Stephen Cox blogs about the 15th running of the Little Detroit Grand Prix in Connersville, IN. He finished 5th in the 1993 GP!
Auto racing has a rich history of competition on public motorways. Once upon a time, the legendary Le Mans endurance race was conducted entirely on public roads. Historic road races were held on the streets of Elkhart Lake, WI long before Road America was built.
Road racing was incredibly popular and created one of the sport’s golden eras for generations of fans. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and by the late 1950’s government interference had essentially destroyed the purest and earliest form of authentic “road” racing.
But I have good news for those who would like to experience a small taste of what early 20th century race fans enjoyed. The machines are smaller and the races have moved downtown, but the essence of pure road racing is otherwise very well preserved in the go-kart races that are still held today in towns throughout the Midwest.
The Little Detroit GP was notable for its incredibly long straightaway that ran over three blocks along Central Avenue. Even the four-cycle machines would hit about 80 mph on the home stretch and with a little imagination you could pick up the tiniest wisp of a draft. The Connersville GP ran for 14 consecutive years before its cancellation. When I learned that the race, extinct since 2001, was being resurrected this year, I had to go back. What I saw was a smaller event on a smaller track with a smaller crowd that still retained the wonderful atmosphere of the street races I remembered from 20 years ago.
The heat wave that smothered the Midwest for the past two weeks undoubtedly hurt attendance, but perhaps a thousand people still lined the downtown streets despite 100-degree temps. There were fewer entries. Instead of 200 teams, there were perhaps 90 on hand for the 15th running of the GP. Not surprising for the first event following an 11-year absence.
The biggest difference was the track itself, which had been shortened considerably due to the refusal of some private businesses to permit racing on their property. The glorious, long straightaway that was once the signature of the event had been cut in half. The top trap speed was 64 mph, considerably slower than in the 1990’s.
But the fun factor was off the charts. The atmosphere was relaxed. Fans could walk across the street for refreshments at vendor stands that lined the track. The local radio station carried live coverage of the event and a PA system filled in the blanks for everyone else. For the uninitiated, the atmosphere experienced at a local county fair is perhaps the best comparison.
The Southern Indiana Karting Association has come up with a brilliant plan. Their entire race series is based on street events. Each of the Association's 11 annual races is held on the city streets of a different town.
Other karting series hold similar events around the country, especially throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes areas. It’s a fantastic experience for the drivers to tour the state, make new fans, and take their traveling road show to a new town every weekend.
As I sat there along Central Avenue watching the karts zip by, I couldn’t help but think of the open road races held here and abroad in the first half of the 20th century. These karting events are the direct descendents of those legendary road races and hold much of the same spirit.
Anyone who can’t find a way to have fun at a go-kart street race in Small Town America just doesn’t know how to have fun at all. It’s well worth the effort to attend one of these highly-competitive events.
Words & photos by Stephen Cox, Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions.
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