Fifteen-year-old Gabriel Payne’s path to competitive racing didn’t begin at a track — it started with a video game controller.

“And from there, I was just like, this is really cool. I really want to get into this,” Gabriel said, recalling how playing open-world racing games around age 10 or 11 sparked his interest.

Now a freshman at Mt. Lebanon High School, Gabriel traded virtual laps for real ones, competing in high-level karting events across multiple states — and reaching speeds of up to 85 miles per hour.

Gabriel, Pennsylvania Boulevard, began racing shortly after moving to Mt. Lebanon from Idaho about four years ago. What started as indoor karting quickly evolved into outdoor competition, with races now taking him to tracks in Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana.

“They are very high-level go-karts,” he said. “They’re gas-powered karts and they have a lot more power than the rental karts do.”

He currently competes in two classes: a four-stroke kart that reaches about 60 mph and a two-stroke kart capable of 80 to 85 mph.

Despite the demanding schedule, Gabriel balances racing with academics, maintaining straight A’s while dedicating significant time to practice both on the track and at home through simulation racing.

“I usually get on my computer and practice on that for about an hour or two,” he said. “It’s really good for me to learn how to race against other people and deal with different scenarios.”

His commitment is already paying off. Gabriel has won several club-level races and posted strong finishes in national competitions, even as a relative newcomer.

“I haven’t been doing it that long compared to most of these guys that are in the top,” he said. “But still I’m right there in terms of pace with them.”

His ambitions stretch far beyond karting. Gabriel hopes to one day compete in professional sports car racing, including series like the International Motor Sports Association or the World Endurance Championship. Supporting that goal is a family fully immersed in the sport.

“We pretty much revolve our lives around it at the moment,” said his father, Richard Payne, who handles much of the mechanical work and logistics. “You have to be very involved. It’s one of those things that you’re either fully committed, or you can’t expect to be good.”

The family travels frequently with a 24-foot trailer carrying two karts and equipment, often attending more than 30 races a year across multiple tracks. At local events, the Paynes operate independently, while at national competitions they join a larger team for support.

For Richard, the commitment is also personal. He grew up in a racing family, making Gabriel’s passion feel like a continuation of that legacy.

“He’s definitely got it,” he said.

Gabriel’s mother, Jennifer Payne, admits the sport comes with nerves — especially at the start of each race.

“It is a little worrisome, but it’s really exciting, too,” she said. “The first lap your heart is just racing the most.”

Still, she says the rewards outweigh the anxiety.

“It’s really cool to watch your kid succeed and be able to do something that they love to do,” Jennifer said.

Beyond competition, the experience has strengthened family bonds. Weekends at the track often include long hours together, shared responsibilities and a growing community of fellow racing families.

“We’ve made a lot of friends with track families,” Jennifer said. “It’s a neat experience.”

As Gabriel continues to develop his skills, the family is also seeking sponsorship to help offset the significant costs associated with racing, including equipment, travel, fuel and maintenance.

For now, Gabriel remains focused on improving with each race — whether on asphalt or in a simulator — driven by the same excitement that first hooked him years ago.

Gabriel’s next race is May 9 in Salem, Ohio at Quaker City Motosports Park. Follow his racing journey on Instagram at @gabrielpayneracing.