Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MOTOR-CART RACING
MOTOR-CART RACING. On May 15, 1960 it was announced that motor-cart racing would be provided at the Track Rabbit course on Peru Road and the Dubuque County Fairgrounds within a few weeks. Also known as go-karts, the vehicles were generally 45 to 48 inches in length and were classified according to cubic inch displacement and retail cost.
The cubic inch displacement varied from 5.8 on Class A karts to 16.5 on some Class C models. Built low to the ground, the karts had a clutch and brake on either side on the front of the machine. Power was provided by one or two engines. Class A karts for drivers 9-11 were limited to 12 miles per hour while Class B had a minimum age of 12 and traveled at 20 miles per hour. Adult karts could reach 70 miles per hour.
Under U. S. Karting Association rules, each driver had to do about ten laps around the track before a qualification board before the kart was inspected. If the driver and kart passed both tests, the driver received a competitor's license. All contestants had to wear crash helmets and long sleeve jackets. Safety belts were not allowed. Tracks were constructed to control speed. Straightaways were no more than 300 feet long and the tracks were flat so that drivers had to slow down for curves. Rules also prevented any racing for money.
The Rabbit Track along Peru Road was operated by the Rabbit Track Association. In addition to the helmets, and glasses, safety belts were required. Drivers under the age of sixteen had to be accompanied by a parent. An eight men safety crew usually composed of parents supplied with fire and safety equipment operated from the center of the track in case of accidents. The Rabbit Track was dirt, oval-shaped and 1/12 mile long with bales of hay for the drivers' protection. The Fairground track was asphalt with white lines as a guide on the end of the track which was 3/10 mile long. Track Rabbits had to own their own cars. A flag system could call a driver off the course for recklessness.
---
Source:
"Motor-Cart Racing Starts Soon," Telegraph Herald, May 15, 1960, p. 18