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PAGE 8, WH]TrBY FIREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1990 *. Ait e I{arways fun. By Trudie Zavadovica Ownership has changed, but the family tradition is still well- rooted in FamilyKartwatys. Last March, Mike Sorichetti, one of seven Sorichetti sibblings, bough t Family Kartways from long-time owner Richard 'Pop' Clark. Clark and his farnily, built Family Kartways into the Mig gest gon-kart track worldwide. Ile Soichetti famnily aima te cntinue1, the tradition and turn Family Kartways into a firat- class family playland/arklsard The Sorichetti famiiy itself has been in Whitby since .1958, and has been involved in numerous construction projects. ai~aiîy Am v.fy lfIporLanr, to Mik, qickto add his business ventue Fat Fmily Kartways is not a solo one. The busines operation is shared by brothers Giary Wayne, Russell, David and Tony, sisten Angela and, of course mom and dad. Mike says that as far back as he can remember., his fanxily has always had a sense of together- nes, be it work or play. Now he bas the best of both worlds - a play Park he can work at making one of the best ever. Members of the Sorichetti fain- ily delivered the Toronto Star on the saine route for 30 years. *We gave it up in the late '70s," sa ys Mike. «Four carriers are now doing that route. "It instilled a sense of respon- sibiiity at an early ge," says Mike. «We neyer had ' things given te us. 'We've always had the attitude that you have te work for what you get. The dedication and hard work is rewarding. "I feel very strongly abut the family business. It's not like work. It's having a bunch of fun tegether. Everyone knows their responsibilitv." Richard Top' Clark, an avid stock-car ràcoTn, bought Family Kartways in 1963. With wife IBetty andcitlcren Tii, Tom, Debbie, Bob and Jini, he owned and operated the track until he recently soid i t to the Soichtti family this past March. During theo27 years he owned Fanily Kartways, Clark turnod it into the largest go-kart track in the world in sizo and potpu- larity. The Sorichetti family aima te carry on the tradition of dovo- Go-kart, track buit into world's large st KRSTEN CONNER tries out the new rides ini Kiddieland at Faniily Kartways. loping Famiiy Kartways into the beat it can be. "Dad was an expansionist,» says Bob Clark. «To this dayhe is one of the hardest-woring guy s ve ever seen.» Bob Clark says that the track undenwent nine expansions over the period of time his father owned the company. Bob, also, en expansionist, now owns FKL Go-Karts, a company that maiîufe.cturers go-karts to North America and 39 other countries aroand the world. He also owns five go-kart tracks, one each in Calgary, Kit- chener, Brantford, Hamilton and Kissimee, just outside Orlando, Fia. Bob says that brothers Jini, Tim and Tom are very proficient go-kart raers, having won a!non.g them 12 national chai- pinhips over the last three or 0 u yeans Noone was more surprised te see Pop Clark seIl Family Kart- ways than Bob. Although he's neyer directly asked his dad, Bob has his own ideas as te why ha sold the business. «I think everything has it3 time and place. He bujît it from nothing to the world's largest go-kart track. 1 guess it was just time for him to move on." He may have sold Farnily Kartways but Pop is by no means out of the running when it cornes to business. He is invol- ved in real estate and construc- tion at Marco Island in Florida. Mike Sof"ichetti worked at Family Kartways for six years befone taking ownership. He had significant input into the main- moth gamesroom that has over 150 games including a shooting gallery that brings the 'Wild West'to life. The 35-acre property is gra- duall'y becoming a vision of roi- ling his and attractive lands- caping Yvhere gravel-laden, bar- ren land once laid. A rainbow of flowers and greenery is sproutine up to weicome guests. Sorichetti takes both, pleasure and pnide in helpin g to make that'transfor- mation. In the four short months since they took over the park, Kiddie- land has doubled in size, and in imporFtanoe, in the park. «I increased Kiddlieiand by 100 Per cent. I felt it was flot an area that was neglected, but over- looked.» A kiddie ferris wheel, flying elephant pony cart rid and Alice in No nderiand teacups now ejoin the pirate ship, kiddy go- karts, bumper boats, t;rain ride and free balloons that bring Kid- dieland to life. Aiso developed was a free Kid- dieiand program, headlined with six professional shows over the summer. Canada Day was made magi- cal with the talents of m'agician Glen Ottaway. On Aug. 5, the Stylaý manders, a nationally renowned duo, wilI involve tiny auidience members in a variety of eun and frolic that could includ'. dance and bubhle-blowing cont4e-sts, or F 20Z0off 1MTUCKRENTALSI I Monday - Friday I I1230 Dundas St E, WhltbY 666-3361 1m conversations witn' Waldo, the talking dog. Aug. 19, bminy the Clown will *take time off froro his aLppearanoes on Y."V te ententain in Kfiddieland. And Septemben will bring Doug Barr, who has written and necorded several children's albums. Ail shows are free and show tixno is 3 p.ni. Besides the acts, cartoon characters circulate throughout Kiddieland te delight youngsters. <'fe set up tius program for kids and parents, ~ says Soni- chetti. 'We want kids and parents in Durham » 'ontO have a lc oseaproessinal show fre of charge." The acts> are scheduled every two weeks' throughout the summer. Family Kartways dlaims to have the world's largest go-kart track. The mile-and-a-halfwind- ing roadway has been rebitnlt wxth improvements to sound and safetyfeatures. Ail rides -are regularly safety inspected and have passed with flying colors. Sorichetti says he wants to show families in Durhamn Region that «we have a parkside equal to the track.» There are also two miniature golf courses, a picnic area, four- story high waterslide, and seven batting cages. «People have seen improve- ments ini the past few month,N says. Sorichetti. "We,,want everyone to enjoy our establisii- ment." Hot dogging MICHELANGELO, a Mutant Ninja Teenage Turtie, served hot doge and entertained at a barbecue at Shoppers Drug Mart at the Kendalwood shopping plaza on Saturday. Funds raised were donated to a program at Wihitby Psychiatrie Liospita. Petetr Tomblin photo frmfamily to famil-y