Co-owners Ed Sackandy and Mike Sherback of the Loyalhanna Speedway have expanded the motorsports scene in Westmoreland County. Loyalhanna Speedway, near Latrobe, is the latest gocart track to appear. “We wanted to bring something new to the town,” Sackandy said. “We wanted to let people know what’s going on and pique some interest of the kids in our town.” Loyalhanna is one of three tracks in the county that offers a special brand of racing. The others are Hunter Hill Kart Track and Acme Speedway, both in Mt. Pleasant Township. Loyalhanna Speedway sponsors racing Sundays in six age divisions. “We didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes,” said Sackandy, referring to a decision to race Sundays. Hunter Hill Kart Track is open Fridays and Acme Speedway Saturdays. “We’re trying to work with them,” Sackandy said. The Pee-wee (ages 5-8), junior rookie (ages 9-14) and junior stock (ages 12-16) divisions are based on ages, while the senior light, medium, heavy and cage divisions are for riders 16 and older and are classified by weight. The track officially opened on June 29 and drew 150 spectators and 15 competitiors. The operation took nine months of planning and building to get under way. “We were worried if we could get enough karts to race, but it went really well,” Sackandy said. “Everything we’ve heard has been positive.” Sackandy and Sherback are Latrobe natives who continue to live in the city and compete weekly. “It’s the competition that I like, but I’m out there just having fun,” Sackandy said. Sackandy said that expanding the interest in gocart racing in Westmoreland County was the main goal for opening the track. Gates are open at 3 p.m. with racing set for 5:30 p.m. Sundays. “We’d like to get established this year, then go at it full-force in the spring,” he said. “Come out and check it out. It’s spectator- and rider-friendly.”

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