The Ed Rudolph Velodrome is one of only two short, banked tracks for official bicycle racing in…read moreIllinois and one of just 28 in the entire country. For over 50 years, this distinctive venue has been a hub for cycle racing, training, and entertainment. But for me, it is more than just a racing track. It is a place filled with joy, memories, and a sense of tradition. Nearly every Independence Day, my family and I gather here to watch the Northbrook fireworks. Decades ago, before I got married, I loved taking leisurely walks from our home to the velodrome with my parents. Sometimes my grandmother would join us when she was visiting. At that time, spectators were only allowed to sit on the bleachers behind the track. Before the fireworks show, the infield would host inter-school marching band competitions, which we always enjoyed watching. The fireworks were launched from inside the velodrome, bursting spectacularly overhead, sometimes raining sparks over the infield, where some bold attendees would rush to sit despite the warnings. Today, the setup has changed. The marching band performances are no longer part of the event, and the fireworks are now launched from outside the velodrome, making them visible across Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Still, we prefer to watch from inside the velodrome, our favorite spot. While my family still lives in town, we no longer live within walking distance of the velodrome. But we've kept the tradition alive. Each year, we park around downtown Northbrook and enjoy the pleasant 15-minute walk to the velodrome. It adds to the festive spirit and brings back a bit of the feeling from those days long ago. Now, spectators are welcome on the grassy infield. When we arrived this year, a DJ was entertaining the crowd before the fireworks. Families and children were fully immersed in the festive atmosphere. We brought lawn chairs, settled in, and enjoyed the energy of the evening. The fireworks were spectacular as always, a dazzling end to a perfect night. My parents and grandmother have since passed on, but each year as the fireworks light up the sky, I like to think they're watching from above, smiling with us, still a part of this beloved family tradition. I love the velodrome. This tradition is a celebration of family, community, and the simple joy of gathering under the stars. I hope it continues for generations to come.

It's amazing to think that this place is free and open to the public! It's a quarter-mile track…read morewith 18-degree banked turns (steep enough to notice but not so steep as to affect your balance), and it's the smoothest surface I've ever ridden on. The website asks that you only ride with a track bike (fixed gear) and helmet, but there are pictures of people riding bikes with gears, so I'm not sure how strictly they enforce that rule. They do also insist that you wear a helmet, which is only common sense. I loved riding even when there were only two other riders on the track. It's a lot of fun to have someone to chase or outrace, even if they're not really in on the competition. The track has plenty of seating for spectators, and they have races open to various ages and skill levels. The addition of lighting allows for riding well into the evening. I rode on a sunny Saturday at around noon and was on a homemade fixie that I built; the other two riders were on more-professional bikes, and a few other riders showed up with what looked like some pretty high-end bikes and clothing--but the overall feel is of a track that's open to anyone. As you can see in the photos, there are painted lines to separate the faster riders (closer to the inside of the track near the thicker blue line) from slower riders (further out to the edge, outside the think blue line). If you want to have the feel of being a "cutter", or if you want your kids to feel like they're racing, this is a great place to go. (Bonus points if you know the "cutter" reference).

It's been several years since I've visited a dirt race track so this was quite an event!…read more Everything about our visit was wonderful. The evening started st 1815 and was filled with fun until about 2230. Thir lineup included standard racing but also a powder puff race, demolition, and spectator races. The confessions were reasonable price and their drink selection was fair and also listed at a reasonable price, i.e. $4/beer. A delight for families, couples, or friends. (:

All types of races from demolition dirby to circuit racing & stock racing and more. Yummy food,…read moremaintained well by the staff. Cold beer as well. Always a fun time here.

There's not a lot left to do, everything fun that comes into the area fails, But one thing that…read morenever has was the love for blood , dirt, and guts, Dropping gears, and leaving your feelings at the gate and the skill at the hands of the wheel. Great time, great competition, and good family fun on a Friday night.

Amazing community and great short track. I flew all the way from Southern California just to race…read moreon this track last minute when my race somewhere else got cancelled. This was my first time ever racing on dirt and it brought back a lot of memories as a kid going to a dirt track in Florida with my dad. The track owner took time out of his busy schedule to help teach me how to race on the dirt and other racers were more than glad to help give guidance as well. Plus I got to enjoy having beers with everyone until 2am. I've been racing for years and this was by far the best night of racing I've ever gotten to enjoy. If you havent been to Kankakee County Speedway yet hop in the car with your family and come on out. I flew all the way from California and im gonna do it a lot more next year because race nights at Kankakee County Speedway are worth that much. Thank you Smitty and Team. I look forward to seeing you again and racing more at this awesome track.

