2009 IKWC Host Track

For the first time in its history the Indoor Kart World Championship will not be staged at an established indoor kart rental facility. The 2009 IKWC will be at the Centro de Convencoes Jornalista Roberto Marinho (also known as "Macae' Centro"). The Macae' Centro was built in 2003, and is the 2nd largest Convention Center building in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is managed by the city of Macae' and is normally used for various types of events.

The building is very well suited for an event such as the IKWC, and has an available indoor open area of 105000 sq/ft which will be used to build the 2009 IKWC racetrack on. This area is even larger than the racing area at both previous IKWC venues (the F1 Race Factory in Phoenix, USA - the largest in North America - and Worldkarts in Kortrijk, Belgium - one of the biggest in Europe), which means the track will be the longest seen at any previous Indoor Kart World Championship event. The building also has a 2nd level, which will provide a great view of all the racing action below. Track surface is concrete (smooth). Situated on the north-eastern edge of Macae', the Macae' Centro is only 2 blocks from the beach.

Karts and track support will be made available by Kart-in-Buzios, an outdoor rental kart track facility located about 40 minutes away at the world famous beach-resort town of Buzios. A fleet of 35 new karts and engines will be used, ensuring the IKWC drivers will have equipment in the best possible condition for the 2009 World Championship. The Macae' Centro's indoor race track will be built using 8000 automotive tires, made available by Michelin. The track will begin to be put together on July 8, and construction and testing will take a few days. The track lay-out will combine fast sweepers and tight hairpin turns with high speed areas, designed to challenge the drivers, no matter how skilled they may be. The track will be run in clockwise and counter-clockwise direction during the IKWC, in 30 minute, 1 hour, and 1.5 hour long races! Once testing is complete, the 2009 track will be open for practice in mid-July (exact date still to be determined).

The IKWC is very honored to have this great facility be made available for the 2009 World Championship by the city of Macae', and hopes to put put on a great show for the local race fans, which will certainly be coming to cheer their countrymen and watch the best indoor kart drivers in the world battle for the World Championship Title.