1982 Yamaha IT465. bike was like new when I bought it in 1986. Sat in the garage for 25 years, then in 2018 I gave it a full restoration, back to the condition that I originally bought it in. Note: all the bikes are listed in the video description, the 93 CR 250 is also owned by me, had that one since it was new. I credit Navy Sea Bee's channel here on You Tube for getting me started on the IT restoration.
It's a combination of three outlaw tracks, they do what they want. The stock classes resemble lawnmowers, and all of them have lawnmower engines although most are highly modified. I heard some were making 60 HP. My friends machine makes 37 HP and he was clearly out powered. They really didn't have a class for him, so he had to run with the big dogs from Ontario. You have to admit it's a lot more fun to watch than regular lawn mowers. :o)
The next Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart may be competing right now at a small track in eastern Montcalm County. Vestaburg Kart Speedway opened in May with races taking place at 6 p.m. most every Saturday. The track, located a mile north of M-46 on Edgar Road between Crystal and Pine Grove roads, was the brainchild of Dave Freeman. “I race myself a little bit and I just decided kids in the community needed something different to do with their time,” he said. “It helps them stay out of mischief.” He sometimes has more than 40 competitors a night at the one-eighth mile oval, high-banked dirt track. But the drivers aren’t just kids. “We have them as young as 5 but we’ve had one who was 70 years old,” Freeman said. “They’re also a couple in their 60s who run hard too. They like to mix it up.” The younger drivers run with “restrictor plates” on their karts, which slows down the speed by limiting the flow of gasoline to the motor, just like NASCAR does for races at the Talladeaga and Daytona superspeedways. Races are held in various age groups and classifications, including stock and open divisions, with trophies or medals going to the winners. There is also an overall season points winner in all 10 classes. There’s even a Winged Outlaw Class where the karts “look like miniature World of Outlaw sprint cars,” Freeman said. “We usually average 30 to 35 cars a night and we have a lot of ladies running,” he added. “Sometimes we have a woman’s class, but most of them aren’t interested in running together. They would rather compete against the guys.” The cars don’t look or operate like a typical go-kart. “These are racing karts,” Freeman said. “They are just like all the NASCAR drivers got started in. They have special chassis and aren’t your regular kind of karts you might drive around your yard.” The races are run under rules developed by the National Karting Association. Freeman, 36, owner of Freeman Builders, and his 7- and 9-year-old sons compete at the track. “The big boys still like to have a good time too,” he said. “It’s fun.” The track has already developed a wide following, attracting drivers from as far away as Indiana and all over Michigan, including Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Midland, Beaverton, Grand Blanc and St. Johns. “The location helps us because we are right in the center (of the state),” Freeman said. He wants to make racing a family affair. “We take intermittent weeks off to give people the opportunity to do other things with their families,” Freeman said. “We try to promote fair and fun racing. There is no alcohol allowed anywhere on the premises.” After tonight the remaining scheduled dates are Aug. 30 and 31 during Labor Day Weekend, and Sept. 6 and 13, with the season championships set for Sept. 27. For more information, call Freeman at 989-268-5902 or 989-620-4654, or go online to www. vestaburgkartspeedway.com.
You're right, I wish the announcer would have came out better. It's just me running around with one camera trying to catch as much action as I can. Stuff happens pretty quickly, I'm just an amateur.
Once again, a good video shot to hell by some lame ass music. WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS!!?? I made it about 2 laps into the twins (which actually sound killer for lawn mowers) and all I could hear was some crap that no one on this earth would listen to by their own choice. Part of the joy of racing is hearing the engines but noooooo, somebody thinks doo whacka doo duh duh dut is more pleasing to the ears. QUIT IT!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Yes, none would pass as a mower under the USLMRA. This was a race of three outlaw tracks. Ithaca Dirt Devils, Western Ontario Outlaws (Woo's) and The Maple Rapids Grass Kickers. We make our own rules.
The machine itself is good, we had it paired with a Hyper Therm 85, so no problems there. The control is a bit wonky as its a Chinese built unit. I was brought in as a consultant to figure out the control and train the people to use it.
She's a little rip snorter. Race promoter got some flack from the neighbors, said we had cars on the track, had to start the machine up, and prove them wrong. My friend said the guy is still looking for the other six pipes. : o)
Yea man, if been knowing about mower racing for along time.. iv had my fair share or full size dirt track race.. iv been drag racing since I was way younger on and off my hole life, got alittle grug camaro still. But I email the vic present of the LSMRA, the texas group.. man he went 3 hours out of his way to bring is rider ( witch he won the FXT points champion here in tx last yr.. Marion Neal, and his wife Sammie.. great people) to me and show it to me.. and I got hooked. I'm in the middle of building two different riders now cp class and a I'm going to start with a fxs..
