There will be a new addition to the proud history of racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois in 2019. The inaugural Clash at the Coliseum is coming to the covered arena at the Fairgrounds on March 22-23.
The two-day event will feature both Outlaw and Flat Karts, with Intermediate and Open divisions for the Outlaw Karts. Flat Kart classes include Clone Medium, Clone Heavy, Clone Super Heavy, and two Predator classes.
The event is being co-promoted by the Burnetts of Millbridge Speedway in North Carolina and the Gundakers of Tri-City Speedway in Illinois.
“Jeremy and I are excited to work with the Gundakers again,” said Ashly Burnett. “They have always been great role models for us and great promoters to learn from. We believe that this event will attract a good number of teams and some of the best drivers from all parts of the country at a time of year when there is not a ton of racing going on in that area.”
Millbridge Speedway promoters Jeremy and Ashly Burnett will add this event to a list of karting races they promote, which includes the Speed51 Open each May, the upcoming Appalachian Indoor Showdown at the Appalachian Regional Expo Center (VA) and last October’s Keith Kunz Give-Back Classic.
For years the Gundakers have had integral role in the landscape of dirt track racing in the Midwest, which includes hosting some of the top events in the country each year.
For competitors, pit gates will open at 3:00 p.m. Central on Friday, March 22 and 1:00 p.m. Central on Saturday, March 23. Pit passes are $20 for participants aged 13 and older, $10 for ages 4-12, and free for children aged three and younger.
Racing will begin at 7:30 p.m on Friday, and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“The Springfield Mile” at the Illinois State Fairgrounds has a storied racing history, dating back to 1910. The venerable facility currently hosts ARCA stock car racing, USAC Silver Crown championship cars, UMP Late Models and Modifieds, and the AMA Grand National Championship each year.
Now, kart racers will have their chance to compete on the same fairgrounds as many legendary racers before them, competing in the inaugural Clash at the Coliseum on March 22-23, 2019. For more information, please visit the event page “Clash at the Coliseum” on Facebook.