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CONCESSION CORNER
01-01-01

This month, Peter Olesen, our resident “expert” answers e-mail questions from readers.

QUESTION – Just what is a slick track? Art Sheldon, via e-mail

Peter Olesen – In previous times, “slick tracks” were basically rather short, flat oval concession tracks with very tight to almost no inside radii and only a barrier separating the two directions of traffic on the track. The karts on the track were required to broadside through the turns at each end of the parallel straightaways. In creating these short tracks, owners were able to create exciting “racing” action in very small areas. The tight turns coupled with the momentum of the karts caused the karts to slide through the turns, creating a competitive reaction that proves to be fun.

The drawbacks to the earlier slick tracks center around their short length and lack of capacity. The lack of challenge or turns in more than one direction also contributed to lack of interest at facilities where there were alternative tracks to drive on. Over the years, a number of facilities have either retired their slick tracks or let them fall into disrepair. They seldom proved to be good revenue generators other than in heavy tourism areas.

A major problem at some of the early concession tracks was the tendency of sizable numbers of drivers becoming bored with the tracks. This resulted in drivers turning the tracks in pseudo demolition derbies with a resulting increase in kart and track barrier maintenance costs.

The development of the new Malibu Speed Zone facilities drastically changed the landscape. Our firm designed new “Slix Trax” for the totally new Malibu Speed Zone in Dallas, Texas, the City of Industry, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. These tracks combine a very flat cross section, extremely tight turning radii, minor grade changes and a challenging road course alignment to create a far more challenging and intimidating experience. The go-karts used on the tracks were specifically designed to improve acceleration and cornering by having a wide chassis, limited body elements and a 9 HP engine to provide a close competition between drivers with wide differences in weight. These tracks have maintained a wide popularity since opening, which has brought about the demand for similar tracks in other parts of the country.

Visiting the various concession kart manufacturers at the recent IAAPA trade show/convention, we noted that most of them have introduced modern slick track chassis and body styles to address the new track requirement. Apparently the new type of slick track is here to stay.

Proper track surface design and selection of harder tire compounds can result in slick track operations that do not require sprinkling wax on the tracks to create the environment for sliding through the turns.

We suggest that many family entertainment centers (FEC) or concession track sites are not well suited for the addition of such tracks. This is due to their operation at higher speeds and requiring greater driving skills. As a result, the potential liability increases. Malibu Speed Zones restrict the ridership on their slick tracks to those with valid driver’s licenses, who are also required to sign waivers prior to getting into the karts. Restrictions of only drivers with licenses could result in too few potential drivers being available in many areas of the country.

QUESTION – I have a small site (approximately two acres) and want to build a concession go-kart track on it. What type of track should I build? Depending on who I talk to, some say a road course, some a slick track and some a high banked oval. Please help, I’m stumped. Terry Stratton by e-mail

Peter Olesen – Unless there are very specific market or site-created constraints that dictate a very small footprint, I would recommend that anyone’s first concession go-kart track be a road course. There are a number of reasons, including:
1. Provides fun experiences for the maximum range of potential customers
2. Serves to provide entertainment value even without competition
3. Properly designed, permits greater service life for your equipment
4. Has greater potential to attract repeat riders due to the variety of driving challenges that can be designed into the track configuration
5. Can accommodate more karts, thereby increasing revenue potential
6. Permits mixing of single and two-seat karts during the same runs more easily than on high-banked ovals. Two-seat karts should never be used on slick tracks.

QUESTION – Why should I have a professional design firm prepare design plans for my concession kart track? Sam Simmons via e-mail

Peter Olesen – Sam, we feel it is important to obtain the services of a firm with the engineering skills and successful background in the design of concession kart tracks and related facilities to assure a design that provides the greatest amount of entertainment value, coupled with safety, economy and efficiency of operations, economy of construction, compatibility with adjacent facilities, noise, lighting issues, storm water management and related issues.

The proper combination of geometrics, grading and placement of pits, maintenance areas, fueling facilities can result in facilities that draw guest back again and again.

The cost of having professional assistance in developing concepts and final design drawings will ultimately result in lower construction costs, efficiencies in operation and increased revenues. Rather than being a financial loss, it is an investment in saving money and increasing revenues.

About the author: Peter Olesen is president of Peter F. Olesen and Associates, Inc., 500 West Central Road #205, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 USA. Olesen has written articles on concession go kart and family entertainment center planning and design and has participated in numerous industry seminars.

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Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

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