This place USED to be a great time... every year it gets worse and worse... owner is more than…read morehappy to take (and refuse to refund) your money for shows she knows will not deliver what she's promised... runs out of water on hot days... starts hours past listed time without communication to the crowd... will make you sit for hours in cold rain (after you pay for non refundable parking, food, and booze) then ultimately cancel... team demo has dwindled down to 4 teams instead of the advertised 8... it's a shame what she's turned this place into... it really used to be a highlight of the summer..

This place took our money for tickets then canceled the event and there was NO WAY to get our money…read moreback. Scummy.

Gave Club 66 2 stars because of the great view, AC and fridge full of unlimited sodas and water. We…read morehad a party of 6 at $221 each, total $1326. The food was horrible! Cold coffee or no coffee and a plastic grocery store platter of dry muffins was the morning snack. Lunch was hot dogs, potato salad and chips, which ran out. No toppings but mustard and ketchup. Dinner was hamburgers or pulled pork, lettuce and tomatoes, more potato salad and chips. Ran out again. People were complaining about the quality and amount of food. Some people bought stadium food and brought it to the skybox. The hostess announced that the guacamole and chips had finally arrived. People went up to the buffet to find a tiny little bowl of guac for about 50 people, it was comical but some people were really angry. The hostess bartender was a airhead and had a bad attitude. When the only beer drinking member of our party went to the bar for his third drink, she asked if he really needed one and did he have a DD. He said he had 5, she rolled her eyes and gave him a beer. We were there from 8am til 9pm and our friend was 50 years old. This same hostess, when the food ran out, told me she was going to put more chips out because that is the cheap stuff. Haha!!! The other hostess acted like this experience was not typical but it was obvious that it was. I've been to many skyboxes and this one was so ghetto it was amusing. This was the first time we didn't tip a skybox hostess. For our party, the AC and the view was worth the price but obviously others were upset. Ignore the description and the photo on the website!!!

I recently took my son and a friend to dads slot car racing where they had the best time racing…read morecars - and eating ice cream! My son wanted to take 2 other friends back on a Thursday evening. Unfortunately, dads was closed but I saw that mid- America was open for business score! This is way bigger than dads. They had the "professional" racers up front and put us on the beginner track on the back. Lurie set up my kids and also had them racing for 30 min. They all had a fun time despite a few meltdowns, but usually the case with a group of 1st grade boys. The cars and tracks here were in much better condition than dads where everything kept breaking. So if choosing between the 2 locations I'd probably come back here next time. It's a great way to kill some time (especially on a rainy or winter day) and a pretty affordable activity too! I also think would be a fun spot for a kids bday party!

Owner Roger Schmitt operates "Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies"…read more Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies is one of the last surviving electric model car (slot) raceways open to the public. There were thousands of 'commercial' slot car tracks in the USA in the late 1960's and 1970's; there were a half dozen racing centers in the greater Atlanta area alone. A lot of things caused the slot racing centers to close one by one- people not being as interested in hobbies and the rise of computer video games being a couple of reasons. In the last few years, there has been a revival of sorts with a certain amount of people who were glued to computer screens in the 1980's and 1990's playing "adventure" and "virtual reality" games discovering it was actually more fun "playing" in 3-D. So hobbies like model railroading, R/C airplanes, and yes slot car racing have made a comeback. For a change, more new raceways have been opening in the last few years in the USA than have been closing. All that having been said- Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies is one of the best equipped and run model car raceways in North America. Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies is about people having fun and inviting their inner child to come out to play. Rental racing cars are available so that you and your buddy can pretend you are Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. to "Shake and Bake" around their awesome 8-lane Oval track. By the same token children are invited for hours of family fun-Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies can even arrange a memorable racing birthday party for children aged 6 and up. Call them for special package deals for a day of fun for any sized group. Does your company want to encourage team building? How about a team racing event? Drivers, pit crews, team leaders... miniature racing teaches the same working together for success lessons that "pro" racing instills. Call the raceway now to plan and schedule your corporate event. Stop in sometime and check it out for yourself- but keep an open mind that this is something intended to be a pre-digital age entertainment. It may not be the right sort of thing for impatient or short attention span children or adults.

