Main Street Kart Race Set for August 25-26


(posted June 17)

Having a go kart race on the streets of Speedway seemed to be an obvious fit for the for Indy Karting Series (IKS) since the IMS is the racing capitol of the world. The Indy Karting Series received town council approval June 11 to hold a two day event, August 25 and 26, on Main Street.

Jim Harris, marketing director, said IKS pitched the idea to the town council and the redevelopment commission. To help Main Street businesses, Indy Karting will promote the estimated 2,000 visitors to patronize Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House and Dawson's on Main Street. "I have not talked to the businesses, I have left that up to Vince Noblet," he said.

Councilman Jeff Hartman reported at the town council meeting that businesses were "excited" about the event even though part of the council approval included shutting down Main Street between 11th and 14th Streets. The hot pit area will be in the vacant Allison property along Gilman. Most of the event parking will be dedicated to that area so as not to intrude on Main Street parking for other merchants. The council is expected to invoke the three hour parking limit to keep race fans from parking and blocking patrons from having access to the local merchants' shops.

Harris said Forest Lucas of Lucas Oil has become the sponsor of IKS, so the proper name is Lucas Oil-Indy Karting Series. Lucas is expected to be the grand marshal for the two day event.

IKS sought Lucas Oil for sponsorship since the company was already sponsoring one of the teams. Harris explained some time went by after IKS sent in the proposal. They began thinking it was a lost cause until Lucas called one day and said "lets sign a contract."

"Lucas likes to give back to the community and help the grassroots people," Harris said.

IKS is designed to be a family oriented event. There are different racing classes that allow kids from ages five to eight to compete. The next age group is 8-12, 12-16, and 16 and up. This gives doctors, lawyers, and accountants an opportunity to come out to compete for the trophies and points, but the real focus behind the race is giving back to the community.

He noted the Speedway Fire Department is planning to have a fund raiser for injured firefighter Kade Kothemeier. According to the IKS website, organizations can raise about $2,500 by hosting IKS event. IKS gives them a portion of the entry fee to the fund raiser.  Councilman Hartman stated that the IKS typically allows local charity organizations to operate and keep concession profits from the events.

Other racing circuits include Lafayette, Bicknell, Linton and Greenwood. Harris explained the race in Bicknell benefits the high school's athletic department while Greenwood's proceeds will support Michael Archer of the USA Power Soccer Team. It is a wheelchair team that will be traveling to Japan in September to compete.

Go kart racing can provide a launching pad for many drivers to become professionals. The drivers learn skills of handling the karts as speed ranges from 25 mph to 125 mph depending engine size. Harris imagines the average speed to be about 70 miles per hour on the streets of Speedway. It is not an inexpensive sport. The go karts range from $2,200 to $10,000. Many of the youth seek out sponsors or are heavily funded by their parents.

Although this particular IKS race is to bring focus onto Main Street, some of the business owners were not aware of the event. Denny Franklin, owner of Autotech, said nobody from the SRC had been by to tell him about the event. He said it would not effect his business since he is closed on weekends. Franklin thought it was a neat idea.

Michelle Phines noted that no one from the SRC has been inside the dry cleaners at 1340 Main Street to discuss the Indy Kart Series. "I guess I will read about it in the paper," she said.

Mark Lamb, owner of the Speedway Trophy Center and Clock Repair located at 4909 West 14th Street, said no town representative had been in the store to discuss a street race. He said they might not have stopped by because he is not an actual store front to Main Street, so he does not have to rely on Main Street for supply his customer parking. Lamb indicated he would like to see a road course layout and proof of liability insurance if cars are going to be racing in the neighborhood at 70 mph, particularly if it is 14th Street.

Liz Glover, owner of Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House, said she heard it from Shelia of Alterations Plus. She said she contacted the town to find out the details. From what Glover gathered from that phone call, the town fathers had about 48 hours to make a decision whether or not to approve this, so there was not adequate time to notify Main Street business owners.

Glover said what concerns her is the town leaders are making an assumption that business owners don't have concerns. She was disappointed that at the council meeting there was an assumption presented that Main Street businesses are excited about IKS when they had no knowledge of it.

She said her first concerns are always about parking when an event comes or passes through Main Street. For Glover, it is more of "a wait and see" attitude before she casts an opinion about the event.

"I did not want the Mini Marathon to go down Main Street, and I was wrong about that one. The fact that Forest Lucas is sponsoring the event brings a higher level of confidence that it will be a successful," she said.

She was glad to see this event support the town of Speedway, and not the City of Indianapolis. She said she was told that 2,000 to 3,000 people will come to Main Street.