Ocala Gran Prix:
Fun in a 100 hp car.
Scary in a 200 hp car.
Exceedingly Dangerous in a 300 hp car.
"Sir you need to stop bringing those here" in a 400 hp car.
Rest in peace.
Before the Florida International Rally and Motorsports Park, there was another official test track of Grassroots Motorsports: The Ocala Gran Prix. We tested there back in the 2000s. Located in Ocala, Florida, the eight-corner kart track hosted a number of karting events—the most recent being United States Pro Kart Series and ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour events.
As for why the track is closing, Ocala Gran Prix owner Jorge Arellano hopes to take advantage of the growing equestrian industry in Ocala by tearing down the track and replacing it with 180-unit storage facility: “My team and I have worked tirelessly but have come to the conclusion that it is time for a change,” Arellano explains, “this is about business, money-in versus money-out and providing something that is needed in the Ocala, Florida area.”
As a farewell, here are some photos from the archives from just a few of the many test days we had at the track:
Ocala Gran Prix:
Fun in a 100 hp car.
Scary in a 200 hp car.
Exceedingly Dangerous in a 300 hp car.
"Sir you need to stop bringing those here" in a 400 hp car.
Rest in peace.
That's a shame. Still, at least it's still going to support a hobby. Better than turning it into another soulless subdivision or strip mall.
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:That's a shame. Still, at least it's still going to support a hobby. Better than turning it into another soulless subdivision or strip mall.
Yeah, but another horse related venue in Ocala? Its like the punchline for a joke or something
Tom Suddard said:Ocala Gran Prix:
Fun in a 100 hp car.
Scary in a 200 hp car.
Exceedingly Dangerous in a 300 hp car.
"Sir you need to stop bringing those here" in a 400 hp car.
Rest in peace.
I see nothing wrong with a 500 hp car on a kart track. Chasing another 500 hp car...
Props for the picture of the CMC Locost!
Kart tracks always have a shelf life. You build them far enough out to be cheap, but still draw people. And civilization gets closer. And the land either gets too valuable to be a kart track or the noise is too much. And another one gets built further out. Hopefully.
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
Unless your state is a peninsula?
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
Unless your state is a peninsula?
whole lotta nothing in the part of fl my grandparents live
mazdeuce - Seth said:Kart tracks always have a shelf life. You build them far enough out to be cheap, but still draw people. And civilization gets closer. And the land either gets too valuable to be a kart track or the noise is too much. And another one gets built further out. Hopefully.
Reminds me, I should try to get down to Andersen soon.
I'm sad to hear this. At least I got up there to drive it once before it was gone.
Andersen is my home kart track and its a great spot!
Bummer - was close enough but I never made the time to get there. Hate to lose venues.
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