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Anyone who lives in Humboldt is probably familiar with Redwood Acres. You’ve likely been to the fair, maybe the Boardroom, or Frankie’s Bagels or the raceway that holds stock car races. But did you know that the venue also holds a much smaller raceway for much smaller vehicles? Tucked in a corner of the property you will find a dirt track used by Redwood Outlaw Karts (formerly Humboldt Outlaw Karts) for a different kind of racing. 

Maybe you are already familiar with Outlaw Karts, but if, like this reporter, you had no idea what they were until today, then we will explain. Outlaw Karts are go karts that have been modified to look like sprint racing cars (known as outlaws), with a race car cage, wings, and usually a bigger engine added to the vehicle. The vehicles and racing style originated in Red Bluff more than 30 years ago, and they’ve since spread all over the country. You can read more about the sport’s history on the Red Bluff Outlaws website, but the way Cliff Myer – who helps run Redwood Outlaw Karts — explains it, it was just some racers looking for something fun to do during the off season. 

“Basically it was a go kart, and someone was like, ‘let’s strap one of these engines – a motorcycle engine – onto a go kart and see what happens,’” Myer told the Outpost during a visit at the Outlaw track. “And what happened was fun.” 

Cliff Myer at the race track | Photo: Stephanie McGeary

Myer has been racing Outlaw Karts for about six years and recently started helping organize the races at Redwood Acres. Like so many activities, the races have been on a forced hiatus for the last two years because of COVID. After using some of that time to make needed repairs to the track, including adding a drain to help prevent flooding, the Redwood Outlaw Karts is back in full swing, with the first two races having taken place on June 10 and 25 and more happening throughout the summer. 

Myer, born-and-raised in Humboldt, has been around track racing his entire life. His father, Rod Myer, raced stock cars at the big Redwood Acres Raceway for many years, even back when the track was still dirt, before it was converted to asphalt in the late 1980s. Though Rod has retired from driving, he is still active as a crew chief and very involved with the races, Myer said. He has also offered a lot of help with getting the Outlaw Karts races up and running. 

Though Myer grew up around stock car racing, he became interested in Outlaw Karts when he and his wife decided that it might be a good activity for their oldest son, Jack. Because outlaw karts are not actual cars, you do not need a license to drive them and the races are open to children five and older. Myers’ son, who is now 12 years old, has been kart racing since he was about seven. His younger brother, Adam, age 10, is now also passionate about kart racing and both brothers recently won trophies in their divisions. 

“[It’s] absolutely a family pastime,” Myer said, adding that the whole family spends a lot of time traveling to different races around the state. Myer also works as an auto mechanic and both of his sons have also learned a lot about the family trade. Jack even works on other racers’ karts. 

Many kids participate in the races, Myer said, with the first division – Briggs beginner box stock class – being open to kids ages five through eight. Though this might sound like a dangerous activity to some parents, Myer said that every possible precaution is taken and that the kids are always trained up on the safety rules and regulations. Every racer wears a fire suit and the karts are fitted with cages and are checked before every race to make sure everything is working properly. Also, because the Redwood Acres track is dirt and fairly small, the racers aren’t generally able to go as fast as they would on other tracks.

“We take a lot of steps to mitigate the risks,” Myer said, adding that, as a parent, he wants to be sure to find a balance of fun and safety for his kids. “I don’t want my kids to be afraid of doing something they love, just because there are risks involved.” 

Something Myer really likes about kart racing (and racing in general) is that the divisions are only separated by age and the type of vehicle, not by gender. So – unlike with other types of sports – kids and adults of any gender identity can participate in these races, without there being any debate over if they belong on the “boys” or “girls” team. “It’s a great equalizer,” Myer said. 

If you are interested in either racing or watching, the next Redwood Outlaw Karts race is on July 15. Entering a race costs $50 ($30 for the car registration and $20 for yourself or your kid) and a ticket to view the race is $20. Race winners receive a trophy and sometimes some prize money too, depending on how much sponsorship the race has. Myer wanted to be sure to give a shout out to the groups’ sponsors – Earth it Environmental, Nor-Cal Automotive, Valley Pacific, Redwood Acres Raceway, Jim Redd, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Hilfiker Pipe Co. Hemmingson Paving Solutions, Linda Forbes and Shannon McCartney – who have helped get Redwood Outlaw Karts up and running. 

To find more details on how to race with, watch or be a sponsor of Redwood Outlaw Karts, you can visit the group’s Facebook Page and message them with any questions.  

To see what you’re in for, check out these karts in action: