Indoor Kart Racing

[78silversc]

I was wondering if I could elicit some information from those Pelicanites that have experienced Indoor Go-Kart Racing?
Here's why: My partner and I are intrigued with this idea as a business. We are both "car guys" and love motorsports. We have some real estate holdings that would lend themselves to this type of venture (in terms of sq footage, location, etc). And we have some capital to invest.
I am really interested in ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you can tell me about your experiences.
I have already found a few websites, but if you know of any, tell me.
We want to know things like: What did you like / dislike about the facilities?, the karts? etc.
How did you use the facility? As a walk in? where you there for a business conference - team building excercise, sales incentive? are you in a league? How often do you go? Why?
Is the place you go usually busy? Any info you are kind enough to give is appreciated.
We will be visiting F1 Karting in Boston, it's supposed to be the best in the United States.
Ok..so I know this isn't exactly serious due diligence, but we really want to gather as much informal information as possible before deciding if this is something we do indeed what to fully explore. If we move forward and this becomes a reality, there will be free kart time for PelicanHeads!!
Thanks guys!

[KilnRed83SC]

Here's another one.

http://www.victorylanekarting.com/

I've visited about 10-12 times in the last 2 years or so. Usually walk in with a group of 4 or 6. The local PCA group also run a LeMans style 2 hour team enduro a couple times a year. No big complaints except I wish they would changing the track layout every now and then.

[Z-man]

78silversc:
There are two indoor Kart places I know if in Central and North NJ: one in West Princeton and one in Hanover. I haven't gone to either of those, but the NNJR PCA region in planning on holding a social in the West Princeton place on March 30th. (Not on our calendar yet, but in a few weeks, check out: http://vista.pca.org//nnj for more info. )
The Hanover place is called Funtime (IIRC), and is located on Rt. 10. I know of some people who have attended there, and they seemed to like their setup.

There used to be an excellent indoor karting place on Rt. 17 in Ramsey: Speedway 17, they called it. Closed down a couple of years ago, but the place was a blast! They had two ovals: a kiddie oval and a grown-ups one. The karts were propane powered and could move quite well. Not sure why it closed down: slow business or other. I know my bro-in-law had to go to the emergency room after a few laps in their gokart: the soft skin around one of his knuckles caught a sharp piece of metal in the kart! (Obviously, they weren't that safety minded there!)

With the recent growth in popularity of motorsports in the USA, and the idea of "if pros go-kart in the off-season, so I should too" mentality it seems like your idea is a good one.

Hope this helps,
-Zoltan.

[78silversc]

KilnRed83SC
Thanks for the link!

Z-man

2 locations in NJ? Do you know the name of the one you refer to in West Princeton? I searched the 'Net for "karting in West Princeton" and was unable to locate anything. (Couldn't find anything about Funtime either) I would love to check them out. I am a PCA NNJ member, perhaps I could contact them for information.
Thanks again for your help

[Z-man]

78silersc:
Contact Walter Arnold the NNJR Social chair: walterarnold@earthlink.net
The place is supposed to be pretty decent: indoor carts, slot cars, IIRC, even video games.
I'll find the correct name and contact for the Hanover place for you.
-Zoltan.

[autobonrun]

My son wants to get into this, but in all the pictures I see the carts have no type of roll bar. Is it less dangerous than it looks?

[78silversc]

Z-man
Thanks for your help. I think I found some info on the facility in Wayne (can't believe they don't have a website), I found it via the NJ Triumph Assoc.
Is this it? Funtimes Wayne NJ

The only info I could find about one in the Princeton area was a place called LaserPark
The website carried only a small metion of a NASCAR track. I will continue to search this one out.

autobonrun
While I am sure there is a certain level of danger involved (like most other sports kids are involved in) so far my research has told me that it is relatively low.
There are age and height requirements for riders and a well operated facility will have track marshalls in place to reign in agressive drivers, many times pulling them off the track for a period of time as punishment for poor driving.
Riders are required to wear helmets, neck roll, and gloves for safety. And the track itself is bordered by a barrier designed to absorb energy from a crash and to prevent a kart from "jumping" out of the lane.
The karts are also designed with a very very low center of gravity, making them extremely difficult to roll over. And, while I am sure it "could" happen, my understanding is that it is very rare.
It could be a great way to get a youngster involved in the thrill of Motorsports... just realize it is the first step your son will take towards taking over your 79SC !!!
If you do try it I would be very interested in hearing of your experience.