Motor Sports: Douglas grad wins national go-kart titles

It's not the dozens of trophies in his room that keep 17-year-old Travis Duhn competing in the national go-kart circuit, although the trophies are nice.

It's not the cash prizes or the cushy sponsors, although they're nice, too. Rather, the 2009 Douglas High grad is drawn to the thrill of the sport - the rush of 80 miles per hour in a vehicle that sits a little more than half an inch off the ground.

"It's an adrenaline rush, an addiction," Travis said at his family's Johnson Lane home last week. "I've always loved roller-coasters and rides, but go-karting is even more of a rush, especially when you're going 20 laps against 30 other guys. When you win, you're on top of the world."

Winning is something Travis is use to. He landed his first championship trophy at the age of 12, only a year after he started racing. Since then, his room has filled with accolades, trophies and plaques, garnered from competitions across the West Coast.

Last month, though, Travis bested himself.

At the International Kart Federation's Grand National Championship in Redding, Calif., Travis took three national champion titles in the sprint race, two in the 125 shifter class, and one in the 80 shifter class.

In the go-karting world, the top-place trophies are known as Duffys, named after go-kart pioneer Duffy Livingston.

"If you can tell people you got a Duffy, it's huge in the go-karting world," Travis said. "My progress as a driver has paid off."

Travis's father Thore Duhn said three Duffys secure his son's expert status in the circuit. He said many professional race car drivers who started out in go-karting haven't earned as many Duffys as Travis.

"I think (Jeff) Gordon has one," he said.

The proud father doesn't just cheer for his son, but actively participates in the sport. He helps Travis build the winning machines.

"We have a complete machine and fabrication shop," Thore said. "We build our own braking components, because, going so fast, one thing you want right is the braking. We also hand-make the bracketry, pedal assemblages and linkages."

Travis hopes his victories will land him some international sponsors and perhaps more parts for his go-karts; but the young driver is also considering moving up to race cars in the future.

"By ambition is to go out and keep winning," he said.

Next on Travis' list is an international competition in Las Vegas this fall. He said the cash prize is $10,000.

"It's not so much about the money, though," he said. "You can make a decent living from racing, and winning helps you get new sponsors, but it's more about being able to pay for the sport, being paid to drive."

Even with his big wins, Travis is staying grounded. He plans to attend Western Nevada College between competitions. He wants to study business and marketing and hopes to have his own advertising firm some day.

But wherever life takes Travis, his love of go-karting will keep him close to the track.

"I'm going to keep practicing and improving," he said. "It's a passion."