Trackmaster Karts

[Darvin Jahnke]

Does anyone have any information on Trackmaster karts built in Kellogg IA? I havent seen pictures of them at any of the kart gatherings. Thanks Darv.

[Dennis Detweiler]

There was a Trackmaster on ebay several months ago. I don't know if it can still be pulled up under completed items yet? If I recall, it was a bulky frame made of larger tubing compared to the one inch standard. I've lived in Iowa most of my life (45 minutes from Kellogg). I never heard of the Trackmaster until the ebay listing. I think they were made in about 1959-60 for a short period of time. The Percival Hellcat was the well known Iowa manufacturer.

[CarlWeakley]

Darvin, I am restoring a Trackmaster and had one back in 1962-3. What do you need? Carl Weakley

[CarlWeakley]

Hi Darv! Responding to your email. I just bought a Trackmaster adv that I can send to you. It has details on the construction of the Trackmaster. Give me an address, and I will send you a copy. I am not aware the production statistics but I think that there were not many made (as the major manufacturers of the day). I tried to contact the company also without success in 2007. The Trackmaster that you saw on ebay was sold by a fellow who lives near me. It was wonderfully intact and in good shape but it sold for much more than I could afford. Whoever got it has a nice representation of the Trackmaster. Trackmaster had only one chassis style which I believe was manufactured in the years that you mention 1961-2. I don't know of any serial no records. You are right about it being a tank. When I was 12 my dad bought me my first factory go kart, a Yazoo Dragster. Then, my dad went to work for the Indy car driver Don Branson in Champaign IL. Don had a go kart track in Champaign and sold Trackmasters. So, I had a Trackmaster. I have referred to it as the Cadillac of go karts, and it weighs accordingly. (Remember when Cadillacs were huge cars but had a nice ride?) I would take off the rear bumper to save weight on the track. (It didn't help much.) I don't have any spare parts, but need a rear bumper for mine. I am in the process of fabricating some original parts and hope to have the frame nickel plated. I understand that you cannot get the original cadmium plating these days. I may have to end up just powder coating a bright silver. If you have some parts to get rid of, I would be pleased to consider buying them also. I have a couple of WB 580's on the shelf ready to go. Hope to have it ready by Springfield IL next year. Have a great day!