Indoor go karting has become popular as of late and appeals to audiences young and old. It is definitely universal and has more of a presence in Europe and the UK versus the United States. However there are roughly 100 indoor go cart tracks in the U.S. alone.
France and Belgium are the two places in Europe where indoor karting exploded on the scene. Indoor go kart racing is often held in old abandon factories where the bulk of the racing is indoor but some circuits house a short outdoor section to make things interesting.
Indoor go kart tracks have their own fleet of economical go-karts that are more for the casual racer and are sometimes referred to as micro karts.
Micro Karts
The micro kart is a small single passenger mini go-kart houses anything from 22 cc to 80 cc 2 stroke engines with a horsepower range of up to 20 hp or more. There are lower class micro carts and high power micro carts.
- The lower class go-karts consist of 4 to 6 inch tires and engines that average around 50 cc in size. Their speeds range from 10 to 30 mph and are usually used for recreational riding and private parties. The ISA (International Scootercross Association) racing organization feature these go carts. The Bladez Powerkarts and Go-ped Go-quads are two such examples.
- The high power micro go karts are much faster and more powerful. Utilizing 9 inch pneumatic tires and average speeds between 30 and 70 mph (used mainly in go kart racing organizations worldwide)
Indoor Go-Karting Centers
There are over a hundred indoor kart racing centers in the United States and that number is growing each year. They span the entire Country and one of the most popular places which has 9 locations is K1 Speed. K1 houses electric indoor go kart racing with racing leagues, corporate parties and events as well as junior karting for the youngsters.
They fancy themselves on their “arrive and drive” motto which allows you the driver to show up, get fitted in a go kart racing suit and be on your way to racing within minutes.
They are located in Seattle, South Florida, Phoenix and 6 locations in California so if you are ever in these areas and want the thrill of the chase check them out. To visit their site Click Here
For a list of all track types including indoor in North America Click Here
Why Use Electric Go Karts
The electric go kart has many advantages over gas powered versions.
- The electric kart has no noxious fumes and has low environmental impact.
- Many centers us a DC electric 20 hp motor that is very torque friendly allowing them to accelerate quickly out of corners as compared to gas motors which get bogged down.
- Unlike gas go karts electric karts can be programmed for a set speed depending on the skill of the driver.
- Most electric go-carts can be controlled remotely in the event of a mishap or unexpected issue.
Indoor Go Kart Racing
The IKWC (Indoor Kart World Championships) are held annually.
This year (2011) they were held in Eupen, Belgium. This is a race that anyone can enter given they have the money and get through the qualifiers. If you think you have what it takes to be an indoor go kart racer then you can visit their site by
Kart Racing as a Learning Tool
Indoor go kart racing is a low cost tool used to help drivers get into motorsport racing. While many think it is for kids only that couldn’t be further from the truth. Adults are flocking to go kart racing.
Every serious race driver gets started in cart racing nowadays. It not only develops reflexes but also hones other skills such as decision making and precise car control.
It also brings other influences and nuances into the picture such as tire pressure, seat position, gearing and chassis stiffness that a driver must deal with.
