Central Arkansas Karting Complex is among the newer facilities in the USA

One of the biggest contributing factors in growing the sport of karting is access to race tracks. From our past research over the last 20 years, the estimated number of karting circuits in the United States is at or around 100. While there are a handful of facilities that gather significant exposure for the high-profile series and events that visit them, there are many more that support the stability and growth of the grassroots movement and help introduce new people to the sport.

A column from the end of the 2024 season by Rob Howden took a look at some of the new facilities that were in the process of or had completed construction to begin welcoming karters. As we close out the month of May, let’s recap the progress on some of those facilities while also helping to introduce the karting community to new tracks to add to your map. We’ll also discuss the development of a new club-based series in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Lorain Ohio KartPlex

Pavement has been laid down for both competition and rental kart track at LOK

One of the tracks that provides a great deal of social media content focused on its construction is the Lorain Ohio KartPlex. Pavement went down on the competition track in November 2024 and the rental kart portion of the facility received fresh pavement this month. The ‘LOK’ – located 30 minutes west of downtown Cleveland – has welcomed local news outlets out to provide updates on the construction for what will be a great addition to the metropolitan area.

Speaking with Kris McCrone of Lorain Ohio KartPlex, the competition track is anticipating an opening by the end of June or the start to middle of July. Barriers are the next step in the construction phase, along with other amenities to make it ready for karts to hit the track. The Rental portion of the facility is slated to open in mid-September. Construction on the retail and service center for the LOK is set to begin on July 1. Just in time for the winter months, the indoor rental track that will be built on site has a completion date of December 1.

Website: Lorain Ohio KartPlex

Facebook: Lorain Ohio KartPlex

Instagram: @lorainkartplex

Quaker City Karting

Racing has kicked off at Quaker City Karting in Ohio

One of the new facilities getting attention heading into the winter months last year is the kart track at Quaker City Motorsports Park in Salem, Ohio. The Quaker City Karting circuit is part of its IHRA drag racing facility, which is located southeast of the Cleveland area about 40 miles east of Akron. The track completed paving of the 1-mile course that features multiple layouts.

Karts hit the surface for the first time on April 30 for an open practice. Most of the construction is complete, including the track, curbing, and fencing. A permanent timing and media tower is planned along with additional garages to add to the 20 units already on site.

The track currently has a Birelart rental kart fleet of 15 karts and will be starting Arrive and Drive/Rental Kart events in the coming weeks. The facility is planning on expanding their fleet in the future.

Racing will be coming in 2025, with the track set to host the Quaker City Karting Series. The opening race was on May 24, beginning their 10-race series that includes 10 classes featuring Briggs, KA, TaG, and Shifter categories. Multiple traveling programs will visit Quaker City in 2025, including the Stars Championship Series (July 10-13), Cup Karts North America East Division (August 8-10) and FAT Karting League (August 30-31), as well as multiple supermoto programs.

Website: Quaker City Motorsports Park

Facebook: Quaker City Karting

Great Lakes Sprint Series

The combination of the new tracks of Lorain Ohio KartPlex and Quaker City Karting partnering with the Pittsburgh International Race Complex have led to the development of the Great Lakes Sprint Series. The name has a past in the sport as it served as the District 6 regional program for the World Karting Association. The states of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio made up this region, hosting a traveling series to support the gap between club racing and national racing.

Now in 2025, the three tracks have formed a new championship focused around the Rotax Max Challenge and Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platforms. Three race days – June 28 (Pitt), July 20 (Quaker City), and August 31 (Lorain) – will serve as the three-round championship. Champions in the Rotax divisions earn an entry to the 2025 RMC USA Finals with the Briggs champions awarded entry to the Cup Karts North America Grand Nationals 9. All categories will compete on MOJO tires.

Website: Great Lakes Sprint Series

Facebook: Great Lakes Sprint Series

Instagram: @greatlakessprintseries

Central Arkansas Karting Complex

The southeast is typically known as ‘Dirt World’ in karting with the many dirt oval tracks and competitors throughout the region. The new Central Arkansas Karting Complex is changing that narrative. Located in Vilonia, Arkansas, CAKC is just 40 miles from the Little Rock downtown area – which is the 81st largest city in the United States of America.

The Central Arkansas Karting Complex is located on 15 acres, featuring a 7/10-mile, 14-turn road course. The facility is owned by Greg Long and the circuit was designed by Greg’s son Peyton Long. Peyton has been racing karts and cars for many years and this is what inspired the development of the Central Arkansas Karting Complex.

The primary focus is on their rental kart fleet of Sodi RT10 machines which will introduce karting to the community while providing the great fun behind the wheel. Racing is still at the core of the facility, as they will run league nights with a full championship program established. The facility is open 12 months out of the year with reduced hours during the winter months.

For competition karting, the Central Arkansas Karting Complex is promoting an eight-race series in 2025 for Briggs 206 and other 4-Cycle categories.

Website: Central Arkansas Karting Complex

Facebook: Central Arkansas Karting Complex

Instagram: @cakc_karting

Music City Kartplex

Music City Kartplex is welcoming over 100 entries at club events in 2025

The story about Music City Kartplex is one about a rebirth. The Shelbyville, Tennessee facility is welcoming an amazing transition from its past to its future. Formerly known as Twin Fountains Raceway, the circuit located 50 miles from Broadway in downtown Nashville has been transformed into Music City Kartplex with new ownership under Jeffrey Gaccione.

Part of the transition is new pavement for the 0.5-mile circuit, featuring new curbing and barriers surrounding the track. This work began in September 2024 and Music City Kartplex reopened in November with a new fleet of CRG Centurion rental karts. They also remodeled their main building/clubhouse to welcome new and former customers to the racetrack, adding kart simulators as well for racers to enjoy action rain or shine.

Currently, they offer the Rhythm & Race Championship Series for competition karters. The series is made up of eight races in 2025, one race each month starting in April and going until November. Their first two events of 2025 have already welcomed over 100 entries.

Music City Kartplex is looking to the future as well with plans to add a 0.9-mile second track to meet FIA/CIK certifications by 2026. They are aiming to break ground on the new circuit in April 2026 with the current track to remain fully operational throughout the construction process.

Website: MusicCityKartplex.com

Facebook: Music City Kartplex

Instagram: @musiccitykartplex

Share on Facebook

Tweet