POV Discussion GuiDe Community Engagement & Education
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POV
Community
Engagement & Education
Discussion GuiDe
Racing Dreams
A Film by Marshall Curry
www.pbs.org/pov
PoV
Letter from the fiLmmaker
B rooklyn , n ew y ork , 2011
Before i started making this film, i didn’t really know
anything about car racing, and i’m sorry to say, igno-
rance about racing is pretty typical in new york,
where i live. But i knew it wasn‘t typical for the coun-
try as a whole. nAscAr is reportedly the second
biggest spectator sport in America after football -
bigger than baseball or basketball. And i have a lot of
family in north carolina, so i knew how much passion
for the sport there is down there.
i began to wonder how it was possible that in a city
like new york, where we’re exposed to such an amaz-
ing variety of cultures, so many people could know so
little about America’s second-favorite pastime. it
seemed like something i should learn about if i wanted
to understand the red-state/blue-state divide (or,
more accurately, the new york/rest-of-the-country
divide) and so i wrote down “nAscAr” and dropped
it into the file i keep of documentary ideas.
soon afterward, i read an article about extreme go-
kart racing—a nationally competitive sport in which 11
and 12 year olds drive karts that go 70 mph(!). it’s
widely considered the little league for nAscAr, and
a lot of the top professional drivers started out that
way in doing it. i thought that sounded pretty amaz-
ing, and one of the things i love about making docu-
mentaries is it lets me spend a year or two learning
about things i don’t know about. so i went to a few
races to scout it out, and it was better than i had
imagined. The racing was noisy and dangerous, and
the kids were smart, funny and dazzlingly charismatic.
i put aside the project i had been working on and
dove in. i found two boys and a girl — Josh, Brandon Director Marshall Curry
and Annabeth — who were great racers with mag- Photo courtesy of Bill Gallagher
netic personalities. They were at that perfect age
where they were old enough to be interesting and in-
sightful, but young enough to be open and unrehearsed. They began to teach me about their passion for racing.
To them, racing is just a part of the larger story of growing up. The three-day world karting Association events are where
you fall in love for the first time. races are where you test your inner strength and figure out who you are. And races are where
you bond with — and declare independence from — your parents.
Annabeth told me, “when you are 11 or 12, everyone is always telling you what to do. But when you are racing, you can’t hear
anyone else. should i pass this guy? should i wait a lap? it’s all up to you.”
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
Letter from the fiLmmakers
Director Marshall Curry
we have joked that racing is the McGuffin in our film, and that in some ways, Photo courtesy of Trujillo Paumier
racing Dreams is actually a coming-of-age story disguised as a racing movie. i
think that pre-adolescence is probably the most important, poignant and under-explored stage in our lives. it’s really when
we are beginning to figure out who we are, how we relate to our parents, what romance feels like, and what we want to do.
i hope that this movie will take people back to that age, and remind us of the dreams we had - to be President, or a baseball
player, or wherever our imagination took us. Back before we knew about the importance of money or connections or how
hard things were going to be, and we just dreamed.
Marshall Curry,
Filmmaker, racing Dreams
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
tabLe of Contents CreDits
5 Introduction Writer
6 Potential Partners Faith Rogow, PhD
Insighters Educational Consulting
6 Key Issues
6 Using This Guide
7 Background Information Guide Producers, PoV
7 Karting eliza Licht
Vice President,
10 Women in Racing
Community Engagement & Education, POV
13 Selected People Featured
Jamie Dobie
in Racing Dreams Coordinator,
14 General Discussion Questions Community Engagement & Education, POV
15 Discussion Prompts Design: Rafael Jiménez
19 Taking Action Copy editor: Natalie Danford
20 Resources
22 How to Buy the Film
thanks to those who reviewed this guide:
Marshall Curry
Filmmaker, Racing Dreams
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
introDuCtion
Race Track
Fondly described as “Talladega Nights meets The Catcher in Photo still from racing Dreams
the Rye,” racing Dreams is a dramatic, funny and sometimes
heartbreaking look at the world of nAscAr culture as lived
by three young aspirants to race-car glory and their families.
