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River Valley Kart Club invites you to go racing ... in KARTING!
Karting is the place where you really can participate in some of the most exciting racing you'll ever experience. There's a place in Karting for you as a driver or mechanic. Karting offers mechanical interest, design, high performance, driving skill, and the most competitive racing ever, anywhere. Whatever your age, seeking to start a pro racing career, or just out for some family fun on a weekend afternoon, you'll find that Karting is a great place to be. This section of our website contains brief description of the three basic types of Karting along with an idea of the costs... You are about to find out how really easy it is to... GO RACING!
SPRINT KARTING
This is where it really all began, 4 wheels, a frame, a seat and a motor. Pretty basic, and yet such a good idea, after nearly 50 years and millions of racing miles by tens of thousands, karting is growing stronger and stronger every year. Sprint karting today is a sophisticated, yet affordable form of motorsport. The race courses are smaller-scale versions of sports car-type road courses. Mostly asphalt, closed-course karting facilities range in lengths from 1/4 to just over 1/2 mile, with an occasional race being held on city streets! Every challenge that a motorsport can offer can be found in Sprint Karting. Designed for the participants, Karting's many classes divide the competitors by age, experience and type of racing equipment. There are two distinct engine types that are the basis of all Kart racing, 2-cycle and 4-cycle.
The 2-cycle motors vary in size and performance from 50 to 125cc "Shifter" engines. All are single-cylinder engines that really respond to a driver's input, especially the 125cc Shifters. Here is where you'll find such names as Danica Patrick, Paul Tracy, Sam Hornish Jr., Richie Hearn and others competing side-by-side with other karters keeping their reflexes sharp for their next run at the Indianapolis 500!
ROAD RACING
Road racing, also known as Enduro racing, is the long-course version of karting. If you've always had the urge to experience the high banks of Daytona, or Laguna Sega's "Corkscrew," or Road America's "Thunder Valley," then Enduro racing might be for you. In Road Racing you'll be using all the basic karting techniques, but with a couple extra considerations - like aerodynamics and endurance. At first, racing a kart by laying almost flat on your back might seem a bit strange, but, after a few laps you'll find that this wind-cheating, center of gravity-lowering posture makes for better lap times and better personal endurance. You'll need the latter because Road Races last anywhere from 30 minutes to a full hour. In Road Racing, as in Sprint and Speedway karting, there are classes for everyone from first-time novices (single, stock 100cc motor) to professional competition using dual-motored or 125cc motorcycle type "Shifter" motors. The price of a good basic Road Racing setup can be as little as $2000.00 to have you on the track and experiencing the thrill of the big tracks you've seen on TV.
SPEEDWAY KARTING
Speedway karting is our name for Oval track racing, whether it's on dirt or asphalt. Sideways racing action on specially built oval karts is what it's all about here. Short oval, 1/10 to 1/5 mile in length, look simple, but offer quite a challenge. Speedway karting will certainly keep your attention; and it definitely keeps the attention of the fans too! These machines sport all the wings and fairings most full size sprint cars have, and since Speedway Racing events are generally held on Friday or Saturday evenings, there are always large crowds of excited fans on hand to enjoy an evening of hot racing action. The equipment that you'll need to go Speedway Karting will be either a good sprint chassis or specifically built oval kart that incorporates an "off-set" design, and a set of tires with various tread patterns to adjust the kart's bite to changing track conditions. As in other karting divisions, there are Speedway Karting classes for both 2 and 4-cycle engines. Divided by engine type, as well as the drivers age and experience, there's a place for just about anyone who wants to race. Probably the least expensive form of karting, Speedway Karts cost about the same as a good Sprint Kart. A good used kart can be sitting in your garage for under $1500.
KARTING TODAY
Dads, moms, sons and daughters can all participate and have a great time at races working as a unit to compete, putting their family spirit& teamwork to the test. Karting can be a fulfilling after-school leisure time pursuit. Getting ready for the next weekend's big race or the upcoming racing season is a great way to keep young minds active and young hands busy. Karting teaches discipline in a very understandable and direct way; if you don't get the kart ready and yourself ready, you won't be ready to enjoy a weekend at the track. Goals are easy to identify and work toward in this healthy outlet and more than a few parents have reported that Karting is their children's best skill and confidence-builder. But Karting is far from being just for the youngsters. It is one type of racing sport that many professional and business people have become involved in, not only because its very low in relation to other forms of 4-wheel motorsports, but because of its effective, efficient use of that commodity that is often much more precious than money... TIME. From an occasional weekend outing "just for fun," to a carefully-planned, scheduled and budgeted year-long campaign for the national championship... You'll find it all in KARTING!
Finding the local kart club and track in your area is easy. Just check through the Track Guide section, or check out your local phone book for a kart shop or track near you. Today, nearly every major city in America has one. Tell them you want to GO RACING! Find a track and take a look around. Ask questions. See which class looks appealing to you. You will find that many dealers as well as those racing, will have used equipment for sale to help you get started. You'll find that the people in Karting are an interesting and friendly group of people who are genuinely having a great time and want to invite you to join them... in KARTING!
River Valley Kart Club is a 501c3 non-profit organization which was established in 1959 in northern Illinois. Regularly racing on sprint and enduro tracks in the Midwest, it has, throughout the 50 years, previously hosted WKA and many other events and is today partners with the Championship Enduro Series. It is one of the oldest, active kart clubs in North America. The RVKC Board of Directors regularly meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Chicago Indoor Racing, Addison, IL at 7:00PM. The public is invited to attend the monthly meetings.
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