Racing Returns to Chapel Hill Raceway
Racing Returns to Chapel Hill Raceway
New York Champ Kart Series Comes to Humphrey, NY Racetrack
If you’re going to be king of the hill… better make it over to Chapel Hill! On Saturday, June 24th when the King of the Hill race returns to Chapel Hill Raceway in Great Valley. According to Chapel Hill promoter Jim Smith, this long-anticipated race hasn’t been held since before the Covid-19 pandemic, and it promises to be an exciting race. For those who are looking for a fun, adrenaline-pumping afternoon just 15 minutes away from Ellicottville, the King of the Hill race is the place to be.
Located at 4716 Chapel Hill Road in Great Valley, Chapel Hill Raceway opened in 1997 as a go kart track. Current owner Ronnie Flaim installed fencing and walls to turn it into a 1/7th mile asphalt three-quarter (TQ) midget racetrack. The Mighty TQ Midgets, a non-wing racing series with members from New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, will be returning to King of the Hill. Smith, who is president of the Mighty TQ Midgets, said King of the Hill is one of 18 races slated for the Mighty Midgets’ 2023 season, which includes races throughout the tri-state region. “It’s a nice, banked track,” said Smith. “With 18 karts out there, it’s an insane race - almost like an indoor track!” With the return of King of the Hill, Smith is hoping that there will be even more races at Chapel Hill in the years to come.
For the first time ever, Chapel Hill is welcoming the New York Champ Kart Series to the King of the Hill race. The NYCKS, a traveling champ kart series, will bring three divisions: junior (5-9), junior (10-14) and senior. While normally a dirt track series, the NYCKS is looking forward to hitting the pavement on June 24th, and Smith hopes this is the first of many races with NYCKS at Chapel Hill. “We’re hoping that if this goes well with the champ kart series, that they will come multiple times,” he said. “On the 24th, we really want to revitalize King of the Hill, and we’re hoping it grows.”
Although Smith has been promoting at Chapel Hill since 2016, his history with TQ racing goes back many more years. “I remember being a little kid getting pushed around in these karts when I was five,” he recalled. “Back then, pushing them was how you started them!” After many years in the industry, Smith has seen quite a few changes, especially in terms of technology, but one thing remains constant, and that is passion for the sport. “It’s a great time,” he said. “[At Chapel Hill] I run the TQ series and the track, and I love it. When I first heard the rumor about a track in Great Valley, I knew I wanted to bring my kart down there. Ronnie and I are good friends to this day!” June 24th will be the first time that owner Ronnie Flaim will race in King of the Hill, as he normally runs the race with Smith. “My brother, Patrick, will jump into his role for the race,” Smith explained.
Tickets for King of the Hill are $10, and food trucks will be set up during the event, which begins at 3:00pm and will most likely run until approximately 5:30pm, according to Smith. For more information, follow Chapel Hill Raceway on Facebook or call Jim Smith at 716-381-0345.