The Vintage Kart Race/Show and Reunion will be held January 29-31, 2009 at Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside, California, with open track time all day Thursday and Friday-until the kart show, raffle and Tent Gala begins at 4:30 pm on Friday. Track practice and competition resumes again at 8:30am Saturday.
The event will attract many of the early pioneers and National Champions from the 1959/1960 through 1970 era from the U.S.A. and Australia. The average ages of the drivers range from the early 50s to the mid 70s. The "who's who" of karting will be attending with team drivers from the first GKCA Grand Nationals in 1959 - Duffy Livingstone, the "father of karting", Dick Conners, and Sets Kanamoto from the original "Go Kart" team, Faye "Ladybug" Pierson, Dick Geer (the Grand National winner in 1959), Bill Thomas from the "Bug" racing team, and Jim Yamani from the McCulloch team. Duffy will personally autograph your "Duffy" trophy and you can see Faye still racing her Bug Sprint in the Over-60 class. Two karting "World" champions are scheduled to show, Terry Fullerton (1973) from Great Britain and Lake Speed (1978) from America, and Graham Powles, two time Australian Champion. Also returning to drive this year will be two notable big track racers, John Morton and Bill freeman.
The vintage kart show begins at 4:30 pm Friday in the upper pit area - the awards will be handed out later that evening along with a raffle drawing at the "Tent Gala" in the same area. Food and refreshments will be served. The kart show will feature 100 or more original un-restored and restored to show quality and/or race ready condition karts. Each chassis is unique unto its self, and will represent some 300 or 400 different manufacturers of the period - 1957 to 1975, or, exact reproductions.
The history of the Adams Track and the Adams family may be viewed in their showroom - this is the oldest vintage 'kart' track in continuous use since 1960 in the country and is presently operated by the third and forth generation of Adams.
Saturday's events will include a drive around parade, a 2-wheeled/kart attempt to drive the entire course, and heats featuring Sportsman Juniors and Historic, Rear Single, Rear Dual, Sidewinder Single and Sidewinder Dual/Monster and over 60 classes. You're not going to want to miss any of the Dual action which is every bit as quick and competitive as today's kart racing events. Daily pit entry is $10/15.00 or $25.00 for the entire three day event. A driver practice or participation pass for three days is $85/95.00 - for more information and photos visit: www.vkavintagekarting.com , or contact Faye Pierson at www.ladybugfay@aol.com or call K & P Mfg (626) 334-0334.
Hotel headquarters: Comfort Inn, 1590 University Avenue, Riverside -Ph: 951-683-6000 - Group VKA rate code - #3088.