Indoor Go Kart Racing Near Me – Find an Indoor Track
Indoor go kart tracks are a lot of fun. The tracks are challenging with multiple turns, year round racing, and offer some great additional features like digital display leaderboards. Safety standards vary a bit from state to state, but generally follow basic requirements for helmets, closed toed shoes, and personal restrictions around age, height, and body weight. These places are open year round and are great for racing with friends, birthday parties, and corporate events. Below I will show where to find the closest Indoor race tracks, how the Indoor go kart racing near me operates, and other details regarding indoor kart racing.
Indoor Go Kart Racing Near Me – Track Locator
The map below shows “Indoor Go Kart Racing Near Me” and “Indoor Go Kart Tracks Near Me”. These local listings should be available in all weather and year round. You can adjust the map controls for different results…
If you only see a small number of indoor tracks, zoom out the map to see slightly further out in your locale. Alternatively, you can look for “go kart tracks near me“, which will display, both the indoor and outdoor tracks in your local area. Most places that have indoor tracks are exclusive go karting businesses with some additional perks like axe throwing or video games. You may see some common big box brand karting tracks in your vicinity such as Autobahn Indoor Speedway and K1 Speed. These are two very popular indoor track franchises.
What to Expect When Going Karting Indoors
Karting is a motorsport where small electric motor vehicles with open wheels are driven through a course in a competitive race. There are different styles of competitive races and each location may run various types of events. Events can last for a duration of time or a duration of laps. Racing is eligible to anyone who meets the age, height, and weight limits required by the establishment. Anyone who races karts must also comply with all the safety standards required by the state.
Indoor Operation Changes Due to COVID
Most indoor go karting places that are reopening are putting extra sanitation in place. This includes sanitizing the helmets and the karts between races. They are also changing how they book. You will have more reservation options to try and book races with a group of friends. This is to limit the exposure of germs with people whom are not in your group. Also all of the workers who strap you into karts and help officiate the race should be wearing masks and gloves. This i s because they may need to help you strap in or step on the track to separate two crashed karts.
You should call ahead to the indoor track and find out how they are booking during COVID and what is being done to protect you. At the indoor go kart racing places near me you actually can only come with an advanced reservation.
Indoor Electric Go Karts
Indoor go karts are often slightly slower than outdoor karts. They will run on an electric motor and feature a racing seat belt harness, steering wheel, throttle, and brake pedal. They do not shift or change gears.
Each kart will feature side bumpers to protect the driver, chassis, and the tires. Some karts will have smaller motors that limit their speed and others may have a governor to limit their speed. Speed is often a point of contention because it is considered when the establishment takes out their liability insurance.
Speed of The Karts
At the indoor go kart racing near me, typical speed ranges from 30 to 45 mph. Even if a kart can hit 45 mph, there is sometimes limitations of the track that prevent the kart from ever reaching max speed.
Despite speed limitations of the track, the karts are electric, so they do accelerate really quickly with instant power when you hit the throttle. Stepping on throttle and brake simultaneously cause some styles of karts to stop. Some tracks feature lower speed which may allow for racing with no helmets. There are also a few tracks that have modified karts where two people can sit such as a parent and a child. At most places and for most karts it is one person per kart.
Adjustable Seats
Depending on the brand of the kart will dictate the size. Autobahn Speedway for example uses an Italian made electric kart. I’m 6’1 and can fit,but my knees shoot out to the sides of the steering wheel. It can comfortably fit most people between 5 and 6 feet tall. There is a device for seat adjustment. For tall people, as long as your body parts are within the kart you are good to race. For short people you must be able to reach the pedals with the seat at its forward most position.
The Indoor Track
Indoor tracks are characterized as being a bit narrow, having shorter straights, tightly compound layouts, and lots of turns compared to outdoor tracks. Every part of the track will have a large bumper border to protect drivers from going out of bounds or into the parts of the track. You will find a large variety of turn types from sweeping arches to tight hair pins to chicanes.
With the amount of turns present on most indoor tracks, this is what prevents indoor karts from reaching max speed. The straightaways are short and the constant turning of the wheels keeps overall racing speed less than the maximum potential speed the kart can go. The amount of turns is often because an indoor track needs to be compressed into the confines of a building. The key to victory at indoor karting is being consistent in the turns and nailing your turn exits!
While max speed is a drawback, the benefits of indoor karting are many. Since you are indoors you can race year round, weather is never a problem, and you have indoor lighting for racing late. Generally speaking since karts are slower and track conditions are always dry and well light, indoor racing tends to be a bit more safe than outside courses.
Indoor Go Kart Tracks Feature Two Kinds of Racing
At indoor go kart tracks, you will normally see two standards of competition: first to finish and/or fastest lap.
First to Finish: This is your typical Nascar or Formula One style race. All the karts are set up simultaneously on a starting grid. The race begins when the track official waves the green flag and the race ends when the checkered flag is waived. The winner is determined by who ever is first at the end of a set number of laps or a set number of minutes. These races are a lot of fun, but you are subject to getting banged around, higher probability of accidents, and if you start out last n the grid its really hard to win.
Fastest Lap: In this style of race multiple karts are on the track simultaneously except they begin at staggered start times. Here your objective is to complete the set number of laps or perform for a set number of minutes and record the absolute fastest lap time from start line to finish line possible. This style of race gives you more room to maneuver your kart and helps you to learn how to maximize the full scope of the track and the abilities of the kart.
What Can I do to Win?
Executing a winning strategy isn’t easy if you are new to racing. I would suggest reading the following articles on our site: The Advanced Racing Line, Passing Like a Pro, and Advanced Turning Techniques. At a minimum be familiar with the concepts prior to race day. Here are a few super basic things to think about for a first time racer looking to be competitive…
- Don’t get disqualified, you can’t win if you don’t finish. Know the rules and know what the flags mean.
- Try and find the racing line which is the way around the track with minimal amount of steering input.
- Don’t drift the kart. drifting is slow and the tires are made to be high grip.
- At Indoor tracks cornering is critical. Break late, corner smooth into the mid apex, jump on the accelerator and go wide on the track.
- The most important turn is the one before the longest straight on the track.
- On turn exit get your wheels pointed straight as fast as you can. The more you drive with your wheels straight and foot on the floor, the faster your lap time will be.
- Corner exit is more important than corner entry. If you turn to early concentrate and correct the turn for a smooth exit.
- The more you break, the slower you are…stay off the break and on the throttle as much as you can.
- Focus only on yourself, don’t get caught up in winning or losing. Just focus on racing and see where you end up.
- When you are ready to pass, do it on the inside, give a little bump if you must.
Review Your Post Race Data
Learning from your mistakes is one of the keys to getting faster. After a race many places will offer you a data sheet that will show your lap times compared to the others in your race. Some will even show a trend of your times from lap to lap so you can see how you progressed through the race. If you are serious about karting, you should save it and compete against your times the next time you race,
Can I Wear a Go Pro Camera?
Some places allow this, while others don’t. It all boils down to safety and lawsuits. If the track deems these cameras to cause unsafe driving behavior they will have rules that prevent it. Some places don’t want the extra insurance liability that may come from having unsafe conditions caught on camera. Eliminating GO Pro’s is one way of doing that.
Is the Indoor Go Kart Racing Near Me Safe?
Local Indoor go kart racing is safe as long as your wear helmet, seat belt, and follow the rules. I would advise taking your time to properly fit your helmet. Additionally don’t wear hooded sweat shirts, loose fitting clothes, or open toed shoes or flip flops.
There will be a race referee present who will regulate the race with flags and a whistle to warn you of accidents on the track. Keep your eye out for this person, because they are the one who can see the whole track and keep you aware of safety situations.
Each indoor track may have state specific regulations for safety as well as for height, weight, and age restrictions. If you plan on renting go karts its best to call ahead and make sure you are within the requirements.
How Much Does It Cost Race?
Every track charges their own rate. For basic racing I have seen prices range from $20 to $50 . In my experience indoor karts tend to cost a bit more on average than outdoor karts. There is also various pricing models. Some locations charge by lap, others by a set amount of time on track. There may also be race deals like 3 races for $50. At my local indoor track, the issue you a card that you can pay for races at a discount and then use at a later date.
At the Indoor go kart tracks near me, renting out for birthday parties and corporate events will mean you need to make an advanced deposit. The cost of these kind of events will range by how long you intend to rent the track for and how many people are coming. A normal deposit is around $100.
Indoor Go Kart Racing Near Me – Conclusion
Indoor kart racing is super fun and a great thing to do with friends, for birthday parties, or team building corporate events. The best part of these places is they are available year round and never lose due to weather. There are a few indoor tracks on the top 10 karting tracks in America, that you might want to consider visiting.
Even though the kart speeds are not as fast as outdoor tracks, the types of turns of turns make for a challenging drive. Of all kart racing indoor tracks tend to be a bit more safe due to lower speeds, the boundary bumpers, and indoor lighting. For the best safety wear a properly fitted helmet, no loose clothing, and closed toed shoes. This is what I have learned from my experience with the indoor go kart racing near me.
FAQs
How do you pass a Go-Kart track? ›
There is no one way to overtake another racer. In general, you should try to accelerate when you are behind another kart. However, you should stay within your lane and keep the steering wheel straight. Make sure you have enough space to pass by your opponent.
How do you find the go-kart line? ›Ideal racing lines in go-karting consider how you approach the turns – braking point, the turn-in point, the apex, and the exit. Generally speaking, the best racing line is to start on the outside of the turn, get close to the inside at the apex, and exit on the outside of the track.
