, helps to prevent injury.
“He’s spun out, but he’s not reacted badly.
Could he have an accident? Sure. But he works
hard and makes good decisions,” he adds.
Charlie says there’s no room for fear when
he’s on the track. “I trust my kart and I trust my
ability,” he says, pointing out that he loves the
Wilson Circuit because of the turns, banking
and elevation changes.
Charlie plans on competing in WKA races
in Jacksonville, Fla., and in Charlotte, N.C.,
this year, among others. His favorite part of the
sport? The speed and competition, of course.
“Since the karts are supposed to be equal, the
best driver should win!” he says. ■
Sewickley | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 13