Indoor electric go karts

[Bubba1]

with the weather in the mid 90's, my son and I ventured to an indoor electric go-kart track a few towns over. Not only was the building air conditioned, it was a total hoot. After trash talking each other on the way to the track, we didn't wait long before beginning our Texas Death match on wheels.

the karts were quick and torquey. Surprisingly easy to slide. It was a first time for both of us, but after one run (we did three of them together), we got moved up to the top level. My son and I dueled while pretty much lapping the field, and he ended up beating the old man by a single tenth of a second.

If you've never done electric karts, it's absolutely worth trying at least one. It was a bit pricey, 3 races was just over $50 per person, but the adrenaline definitely gets flowing.

[Dattebayo]

I guess it would just be too costly to have gas ones indoors and install scrubbers for the exhaust?

I'm looking around to see if they have it in my area, even though I know I should probably put the money into my truck... lol

Edit: Found one -> http://www.autobahnspeed.com/

[alms24sebring]

^ wow, sounds like some real fun. Whats that?.. Did you just call me out? Come get it son!

[VQpwrdSE-R]

I was at my first indoor go cart track in march. Man is that fun. I agree with you Joel about them being able to slide. When power sliding I felt like I should be worried about bananas on the track and kloopa shells. We went to Allentown Pa to lehigh valley grand prix, these were gas powered but I am curious as to how electric ones would be. More torque? Instant power without the lag?

[gwoods]

I have attended a few track days and (think) I can drive. We have two tracks here in Phoenix. I invited my boss to come racing with me when he was in town about 2 years back. My boss has a 911 S that is set up for track days and has done a couple too but without the instructor. Anyhow we raced on the longer track and were actually able to reach top speed on the back straight. After lapping everyone I started looking for ways to go faster around the track. I started breaking less and less for the wide hairpin at the end of the straight and became convinced I could go around it flat out. So I tried, the cart four wheel drifted at top speed into the tire wall, I remembered shouting out OH OH. I had a deceleration brused lung and fractured a rib. We still raced a second race but I spent it showing my boss the quick lines and trying to take shallow breaths. The next morning I went to the doctor and found out there is nothing to be done for a fractured rib but NSAD's and rest.

My wife and I go about twice a year together in the middle of the day. I go with a group of the young men from church.

The sliding is NOT fast, work on scrubbing down just enough speed that you don't slide and can power out of the turn early and your times will get quicker in a hurry.

Go cart racing is probably the most fun you can have for $50 this side of Mexico and much safer.

[frapjap]

with the weather in the mid 90's, my son and I ventured to an indoor electric go-kart track a few towns over. Not only was the building air conditioned, it was a total hoot. After trash talking each other on the way to the track, we didn't wait long before beginning our Texas Death match on wheels.

the karts were quick and torquey. Surprisingly easy to slide. It was a first time for both of us, but after one run (we did three of them together), we got moved up to the top level. My son and I dueled while pretty much lapping the field, and he ended up beating the old man by a single tenth of a second.

If you've never done electric karts, it's absolutely worth trying at least one. It was a bit pricey, 3 races was just over $50 per person, but the adrenaline definitely gets flowing.

Haha, did you let off? We have a good gas one here in Boston, very fast. I ran some good times against a co worker and, like you, spent the time lapping the other participants. Expensive (in regards to dollar per minute) but, unlike a hooker, totally worth it!

[Bubba1]

Lifting off as in using a lotta brakes? Not really. I kept it floored for the most part, and just brushed the brake once per lap entering a tight turn at the end of their main straight. With rear- only brakes it didn’t take much to rotate those karts. Otherwise they have very good bite.

The only time I found myself really lifting was when waiting to pass someone. The track was a tad narrow, so there were only one or two spots you could pass as they were all equally powered. The management frowned upon ramming, opting for blue passing flags. Of course I “accidently” spun this one teen out after he ignored several blue flags and a few friendly bumper taps by me.

Gwoods is correct that excessive sliding/drifting the corners adds time to your laps, but having fun was a higher priority to me that day than chasing the lap record.

We each did a 3 race package and it worked out to about a dollar a lap. Not a bad deal. It’s a fun afternoon diversion

[alms24sebring]

The fastest Kart racing Ive done was a very small and tight indoor track with a gas powered motor. It was exhausting! I was trying to be bold as well when the guy said I could take the last turn before the start finish at full throttle. What gave me more confidence was that I saw another worker do it. On top of that I had the track to myself. So, naturally I tried it when the rear slipped out and lashed my neck hard in a tire wall. I got yelled at and took it nervously til my time was done.

Ive also done a few outdoor ones. I remember as a kid doing a big wide outdoor track and I was kickin a$$ on the lap times. Again I had no one else on at that time.

I would have to ask what the question, what is the disadvantage to electric carts? Battery replacements? Expensive sale price? Harder to make bigger competitive power?

I love road racing.

[Bubba1]

I would have to ask what the question, what is the disadvantage to electric carts? Battery replacements? Expensive sale price?

That would be my guess.

[gwoods]

Lifting off as in using a lotta brakes? Not really. I kept it floored for the most part, and just brushed the brake once per lap entering a tight turn at the end of their main straight. With rear- only brakes it didn’t take much to rotate those karts. Otherwise they have very good bite.

The only time I found myself really lifting was when waiting to pass someone. The track was a tad narrow, so there were only one or two spots you could pass as they were all equally powered. The management frowned upon ramming, opting for blue passing flags. Of course I “accidently” spun this one teen out after he ignored several blue flags and a few friendly bumper taps by me.

Gwoods is correct that excessive sliding/drifting the corners adds time to your laps, but having fun was a higher priority to me that day than chasing the lap record.

We each did a 3 race package and it worked out to about a dollar a lap. Not a bad deal. It’s a fun afternoon diversion

Thats the way I do it keep the pedal to the floor and stab the brakes as needed never lift the throttle. Sometimes I slide the kart to scrub off speed but its hard to perdict how much speed your going to scrub off and really easy to meter speed with stabbin the brake pedal for a second at a time.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Rear only brakes and razor-thin braking thresholds are part of what makes karts fun! You either learn brake discipline in a hurry, or you spend a lot of time smiling at the guy behind you. It's always fun when it happens though, because even when it's happening it feels like like no motor vehicle should be able to do a 180 THAT abruptly.

[gwoods]

my 1st karting was a K1 in Carlsbad Cali with my bro in law while the women hit the outlet mall. He spun in front of me in a turn and I got stoped before hitting him but the guy behind me hit me full speed his kart actually hit my wrist hard enought to make my watch cut me. I didn't try it again for years