Best Go-Kart Racing In Sacramento
Busy Sacramento roads and highways don't offer much satisfaction for those seeking the thrills of high-speed driving excitement, especially those younger than 16. But adrenaline junkies and driving dreamers need not despair, Sacramento's best go kart courses provide all of the heart-pumping adventure you could want. The whole wild and woolly family will find solace in straight tracks built for speed as well as more complex tracks full of wild turns at the city's most exciting go kart courses.
RPM Indoor Kart Racing
3130 Bradshaw Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 368-7223
www.raceplacemotorsports.com/
Price: $15 to $20 for one hot lap session for members/$24 for non-members/$10 adult yearly membership
Hours: Mon to Sun – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Feed your need for speed with RPM's authentic NASCAR karts, equipped with nine horsepower Honda engines. RPM features two tracks, each appealing to a different style of driving. The monster energy track has both wide, sweeping turns and challenging, tight ones, all of which require extreme focus and concentration. The unbound energy track includes long straight sections followed by sharp turns — the perfect training track for competitive racing. Hot laps offer the chance to test your mettle against the clock in a high-speed 10-minute race session. Training is available for those new to the sport, and experienced racers may join a competitive RPM racing league.
49'er Family Fun Park
314 Railroad Ave.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-4949
49erfunpark.com/
Price: $7.50 per seven-minute session/$6.50 for three or more/$2 passengers
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri – 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The 49'er go kart track features both straightaways and hairpin turns, allowing drivers to choose how fast and wild to go. Karts are single or double seaters, which allows younger or less-experienced visitors to enjoy the excitement as well. While this back-to-basics location has fewer high-tech bells and whistles, no one will leave disappointed. The 4.5-acre park is a perennial area favorite because of its family friendly atmosphere and fun amenities.
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Speed Factory
8825 Washington Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 780-7223
www.speedfactorykarting.com/
Price: $15 to $20 per session for members/$24 for non-members/$10 to $50 yearly membership
Hours: Sun to Thurs – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri to Sat – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Electric go karts and a bead-blasted surfaces allow drivers to enjoy the experience with less noise and fumes. There are two tracks: One is a basic oval course for timed laps, and the road course features one straightaway and plenty of sharp turns. The karts max out at about 45 miles per hour, ensuring a good time for those who are speed inclined. A mandatory, 90-minute junior drivers training course provides more than just driving tips, it also focuses on good sportsmanship and race rules. Members get special discounts and a free birthday race.
Scandia Family Fun Center
5070 Hillsdale Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95842
(916) 331-5757
www.scandiasports.com
Price: $6 per session/$19.95 wristbands for unlimited play on weekends
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri – 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Sat – 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sun – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Scandia's Stockholm Raceway welcomes drivers who are 54 inches or taller. Guests more than 3 years old but less than 54 inches tall may ride along for free with a paying adult. Karts are gas powered, and the raceway track offers drivers the excitement of navigating twists and turns without an overly complicated course. Scandia is perfect for newer racers and amateurs just looking for a fun time. Guests may come just for the raceway, but wristbands are also available for unlimited racing, mini-golf, batting cages and rides.
Driven Raceway
1560 Gateway Blvd.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 426-3748
www.drivenraceway.com
Price: $12 to $20 for 10 to 16 member laps/$17 to $25/mandatory $2 head sock for nonmembers/$5.95 annual racing license fee/military personnel get a 10-percent discount
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri to Sat – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Driven's D-force supertrack is built to be very safe, which is especially important with karts that can reach 45 miles per hour. The karts are designed in Italy and built for speed and excitement. With straight paths, sudden loops and wide S-turns, the track is sure to please drivers of every degree of experience. Its driver-training course provides unique one-on-one coaching, and instructors give each new driver customized advice and direction via a radio feed. Additionally, all karts may be controlled remotely by trained personnel in emergencies.
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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
