THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406240214
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Medium
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH:
``I've always been a wrench turner,'' he said.
{REST} From 1982 until 1990, he and his son Wayne Jr., ``Bucky,'' raced go-carts throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
``Bucky won 116 races,'' said Sweeney. The races were held at Langley Speedway or other tracks in Virginia and North Carolina.
Sweeney is a member of the board of directors of the Albemarle Kart Club and a past director of the Hampton Roads Kart Club.
Crew chief Sweeney takes charge of everything involved in making a go-cart ready to race - making adjustments, fine-tuning the machinery.
He also builds the engines.
``I'm a competitive type person,'' he said. ``I enjoy building these motors and going out and seeing them win. It gives me a good feeling to see them perform.''
In Sweeney's patient hands, engines get a new lease on life. The process begins with a five-horsepower rotor-tiller engine by Briggs and Stratton. First, he completely disassembles the engine. He reworks the carburetor and drills fuel and air passages. Then he makes alterations so that methanol can be used instead of gasoline.
``It's slower burning and cooler than gasoline,'' he said. ``Go-cart engines cannot take the punishment they would get from gasoline. They would get too hot.''
James Williams is one of the fortunate friends for whom Sweeney builds and maintains engines.
``Wayne helped me get started,'' said Williams, whose son is a go-cart racer. ``He rebuilds my motors and goes to the track with me just for the love of the sport. He also helps my son.'' Sweeney is teaching Williams to rebuild his own motors.
Go-carts have changed since Sweeney and his son started racing.
``Handling characteristics are much more important now than they used to be,'' he said. ``You used to be able to take a strong motor and win races. But today, you have to have superior handling in the cart because everybody seems to have good motors.''
Full name: Wayne M. Sweeney
Birthdate: Sept. 14, 1942
Grew up: ``I grew up in Roanoke. I've been in Chesapeake since then.''
Childhood memories: ``Living on a farm. I enjoyed that quiet type of life and the animals and gardening.''
Spouse: ``Kathy. We've been married a year.''
Retired from: ``Engineering technician at Naval Aviation Depot. In that job I was in charge of maintenance for a jet engine test facility.''
Hobbies: ``Home remodeling, antique cars, go-cart racing.''
Pets: ``Two dogs - Missy, a Brittany spaniel, and Wayne's Guardian Angel, a registered miniature schnauzer.''
Favorite song: ``Somewhere'' by Barbra Streisand
Favorite actor: Chevy Chase. ``I've watched his `National Lampoon Vacation,' probably five times.''
Can't resist: Popcorn
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``If I had it to do all over again, I would put more emphasis on education.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``My two kids, Wayne Jr. (Bucky) and Debra Sweeney Shaw.''
Favorite TV program: ``Home Improvement''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Golden Corral
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Population.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``Working in my garage.''
Last smart thing you did: ``I retired.''
Last dumb thing: ``Delaying my wedding for five years.''
{KEYWORDS} PROFILE
by CNB