How do you go faster on a go kart? ›- Keep Your Eye on the Prize. Vision is the most important aspect of being an outstanding driver — both on the track and on the roadways. ...
- Master Line Technique. Knowing the proper driving line through the corner is critical. ...
- Perfect Your Braking Technique.
- Step #1: Brake Early. As you approach the curve, start braking a little earlier than you might expect that you need to. ...
- Step #2: Gradually Steer. ...
- Step #3: Turn the Wheel Slightly. ...
- Step #4: Keep the Wheel Steady. ...
- Tip #5: Straighten the Wheel.
The more grip you have, steering the kart is much easier and the driver can easily control the amount of steering input needed to make the corner. Drivers might want to increase the size of their front hub to help steering, alter the rims the use or change the rear axle due to too much grip.
What does gap mean in go kart? ›There are many ways for individuals to say you lost in a car race. One of them is being gapped. The word gap implies that someone loses in a race with a huge margin, typically used in car or bike racing. Another way of saying that would be you lost by a landslide.
Do you brake in go karting? ›All you'd have to do is keep your right foot down with a bit of steering thrown in. But from indoor kart racing all the way to F1, braking is absolutely necessary to a fast laptime.
Does weight make a difference in go karting? ›Weight makes a difference in a kart. Although most of your speed will come from driving talent, heavier drivers are generally at a disadvantage as the engine is having to work harder to pull the combined weight of you and your kart out of the corners.
What is trail braking in karting? ›To trail brake is to blend braking and turning at the same time. It enables a driver to brake slightly later, but more importantly, manipulate the car's mass to aid corner entry. This technique is not the 'racing school' method of braking in a straight line, releasing the brakes and then turning into the corner.
How do go-karts not flip? ›Generally, go-karts don't flip because of the way they're constructed. Karts have a low center of gravity, which is accomplished by placing their wheels far away from each other. This makes sure that the kart stays on the ground during the entire race or hot lap.
How fast do most go-karts go? ›
A 50 cc kart can travel up to 35 mph, where a 125 cc kart can reach 70 to 80 mph. At 250 cc, the fastest go-karts can travel up to 150 mph.
What should you wear go karting? ›Wear comfortable clothing that you can feasibly sit and stretch in - nothing too loose or that you'd be precious about getting mucky, just simple jeans and a T-shirt will do. Trainers are the best footwear for racing in - you won't be allowed to race in anything with an open toe or heels.
How fast should you be going when cornering? ›Drive Time teaches to slow to 12 mph at an intersection before turning the steering wheel. As the steering wheel is turning, move the foot to hover over the gas pedal while coasting through the corner. Gently accelerate as the steering wheel is straightened. The car should exit the corner at 15 mph.
What is the steering angle of a go-kart? ›Maximum road bank angle is 20°. Optimum kingpin inclination angle range is 4° to 8°. Front to rear weight ratio is 40:60.
How do I make my go-kart smooth? ›Be smooth with your turns, your steering, and your brakes. Focus on momentum. If you can master momentum in racing, you'll be able to smoothly (and quickly) carry more speed throughout your entire race. The best way to do this is by taking wide turns and accelerating when the track straightens out, never during a turn.
How do you hold the steering wheel on a go-kart? ›You probably didn't think there was a correct way to grasp a go-kart steering wheel but the proper approach is to keep your hands directly opposite one another, grasping the wheel firmly.
How do you read a racing line? ›- The braking point: the point at which you take your foot off the accelerator and apply the brakes. ...
- The turn-in point: the point at which you turn your steering wheel into the bend. ...
- The apex: the point at which your kart is at its closest to the inside of the corner.
Type 1 Corner - A corner that leads onto a long straight. Type 2 Corner - A corner situated at the end of a long straight. Type 3 Corner - A corner that leads into another corner, and in which the racing line must typically be compromised to set up for the corner it leads into.
What is a apex in racing? ›The apex of a corner – also known as the clipping point – is the mid-point of the turn, when the driver comes closest to the inside kerb of the turn.
What does OK mean in karting? ›The class was subsequently renamed OK-Junior, standing for Original Kart.
What is a shifter go-kart? ›
A shifter kart is a 6speed transmission, meaning that there are 6 gears. The gear pattern is as follows: first, neutral, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. If one wants to upshift, you must pull the lever in order to do so. On the other hand, pushing the lever results in a downshift.
What is the best racing line? ›The geometric line is the fastest racing line through a corner if it's in complete isolation with nothing before or after it. Luckily, race circuits are a bit more interesting than that and will have a corner or straight following the previous corner.
What should you not wear go-karting? ›Another thing you'll want to know before you go is what to wear for go kart racing. We require that all racers wear closed-toe shoes, keep long hair tied back, and don't wear anything too loose fitting. T-shirts, jeans/shorts and sneakers are appropriate attire for a day of go kart racing at the track.
