The Benefits of Indoor Karting

Whether you are doing it for fun or doing it for a workout – indoor go-karting will get the blood pumping!  I’m not talking about go-carts (with a “C”).  No, these are go-karts with a “K”!  What is the difference – about 30 mph and the need to wear a helmet!!!

Sadler’s Indoor Karting in Olathe, Kansas offers year around indoor karting to the general public.  These nine horsepower karts are capable of 45 to 50mph on a road course circuit that will challenge you at every turn.  As a racer, I use the karting center for a mental and physical workout to prepare for the race season, but it is also loads of fun for racers and fans alike!  For the fan, this is an opportunity to get out and run with the racers and see if you have what it takes.  For the racer, this is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and try new techniques without tearing up or wearing out your own equipment.

Racing the karts at Sadler’s has made me a much improved driver in my Micro Sprint car.  To go fast in the karts you have to be extremely smooth, think far ahead to minimize momentum loss during a pass, work heavy traffic efficiently and recover quickly from a mistake.

 I run 30 minute sessions on the “Grand Prix” circuit with an average lap time of 38 to 39 seconds which equates out to around 50 laps during a session.  Each lap consists of 15 turns (this includes chicanes) that must be taken perfectly to cut a fast lap.  In road course racing, each turn sets you up for the next turn; thus, concentration and perfection are key to increased performance.  The current “Grand Prix” track configuration has one long straightaway with a chicane (top speed around 45mph) and an oval track type turn at the far end - this turn rewards a smooth transition from throttle to brake and back to throttle.  If you work on being smooth in this area of the track – I will guarantee you will go faster in your Micro on a slick track – the pedal and steering techniques are exactly the same!

Every kart you get on will handle differently and have different power characteristics.  These differences will force you to quickly adapt your driving style to match the karts’ requirements.  The challenge is taking a sub par kart and getting the maximum performance from it.  Once again, I will guarantee that adapting to these different karts will improve your performance in your racecar – you will adapt to handling situations on the racetrack much easier and quicker – it becomes second nature.

As far as a physical workout; these karts will wear you out!  Once the tires warm up and produce maximum grip, the steering becomes tight and will work your wrists, hands and forearms.  The cornering forces are high enough to give your neck muscles a serious workout.  Mentally, you MUST be sharp.  These are expensive race karts, so the management at Sadler’s do not put up with beating and banging.  You have to pass with no (or minimal) contact or you will be removed from the track.  Usually, you are on the track with up to 15 other people.  Most of these people have never done anything like this before, so you have to concentrate and predict their unpredictability!  It is one heck of a mental game!

Take a look at their website for costs and hours of operation.  The standard track configuration during the week is an oval track and a short road course (two tracks).  On weekends they usually combine the two tracks into the “Grand Prix” configuration (one long road course).  I prefer Grand Prix – you get the BEST thrill in speed and cornering!