The race is back on.
Performance Racing Industry brings live racing action back to the PRI Show in Indianapolis with the PRI Ekarting Classic presented by Top Kart USA.
High-performance electric karts will race on a track located on the Lucas Oil Stadium floor throughout the show, set for Dec. 7-9 at the Indiana Convention Center, according to a press release.
Taking place at the convention center and stadium in downtown Indianapolis, the motorsports industry’s annual trade gathering is aimed at businesses and professionals from across the automotive racing spectrum.
“Our partnership with Top Kart USA offers a great opportunity to bring the energy of racing indoors to the show,” said Jim Liaw, PRI general manager. “The addition of e-karting allows us to highlight racing innovation by showcasing an alternative form of propulsion.”
The e-karting track will be active all three days of the show, and the action starts Dec. 7 with professional drivers from several top racing series. The pro main event is slated to be run during Thursday’s PRI Happy Hour at 5 p.m. in Lucas Oil Stadium, providing attendees an opportunity to visit the Esports Arena, EV & ALT Racing Area, Trailer Exhibits and the Ekarting Classic’s Pit Area.
Pro racers set to participate on Thursday include:
- Jacob Abel – Indy NXT
- Jay Howard – IndyCar
- Conor Daly – IndyCar
- Connor Hall – NASCAR
- Kyle O’Gara – 500 Sprint Car Tour
- Jared Mees – American Flat Track
- Kevin Thomas – World of Outlaws Spring Car
- Rome Charpentier – Formula Drift
- Austin Prock – NHRA Top Fuel
- Jordan Vandergriff – NHRA Top Fuel
- Scott Birdsall – Pikes Peak Hill Climb
After the pros take the checkered flag on Thursday, the e-kart racing action continues through the weekend. On Friday, media and racing influencers will be laying down hot laps to see who’s fastest around the circuit, while Saturday’s on-track action will spotlight top youth kart racers from MSTEM3-focused high schools and career centers across the country partnered with the Top Kart USA EV Grand Prix racing program.
E-karting is one of many forms of alternative propulsion that will be featured at the trade show. The EV & ALT Racing area will evolve to incorporate cutting-edge technology related to alternative forms of racing propulsion and renewable fuels, featuring activations from Indy Autonomous Challenge, Electric Drag Racing Association, Burromax, Omni Powertrain Technologies and eFlexFuel, among others, and feature display vehicles, officials reported.
“Karting appeals to all levels of racers, from beginner to seasoned professional,” said Karin Davidson, PRI trade show director. “By featuring e-karting, we’re not only highlighting an innovative form of racing but also growing the number of quality activations in Lucas Oil Stadium to deliver more value for attendees.”
Kart racing was a staple of the PRI Show during its years in Orlando, with an outdoor track in the parking lot outside of the convention center.
The 2023 PRI Show will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors and 3,600 booths showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports.
