Speedway's First Go-Kart Race Brings ExcitementLucas Oil Indy Karting Series qualifications wowed about 120 spectators as they watched go karts speed down Main Street from 13th into Zipp Speed Weaponery's parking lot on August 25. The morning rain curtailed much of the turnout as earlier predictions that were announced at a town council meeting that a crowd of 2,000 could be expected. On some parts of the course, the only thing separating the fans from the go karts were two bales of straw. Fans enjoyed the up close experience to watch. The go karts would often spin, get airborne or bump along the bales that created spectator vocal excitement. Ron Ott said, "This is very exciting," as he quickly interrupted to say "It is a spinner," when he saw a go kart spin out. "This only makes sense to have go kart race in Speedway. I wish more people were here to watch." Ott noticed that many of the fans were children. He thought this was a good way to introduce them to racing and perhaps plant the seed to become future drivers or at the least Indy Racing fans. For many people, this was the first time of seeing a go-kart race. Susan Whitlow expressed the same sentiments that she wished more people were here to see it. Cars turning down 13th Street would pause to watch, but rarely did any of them go park to come back to watch. Whitlow finally made it down around 4 pm to watch. She said she would start to come but the rains would hit and she would do something else. She wasn't sure if it was still going on until she heard the noise. Several fans watching commented that they did not really understand what was going on. Whitlow said she wished someone was passing out brochures to explain the racing rules of how qualification worked. Whitlow, an admitted IRL fan, said she moved to Speedway to be close the 500 once she learned she had to move to Indianapolis for a job. "I live ¾ of a mile from the track. If I could, I would follow the IRL circuit all over the country." Matt Hefty, Dawson's On Main Street chef, came down to watch during a break just to observe. "It is remarkable how fast they go," he said. Some of the karts can hit speeds from 75 to 120 mph depending upon the engine. |
|
