There aren’t too many karting races these days that can boast 36 years of pure history, but that is exactly what the Waterloo Regional Kart Club can say about their Oktoberfest Grand Prix which hits the track in Flamborough, Ontario on Saturday, October 7, 2017, for the 36th time, a Thanksgiving Weekend tradition.
For four-cycle racers in Ontario, the annual WRKC Oktoberfest event is a highlight for local racing and the largest four-stroke event in Ontario as everything occurs in a unique one-day operation that often has a curveball thrown at them courtesy of Mother Nature.
The location of the race has changed a few times over the years based on where the Waterloo Regional Kart Club is competing, but the volunteer efforts of the club have always put their utmost efforts into their prestigious race. Welcoming drivers from out of town and other clubs while allowing WRKC club members a chance to close out their season with a substantial victory and add their names to the WRKC history books.
There will be nine class options to choose from including Cadet, Novice, Jr. Lite, Jr. Heavy, Sr. Lite, Sr. Heavy and Masters for Honda racers plus Briggs Junior and Briggs Senior. WRKC club currently still races and supports the Honda four-cycle power plant for all of their categories but once again this year they have added classes for Briggs & Stratton LO206 engines that other clubs use as a purpose-built racing engine. Practice for the race is available on Friday, October 6.
Many successful motorsports drivers coming through the Canadian karting ranks have made an appearance or two at the Oktoberfest Grand Prix. The likes of Mercedes DTM and Sam Schmitt IndyCar test driver Robert Wickens, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, NASCAR driver Pete Shepherd and Paul Tracy are just a few of them. A trip to any short track around the region and it also wouldn’t be hard to find a driver who once competed at the WRKC Oktoberfest Grand Prix. Additionally, there has been a good selection of Canadian National Karting Champions who have tried their hand at adding an Oktoberfest title to their resume.
In keeping the tradition, every entered driver receives a goodie bag filled with all kinds of excitement at registration. Additionally, each driver receives a door prize from the table upon tables of excellent donated gifts. The club prides itself on keeping its members happy and rewarding those who show up to support this great event.
CKN will be trackside for the race to cover the details and snap some photos.
So get your karts ready, the 36th annual WRKC Oktoberfest will be one for the record books!
More details about the race and application forms can be found on the http://wrkc.on.ca website.
