The 2020 season is now well underway as the calendar has turned over to the third month of the year. The International Kart Federation has been busy helping to guide local and regional programs across the country to get them ready for the new season. One of the key events for the programs under the IKF banner is the annual GrandNationals events.

The 2020 IKF Sprint GrandNationals have been scheduled for October 9-11 and will take place at the Prairie City Kart Track. The Rancho Cordova, California facility has been under new management since the end of 2019 when the Durbin family took control and they are leading the historic facility into a new era.

“The Duffy trophy is heading back to northern California and we couldn’t be happier to return with the Sprint GrandNationals,” stated Neal Strickland of the International Kart Federation. “Our goal is to continue moving the event to the great regional areas we have under the IKF banner to provide all the incredible facilities with the opportunity to host this prestigious event.”

The Prairie City Kart Track (previously known as All Star Karting) is located inside the Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), east of downtown Sacramento. The 1/2-mile kart track was home to many of karting superstars in the 1990s, including IKF Duffy and Superkarts! USA winners such as AJ Allmendinger, Joey Hand, Scott Speed, Alex Speed and Gary Carlton. New owner Don Durbin Jr. was part of that history with the facility, and he’s excited about bringing his love for the sport to the operational and promotional side of track ownership.

Durbin is a second generation karter, with his family owning Cambrian Go-Karts. With he and his father Donald Durbin Sr. at the helm, Cambrian has been a prominent kart shop in the northern California area for years. Since taking over the Prairie City Kart Track, the Durbins relocated their Cambrian headquarters from Silicon Valley to Sacramento. The facility now has an on-site kart shop, along with a fleet of rental karts to promote and help educate new racers on the enjoyment of the sport.

“The Durbin family and Cambrian Go-Karts are synonymous with karting in Northern California,” continued Strickland. “Their involvement and history with karting and the IKF goes back decades and we are honored to have them hosting the 2020 edition of the Sprint GrandNationals. It is the hard work and dedication of their entire family that is getting the track and facility back in shape, and they’ve also relocated their business, family and homes. This is something that cannot go unnoticed. This year’s event is sure to be a memorable one.”

One of the key changes to the Prairie City Kart Track is the focus on grassroots racing. Their seven-race track series in 2020 will feature the same class structure to be utilized at the IKF Sprint GrandNationals. The focus is the IAME KA100 and Briggs & Stratton 206 divisions from Cadet to Master, as well as Kid Karts.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to host such a special and historical event,” added Donald Durbin Jr. of Prairie City Kart Track. “As we speak, we are making huge improvements to the entire facility that will enhance the spectators’ and drivers’ experience at the Prairie City Kart Track!  I can’t wait to show everyone. We can’t thank the IKF enough to working with us to bring the Sprint GrandNationals here to Prairie City.”

The 2020 IKF Sprint GrandNationals is scheduled from October 9-11. The facility will host an unofficial practice on Thursday, October 8. Official practice is conducted on Friday, October 9. Race days will be Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11.

The International Kart Federation is also working on the details for the 2020 IKF Speedway GrandNationals. This year’s event is scheduled for July 23-25 at the Poplar Grove Speedway in Kamrar, Iowa. More details surrounding that event, including the class roster, will be made in a future announcement.

One of the most prestigious trophies in North American karting is the International Kart Federation’s ‘Duffy’. Originally known as the ‘Joe Karter’ award, the 12-inch solid bronze statuette was re-named to honor Frank ‘Duffy’ Livingstone – one of the original pioneers of karting. Each year after 1981, those drivers who were able to claim victory at the esteemed GrandNationals were awarded their own Duffy trophy. The iconic trophy is still a core goal for all members of the IKF, the first kart racing organization and sanctioning body in the United States.

For more information on anything related to International Kart Federation or the upcoming 2020 GrandNationals, please visit the website – www.ikfkarting.com and be sure to follow the IKF Facebook page and Instagram account.