Should you lean while karting? ›Don't Lean in
As you approach each corner, avoid leaning your body towards the apex as doing this will place more weight over your inside wheels – exactly the opposite of what's needed. Instead, sit square in the seat and keep the weight distributed over the centre of the kart.
While karting rarely results in blood or tears – if you follow the rules and safety protocols, it does often result in pain. And in that, the feeling that you've left your full ability to move without discomfort on the track. That's common, and it means you are on the right track; giving it your all.
Is there a weight limit for indoor karting? ›No, there are no official go karting weight restrictions.
Can you flip a go-kart? ›The question is: can go-karts flip or is it possible to flip a go-kart? Well, the short answer is yes, it's definitely is possible! Go karts can flip and when they do, it's extremely dangerous and will most likely cause injury to the driver. Go-karts are constructed with an extremely low center of gravity.
What does KZ mean in karting? ›KZ, the category for the stars of Karting
Free choice of FIA Karting homologated chassis and engines, soft compound tyres ("Prime"), 125 cc 2 stroke liquid-cooled engine, 6-speed gearbox, power approaching 50hp, brakes on the front and on the rear axle, and a minimum weight of 175kg including the driver.
Traditionally, trail braking is done exclusively with the front brake even though trailing the rear brake will effectively slow the motorcycle.
Do you accelerate while trail braking? ›If done correctly, there should be no brake pressure once you're at the peak of your lean angle. Once you're past that highest point of leaning it's time to smoothly begin accelerating. You can go straight from brake to throttle with no gap in between. Start accelerating but keep it nice and controlled.
How does a go-kart race work? ›
The most common type of race involves sprint karts on a paved track. The tracks are typically 1/4-mile to 1/2-mile 04- to 0.8-kilometer) in length, with both left and right turns, in which the drivers compete in heat races for 10 to 15 laps.
Is indoor go-kart hard? ›Go karting is more physically demanding than you might expect, especially if you've never done it before, so it's wise to do a little warm up beforehand. Try a bit of on-the-spot jogging, making sure your hands and wrists are flexed and ready to go.
Can you win money in karting? ›Some reports have stated that go-kart racers can earn up to $130,000. That, however, is rarely the case, with most drivers earning $10,000 or less from winning tournaments. If you're not racing on an international level, you'll likely not make any money from racing.
How many laps are in a go-kart race? ›Depending on the track material, different tires are used on the kart. Speedway kart races range in length from 4 laps for a trophy dash, to 20 laps for a main event.
How long does a go-kart race last? ›These races typically last between 7-10 minutes and are an open time-trial session where you compete for fastest lap rather than position on track. Passing other karts isn't a requirement in this format of racing.
Does weight matter with indoor go-karting? ›How heavier drivers can minimise their lap time. While there is no go karting weight limit, heavier drivers definitely do need to put in a little extra to match the lap times of their lighter counterparts. Heavier drivers should: Drive as smoothly as possible.
Can you wear glasses go-karting? ›Yes. When wearing glasses with our helmets you will need to remove your glasses first, then put the helmet on. You then lift the visor and slide the glasses into place. Sunglasses, reactive lenses and tinted lenses are not recommended as the tracks are indoors and may affect your visibility.
Does weight slow you down in go-karting? ›Weight makes a difference in a kart. Although most of your speed will come from driving talent, heavier drivers are generally at a disadvantage as the engine is having to work harder to pull the combined weight of you and your kart out of the corners.
Do you lose weight go-karting? ›Karting has a number of health benefits including an increased heart rate, strength building, improvements in reflexes and reaction time, and burning off calories to help aid weight loss.
What's the highest speed for a go kart? ›A 50 cc kart can travel up to 35 mph, where a 125 cc kart can reach 70 to 80 mph. At 250 cc, the fastest go-karts can travel up to 150 mph.
Does weight matter at K1 Speed? ›
In all the weight DID NOT matter when go karting, as both of his sessions were within a tenth or two – nothing unusual to a typical experience at K1 Speed. We can already hear you: “Well, yeah, maybe not 40 pounds. But something like a 100-pound difference would definitely do it.”
What do you wear to K1? ›All drivers must wear closed-toe shoes at K1 Speed. Sandals or any other open-toe shoes are not permitted on track and you will not be able to race. Loose-flowing garments such as dresses should not be worn. We recommend dressing casually in a shirt with pants/shorts.
Can you wear shorts to K1 Speed? ›We require that all racers wear closed-toe shoes, keep long hair tied back, and don't wear anything too loose fitting. T-shirts, jeans/shorts and sneakers are appropriate attire for a day of go kart racing at the track. Keep in mind, indoor kart racing at K1 Speed is a very physical activity so dress accordingly!