The Waterloo Regional Kart Club (WRKC) kicks off its 43rd year of racing this weekend at Flamboro Speedway - and local organizers are hoping for clear skies.
“It’s looking a little wet right now but we’re still going to do our best to get on track,” WRKC president Andrew Grinyer told FlamboroughToday earlier this week. “Starting the new kids off in the rain probably isn’t ideal but we’ll make a plan as that goes.”
The volunteer-run, non-profit club launched in 1981 and had seasons at Bingeman’s Park and Erbsville Kartway in the early days before coming to the 5th Concession West track in 2007.
“The club’s moved around a few times over the years but we’ve had our home at Flamboro now for quite a while and we’re looking forward to another great season this year,” said Grinyer.
Currently, the WRKC has about 120 members, with between 70 and 90 karts hitting the track for the Saturday morning races. This weekend, the official club practice is on Sunday, while there is a young driver orientation training session Saturday, where new members will learn rules and procedures.
“We get them on track, we talk with them a little bit about maintenance they need to do on their car,” explained Grinyer. “And we get them a little bit more comfortable with how a race day would be run.”
WRKC has classes for drivers ranging in age “from seven to 70,” he added, with about a 50-50 split between adult and kids. Families travel from within about a two-hour radius to race, from points west of Flamborough, as well as Oakville and Toronto in the east. All participants own and maintain their own equipment.
Grinyer, who’s now in his 40s, has been racing since he was about seven years old. He says the club works hard to keep costs down - the fee to enter each Saturday race is $72, compared to $130 at other nearby venues, or as high as $400 per race at some U.S. events.
“It’s a good family sport that doesn’t take up too much of your weekend,” said Grinyer, noting that racing is wrapped by 2:30 p.m. on most Saturdays. (The club races most Saturday mornings May through October, except on long weekends.)
The club is also planning several special days this year, including a Kids Kart Class for ages 5 to 7. They also have a Family Barbecue slated for June and the Friday Night Race on July 26, complete with racing under the lights and an awards ceremony. The season closes with Octoberfest on Oct. 10 and 11.
While registration for this season has already taken place, Grinyer encourages anyone who’s interested in kart racing to check out the WRKC action at Flamboro Speedway.
“People interested in the sport are more than welcome to stop by the driver training, practice or a race day,” he said. “There’s lots of people around that would be happy to talk to them about the sport and give them a bit of information and lead them down a path to getting started.”
For more information about the club, racing schedules and special events, visit the WRKC website.
