Adam’s Go Kart Track
In 1959, a go-kart was purchased as a Christmas gift for the niece and nephew of the Adams family. After purchasing the kart, the sons of the Adams rode it and the week before Christmas, the kart was torn up. They had to get the manufacturer to repair the kart in order to have it ready for the kids on Christmas morning. On December 25, 1959, a bright red go-kart with a Clinton motor was under the Christmas tree for the Bush kids.
The excitement was overwhelming. This kart was such fun, not only did the kids ride, but all the family took turns riding the go-kart. It was driven in front of the Adams’ house. Finally, Mrs. Adams got upset due to the high speed as the kart turned the curve in front of the house. She stepped out and said, “We have all that property down below. Someone is going to get killed on that thing. Take it to the river bottom.”
The following week a track configuration was made on the lower section of the property with a tractor. A dirt track was ready for riding and fun.
Two of the Adams’ sons bought karts and it became a daily, fun family event. Friends and other family members began to make and purchase karts to join in the fun. People driving by would come and ask if they could bring their kart down and ride at the track.
The brothers then began to ride at other locations, such as the Sears’ parking lot in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl parking lot and a parking lot in the South Gate area. What they found was that the Adams track was better than all the other locations, but it needed a little improvement – asphalt.
The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, Frank “Pancho”, Charles “Chuck”, Dewit, Joseph “Jerry”, Tim, and the brothers-in-laws, Charles King and John Bush were the catalyst in the beginning. They promoted, organized and ran the races.
The daughters, Thelma King, Helen (Bush) Armstrong, Eunice Sharon (Adams) Lisberg, along with sister-in-law Vickie, were the other half of the catalyst. They ran registration, the concession stand and the financial reports. Then, as the brothers began to marry, the other sisters-in-laws, Juanita, Carolyn, and Hedy joined the ranks.
The Growth
The Adams siblings set up a meeting to research and determine what had to be done in order to build a professional track. They kept a large portion of what their Dad had already designed. But, they added a 180-degree bank turn set at 30 degrees anda pit stop area on the side of the second “S”. This added 148 yards of length to the straight-away.
The siblings felt if they started this venture, it would help to take care of their aging parents and utilize the property in a positive manner. It would also add value to the area.
In 1950, the track was transformed from a fun dirt track to a serious quarter mile asphalt track. On a sunny Sunday afternoon in January 1960, Adams Kart track was opened. From 1960 to 1963, weekly races were held. The Adams hosted the Year-End Enduros race at Riverside Raceway and hosted the Grant National events at both Adams Kart Track as well as Riverside Raceway.
Moving forward with the track was not always easy. Although the Riverside Planning Commission acknowledged the value of the track for bringing large numbers of tourists to the area, they were met with resistance and permits to continue operation were only granted on an annual basis which required Adams Kart Track to show improvements and updates in order to continue operation.
Although complaints were lodged against Adams for the noise level, the community was united in their support. Due to the complaints regarding the noise level, the manufacturers knew it was only a matter of time before the problem escalated across the United States. The addition of mufflers on the motors was developed and became acceptable in the karting industry. The Adams didn’t develop the muffler, but it was due to the problems they experienced that the motor manufacturers developed a nationwide system.
The Success
In order to be truly successful, you have to love what you do. The Adams family ran the track out of love for the sport and the close bonds that developed while working with each other as well as from the people who attended the races. It was one big, happy family.
In the years following the successful events at the International Riverside Raceway, the Adams brothers were asked to assist in races throughout the Southern California region, such as El Segundo and Button Willow. Their expertise was used in staging, scoring, setting up and starting the races.
Racing was in the blood of all the Adams siblings. Although they didn’t get a chance to drive once the business took off, they gave the sport their time and energy. They had many firsts:
The first kart track configured with a banked turn in the western U.S. in 1960
The first kart races to be shown on television – ESPN in 1988
National televised karting show – Action Karting in 1990
The first group to put kart races at a major racing facility
Riverside International Raceway in 1963
California Speedway in 2002
The first to develop the Kid Kart Program that lowered the driving age from 8 to age 5, with special kart classes for instruction in 1992
The first group to run a Pace Car to start an Enduro race in 1964
The first kart group to go to other areas and assist with putting their races on from 1962 through 1965
Heavily involved with the forming of a Karters Insurance – International Karting Federation Group, that later lead the nation in hosting events across the United States and Canada from 1960 through 1964
First group to host a double header event both an Endurance Grand National (Riverside International Raceway) and a Sprint Grand National (Adams Kart Track) back to back in 1964
Featured article in Ebony magazine in 1964
Featured article in Sepia Magazine in 1965
Assisted with the El Segundo Invitational in September, 1967
Kart Show Booth (Exhibit) at the Shrine Auditorium in 1963
Hosted the Donate Life Grand Prix in 2005
Hosted the Ronald MacDonald House Program in 1992
Hosted the DADS Program in 2005
In later years, a man began to come to Adams Kart Track to drive in club events as well as to provide a special racing program for junior racers in order to improve skills and promote racing ethics. His name was Doc Murel Rupel. He attended many of the Riverside Chamber functions, where discussions were held about the revenue various business brought in. According to Mr. Rupel, for years Adams Kart Track was one of the top revenue makers for Riverside.
The Adams family has done much for karting. As we now move into a new era of karters, because the climate has changed, the next generation has moved us into the Arrive and Race Program where any individual 56 inches and taller can come out and race. Just put on the safety gear, take a practice lap, and then race!
It has opened up a new world for people who thought that racing was only for the elite and rich.