FREEPORT — Summer isn’t over yet, and neither is racing season. Kickabuda Promotions is inviting fans and competitors to the Backroad Raceway for the second race day of the season on Sunday, August 16. This time there’s something new: Illinois Yard Karts go-kart racing joins the lineup alongside the ATV and SxS action that made the June opener such a hit.
The season opener on Saturday, June 20 introduced Stephenson County to a brand-new motorsports experience, drawing racers and fans from across the region. Now organizers are doubling down, adding a full go-kart program to give even more racers a reason to show up and even more fans a reason to fill the stands.
The races will be held at the ABC Supply Co. Freeport, IL Grandstands at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, located at 2250 S. Walnut Road in Freeport. The August date continues the fairgrounds’ push to expand its calendar with exciting, family-friendly events throughout the year.
Gates open at 11 a.m., with racing kicking off at 2 p.m. General admission is just $5 and pit passes are available for $10. All transactions are cash only.
New This Race Day: Go-Kart Racing Joins the Track
Illinois Yard Karts is bringing grassroots go-kart racing to Backroad Raceway for the first time. Driver entry is $20, and the class rules keep it simple and fair for everyone:
● RWYB (Run What You Brung)
● Single cylinder engine
● Flat kart chassis
● Front, back, and side bumpers required
● Open tire
● Open fuel
There will be cash prizes on the line. For go-kart specific questions, call or text 815-275-2390.
A Class for Every Racer
Beyond the karts, the event still features a wide range of ATV and SxS racing classes for all ages and skill levels:
● Kids Quad Classes — Open to riders as young as 4, divided by engine size and age group, from 50cc up to 350cc for teens aged 12–15.
● Sport Classes — For riders 16 and up, covering both 2-cycle and 4-cycle machines across a broad range of engine sizes, topped off by an Open Class for anything under 1,200cc.
● 450cc Stock Class — Keeping things fair and grassroots: stock engine, no sway bars, no race tires.
● SxS Classes — Available for kids ages 5–15, plus adult divisions in both non-turbo and turbo configurations.
● Powder Puff Classes — For women, in both quad and SxS categories.
● Ol’ Man Play Class — Open to riders 40 and older, proving racing truly is for everyone.
For those looking to race in the ATV/SxS classes, pits open at 11 a.m. alongside gates. Entry is $20 per class, with an 80/20 payback structure, ensuring the bulk of entry fees go directly back to competitors.
Safety First
All racers are required to
