Being behind the steering wheel and being able to push the pedal to the floor can be one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world.
Not everyone has the means to build a racecar; luckily these four venues can get you on a track in race-prepped karts that will surely get your adrenaline pumping.
Chicago Race Factory
Chicago Race Factory is the Chicago Area’s premiere indoor quarter-mile go-kart track. They spare no expense with their karts. Each one of their top-of-the-line Sodi GT2s are custom modified and maintained to the highest standards. The karts go upwards of 45mph, which feels wickedly fast when you are sitting an inch above the ground.
Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix
Melrose Park offers variety within their kart track. Rather than just reversing the track for a mix-up, they have two different track layouts depending on which day you visit. The standard and full tracks are a regular occurrence, with the occasional short track thrown into the mix momentarily. Their Rimo Karts are also 9hp and powered by propane. If you can make it there on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before 8pm, the pricing is heavily discounted compared to the weekends.
K1 Speed
K1 delivers an authentic racing experience, partly due to one of the co-owners being’Boris Said'[former BMW Prototype Technology Group (PTG) racing star, current NASCAR competitor, and team owner of Sobe No Fear]. All of their karts are 20hp full-electric models. Electric may not seem as fun as gasoline powered, but the reliability and consistency of electric karts really are unmatched by their gasoline counterparts. Their karts still hit speeds up to 45mph. They offer two great locations to serve the Chicago-area, Buffalo Grove and Addison.
Sugar Grove Family Fun Center
This fun center may not have a serious name like the previous listings, but that does not mean that it does not reserve the same type of respect. Their outdoor tracks are a nice change-up from tearing through warehouses. They offer two tracks, one for children and adults, as well as one for adults only. The track for everyone is a quarter mile road-track design. This is a great track to break out the family rivalry a little bit. The adult only track is one of a kind to the state of Illinois. This track has a slick surface to allow the karts to slide-sideways through the corners. The great thing about this venue is that after you finish racing there are plenty of other activities to partake in.
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