Kokomo, IN -:checkered: Racing Engines Will Roar in Downtown Kokomo
The roar of racing engines will be heard downtown during this year’s Haynes-Apperson festival.
The annual Haynes-Apperson Festival celebrates the automotive heritage of Kokomo, so what
could demonstrate that more than good old-fashion open wheel racing – of the kid variety! The
colorful Kokomo Quarter Midget Club race cars will practice on Friday, July 4 th and race on
Saturday July 5 th in the parking lot behind 101 W. Superior Street. Everyone is welcome to watch
at no cost as 5 to 16 year-old boys and girls race full-bore for trophies and bragging rights!
Practice and racing will begin at 10:00 AM each day.
Organizer Don Ridenour has worked with the Festival and the Club to bring this event to life.
“This is an old dream of mine, to see racing in downtown Kokomo. I always thought of go-karts,
but could never find a surface that would work. After talking to Kimo Nash, Vice-President of the
KQMC, I realized we could race quarter midgets on a parking lot. Thanks to Dave Rayl of Dick
Rayl and Associates, John O’Donnel at Harris Bank, and Lynn Reid of Kokomo Honda, the
racing fans of Kokomo get a great new event.
Quarter midget racing has a long history in Kokomo dating at least to the early fifties. Racing at
that time was on a small dirt track off West Morgan Street. Now days, the club races at a lighted
and paved facility on 350 East just off Old Sycamore. Spectators are welcome at no charge to
club events, too. See the racing schedule at
www.kqmc.org for dates.
“The modern quarter midget is a pretty sophisticated little race car,” said Jeremy Jameson,
President of KQMC. “The suspensions are fully adjustable just like a sprint car or midget. Getting
the right setup for each track and the conditions at race time is really important just like full-scale
racing.”
Racers can register from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday morning at the site. Entry fee is $25.
For more information, contact Don Ridenour at 765-437-8848 or Kimo Nash at 765-776-7023.