We were privileged today to see the running of the Chicago version of the Indianapolis 500 car race.

The race is run over various distances, is open to all classes of vehicle and is completed in two parts.

Part one involves qualification where drivers compete for positions on the track according to vehicle type and capacity. As there are no particular rules for qualification so this part is a little confusing to first timers. From what I gather eye contact between drivers is forbidden and the use of a horn treated with contempt. Indicators may be used to signal intent to other drivers , however they are usually disregarded. The qualification section of the race varies in length and is more of a time related competition, today’s qualification took about an hour and ran for about ten kilometres, so the pace was probable a little slower than normal, in part due to the track being wet from recent rain.

Part two involves the actual racing. Again there are no particular rules, in fact the only real rule is to not go any slower than forty miles per hour (60 kph). Vehicles violating the “40 rule” are pulled over to the side by one of the track officials and penalised with a  monetary fine and severe warning, “race or get off the track”. The race continues for varying distances.The track has up to eight racing lanes and ten different classes of vehicle with speeds in excess of eighty miles an hour (140 kph). The heavy vehicle class seems to be one of the more competitive, probably due to the bonus prizes for and early finish and rapid delivery of goods. the school bus class is a little more layback, they tend to sing as they race. We competed in the novice, out of their depth, class however we made a good showing with no penalty notices and no collisions.

In all it was a fun day however i have developed a nervous tick and a tendency to check over my right shoulder. This was after all an American freeway!

Our finishing point was 3250 Easy St. off Twinkle Rd. Kalamazoo, Indiana. Again, I kid you not.

We also visited the Moushaus  Cheesehaus. Seriously!

The Haus.

The Mouse.