ANAHEIM — Five minutes from his home and virtually by probability, David Ramírez discovered a assembly level years in the past that now has him competing alongside his two sons, Daniel and Nikolás, at the very best degree of indoor karting in California.
The three certified for the K1 Speed California State Championship, where they may symbolize Anaheim after reaching the rostrum in their respective divisions.
The Ramírez family, initially from Colombia and now residing in Anaheim, will compete Saturday in Irvine against the best drivers in the state. outcome would open the door to the national championship and, subsequently, the E-World Championship, an worldwide outside event with a prize pool of $79,000 and opponents from more than 10 international locations.
“It all started because we lived nearby and I’ve always liked cars,” said David, who started racing at K1 Speed in 2008 before he had kids. “It was an accessible way to come racing without having to buy anything. Over time, it grew and became something much bigger.”
Daniel, 13, was topped champion of the teenager division, 10-year-old Nikolás received the junior division, and David completed second in the grownup division, outcomes that secured them a place in the state competitors restricted to the top three in each class. This is not the first time they reached the milestone — all three also certified in 2024.
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: David Ramirez, left, of Orange, congratulates his son Daniel Ramirez, 13, after a league quallifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: David Ramirez, of Orange, reacts to his sons Daniel, 13, and Nikolas, 10, inserting first and second in a league quallifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Daniel Ramirez, 13, of Orange, turns the nook in a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez has been racing six years. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Nikolas Ramirez, 10, of Orange, turns the nook in a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Daniel Ramirez, 13, will get prepared before a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez has been racing six years. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Kelly Campos, 19, left, helps Nikolas Ramirez, 10, of Orange, fasten his seat belt harness while he modify his helmet before a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Nikolas Ramirez, 10, straps on his helmet before a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Daniel Ramirez, 13, left, of Orange, provides his brother Nikolas Ramirez, 10, a fist bump before a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Nikolas Ramirez, 10, middle, walks to his go-kart for a league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Daniel Ramirez, 13, middle, of Orange, appears to be like for his pole place on the monitor before his qualifying league race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez has been racing six years. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Nikolas Ramirez, 10, middle, of Orange, flanked by Connor Montgomery, left, of Garden Grove, and Trenton Thomas, 12, of Huntington Beach, put together for their league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Nikolas Ramirez, 10, middle second from left, of Orange, will get instruction along with other drivers before their league qualifying race at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. Ramirez started racing at 5-yrs-old. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: David Ramirez, left, of Orange, son Nikolas Ramirez, 10, spouse Natalia Palacio, and son Daniel Ramirez, 13, pose for a portrait at K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: K1 Speed Anaheim on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Ramirez family received the proper to take part in the K1 Speed state go-karting event to be held in Irvine at the end of January and starting of Fegruary. With a probability to advance to the nationals. (Gary Coronado / For LA Times en Espanol) (Gary Coronado/For LA Times en Espanol)
For Daniel, the preparation has been as important as the outcome.
“Everything is a learning process. You start from the bottom and work your way up, little by little,” the 13-year-old driver said. “When I entered a championship, that’s when I really started to enjoy it more, and continuing to compete has been a lot of fun.”
Nikolás, the youngest of the family, approaches the expertise with a less complicated and more enthusiastic outlook.
“I just want to have fun and be part of our family’s racing spirit,” said Nikolás, who has been competing in the Anaheim league for three years.
At K1 Speed, all drivers compete in equivalent automobiles assigned at random, which places the emphasis on driving talent.
“There are no excuses here. You get the car you get, and it all depends on your driving,” David said. “You can have a fast car, but if you don’t know how to drive, it’s useless.”
This dynamic has been key to the development of the 2 brothers, who have discovered to adapt shortly to different situations, a issue their father considers important for any driver.
Although the three share the observe and a aggressive spirit, the fast family plan is targeted primarily on Daniel, who already competes in outside karting with 100cc gasoline engines and has received races at the national degree.
“Indoor K1 is more recreational, for coming with friends and competing in a healthy way,” David said. “But Daniel is already on another path. He wants to get to Formula 1, and we know it’s a long road.”
Daniel, for his half, retains his ft on the ground amid aspirations for larger milestones.
“My friends don’t really pay much attention to my racing. For them, it’s just normal,” he said.
This 12 months, the younger driver will take part in Champions of the Future America, a race that is held at the K1 outside circuit in Winchester, thought of one of the best in the nation.
The family rivalry doesn’t always keep on the observe.
“Everything between them is competition. Whether we’re eating, playing video games, whatever,” said Natalia, mom of Daniel and Nikolás. “Sometimes I have to step in.”
Natalia, a Medellín native and graphic designer, combines her work from home with supporting the family’s ardour for racing. She also assists her husband in the car wrapping business he began a few years in the past.
“I didn’t know anything about cars, but I’ve learned a lot. In outdoor racing, David is the mechanic and I’m the assistant,” she said.
The family has financed its racing, with occasional assist from local groups and collaborators.
“Nothing has been given to us,” David said. “We are still here because we believe there is a good opportunity and because Daniel has earned it.”
In the short time period, the purpose is clear: compete in Irvine and intention for a spot on the state podium. In the long time period, there is larger objectives for Daniel, but the family emphasizes taking the proper steps to obtain them.
“More than trophies, what matters is reputation,” David said. “People need to know that Daniel races clean and does things right.”
This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
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