Moran joins CART karting tradition.

With the CART 'silly season' in full swing, Toyota Atlantic driver Rocky Moran Jr has been keeping his mind active in other areas, not only planning for next season, but also opening a new kart track in Southern California.

The former Indy Lights star is taking the same route as other drivers - Paul Tracy and Bryan Herta among them - in starting his own track, which will be co-owned and operated by his father, former CART driver and sportscar star Rocky Moran Sr.

"About five years ago, my dad got the idea to start a go-kart track in Southern California," says the 22-year-old, "There is a demand for newer tracks in this area because there are only a few operating, but they are outdated. So we pondered the idea of building a state of the art track to keep the sport of go-karting in demand with a goal to increase the popularity of the sport in this selected area."

Finding a location to build a track was the Moran's toughest struggle. There are not many areas in Southern California that will accommodate the operation of a track but, eventually, the city of Beaumont approved the proposal and the Morans have been working hard to get their track up and running ever since. Aiming to build a unique venue, both Moran Jr and Sr have been travelling to several different facilities all over California and, alongside the viewing and testing, have also met with track designers and people in the communities to discuss their proposals.

"We are just trying to be as thorough as we can to develop a track that has all the needs of a driver to make an interesting, yet challenging course to race on," Rocky Jr said, "Having a track with diverse corners, along with a great passing opportunities and long straight-aways, is our goal and something that Southern California really needs."

One of the exclusive features about the Moran's track is the different elevation change, as the facility sits at 2300 feet, with an amazing view of the mountains. The car park will have an estimated 300 stalls available for visitors, while the track will be a mile long, complete with FIA-style kerbing. Long terms plans include putting in a restaurant and a shop, as the Morans aim to integrate corporate events and a race school along with the regular operations. However, for now, father and son are going to work on the opening of the track and sit tight for about a year to get some of their investment back before adding more features.

"I hope that everyone will come, I know that they will have a great time there," Moran said, "We have found a great location being a half-mile of the freeway. I am not sure what the name of it will be, although we were thinking something like Moran Raceway."

As the time for the grand opening approaches at the end of January 2003, Moran Jr plans to spend all of his time at the track when not working on his own race career for the upcoming 2003 season.