Our Story

The Story Behind Kart Racers Speed Shop

In 2017, after my father passed away, I came across a box of old karting magazines from his racing days in the 1960s and early 1970s. As I spent hours flipping through those pages, a flood of cherished memories came rushing back—memories of the tracks, races, karts, engines, suppliers, and familiar faces that made up the vibrant karting community.

Karting has always been a major part of my family’s life. My father, Bob Behrens, raced enduros throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. He served as President of the Chain Breakers Kart Club and as Race Director for the 1970 IKF Summer Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, while my mother helped score races. After college, I raced sprints and enduros in the 1980s and early 1990s. My brother, Todd Behrens, carried the family torch from the mid-1980s until his untimely passing in 2007, and the third generation of our karting family competed in the Purdue Grand Prix in 2017 and 2018. For us, karting was more than a sport—it was a passion that brought us together and helped shape our lives.

To stay connected to my late father’s and brother’s love for karting, I began recreating iconic karting imagery and preserving pieces of karting history as a hobby. What started as a personal project quickly gained interest, and it wasn’t long before others encouraged me to share the designs more broadly. The idea was simple but meaningful: to give fellow racers and fans a way to relive their own karting memories and celebrate the karts, engines, races, and tracks that fueled their passion.

Since launching Kart Racers Speed Shop, I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible people, hear amazing stories, and take on unique projects that celebrate the rich heritage of karting. From my early days racing a Hornet SS powered by a Mac 49 in rookie class at Whiteland Raceway, to watching my brother become a 1998 WKA Enduro National Champion, to cheering on my son at the Purdue Grand Prix, karting has left an unforgettable mark on my life.

Kart Racers Speed Shop is committed to honoring that legacy. We provide racers and fans with high-quality gear and apparel featuring unique designs that revive the glory days of karting while also celebrating today’s high-tech, high-speed racing scene. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or embracing the present, Kart Racers Speed Shop is here to keep the spirit of karting alive for generations to come.

Scott Behrens