By Curtis D. Tucker, Enid Buzz | Sunday, April 24, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - One of the most iconic activities in Enid has come to an end after almost 50 years in business. The Bookout family has made the very tough decision to close the gates on Comet Go-Carts. Although it hasn't been an easy choice, the family is now preparing to liquidate the entire property.
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Jim Powell built the race track in 1970 when he was the promoter of the Enid Speedway. He sold the track to his son Richard in 1974. The track was built on the southeast corner of the county fairgrounds at Oxford and 4th. It was a perfect fit with the weekly stock car races just a stones throw away.
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Car racing was a very popular sport throughout the 70's and the family went on to start a second track in OKC at I40 and I35. The Enid Comet Go-Cart layout was built with two tracks. Daredevil kids could try their hand on the fast track as long as they were over 54 inches tall. The mini track was built for younger kids under 54 inches tall. Rides normally lasted about four minutes.
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Multiple generations and thousands of kids drove their first vehicle at Comet Go-Carts. It was always a thrill to strap in and cruise around the track no matter what age you were. Many a birthday party was held at the track as well as unplanned visits by returning college students and families coming from miles around.
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Stacy Bookout talked her husband Tony into buying the family business and they've run it for the last 11 years. As much as the Bookout family loves the track they feel it's time to get out of the business. Many factors led to the final decision to close the track and unnamed complications prevented it from being sold including the fact that the county owns the land.
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Tony Bookout plans to spend more time with family and hopes to add more miles to his motorcycle. He has many memories of the track including where the retro sign on 4th St. actually came from. Bookout said, "The sign once advertised Payback Grocery in Hennessey." Bookout acquired the sign while working for a sign business in Enid and added the logo himself by hand cutting the letters.
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There are many memorable parts of the track left including the go-carts, bumper tires and blacktop from the track itself. Many items are for sale and some can be had for the asking. The lot will be returned to dirt once everything is liquidated. Contact Stacy Bookout at 580-541-0427 to inquire with questions.
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The track today with bumper tires being removed.
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The good old rules! Did you follow them?
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The race track in it's hey day courtesy Tony Bookout.
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A vintage 1970's Go Cart.
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The sign actually came from a grocery store in Hennessey.
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Comet Go-Carts Closed For Good
What an interesting story. My kids and grandkids have all had many great times out there. Even birthday parties. The Bookouts will be missed as well as the carts. It’s too bad times must change but there are always memories….little tiny kids with hair flying in the wind, taking their first ride in a “speeding car” WOW the looks on their faces. Good luck Bookouts, thanks for the memories (as Bob Hope always said).
Are the carts up for sale
Yes.
Sure would have been nice if someone would have stepped in and saved this attraction for the youth of Oklahoma. What a fun clean sport… gone forever, and out of reach for Enid’s future generations.
Too bad the track couldn’t have been managed by someone else, but kids don’t do stuff like that much anymore, either. It truly sucks that we are losing another icon in Enid.
Hate to hear this. My dh and I went there on our first date.
Where are they selling the carts? And when will they be available?
Better call Stacy.
My very first job, i was probably 13, was working at Comet. When I would come home to visit family I always looked forward to going to Comet to ride. So many amazing memories over the decades. Enid is losing an icon here. Sad to see that.
I really hate that Comet is closing. I’m just glad that my kids had the chance to enjoy it several times in the last few years. Those will be great memories. And boy were they bummed when I told them it was closed.
So we went by earlier today and picked up a couple yellow painted tires for the history.????
I’m sorry the track will be closed forever. This was the only big attraction in Enid, back in the day. Enid needs an updated version of the track. People could have a little verity of something to do in Enid.