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| February 04, 2010 News |
| Adams Motorsports Park Celebrates 50th Anniversary |
| Article by: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine |
Thursday January 28th marked a historic day for karting and Adams Motorsport Park. Adams Kart Track, now named Adams Motorsports Park celebrated what most of us will never see, a 50th anniversary. The special occasion coincided with the Vintage Karting Association (VKA) event being held at the track on Friday and Saturday. Adams hosted a banquet at the Riverside Marriott that was attended by nearly 300 supporters of the track and karting. Adams Motorsports Park (AMP) also used this occasion to launch their new 50th Anniversary website design - adamsmotorsportspark.com.
Troy Adams handled the MC duties for the night and was introduced by Helen Bush Armstrong. Helen’s sons Ralph and John Bush started it all when the family got together and bought them a kart for Christmas in 1959. It didn’t take long before racing around their grandparent’s house was deemed to be too noisy and unsafe. Grandpa Frank got on the tractor and with help from the family roughed out a track in the lower section of their property. People noticed, and the makeshift track became more popular as people asked to bring their karts over to ride. In 1960, the original layout between the trees was paved and Adams Kart Track was officially born, holding races every weekend. In the 70’s, the track was expanded for a national event, adding the center pit area and the now legendary 700’ straight and “Big Monza” turn.
 | Helen Bush Armstrong giving a brief history of the track
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Over the years the track has seen its fair share of events. Not surprising, since Adams Motorsports Park is one of the oldest continuously operated kart tracks in the world. One-off events like the Descente Rolex Endurance race, have always had their place at the track, but truly the series like Region 7 and the clubs have made Adams what it is today. IKF, based right down the freeway from AMP, has held both 2 cycle and 4 cycle nationals here at the facility, while WKA, out of North Carolina also has honored the track by holding their West Coat Nationals here. For more than 30 years, AMP has been a home track for the Tri-C Karters and So-Cal Sprinters kart clubs. In addition to their club programs, AMP has held the California State Championships more times than any other track.
The 50th Anniversary banquet was not all about the track, but also about the people and organizations that over the years have helped to make karting and Adams what it is today. After having all of the Adams family in attendance recognized for their contributions to the sport, Troy Adams began the long process of thanking sponsors, supporters, dignitaries, and drivers from the first 50 years. Highlights included a call in from the 24 Hours of Daytona by legendary karter Joey Hand, and a few words by Billy Cleavelin. Indy 500 driver and now mixed martial artist George Mack addressed the crowd with his usual class and gratitude after being talked up by the MC. Drivers recognized by AMP were: Buddy Rice, Richie Hearn, Alex Barron, George Mack, Joey Hand, Stewart Hayner, Gustavo Menezes, Cole Whitt, Phil Giebler, Patrick Long and Billy Cleavelin.
RLV, IKF, K & P, Yamaha, King Taco, Kart House/KRC, Yamaha of America, E.L. Yeager, and the Riverside Chamber of Commerce were businesses honored for their part in Adams’ 50 years of business. Joining that select group of companies were individuals like: Lloyd Mack, Bud Evans, Tommy Wilms, Mona Sturgeon, Charlie and Joan Cressi, Bill LeFlang, and Duffy Livingston. All honorees were given the opportunity to address the packed house.
 | Lloyd Mack, George Mack, and Troy Adams
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
Jesus Vasquez, representing King Taco and the Martinez family stole the show with a heartfelt thank you to Troy and the entire Adams family. Jesus, a neighborhood kid began working for the track in 1996 when he was 15 years old digging ditches and emptying trashcans. At the time, Jesus lacked direction in school and in life. With incentives like racing, he raised his grades up. The better his grades the more Troy would take him to races. Getting out of the day-to-day life of underprivileged Riverside opened his eyes to new possibilities. Today, Jesus is one of the country’s premier engine builders and he wouldn’t be that if it were not for the guidance of the Adams and Martinez families, who showed him that minorities too could succeed in business and education.
As motorsport entertainment continues to grow so does Adams. As leaders in the Kid Kart movement and pioneers in Shifter Kart racing, Adams has learned over the last 50 years to give the people what they want. Besides arrive and race programs, corporate events, and racing schools AMP is home to Dirt Wednesdays and Thursday Night Drift. Bust out your SuperMoto or Trophy Kart for on and off-road excitement as the AMP staff opens up their purpose built dirt section for practice. Drifting is sweeping the world and local drifters know there is no better place to hone their skills than Thursday Night Drift and Time Attack event at Adams Motorsports Park.
With so many avenues in motorsports yet to be explored, AMP looks forward to serving the community for another 50 proud years. For everything AMP related and current schedule of events look no further than the newly redesigned AMP website adamsmotorsportspark.com. |
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