The film follows Annabeth Barnes, 11, Josh Hobson, 12, and
Brandon warren, 13, as they compete in the world karting
Association’s Pavement series, a yearlong national champi-
onship of five races around the united states.
As the tour unfolds, the three young racers step from the
sheltered world of childhood into adolescence — discovering
romance for the first time, questioning their relationships
with their parents and glimpsing the serious obstacles that
will threaten their ability to achieve their dreams. racing
Dreams is a story about hopes, values, choices and how op-
portunities are created and thwarted, making it an excellent
springboard for conversations in the community.
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
PotentiaL Partners key issues
racing Dreams is well suited for use in a variety of set- racing Dreams is an excellent tool for outreach and will
tings and is especially recommended for use with: be of special interest to people looking to explore the
following topics:
• your local Pbs station
• Groups that have discussed previous Pbs and PoV • Car racing
films featuring exceptional kids, including The • Competition
Hobart Shakespeareans and The Education of • family
Shelby Knox, or films about competition, including
• feminism
Kings of Pastry
• Gender
• Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the
key issues section • Go-kart racing
• high school and middle school students • Growing up (coming of age)
• faith-based organizations and institutions • motor sports
• Cultural, art and historical organizations, • nasCar
institutions and museums • Parenting
• Civic, fraternal and community groups • Perseverance/resilience
• sports teams and leagues • Professional sport
• youth groups and programs (e.g., Girls inc. and • Psychology
Girl scouts and boy scouts)
• race car drivers
• academic departments and student groups at
• racing culture/industry
colleges, universities and high schools
• rural communities
• Community organizations with a mission to
• sexism
promote education and learning, such as local
libraries • socioeconomic class
• sports
• tweens
• youth sports
usinG this GuiDe
This guide is an invitation to dialogue. it is based on a belief in the power of human connection, designed for people who
want to use racing Dreams to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues and communities. in contrast to initiatives
that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversa-
tions undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by shar-
ing viewpoints and listening actively.
The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues
in the film. rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And
be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and
optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.
For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pbs.org/pov/outreach
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
baCkGrounD information
WKA racers
karting Photo still from racing Dreams
The first auto races took place in europe in the late 19th cen-
tury (shortly after the automobile was invented), but kart
racing didn’t begin in the united states as a recreational ac-
tivity until the 1950s. spaces like shopping center parking
lots, yards and airfields were used to stage informal races 10,000 active members (both youth and adult) and counts
with go-karts that were sometimes made of nothing more 120 tracks worldwide where competitive races are held.
than scrap metal and lawn mower engines. other organizations regulating karting in the united states
include the international kart Federation (iFk) and the
while karting is still a hobby for many people today, it has
karters of America racing Triad (kArT).
grown into a multi-billion dollar industry and is viewed as a
steppingstone to the higher ranks of nAscAr and Formula The film follows the wkA Pavement series, one of the two
one. Professional nAscAr drivers Jeff Gordon, Tony stew- annual wkA national series that race exclusively on oval
art, Danica Patrick and others started out racing competi- tracks. A five-race national tour, the Pavement series races
tive go-karts — and Brandon, Annabeth and Josh (the three on asphalt (as opposed to the other oval track series, which
tweens featured in the film) dream of stepping up to the “big races on dirt) and is split into classes, with cumulative scor-
leagues,” too. ing determining an overall winner. in the film, Annabeth and
Josh compete at the junior level, while Brandon is in his last
racing Dreams follows these three young racers as com-
season in the senior division.
petitors in races organized by the world karting Associa-
tion (wkA) — the largest national sanctioning body for For a list of WKA national touring series,
karting in north America. The wkA alone boasts visit www.worldkarting.com
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
baCkGrounD information
Annabeth Barnes with her father Darren Barnes
organized karting events are open to drivers as young as 5 Photo courtesy of Kent Smith
years old. Formal competitive classes with the wkA begin at
the junior level (age 8) and typically run in three-year age
groupings up to the senior level (age 15 or 16, depending on
uses less powerful engines. racing karts are also
the series, and up). About 45 percent of competitive wkA
built with no suspension (no springs or shocks),
racers are juniors.
which makes karting a great learning tool for future
while karting is considered a good way to get into profes- race car drivers, as drivers must adjust and handle
sional car racing, karting can cost up to $5,000 per event at their karts with extreme precision.
the world karting Association level. considering these costs • The speed of racing karts can vary widely, with
(most of which are for equipment and travel), sponsorship “super karts” reaching speeds of more than 160
has become commonplace in karting (even at the junior miles per hour. recreational go-karts for the
level), with companies willing to place bets on future racing general public (those found at amusement parks,
stars. for example) typically go no faster than 15 miles
per hour.
