Eric, My 80’s started with somehow graduating from Hereford TX. and started karting in Kathy Tx. west of Amarillo with 5 Mac 101’s and a yamaha kart. Them lasted about 1 summer, then moved back to my hometown of Marshalltown Ia. and raced the sprint track there and the dirt oval at Newton, along with every street race they had around Ia. Them races are where the sponsors stepped up and promoted karters to come out of the woodwork and race. Jimmy Carter, Ron Jones and Gus Trader would draw 300 karts for one day of 6 classes. 4 cycle (light,medium,heavy) and 2cycle (light,medium,heavy)
$300 for 1st, $200.00 for 2nd, $100.00 for 3rd and $300.00 ambulance rides. Peak pick for the one race Gran prix start with over 50 karts fighting for the first turn off main street to first street.
I still have the flyers, entry forums, race notes and even one of my old motors from back then. I see at Ron Jones Des Moines Gran prix I entered and raced 4 classes plus one pit pass, a total of $148 for a possible $1200.00 pay back.
New rolling Chassis’s were $1250.00 with Bridgestones, along with a $425.00 Blueprinted Tater digger motor.
Oh well, them were fun times yet I am still manufacturing new great memories every time I get a chance to race a kart with other victims of the hobby.
Roger, I’ll try to get myself and two other new racers down there for a weekend of fun.
Gunter, Krivanek? You mean the star on River Rats Gold & silver buyer/trader Mark Krivanek of Krivanek Jewelers.