"New track joins Burris Speedway program"
By Bert Alexander
RIALTO, CA - The engines of over fifty karts were heard over the reverberation of the nearby airplanes at the new Rialto Airport Speedway Park that opened for racing on Saturday the 20th of October. The speedway was open for practice Saturday and Sunday and I saw karts out late Sunday burning up the track. The park's operator Gary Engelkes was there overseeing the karts that started coming in on Friday and stayed the weekend. The lighting is some of the best I have seen at this new state-of-the-art circle track. Its fast, fun and with more parking then any Southern California track I have been to.
The two-acre track has pits for all, with room for the biggest motor homes to the guy that shows up in his pickup. Saturday I had my free hot dog and an ice-cold soft drink. There is spectator seating in front and at the end of the track. This is not only a track for go-karts, but also a place where you will find Radio controlled cars and mini-stock cars. This track started when Engelkes asked some of his friends to help build a place where families could come and play together. He needed the lot cleared of weeds and the footings of an old home removed. The first and last to help was my brother, Kirk Alexander. With his backhoe, we removed the old footings and got the lot ready for the 103,000 square feet of new asphalt. Other friends donated time to install the stadium lights, and bales of hay wrapped in black and white plastic. Rialto is now the only paved oval within hundreds of miles of Los Angeles. So if you have a Speedway kart or want to try one call Gary at (909) 482-2649 to confirm the racing dates.
A new snack bar and pro-shop are under way now, so if you have been looking for a place to take the kids on the weekend Rialto may just be it. There is scale drag racing within walking distance of the track gate, where you will find 1/8 of a mile drag racing, car shows, slalom racing and more.
After racing for the last 12 years I think I have found a new home and would like to be one of the first to welcome Rialto to karting, the best sport in the USA.
