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| April 05, 2012 News |
| EKN Track Bulletin: April 5, 2012 |
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New to the eKartingNews.com segments section is the EKN Track Bulletin. Roughly once a month, the staff at leading karting website will scope out the latest news regarding kart tracks across North America. So some, this will be an introduction to a facility you may have never heard or seen before. For others, it’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on with your favorite tracks.
 | The Mid-State Raceway layout has been revised thanks to 600 feet of new surface
(Photo: Joe Brittin) |
Mid-State Raceway (midstatekartclub.com): Mid-State Kart Club recently completed a $50,000 track upgrade project that replaced aging asphalt sections with a new 22 feet wide concrete track. Approximately 600 linear feet of track was added and a new configuration was done to improve the old concrete corner that connected the oval to the old track. The new configuration replaced three corners with four new corners and three new straight-aways. The new track is wider than the old track and is expected to allow for better passing zones. Ninety new Scribner plastic barriers will be added to the track and the fence line is being moved to improve the line of sight from the flag stand and pit area. The old track material has been recycled and used to expand the pit area.
A grand opening and practice day is planned for Saturday April 14 along with a driver’s workshop and kart setup day. Scales and laser alignment tools will be available for drivers to setup their kart. Club members will be available to help new members setup their karts. A raffle will be held for chances to win three Go-Pro cameras and $1000 cash. You do not have to be a club member to practice on this day. View a video of the finished construction here (http://youtu.be/KfVT93vYB5g)
National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park (motorsportspark.org): Last week, an announcement was made that plans on a new facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky are moving forward. Proposed to be located across the I-65 interstate from the National Corvette Museum, the NCM Motorsports Park received the approved zoning for a track to constructed. Speaking with Wendell Strode - Executive Director for NCM, their plans include purchasing 184 of the 405 acres and contruct approximately a 2.5-mile road course, paddock and a 10 acre auto cross/skip pad area. If the first phase of the NCM Motorsports Park moves forward, phase two may include purchasing the remainder of the acreage for addition track space, including a possible kart track. Strode stated they have not done any due diligence in regards to a karting track, other than discussions with architect Alan Wilson suggesting they construct one. Their main focus of course right now is the larger road course and being able to get it done timely.
Pittsburgh International Race Complex (pittracekarting.com): Formerly known as the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, the facility located in Wampum, Pennsylvania has gone under a number of improvements and changes in the last few months in preparation for the 2012 season. Projects that have been completed include; Paved Entrance Road, Drainage improved in Turns 1, 3, 15, 16 & 17, Gravel Traps and/or Crash Pillows installed at Turns 1 & 17, Curbing Extensions, Grading and Sod Repairs at Turns 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 & 17, Pit Lane Safety Fence installed, Scoring Tower renovated, and Pit Lane widened 22 feet from the Tower to the Grid.
 | | Whiteland Raceway Park has a new scoring tower and other new updates for 2012 |
Still under construction or project in progress include; Thirty-two new 12’ x 12’ Karting Garages, Relocation of Scoreboard, New PA System, AMB R-Monitor system with wireless feed, and Repaving Paddock throughout the facility. A tower extension with permanent restroom facilities will begin in May. A new fleet of Birel N35 Rock Karts along with a complete Arrive & Drive fleet from Kid Karts to Senior Rotax karts have been purchased. The trackside pro shop has been renovated and is stocked with all the latest products. Improvements and the engineering phase of the South Track for the road racing portion is also in the works.
Speaking with Dan Schlosser of PIRC, he feels it has been the most exciting off season ever watching the transformation in to what the new owners envision for the future of the facility. For those that have been involved through thick and thin, to see this unfold on a daily basis has been a thrill. Everyone at PIRC is looking forward to opening the gates to the racers and showing off not just a newly renovated complex but a rejuvenated business and staff.
Whiteland Raceway Park (whitelandraceway.us): One of the oldest kart tracks in the country - Whiteland Raceway Park - is continuing to stay with the times as the karting industry and market change. The track is currently renovating the famous scoring tower with an all new second level. The lobby, pro shop and office are undergoing updates as well. The circuit itself will receive a number of repairs including patchwork and resealing.
The facility, owned by Mike Swails, has signed on to be the exclusive dealer for the Coyote chassis in the southern half of Indiana. Part of the new deal brings on a new program - the ‘Driving Experience’ at Whiteland Raceway Park that will allow potential new karters to try one before they buy it, for ages 5 and up. The program will consist of both on-track driving and off-track instruction on the basics of karting. |
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