Quick facts: karting
• A report from the u.s. consumer Product safety
• karting is a good training ground for car racing,
commission documents 155 go-kart-related deaths
because karting is generally less expensive and
of children under the age of 15 between 1985 and
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
baCkGrounD information
Brandon Warren
1996. only one of the deaths described in the Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Held
report occurred at a racetrack. The majority of go-
kart related injuries and deaths occur while • “karting” and “go-karting” are interchangeable
children are riding homemade karts, riding on terms, though serious racers typically refer to their
public streets or sitting on drivers’ laps. vehicles as “karts,” while “go-karts” are often
• each class of karting must adhere to a weight rule. thought of as recreational vehicles.
For the beginner classes, the weight typically • The wkA technical manual, published every
ranges from 150 to 350 pounds, which includes the october, contains the rules and regulations for the
kart and the driver. following year's racing season.
• racing karts are typically designed with no For a 360-degree interactive video view inside a racing
enclosed cockpit, which means the driver will not go-kart, visit www.pbs.org/pov/racingdreams
be “pinned” in the case of a crash. A car racer, on
the other hand, is strapped into the car, which sources:
makes fire retardant clothing necessary in case of
Aspen Motorsports Park.
fire.
http://www.aspenmotorsportspark.com/sitepages/pid66.php
• wkA racers are required to wear full face helmets
Bardi, Joe. “Movie review: Marshall curry’s racing Dreams, starring
and gloves. Many racers also wear full-length,
Annabeth Barnes, Joshua Hobson and Brandon warren.” Creative
abrasion-resistant suits (similar to something worn
Loafing Tampa, May 21, 2010.
by a motorcycle racer), neck collars, elbow pads,
http://cltampa.com/dailyloaf/archives/2010/05/21/movie-review-
rib protectors and auto-racing shoes with no-slip
marshall-currys-racing-dreams-starring-annabeth-barnes-joshua-hobso
soles.
n-and-brandon-warren-with-trailer-video#.TupTtlJwrT8
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing Dreams
PoV
baCkGrounD information
Annabeth Barnes
Burke, Tom and Tony kovaleski. “Parents of Girl killed at Go-kart race Photo still from racing Dreams
Talk to 7news.” TheDenverchanel.com, May 18, 2011.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/27937516/detail.html
“Go-kart related injuries & Deaths to children, september 2000.” . u.s. Women in racing
consumer Product safety commission library.
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia00/os/go-kart.pdf
in racing Dreams, Annabeth talks about her aspiration to
become the first female racer to win the Daytona 500 —
Holden, stephen. “Too young for Driver’s licenses, but with Full-
what nAscAr calls its “biggest, richest and most prestigious
Throttle Ambitions.” The New York Times, July 8, 2010.
motorsports event.”
http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/movies/09racing.html
Annabeth follows in the footsteps of women trailblazers who
Holder, Bill. “kart racing – Get on Track!” Stock Car Racing, February
2009. have made their mark in racing. Though racing is still a male-
http://www.stockcarracing.com/featurestories/scrp_0402_kart_racing dominated sport, women are now competing at various rac-
/viewall.html ing levels and the opportunities for them are growing. As of
sugar river raceway. http://www.sugarriverraceway.com/start.htm 2008, women made up approximately 25 percent of the
wolfkill, kim. “superkarts – super speeds – racing.” Road & Track,
61,000 members of the sports car club of America (sccA),
september 29, 2005. the largest sanctioning body for car racing (as the wkA is
http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/motorsports/superkarts-super- for karting). At the highest levels of nAscAr, however, rep-
speeds resentation from women is much scarcer. since 1950, only
world karting Association.
