November 29, 2022
Brothers Tanner and Brennan Barsch, students at R.B. Godley Elementary School, share a passion for speed - with almost 30 race weekends just in 2022.
Competing as the Barsch Brother Motorsports, the siblings are young - Tanner, 8, is a third grader while brother Brennan, 5, is in kindergarten.
Tanner got an early start three years ago, beginning in kindergarten with the Honda Kid Kart Class. He currently races the cadet classes Micro Swift and Lo206 Junior 1. Brennan followed when he reached the age of four and just completed his first season, which included him competing against boys one or two years older.
Together with parents Ian and Rachel, racing is a time to be together. The family has been on the road for 26 weekends at club races from their home track in Denton to other competitions across the state as well as regional and national races in New Orleans and Indiana. Over the Christmas break, the boys plan to race the Dayton KartWeek in Florida.
Ian spurred the boys’ passion after watching NASCAR, IndyCar and F1 races on television. The family turned to karting during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused all other sports to halt temporarily.
“The speed and decision making as well as hanging out at the track with my buddies,” Tanner said when thinking about why he likes karting. His best memory is winning his first race at a regional event in New Orleans. Tanner plans to win a podium spot at a national contest soon.
Not everything goes according to plan, however. “Mom didn’t tighten a wheel good enough when we were racing and I ended up in a puddle,” remembered Brennan, whose goal is to finish first in a race after winning second or third place at several other competitions.
The brothers help each other with support from their family. Rachel handles logistics, and Ian and his father, Ron, serve as coach, mechanic, pit crew and other car-related jobs. The parents also capture moments through photography and videography. Sister Hannah is also along for the ride, cheering on her brothers on the track.
