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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

Kart Expo International

INDOOR INFO

SELECTING INDOOR FACILITIES FOR GO-KART OPERATIONS
By Peter F. Olesen, P.E.

The selection of existing buildings for use as indoor go-kart track facilities requires careful consideration of a wide range of issues. Failure to consider each one carefully may result in choosing a site that is in the wrong location, isn’t adaptable to the venue planned and has hidden issues that may render it unacceptable.

It is the author’s opinion that each of the individual elements listed below be considered in order to avoid some of the more common pitfalls that people have encountered in the past or may run into in the future. The costs involved in obtaining a site and establishing a successful business are not insignificant. Selecting the wrong building or location can have disastrous consequences.

1. Determination of the type of operation
a. “Adult racing venue
b. Open karting operation targeted for adults and driver’s licensed teens
c. Combination of adult, teen and pre-teen open operations
d. Family karting operation
e. Corporate Market
f. General Group Market

2. Population base in the target market area
a. Target market in not total population
b. Age distribution important
c. Income levels may have impact

3. Site location - Access
a. Must be easy to reach
b. Near to major artery (freeway or expressway preferable)

4. Site Location – Surrounding Neighborhood
a. Well lit
b. Low Crime
c. Clean Image

5. Existing Building – Is cost realistic?
a. Will it permit positive return on investment (ROI)
b. Are there hidden costs that could create problems

6. Existing Building – Required building modifications to accommodate planned facility
a. Amount of walls and equipment that must be removed
b. Condition of the floors
c. Asbestos?
d. Existing air handling system

7. Existing Building – Floor Plan
a. Will configuration permit realistic track and amenities placement
b. Is there capacity for future expansion

8. Existing Building – Column spacing
a. Minimum 25 feet
b. Recommended minimum 30 feet

9. Available Parking
a. Must have sufficient capacity for operation
b. Should have lighting and fencing (in industrial areas)

10. Outdoor signing restrictions
a. Signage at street far more desirable
b. Check restrictions on size and illumination

11. Proposing new building – Type of building
a. Original design by architect
b. Pre-engineered building
c. Airdome

12. Proposing new building – Allow sufficient size for expansion of services
a. Allow for added services in future
b. Track layouts may change

13. Proposing new building – Provide sufficient column spacing
a. Permits better track layout
b. Helps in future modifications
c. Recommended spacing 40 feet
d. Clear span better yet

14. Can facility be revised to provide additional attractions?
a. If market does not provide return expected
b. If demand for additional services develops

It is important that people planning to develop an indoor karting venture realize that there is a big difference between building a dream and inheriting a nightmare. The old cliché, “failing to plan is planning to fail”, could be applied to a number of indoor ventures that have previously failed around the country and overseas.

Don’t build what you want, build what the public wants if your intent is to be successful. The marketplace is fickle and interests in hobbies change. For this reason alone, establishing a broader-based operation provides a greater potential for success. This assumes, of course, that you have followed the investigating procedures set forth in the above list of elements.

Each of the above items could conceivably be developed into an entire article. We have presented them in concise statements to provide a broad overview of the issues that must be addressed. If you have the experience yourself or within your development team to address each element, good luck! If the issues are beyond your individual capabilities or available time, perhaps you should consider employing an experienced consultant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Peter Olesen is a Licensed Professional Engineer in eight states and President of Peter F. Olesen and Associates, Inc. They are located at 500 West Central Road, Suite 205, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 USA. The firm provides consulting services to Concession Go-Kart and Family Entertainment Center clients. Projects span 36 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and Brunei. Services range from preliminary site evaluations, feasibility studies, concept development, master planning, design and construction engineering services for projects that include concession go-kart tracks, miniature golf courses, indoor and outdoor family entertainment centers and theme parks. These services apply to new facilities as well as renovation or expansion of existing facilities. Mr. Olesen has written many magazine and web articles on the industry and has made presentations at numerous industry seminars.

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