15 women have started cup races.
http://www.worldkarting.com/ The first known female racers were active in France in the
8w. 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that women ap-
http://forix.autosport.com/8w/aboutus.html peared on the amateur racing circuit in the united states. in
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
baCkGrounD information
Annabeth Barnes with her father
1949, sara christian became the first woman to race in a Photo still from racing Dreams
nAscAr event, and Janet Guthrie made history in 1977 by
becoming the first woman to qualify for the indy 500. (The
indianapolis Motor speedway, where that event is held, had Foundation, brings together women from across the motor-
only begun allowing women in the pits and garages in 1971.) sports community at an annual event honoring female driv-
ers.
in 2005, Danica Patrick became the fourth woman to race
in the indy 500 and went on to win the indy Japan 300, nAscAr is also making an effort to train qualified female
making her the first woman to win an indy race. Patrick has racers. in 2009, Annabeth became the youngest person ever
since become one of the most popular and successful fe- selected for nAscAr’s Drive for Diversity, a driver develop-
male racecar drivers. in racing Dreams, one observer calls ment program started in 2000 with the goal of preparing
Annabeth “the next Danica Patrick.” women and minorities to compete in both regional and na-
tional motorsports events.
Patrick herself was a go-kart racer in the wkA and trained as
a young girl with fellow racing pioneer lyn st. James, who nAscAr reports that more than 40 percent of nAscAr’s
had 15 indycar starts in the 1980s and was the first female 75 million fans are now women. According to Fox sports,
named rookie of the year at an indy 500. she is now an ad- nAscAr is the televised sport with the second largest fe-
vocate for training women to be top racers. Her organ- male audience, with only football attracting more female
ization, the women in the winner’s circle viewers.
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
baCkGrounD information
WKA racers
sources: Photo still from racing Dreams
Allison, liz. The Girl’s Guide to NASCAR. new york: center street ,
2006.
“Racing Dreams.” American Public Media: The story, May 13, 2010.
Bernstein, Viv. “Danica Patrick’s Possible impact Hard to Gauge.” esPn.
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_1036_Annabeth_Barnes.mp3/view
http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-opinion/6913135/danica-patrick-
possible-impact-hard-gauge “women in racing: why should Boys Have All the Fun?” coronado
speed Festival, september 3, 2008.
Bouzanquet, Jean François. Fast Ladies: Female Racing Drivers 1888 to
http://www.scpublicrelations.com/pressroom/clientnews/2008/corona
1970. Dorchester: Veloce, 2009.
dospeedfestival/womeninracing.html
esPn.com, Matt willis Blog. “Danica Patrick could open Doors.”
http://espn.go.com/racing/blog/_/name/willis_matt/id/6873807
Janet Guthrie.
www.JanetGuthrie.com
keating, steve. “Motor racing: indycar land of opportunity for
women racers.” reuters, May 27, 2011.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/27/motor-racing-indy-women-
idukn2718080120110527
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
baCkGrounD information
Selected People Featured in Racing Dreams brandon Warren
Brandon warren,
annabeth barnes 13, lives with his
grandparents in
By age 11,
rural creedmoor,
Annabeth Barnes
north carolina, in a
has become one
home filled with
of the hottest
racing memorabilia
female racers in
(two matching
the karting world,
richard Petty
with 53 poles and
rocking chairs sit in
32 wins, several in
the living room
some of the
beside a stack of racing magazines and Brandon’s airbrushed
biggest races in
helmet). Brandon's grandfather does paint and body repairs
the country. A
for a Hooters Pro cup driver, and Brandon is not afraid to
third-generation racer, Annabeth started out as a 7-year-old
trade some paint on the track himself. But Brandon‘s quick
in the naskart kids class, with her kart painted like Terry
temper and daredevil side worry his grandmother, who thinks
labonte‘s #5 car. when tall, thin Annabeth, who wore her hair
he should follow in the footsteps of Dale earnhardt, Jr. and
cropped short, started racing, boys on the track sometimes
attend military school to get the discipline he needs.
made fun of her, calling her “Man-a-Beth.” But their teasing
stopped when they saw her race. she resides in Hiddenite, 2012 Update: Brandon hasn’t been able to race since the
north carolina (a state nicknamed “nAscAr Valley”), and she season chronicled in racing Dreams but he’s doing well and is
frequently spends saturday nights watching stock car races at considering joining the military when he graduates from high
the Hickory Motor speedway with her family, or re-watching school this spring.
her favorite movie, Talladega Nights.
