The Elkhart Riverwalk Grand Prix returned this weekend, but this time things were a little different.
Go-karts lit up the streets of Elkhart this weekend for the first-ever night race.
The course was sixth-tenths of a mile, shorter than last year, and featured more turns.
The karts can reach anywhere from 70 to 100 miles per hour. People came from all over the country to compete in what Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese said is among the top three go-kart races in the United States.
Troy Allard is a local driver who raced in the original Elkhart Grand Prix nearly 30 years ago. He says it’s still one of his favorites.
“Elkhart in general has a lot better vibe than other street races we go to," Allard said. "The town seems to be really involved and as a driver we really enjoy having people come watch.”
Cameron Parr, a competitor from Terre Haute, said the audience is what sets Elkhart’s race apart from others.
“When we go to races, there's usually hardly any spectators, but when you come here and once everything gets going, thousands and thousands of spectators, that’s what makes it special," Parr said.
Parr said street racing is fun because the course is more unpredictable with bumps than a regular track.
About 180 karters competed in over 50 races over the course of the event.