Best Go Kart Tracks In Minnesota
Ask any Minnesotan and they will probably tell you that one of their fondest childhood and adolescent memories involved visiting the local go kart track and recklessly speeding around tight corners, only to go home smelling like gasoline. Go kart tracks continue to be a popular pastime for all ages, although some of the track rules and regulations have gotten a little stricter. Tracks are available all over the state for everyone from serious racers to those just trying it out for the first time. Check out any of these fantastic venues for a great time. Just remember to bring a pen; the waiver to race has gotten a lot longer over the last 10 years.
Prokart Indoor Racing
14350 Rosemount Drive
Burnsville, MN 55306
(952) 808-7223
www.prokartindoor.com
No reservation or experience is required at Prokart Indoor Racing, so what are you waiting for? Ranked one of the best indoor go kart tracks in Minnesota, Prokart is the place for karters and those looking for serious fun. Drivers ages eight and up are welcome to take their place on the starting line and race around one of the four indoor tracks at speeds up to 40 miles an hour. A driving school is required for drivers aged 8-12 to ensure the rules of safety are understood and followed. No helmet? No problem. Prokart provides helmets, jumpsuits, and all of the necessary equipment to go with the kart.
Stockholm Karting Center
13185 US-12
Cokato, MN 55321
(320) 286-3200
www.stockholmkartingcenter.com
Head west of the Twin Cities to Cokato, Minnesota and find yourself hanging out at one of the best go kart tracks in the state. Stockholm has opened up its racing courses to a wide variety of ages, starting at five and moving up from there. Kids can attend a short class and use specially-made go karts for children only. The smaller karts go from 20-30 miles an hour while the adult karts can hit up to 65. No experience is necessary and all gear is available for rent also - including helmets and jumpsuits.
Brainerd International Raceway & Resort
5523 Birchdale Road
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 824-7220
www.brainerdraceway.com
Aside from a fun and fantastic 3-mile course, Brainerd International Speedway offers a place to stay, a restaurant, and an entire weekend of entertainment. Make a vacation out of go karting on the 3-mile road course. Rent go karts, watch races, or just camp out in the RV park and fall asleep listening to the roar of the engines. Drag races, motorbikes, and many other events take place here throughout the year, so check your calendar and head up for one of the televised races.
Skyline Raceway
2248 40th St. S.W.
Rochester, MN 55902
(507) 287-6289
www.skylineracewayrochester.com
Wondering where you can go to get your go kart fix and then pan for gemstones when you finish the race? Head south to Skyline Raceway and have a great day of doing both. The go kart track offers 9 horsepower engine karts and specials on the pricing throughout the week. Double karts are available at Skyline to make sure that kids who don't quite measure up to driver height can enjoy the race as well. After you race around the dirt track, head over to the panning area and seek out your fortune of gemstones and gold. A mini-golf course is also on site in case the panning and driving gets old.
Raceway To Fun
910 Hastings Ave.
Newport, MN 55055
(651) 459-6578
www.facebook.com
Not sure if you want to spend the entire day go karting? Raceway To Fun has an entire host of other activities and options for a good time to accompany your go karting experience. Check out the mini-golf courses and practice your putting skills, play arcade games until you run out of quarters, or trade the road for the water on their bumper boats. Kids love this venue and it shows by the massive amount of unsupervised children running around. Spend the day and all of your money here and go home exhausted. A word of caution: This place only accepts cash so be sure to hit the bank before you venture out to the Raceway.
Related: Best Go-Kart Racing In Minnesota
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.