2012 Update: Annabeth is now in 11th grade and is racing full Josh hobson
sized late-model stock cars against adult drivers. last year at
Josh Hobson was
the Hickory Motor speedway (whose slogan is “Birthplace of
born and raised
the nAscAr stars”) she had nine top-five finishes and one
just north of Flint,
win, finishing fourth in track points for the year. Annabeth is
Michigan and
the subject of the Great American country television series
started racing
Born To Drive, which follows her as she competes in her first
when he was 5
full year of stock car racing at Hickory Motor speedway. short
years old. At 12
on money but big on desire, Annabeth and her mother, Tina,
years old, Josh
and father, Darren, make great sacrifices in order for her to
stands 4 feet 10
compete in this male-dominated sport.
inches tall, but his
demeanor is
commanding both in school and on the track. He is well
spoken and polite, and he understands that in addition to
being a great driver, it’s important to represent sponsors well
if he wants to keep racing. with seven Grand national wins
and four national championships under his belt, he is hoping
to move up to a full sized American speed Association (AsA)
race car after this season.
2012 Update: Josh is a senior in high school and is hoping to
go to college next year. For the past couple of years he has
raced in a full sized car in the AsA late Model racing series. in
addition to being a competitive driver, he is also president of
the student body and captain of the wrestling team.
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
GeneraL DisCussion Questions
Immediately after the film, you may want to give people
a few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen. If
the mood seems tense, you can pose a general question
and give people some time to themselves to jot down or
think about their answers before opening the discussion.
Please encourage people to stay in the room between the
film and the discussion. If you save your break for an
appropriate moment during the discussion, you won’t
lose the feeling of the film as you begin your dialogue.
One way to get a discussion going is to pose a general
question such as:
• if you could ask anyone in the film a single
question, who would you ask and what would you
ask him or her?
• What did you learn from this film? What insights did
it provide?
• if a friend asked you what this film was about, what
would you say?
• Describe a moment or scene in the film that you
found particularly disturbing or moving. What was it
about that scene that was especially compelling for
you?
Josh Hobson
Photo courtesy of Bruce Walls
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
DisCussion PromPts
Coming of age • Annabeth says it’s hard for an 11, 12, 13 year old to think
about what she wants to do for the rest of her life. Brandon,
• Annabeth talks about “being born to race” because
Annabeth and Josh are put in a position where they are ex-
members of her family have been involved in the sport for a
pected to make choices about what they want to do with
long time. Brandon also has family members involved in rac-
their lives. Do you feel it is right for people to be expected to
ing. what role do you think families play in shaping children’s
know what they want to do with their lives at their ages? Do
choices?
you know what you want?
• As the tour un-
folds, the three
young racers step
from the sheltered
world of childhood
into adolescence —
discovering ro-
mance for the first
time, questioning
their relationships
with their parents
and glimpsing the
serious obstacles
that will threaten
their ability to
achieve their
dreams. Did this
movie take you back
to that age when
you were beginning
to find out who you
were? How were
your dreams then Josh at a NASCAR event
different from your Photo still from racing Dreams
dreams now?
• After a difficult loss, Brandon’s grandfather says, “Don’t • in the movie there is a crash in one of Brandon's races
let this little bit of stuff here upset you, okay? i’m trying to and everyone thinks Brandon caused the crash. why do you
get you ready for life. life ain’t all real smooth. There is a lot think he was so quick to be blamed? Have you ever been un-
of hills and bumps in it. you’ve got to be cool under pres- justly blamed for something? Have you ever wrongly ac-
sure, baby. you’ve got to be cool under pressure.” How does cused someone of something?
racing help prepare these young people for life? what life
• At one point in the movie Brandon realizes that he
lessons do you see them learn?
won't be racing next year. "There are just some things that
• what do you learn from the film about the relationship you can't do in life," he says. Do you agree? Have you ever
between taking risks and building confidence? How about had to do something for reasons beyond your control? Did
the relationship between competition and self-esteem? you feel disappointed? How did you deal with your disap-
• Annabeth sometimes wishes that she could just be a pointment?
normal girl and hang out with friends. was there a time when
you felt torn between doing something to which you were
committed and hanging out with your friends? what
helped you make the choice that you did?
