When a 7-year-old gets together with his grandfather, chances are that Spongebob may be the topic of conversation. That is unless the last name is Rutan, then tire pressures and racing lines may be the topic of the day. For the last several years, Cole Rutan of Essex, Connecticut has been competing directly with his father, Daniel, and his grandfather, William, in racing karts. In 2004, Cole finally started winning races, beating his elders in a fair fight, and prompting much speculation on “how long ‘till he is in a racecar?”

Backyard karting is an offshoot of competitive kart racing, but on a more casual basis. The racetracks start as grass and turn quickly to dirt. There is no entry fee or licensing and everybody is in the same class. When seventy-something William Rutan, 2-time SCCA National Champion, wants to compete directly with his forty year old son and seven year old grandson, there are few places he can go other than the backyard. And when mom (Deborah Rutan) wants to get involved, look out boys.

Collectively, the Rutan family has won more backyard kart races than all other competitors combined. The team of William and Deborah is almost unbeatable in endurance races and on his own, Daniel is almost unbeatable. The Rutans rely on smoothness in the seat and meticulous preparation. To beat 16 other teams of talented drivers, one’s kart has to be perfect and not miss a beat on raceday. William is happy to share his fifty years of racecar preparation experience with his family and friends. It is this same attention to details that helped a better known Rutan build Spaceship One and win the X Prize.

The Rutans are an inspiration to any family who feels that there is no common ground between generations any more. Backyard karting may be the ideal activity to bring families together and strengthen intergenerational bonds.

Cole now drives "Old Orange", the first kart that ever turned a wheel in the backyard. His Honda makes the same power as the adults', and his 100 pound weight advantage makes him a rocket on the straights.

Cole leads mom (Deborah) through the Phone Pole turn. Cole's speed through this flatout sweeper shown that he is undaunted by the obvious psycological barrier, the phone pole.

Who is passing whom? Dan and Cole battle for possition and you can almost hear them yelling at each other.

A fantastic picture taken by Sarah Delorso of her brother, Lou (12) lead by Dan Rutan, William Rutan, John Rice and Cole Rutan through the Well Corner. This picture was taken roughly 200 laps into the T Karts 300. Side by side racing as seen here is safe and fun and intensely satifying, and something that three generations can do together.