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BadNick · 06-03-2008, 07:49 PM

As a kid I was into anything with a motor on it and so was my best friend which eventually led into the car hobbies. From the time we were about 10yo we went to a local outdoor go kart track within biking distance of our homes. It was pricey for us so we only rented karts once a week or maybe twice some weeks. This was an outdoor track with gasoline motor karts. My best friend's dad's friend owned a truck repair business nearby and he also raced go karts at this track and also other tracks; his were mostly twin engine worked motors, running racegas, very fast. He let us drive them a couple times during practice sessions and those things were a real handful until we got more experience. This rental track had organized go kart races on weekends so we'd go watch but we never drove in those races.

A few years ago they converted an old industrial building near here into an indoor go kart/arcade center. Every few weeks or so I take my two boys and sometimes a couple of their buddies and we all race around and have a great time. It's a pretty nice track, but since it's indoor they are electric motors like in those GP NY vids above. With telemetry they can crank up or down on the power to each kart based on how well you're driving. But if they know you're decent they'll crank up the power pretty good. My sense is that I prefer gas powered, seems like better throttle response which on a twisty track is important; you can see that vid above where the guy looses his momentum and that really slows you down until you pick it up again. Then there is another indoor track not too far that actually runs gas powered karts...I have to believe that the forced ventilation must be very strong sinced I didn't smell any odors but there were only about four karts running when we were there; I was only there once and had my younger boy with me, he drove a few sessions but I didn't so I haven't compared these to the other place. Actually my older son is not as much into it...I think he's not as "brave" or is more sensible so he doesn't push it as close to the limits.

Our local car club is now organizing a meet at another local indoor go kart track, not sure if we'll have enough people to rent the entire track of if we'll have to share it with others.

Yep, go karts are great fun. My younger boy asked me a couple days ago to help him build one, so we're figuring out what that would involve. I'm sure in a few years he'll be driving my car at the roadcourses after going through some instruction, he seems to like this stuff and is a pretty good driver.

One of the tracks I take my car is Pocono Raceway, and there are events there where they rent shifter karts...these have transmissions/gears and are very fast. I'm looking forward to trying these out one day soon.

06-03-2008, 07:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	As a kid I was into anything with a motor on it and so was my best friend which eventually led into the car hobbies. From the time we were about 10yo we went to a local outdoor go kart track within biking distance of our homes. It was pricey for us so we only rented karts once a week or maybe twice some weeks. This was an outdoor track with gasoline motor karts. My best friend's dad's friend owned a truck repair business nearby and he also raced go karts at this track and also other tracks; his were mostly twin engine worked motors, running racegas, very fast. He let us drive them a couple times during practice sessions and those things were a real handful until we got more experience. This rental track had organized go kart races on weekends so we'd go watch but we never drove in those races. A few years ago they converted an old industrial building near here into an indoor go kart/arcade center. Every few weeks or so I take my two boys and sometimes a couple of their buddies and we all race around and have a great time. It's a pretty nice track, but since it's indoor they are electric motors like in those GP NY vids above. With telemetry they can crank up or down on the power to each kart based on how well you're driving. But if they know you're decent they'll crank up the power pretty good. My sense is that I prefer gas powered, seems like better throttle response which on a twisty track is important; you can see that vid above where the guy looses his momentum and that really slows you down until you pick it up again. Then there is another indoor track not too far that actually runs gas powered karts...I have to believe that the forced ventilation must be very strong sinced I didn't smell any odors but there were only about four karts running when we were there; I was only there once and had my younger boy with me, he drove a few sessions but I didn't so I haven't compared these to the other place. Actually my older son is not as much into it...I think he's not as "brave" or is more sensible so he doesn't push it as close to the limits. Our local car club is now organizing a meet at another local indoor go kart track, not sure if we'll have enough people to rent the entire track of if we'll have to share it with others. Yep, go karts are great fun. My younger boy asked me a couple days ago to help him build one, so we're figuring out what that would involve. I'm sure in a few years he'll be driving my car at the roadcourses after going through some instruction, he seems to like this stuff and is a pretty good driver. One of the tracks I take my car is Pocono Raceway, and there are events there where they rent shifter karts...these have transmissions/gears and are very fast. I'm looking forward to trying these out one day soon. Last edited by BadNick; 06-03-2008 at 07:53 PM..