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
DisCussion PromPts
Brandon wins first place at a WKA race
achieving success Photo still from racing Dreams
• Annabeth, Brandon and Josh are all very different from
each other. How would you describe each of their personal-
ities? what draws each of them to racing? what enables character. each one of us must choose to be responsible,
them to succeed? while watching the film, did you see a link caring and trustworthy. it’s a choice no one else can make
between success on the racetrack and success in the class- for us. Make it a great day, or not — the choice is up to us.”
room? what does this mean to you? Do you think that this is true?
what choices make you proud? Have you made choices that
• Annabeth says she wants to be remembered for being
you regret?
a great race car driver, and she makes a list of people she
wants to meet, things she wants to learn to do. what kinds
of things did you dream of doing when you were 11 years Parenting
old? How many of those things have you done? what do
• Josh’s mother, Donna, compares racing to other sports,
you want your legacy to be now? is it the same or different
saying that she worries about her child’s safety. Then she
than what you wanted when you were a child?
adds, “But in every sport there is potential for danger. i know
• Annabeth says, “i don’t need to go to college. i go to kids that have blown out their Acls in basketball, you know.
college every weekend.” How do her parents react? what i know kids that have broken collarbones in the eighth grade
messages do they want to convey to Annabeth about the playing football. i don't think racing is any more [dangerous]
importance of college? what role do you think higher ed- than any other sport.” in your opinion, are there sports in
ucation plays in one’s ability to succeed? which children should not be permitted to compete? where
• Josh says over the loudspeaker at his would you draw the line between acceptable risk and the re-
school that “in the end we have to decide our own sponsibility to protect one’s child?
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
DisCussion PromPts
Darren Barnes
• From what you see in the film, how do you think Bran- Photo still from racing Dreams
don was affected by his father’s drug abuse and time in
prison? Brandon receives support from his grandparents and
other family members. who, in your community, provides a balance with Annabeth, what would you say to him? under
support to kids whose parents are absent? what circumstances is it appropriate for a parent to require
• How do family members walk the line between being commitment to a particular activity from a child who wants
“coaches” (including focusing on victory and criticizing mis- to do something else? How can Darren help Annabeth pur-
takes) and being “parents” (including making it clear that sue her racing dream and still “be a kid”?
they love their children no matter what)? How involved do
you think parents should be in their children’s sports activi-
ties? the economics of karting
• As Annabeth struggles with wanting to spend time • Because of the cost of racing, all three kids in the film
with friends and also wanting to race, her father struggles have to negotiate sponsorship. Do you think sponsorship in-
with how much commitment to demand of his daughter. fluences who gets to participate in racing? which traits do
Darren says, “i don’t want racing to keep her from being a you think sponsors value most?
kid. But, i mean, if she’s going to do it professionally, i mean, • Brandon regretfully leaves the sport after becoming
we can’t go to the race once a month, and we can’t come champion, saying, “i’d still like to be a racecar driver, but, you
up here one night a week. you know, it can’t be done like know, we just ain’t got the money to do it. it’s hard times
that. if you’re going to be a professional, whatever, tennis right now, and, uh, i still love racing — i always will. But there
player, you’re going to make sacrifices for your ultimate are just some things you can’t do in life.” How do financial re-
goal.” if Darren asked you for advice on how to strike sources influence children’s capacity to participate in sports
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DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
DisCussion PromPts
Josh and his dad
where you live? Are you comfortable with the role that Photo still from racing Dreams
money plays in youth sports in your community? why or
why not? if not, what could you do to increase equitable ac-
cess to athletics for all kids? a benefit and in what ways is it a burden? Have you ever felt
• in post-race interviews and appearances, the young like the odd one out? Have you ever been in a situation
drivers take care to thank their sponsors. what are the ethics where you were different from everyone else, because you
of children having sponsors in order to participate in a sport? thought differently, looked different or held different beliefs?
