Outdoor
Poplar Grove Speedway in Kamrar, Iowa, hosts outdoor wheel-to-wheel go-kart racing. This category of racing is often a test of precision and agility, with drivers competing closely. For event information, contact the venue directly at (515) 539-4473. This part of Iowa offers many opportunities for racing fans, with 26 other tracks nearby.
Know Before You Go
- Open-track days
- Outdoor karting venues run open practice and arrive-and-drive sessions weekly. Pricing varies from $25 per session at rental tracks to $200+ per day for own-kart.
- Weather impact
- Outdoor karting closes for rain at most rental facilities. Sprint racing continues on wet tires for race weekends. Check forecast — sessions get bumped or refunded.
- Kart classes
- Look for rental karts (low-power 4-stroke), shifter karts (6-speed 125cc), TaG (touch-and-go ignition 100-125cc), and kid karts (50-60cc). Each class has its own day.
- Race series
- Most outdoor tracks host a club championship plus a regional or national series. Entry-level club racing is the cheap way to start — usually $50-150 per race day.