Marc Miller
08-12-2009, 08:52 AM
Another Milestone for Kart Racing in America set for August 15 & 16 at Rolling Green Raceway
Buchanan, MI (July 27,2009) - Kart racing has become the path to professional racing glory in Formula One and NASCAR for aspiring young drivers, but the heritage of the sport is vanishing from the landscape. A rare exception is one small track tucked in the Southwest corner of Michigan. While most of the original kart racing tracks across the nation have been erased by housing subdivisions and shopping malls, Rolling Green Raceway is closing in on its 50th year of continuous operation.
Over the years, hundreds of regional and national champions have trained at RGR, including Indy Racing League star, Danica Patrick. In fact, Danica was once a regular at RGR and called it her favorite track after setting three new track records in a single day of club racing.
"It's a very technical track," says current RGR owner Garry Lobaugh. "That's what makes it such a terrific track for training and developing young drivers." His comments are much more than just owner hype. Lobaugh's own son learned to race at RGR and earned a national karting championship.
In anticipation of the approaching milestone, kart racers young and old will gather at RGR to celebrate the track's 47th Anniversary Race Weekend this year on August 15 & 16. The event will host seven different kart classes including the popular Rotax International and Masters classes. The action on the track won't be limited to current racers. Friends and old timers are invited to join in the competition on Sunday behind the wheel of the track's Arrive-and-Drive, STEP 1 Karts powered by 4-cycle Subaru racing engine karts. The cost of the Arrive-and-Drive event is only $100. Anyone interested in participating in the Arrive-and-Drive class should call and reserve a kart at 1.269.756.9133.
Camping at RGR will be free for this event as karting is very much a sport that involves the entire family. Mom and dad are typically the managers and pit crew for aspiring professional drivers as young as five years old. It's a sport that is popular with boys and girls alike and it is not unusual for mom, dad or both to also compete as drivers. "Karting is truly a team sport," says, Lobaugh, "and when families make up that team, karting offers a bonding experience for parents and their children that no other sport can compete with."
Rolling Green Raceway History: Named after the founding family, Christie's Rolling Green was built in 1962 and has been in continuous use ever since. In the early 80's, the Michiana Kart Club took over the track, but when an economic recession hit, the club found it necessary to sell the track to the current owners, the Lobaugh family. They renamed it Michiana Raceway Park. The track flourished in the hands of the Lobaugh family until 2003, when they purchased a larger facility in nearby North Liberty, IN. They transferred the Michiana Raceway Park name to the new facility and renamed the original property Rolling Green Raceway in memory of George Christies original dream.
Today, RGR operates as a training property for young families much like the Lobaugh's did when they first launched their career in karting. Private memberships are available for access to the property and entertainment programs continue on a regular basis for friends and families who wish to stay close to home and entertain guests. For more information about the 47th Anniversary Race Weekend or opportunities to entertain at Rolling Green Raceway or Michiana Raceway Park call 269-756-9133.
Buchanan, MI (July 27,2009) - Kart racing has become the path to professional racing glory in Formula One and NASCAR for aspiring young drivers, but the heritage of the sport is vanishing from the landscape. A rare exception is one small track tucked in the Southwest corner of Michigan. While most of the original kart racing tracks across the nation have been erased by housing subdivisions and shopping malls, Rolling Green Raceway is closing in on its 50th year of continuous operation.
Over the years, hundreds of regional and national champions have trained at RGR, including Indy Racing League star, Danica Patrick. In fact, Danica was once a regular at RGR and called it her favorite track after setting three new track records in a single day of club racing.
"It's a very technical track," says current RGR owner Garry Lobaugh. "That's what makes it such a terrific track for training and developing young drivers." His comments are much more than just owner hype. Lobaugh's own son learned to race at RGR and earned a national karting championship.
In anticipation of the approaching milestone, kart racers young and old will gather at RGR to celebrate the track's 47th Anniversary Race Weekend this year on August 15 & 16. The event will host seven different kart classes including the popular Rotax International and Masters classes. The action on the track won't be limited to current racers. Friends and old timers are invited to join in the competition on Sunday behind the wheel of the track's Arrive-and-Drive, STEP 1 Karts powered by 4-cycle Subaru racing engine karts. The cost of the Arrive-and-Drive event is only $100. Anyone interested in participating in the Arrive-and-Drive class should call and reserve a kart at 1.269.756.9133.
Camping at RGR will be free for this event as karting is very much a sport that involves the entire family. Mom and dad are typically the managers and pit crew for aspiring professional drivers as young as five years old. It's a sport that is popular with boys and girls alike and it is not unusual for mom, dad or both to also compete as drivers. "Karting is truly a team sport," says, Lobaugh, "and when families make up that team, karting offers a bonding experience for parents and their children that no other sport can compete with."
Rolling Green Raceway History: Named after the founding family, Christie's Rolling Green was built in 1962 and has been in continuous use ever since. In the early 80's, the Michiana Kart Club took over the track, but when an economic recession hit, the club found it necessary to sell the track to the current owners, the Lobaugh family. They renamed it Michiana Raceway Park. The track flourished in the hands of the Lobaugh family until 2003, when they purchased a larger facility in nearby North Liberty, IN. They transferred the Michiana Raceway Park name to the new facility and renamed the original property Rolling Green Raceway in memory of George Christies original dream.
Today, RGR operates as a training property for young families much like the Lobaugh's did when they first launched their career in karting. Private memberships are available for access to the property and entertainment programs continue on a regular basis for friends and families who wish to stay close to home and entertain guests. For more information about the 47th Anniversary Race Weekend or opportunities to entertain at Rolling Green Raceway or Michiana Raceway Park call 269-756-9133.