Has it ever been fun to be the different or unique one?
• The families of the kids in the film clearly struggle fi-
nancially in order for them to keep racing, sometimes even • Do you think that there are activities at which boys or
putting off things that they consider important, such as sav- girls are naturally better? Has there been a time in your life
ing for college. in your opinion, how much money is too when you were the victim of discrimination?
much for a family to spend on helping a child develop a par- • Annabeth perceptively describes one of her main spon-
ticular talent or pursue an interest? sors, saying, “ultramax is one of the big chassis builders in
racing. They give us our chassis for free. ultramax sponsored
me because i am a girl. so when i go out there and win a
Women in racing
race, then all the other people’s dads say, ‘oh, if a girl can
• Annabeth observes, “when i first got into it, there were win on ultramax, then so can my little boy.’ so they all go
absolutely no girls at all. And the boys were like, ‘what are out and buy ultramax. i mean, it’s totally sexist and wrong,
you doing here?’” what unique challenges does Annabeth but if it gets ultramax more customers, then it’s okay with
face because she is a female in a traditionally male me.” if you were advising Annabeth regarding sponsorship,
sport? in what ways is being one of only a few girls would it be okay with you? why or why not?
|18
DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
takinG aCtion
Crowd at a NASCAR event
• Find the motivated kids in your community who need Photo still from racing Dreams
support that is beyond the means of their individual families
and help organize sponsorship or raise funds. look beyond
talent in sports or performing arts to include children who • Have a “girls can do anything” celebration/party for
might want to compete at science or engineering fairs, at- tweens during which you share the stories of and/or honor
tend computer or math camps, demonstrate leadership in girls and women in your community who have achieved suc-
scouting or other youth organizations or who have great cess in atypical jobs or activities.
ideas for civic or philanthropic projects.
• create a website or other forum on which local kids can
share their personal dreams. share the results with local civic
and religious organizations to match individual children with
mentors who can help them reach their goals.
• use racing Dreams to spark parent-child discussions
about the relationships between the parents and kids in the additional media literacy questions are available at:
film. schedule the discussion as a precursor to a family tail- www.pbs.org/pov/educators/media-literacy.php
gate party for a live or televised racing event.
|19
DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
resourCes
FILM-RELATED WEB SITES
RACIng DREAMS What’s Your POV?
http://racingdreamsfilm.com Share your thoughts about Racing Dreams
Visit the filmmaker’s website to learn more about the film, by posting a comment on the POV Blog
the filmmaker, cast and crew and upcoming screening www.pbs.org/pov/blog or send an email to pbs@pov.org.
events.
Original Online Content on nASCAR
POV Interactive (www.pbs.org/pov) www.nASCAR.com
The website of the association for professional drivers in-
PoV’s racing Dreams companion website cludes news and information about events, drivers, stand-
To further enhance the broadcast, PoV has produced an ings and programs like the diversity award that was given
interactive website to enable viewers to explore the film in to Annabeth.
greater depth. The racing Dreams website —
www.pbs.org/pov/racingdreams — offers a streaming WORLD KARTIng ASSOCIATIOn
video trailer for the film; an interview with filmmaker www.worldkarting.com
Marshall curry; a list of related websites, articles and The official site of the organization that runs the races seen
books; a downloadable discussion guide; and special in the film offers news and information about current events,
features, including photo galleries, a 360-degree ways to get involved and a downloadable technical manual
interactive video view inside the go-karts raced by the that specifies rules and regulations.
young drivers of racing Dreams and a strategy game that
takes you through a season of an extreme kart league.
Girls and empowerment
gIRLS InC.
www.girlsinc.com
racing
The website of this national advocacy organization includes
AnnABETh BARnES descriptions of programs and resources that help girls de-
www.annabethbarnes.com velop strength, confidence and intellect.
Annabeth’s website has updates on her latest racing
nEW MOOn gIRLS MAgAzInE
activities.
www.newmoon.com/magazine
DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY This free magazine is written by girls, for girls age 8 and up.
http://www.nascardiversity.com/ it emphasizes self-esteem and self-expression.
Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading development pro-
WOMEn AnD gIRLS LEAD
gram for minority and female drivers and crew members.
http://www.itvs.org/women-and-girls-lead
JOSh hOBSOn RACIng women and Girls lead is a strategic media initiative to sup-
www.joshhobson.com port and sustain a growing movement to empower women
Josh’s website has updates on his latest racing activities. and girls, their communities and future generations. This
website outlines a variety of action opportunities and cam-
paigns around the initiative. women and Girls lead is spear-
headed by the independent Television service (iTVs) and its
Global Perspectives Project.
|20
DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamsPoV
resourCes
racing Dreams Executive Producer
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson
Parenting
with the kids at Tribeca Film Festival premiere
Parenting Photo courtesy of Ted Chen
www.parenting.com/article/special-talents?page=0,0
This link takes you to an article from Parenting magazine ti-
RESPOnSIBLE SPORTS
tled “special Talents” by Frank clancy that discusses how to
nurture children’s talents. search the site for related articles www.responsiblesports.com
by entering terms such as “prodigy” or “gifted” in the search sponsored by the liberty Mutual insurance company, this
engine. site provides advice on everything related to involving
young people in sports. Parents can take quizzes to reflect
PBS PAREnTS on their own motives and behavior. Also provided is advice
www.pbs.org/parents on safety and working through tough related issues.
This site offers general parenting advice and includes a
section on fitness that discusses how to involve children in
sports.
|21
DISCUSSION GUIDe
Racing DreamshoW to buy the fiLm
PoV
To purchase a racing Dreams DVD,
go to http://racingdreamsfilm.com/buy-dvd
Produced by American Documentary, inc. Major funding for PoV is provided by PBs, The John D. and
and beginning its 24th season on PBs in 2011, catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, national endowment for
the award-winning PoV series is the longest- the Arts, The educational Foundation of America, new york
running showcase on American television to feature the work of state council on the Arts, new york city Department of cultural
today’s best independent documentary filmmakers. Airing June Affairs, FAcT and public television viewers. special support pro-
through september with primetime specials during the year, vided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and sciences.
PoV has brought more than 300 acclaimed documentaries to Funding for PoV’s Diverse Voices Project is provided by the
millions nationwide and has a webby Award-winning online se- corporation for Public Broadcasting. Project Voicescape is a
ries, POV's Borders. since 1988, PoV has pioneered the art of partnership of Adobe youth Voices, PBs and PoV. PoV is pre-
presentation and outreach using independent nonfiction media sented by a consortium of public television stations, including
to build new communities in conversation about today’s most wGBH Boston and THirTeen in association with wneT.orG.
pressing social issues. Visit www.pbs.org/pov.
American Documentary, Inc. www.amdoc.org
POV Digital www.pbs.org/pov
American Documentary, inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia company
PoV's award-winning website extends the life of our films online dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary
with interactive features, interviews, updates, video and educa- stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in
tional content, as well as listings for television broadcasts, com- mainstream media outlets. AmDoc develops collaborative
munity screenings and films available online. The POV Blog is a strategic-engagement activities around socially relevant content
gathering place for documentary fans and filmmakers to discuss on television, online and in community settings. These activities
their favorite films and get the latest news. are designed to trigger action, from dialogue and feedback to
educational opportunities and community participation.
POV Community Engagement and Education
www.pbs.org/pov/outreach
Join our Community network!
PoV films can be seen at more than 450 events across the coun- www.amdoc.org/outreach/events
try every year. Together with schools, organizations and local
learn about new lesson plans, facilitation guides and our other
PBs stations, PoV facilitates free community screenings and
free educational resources and find out about screenings near
produces free resources to accompany our films, including dis-
you. Joining our network is also the first step towards hosting
cussion guides and curriculum-based lesson plans. with our
your own PoV screening.
community partners, we inspire dialogue around the most im-
portant social issues of our time. you can also follow us on Twitter @PoVengage for the latest
news from PoV community engagement & education.
Front cover: Racing Karts
Photo courtesy of Kent Smith
The see it on PBs logo is a trademark of the Public Broadcasting service and is used with permission. All rights reserved.You can also read
