New Hartford Racing (Rambling Wheels MC)

New Hartford Racing is the home of the Rambling Wheels Motorcycle Club, established and chartered with the AMA in 1955, which makes it one of the longest-running club motocross programs in the Midwest. The club members do all the work of prepping the track and running the races, and it shows in a program that runs like clockwork. The property sits five miles north of New Hartford, Iowa on County Blacktop T55 at 28028 Temple Avenue in Shell Rock, an easy drive from Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Waverly.

The motocross track is over a mile long, built wide and safe, and the layout changes regularly to keep it fresh. Novices and experts race the same course and the entry list runs from age 4 to over 50. The soil is loamy with a watering system behind it, and the club says it can run after rain that shuts other tracks down because the dirt takes water well and the crew has the equipment to prep it. Wooded trails on the property host woods riding and hare scramble events when they are dry.

This is a race-weekend venue rather than a daily practice track. Each AMA race weekend runs practice on Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM at $30 per class, then racing Sunday with sign-up at 6:30, practice at 9 and the first gate at 10. Entries are $40 for big-bike classes, $35 for minis and $20 for beginner classes, with a free Warrior class for military and first responders; AMA membership ($49, or a one-day pass) is required and minors need an annual AMA release on file or both parents present. Gate is $10 Saturday, $15 Sunday or $20 for the weekend, kids 4 and under free, and primitive camping is free all weekend with gates opening Friday afternoon. The club concession stand serves breakfast and lunch. Pre-register on Trackside and give an email at sign-up to pick up a $15 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC race gas credit.

Call (319) 885-NHMX (6469) or email [email protected] with questions, and watch the Facebook page for the next race weekend.