(Posted July 5, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
KOI Drag Racing returns to the fair with what promises to be a spectacle.
“You never know what you’re going to see. We’ve had people race in Amish buggies, garbage trucks, tractors. We’ve had two Bobcats go up against each other,” said KOI owner Lewis Cleaver.
The dirt drags are set for July 10 at 7 p.m. in the infield. Registration and open practice run from 5 to 7 p.m. Races start at 7. Entrants race head-to-head down a 200-foot long track.
Anyone is welcome to enter with just about any kind of vehicle. Those younger than 18 years old must have signed permission from their parents.
A total of 42 classes are offered, grouped into three main categories: diesel; ATV, side-by-side, and dirt bikes; and full-size vehicles. Those running ATVs, side-by-sides, or dirt bikes must wear a Department of Transportation approved helmet.
The entry fee is $20 for diesel, hot gas, and open classes. The fee for all other classes is $10.
“It’s a 100 percent payback in all classes. We pay the top two or three places, depending on the class,” Cleaver said.
To keep things interesting for spectators, KOI mixes up the classes. You could be watching dirt bikes one minute and trucks the next. They don’t run all of the same type of vehicles in consecutive races.
Cleaver noted that Madison County tends to draw a lot of entrants with diesel trucks. He also noted KOI has a good following with lots of racers competing in multiple events on the KOI schedule.
“We have a lot of people travel with us everywhere,” he said.
Based in Owenton in northern Kentucky, KOI has been in business for 12 years. They do 100 to 110 shows in nine different states each year. Cleaver owns the business with his wife, Heather.
Visit www.koidragracing.com or find “KOI Drag Racing” on Facebook.
The 2023 Madison County Fair runs July 8-15. For a schedule of events, visit Madison County Fair.
