Iowa International Raceway

[Rob Hogenmiller]

Looks like this track is still being used for SCCA event autocross events. Anyone know if it’s still smooth enough for a kart. Like to get back into karting for my son and I just no tracks close to us and this would be the closest track if we could access assuming we could and assuming it’s even smooth enough still for a kart? Any help appreciated. (Ultimate goal would to be get in shape and get some seat time to make RIGP this year :-) dreams can live.

[Morgan Schuler]

No idea how smooth it is but if you’re coming all the way from NE you might as well drive the extra 2 hours to 61 Kartway and actually race. The only way you’ll get on the Marshalltown track is during one of the autocrosses. Besides autocross, karts haven’t been on that track in 10 years. I’m not sure if the autocross uses the entire track or not.

You could come to 61 Kartway practice all day Saturday, race Saturday night, spend the night and practice all day Sunday to make it worth the drive.

[Josh Jones]

Recently, at one of the autocross events with the mustang club, a couple of guys were running a rotax dd2 kart. I talked to them a bit because I just purchased a kart. If you know the route to take, it is smooth enough from what they said. Although he did hit one spot that lifted both back tires on one run. You would defintetly want to learn the track. Problem is that you only get between 3 and 6 runs in a day. Mustang club is nice because you get basically 1 full lap before timing starts and 2 full timed laps per run. SCCA does one full timed lap. Either way it makes for a very long day with only minutes of drive time.

None of this info is too relevant though. They just announced recently that the track was sold to alliant energy and this is the last yr it will be utilized for any sort of racing. Its a bummer because we use the track to get baselines and comparisons for changes made to our cars. I also planned on taking my kart there at some point.

Im located in Des Moines area and plan on making it to 61 kartway and also there is a track north of Kansas City(KC Karting).  If you are in Nebraska(?) you also have a place in Hastings to race.

[Josh Cox]

Josh Jones wrote:

Recently, at one of the autocross events with the mustang club, a couple of guys were running a rotax dd2 kart. I talked to them a bit because I just purchased a kart. If you know the route to take, it is smooth enough from what they said. Although he did hit one spot that lifted both back tires on one run. You would defintetly want to learn the track. Problem is that you only get between 3 and 6 runs in a day. Mustang club is nice because you get basically 1 full lap before timing starts and 2 full timed laps per run. SCCA does one full timed lap. Either way it makes for a very long day with only minutes of drive time. None of this info is too relevant though. They just announced recently that the track was sold to alliant energy and this is the last yr it will be utilized for any sort of racing. Its a bummer because we use the track to get baselines and comparisons for changes made to our cars. I also planned on taking my kart there at some point. Im located in Des Moines area and plan on making it to 61 kartway and also there is a track north of Kansas City(KC Karting). If you are in Nebraska(?) you also have a place in Hastings to race.

Small world.. I was the one that ran the DD2 kart.. Definitely dissapointing that they dont do any karting events at Iowa anymore but we’re happy to run SCCA there at least. Sad to hear they’ll be tearing it down

[Josh Jones]

Yeah, i was the one in the dark green mr2 turbo. I also talked to you a bit at the rallycross event outside of ames. If you ever want to get a day planned to run at 61 kartway or the kc karting track, let me know or message me. Im planning on going there sometime soon on a weekday for a test and tune day. It doesnt cost much for access to the track for a full day and would be cool to have someone else there to run with. I purchased a 06 crg kalifornia with a rotax max. Would be cool to see how the 2 engines compare also.

[Josh Cox]

Ahhh, sousd like you talked to my co-driver Kevin.. He’s the rallycross guy with the white WRX.

 

The kart is mine, and 3 or 4 of us have been autocrossing it.

 

 

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