Review 500 had to be special…read more "I took up racing because I was too lazy to work and too chicken to steal" -Kyle Petty "You win some, you lose some and wreck some" -Dale Earnhardt We all have a back story a past that formed who we are. Some experiences touch us, some move us. On a few rare occasions we are so inspired by an experience that it literally has the ability to guide our future. I am the only girl; growing up with four brothers was truly something. We would gather around our old floor model tv and watch Nascar with my dad. My brothers loved it. I had no idea what I was watching. My dad would yell "pick a car baby girl". I would yell back "7 or 13". My dad wanted us to experience Nascar in person but there was never enough money for all of us. In 2023 when Nascar came to Chicago, I was so excited! I know I had to be one of the first ten to purchase my ticket. Unfortunately, due to torrential rain I still missed it. I stood at the gate for over an hour in the rain. We were told that because of the lightning, they had to reset the clock on letting us inside. NO umbrellas allowed. I thought they were kidding until I was made to toss it. I walked to my section and was not allowed inside because it flooded. They were waiting for the fire marshals to approve entry. I walked to one of the food vendors and paid 9$ for a hotdog, 10$ if you add mustard. Food and drink were included with my ticket. We were let in a bit after 2. There were drinks but NO food. Frustrated, soaked and starting to feel sick, I left. This year's experience was priceless! I wish my dad was alive to see it. The weather was nice and sunny. Not too hot. My seat was perfect, even better than what I had last year. Made it in time for lunch and there was plenty of GOOD food. Drinks were also in abundance. Loads of snacks including Garrets popcorn. There was a beautiful lounge set up outside with Jack Daniel's seats and our private bathrooms were plentiful. When I was about to leave, they were serving dinner so I stayed and enjoyed a plate. So much to see, so much to do. Games to play, booths to visit, samples to try. Meet new people and enjoy the concerts. This was my first time seeing Buddy Guy in person. He was such a character, loved him. Yes, Nascar. I will be waiting for my email to return next year.

First, I want to say that I'm a big fan of NASCAR. I attended my first race when I was just 16…read moreyears old in Sonoma, California. Once you hear the sounds of those roaring engines you fall in love with the chaos that is about to ensue. I've attended the Phoenix NASCAR event for 4 different years, including 1 year I had pit passes, so I'm a very big fan of NASCAR. Also worked Joliet NASCAR race the summer of 2006. This is my second year volunteering at the NASCAR experience street racing in the city of Chicago. When I saw this opportunity was going to be available for the residence of Chicago to see how awesome NASCAR is...I couldn't wait to be involved. What a joy that this is actually legal street racing. I ended up volunteering last year as I taking a break from work and it was such a good experience that I thought a why not volunteer again. Last year I volunteered on Saturday and was able to see a lot of qualifying races and have a good time, unfortunately they were rained out and I did not get to see the NASCAR event on Sunday last year. This year I have volunteered on Saturday and it was nice to be a part of the NASCAR community and hear live concerts said see demo and get free paraphernalia related to NASCAR racing. This year the weather was beautiful on Saturday and I got to hear, Buddy Guy live, and then also the Black Keys. The food, the energy, the community cannot be understated for this NASCAR event. NASCAR is very diverse and everyone feels welcome. I will say as a person that has attended other NASCAR around the country. What was missing was the tailgating aspect. Hanging out in the parking lot and sharing beers and stories of NASCAR with others is pretty cool element of the NASCAR community. Probably hard to accomplish when you are actually street racing and not at a standup venue however, the fact that you were street racing along the very streets that we drive every day is just undone, especially with the skyscraping views of the city of Chicago. Hands-down, I would buy tickets for this event and just prepare to spend all weekend hanging out with the NASCAR family. If you like cars, if you like live music, if you like good food, this is a place for you. Safety was a priority here and was such a nice place to be. If you plan on getting tickets for 2025 I highly recommend you spend the extra money and get reserve seating as there are no guaranteed seats with general admission. Tip: if you plan on coming to this event, I would highly recommend that you take the Metra as that is the closest entrance to getting into the park.

The in house knowledge is incredible. It was my first time at CKT and I immediately felt like a…read moreregular and welcomed to the family. Jim was fantastic and so helpful. Huge inventory and pricing is on point with competitors. Definitely recommend.

Knowledgeable, friendly, family oriented business that wants you to succeed, and knows how to help…read moreyou get there! Loves kart racing and supports the community!