Karting Event in Delmar Iowa

The Iowa BMW Club is going to host another Karting event this May. Those of you that participated last year know that this was a fine way to spend a Sunday. As a matter of fact, last year’s karting event at the 61 Kartway in Delmar, Iowa was such a success, the Porsche Owners Club has asked to join us this year! They were also quite clear that they are just as enthusiastic about joining us for the brunch at the Decker Hotel in Maquoketa as they are about spending time at the track.

Once again, we plan to meet for brunch in Maquoketa and then spend the afternoon at the outdoor karting facility just south of Maquoketa in Delmar. This six-tenths of a mile track is full of twists, turns, chicanes, sweepers and brutal elevation changes, including a 45 foot uphill change in less than 100 feet at the end of the longest straight!

Best lap times will be available for comparison after each run group completes. My personal bests have been the results of average speeds approaching nearly 40 mph—believe me when I tell you that this feels very fast.

We’ll begin by meeting for the Sunday brunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. Price for brunch last year was $8.95 plus tax and tip, payable at the hotel. Updated pricing will be available when the event opens for registration.

After brunch, we’ll depart for the track, about nine miles south on Highway 61, arriving around 1 pm. For those of you that worry about these kinds of things, it’s all hard surface roads until you get to the track parking lot.

The kartway is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we are being provided rentals at a group rate of $20 per participant for the first session and $10 for each additional 10 minute session (price is
subject to confirmation at the opening of the rental season). You will be responsible for payment at the track at the end of your day. Helmets and neck braces are provided with the rentals, though personal equipment can be used it as long as you also have a visor or goggles for eye protection. Long sleeves and pants are also recommended. Kart rentals are also available to those under 18 once a parent signs a consent form – see the track website for additional information. We’ll be going out in run groups of six for 10 minutes at a time, so I’d like to limit the rentals to around 24 participants to avoid significant waits.

For those that would just prefer to watch, digest and just enjoy what we hope will be a sunny afternoon, bleachers and picnic tables are available. If you are able to bring a canopy for shade, I’d recommend you do so. A cooler stocked with (non-alcoholic) beverages is also a good idea. Restroom facilities are portable toilets.

Please RSVP to Mike Myers at mike.myers@bmwia.org or 319-504-1025. Look for an additional announcement with confirmed prices and updated information when registration for the event opens at http://www.motorsportreg.com.