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K1 Speed
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- No
69 reviews for K1 Speed
This place is so much fun. Speed, adrenaline, medals, trophies, and then bragging rights.
I went with a group, but we did not get the group package. Since we all wanted different things, we decided to do the Arrive and Drive. They have coupons on the website for $5 off and Buy 2 get one Free.
I recommend doing the 3 races [14 laps each race] if you have never gone before. That way, you can have a practice run, then race better on the second round, and then do a finale race with your friends!
If you dont get the group package, you may be racing against strangers, but its not so bad when I went. I still want to do the group the next time though, since you get medals and you only race with your friends. There are also no eliminations for driving like a retard.
There are two tracks. I like both tracks, but one has less curves than the other. They give you the head sock and supply the helmet [but you can bring your own]. When they are ready with your go-kart, they call your name over the intercom and you enter the track. It usually takes about an hour-an hour and half to do 3 races.
It can get pretty painful if you get into an accident and bump into another car. You feel like you are in a real accident, but it is just too much fun, so I barrel right through. It's all about the time!
After the races, you get a print out of your time and place in the race. They also have the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place stand so you can take pics.
I can't wait to go back.
Great place for group parties!!
They have two different tracks and on some nights they will combine the two and make one huge track for their Challenge GP events.
Signing up/Checking in with the girls up front was super easy & quick. They were able to accommodate a group our size (13 people) and placed us in the tracks we wanted to test out.
A few tips...if you're racing try and make sure everyone you're racing is of the same level you are. Reason being is, I went with a very scared and turtle trottin' friend that ended up causing a 3 car collision that left me with 2 bruises on my inner thighs...one bruise is the size of my head and is as purple as an eggplant.
Also, go to the K1 website and print out the 2 for 1 or $5off coupons. It cuts down on the somewhat expensive costs!
Let me start by saying I absolutely love kart racing. If there was a public/semi-public track nearby, I would buy a kart of my own to race. But since there is no nearby Orange track, I'll settle for K1.
I consider the Anaheim track to be my "home" track; it's where I got my start. Last week, my friend Will and I decided to check out the Irvine tracks for the first time.
Irvine's K1 has two tracks, and they also do what's called the "super track," which is tracks 1 and 2 put together, for their Challenge GP events. I think it brings it to over half a mile of track. Intense.
The night I was there with my friend and his girlfriend, they were only running track one, which is the one you see when you enter K1. We didn't get to try track two. Track one was a lot of fun. There's a long straight, which goes into a not very severe hairpin that you can take pretty quickly. That turns into a fairly fast s-curve, a shorter straight, and then a pretty tight s-curve, into the straight. Really fun track to drive.
I'm interested to try the second track. It looks slower, but much more technical.
I'm not sure which track I like better: Anaheim or Irvine. Anaheim has a really fast track, but I hate the final hairpin turn. Irvine's track 1 is fun to drive but slower.
One word of advice: when the track attendant is waving the blue and red Passing flag and pointing at you, please, please, PLEASE make room for the faster driver by slowing down and moving away from the racing line. Remember, it's about fastest lap time, and not physical position.
10 minutes before I was suppose to leave for my date with Mr. B., I get a text message from him saying, "I sent you an email and I need you to print it out and bring it with you."
What? ummm...ok, I said. What could it be? I eagerly opened my email and it was - buy one get one free promotional email from K1 speed. Yikes! Last time I was here I had to listen to my co-worker whine about how she should have won.
(Tip - if you sign up for the e-club, you get promotional discounts via email. And no I don't work for them...I know this because email marketing is one of my many expertise.)
Anyway, a little nervous in my stuffy helmet, I buckled up and told my self - Just do it! After a couple of laps, my inner tomboy kicked in and now I was getting the hang of it. True, my first race was bad - I went around 12 laps and everyone else went around 14...did I say bad, I meant horrible! lol!
The second race was much better! Talk about an adrenaline rush! Yes, it's not like sky diving, but good enough for a surprisingly fun evening in the city!
Went there last weekend with a group of friends. The people there were very friendly. The cars were nice and clean and had no signs of problems. Went on the easy track and the cars handled well. This place is very fun!
It should be probably be renamed "K1 Crash" after my first experience. I had heard about this place from everyone over the years, and finally I went over the weekend. My adrenaline was pumping walking in, hearing the go-karts whizzing by on the track, seeing all the creepy racing manequins. I was excited, up until we talked to the employees up front. They all seem bored and tired, probably hungover. Way to ruin it.
It's expensive, but there's deals galore. We brought in 2 for 1 coupons, $5 off coupons, basically everything our cheap Chinese butts can bring in. Hey, the economy is still in a rut. There's even K1 deals at Costco. Once we paid, I quickly found myself with a large sock over my head with a hole in the middle. I'm hot and sweaty already. Next goes on the helmet. I feel like a bobblehead.
I crawl into the go-kart and instantly feel awkward and uncomfortable. My knees are up to my elbows. We start the race, and I can hardly get a feel for the acceleration. Advantage: short people, or people with short legs. I literally have to bend my knees all the way back just to let off the pedal. In the middle of my first lap, on a turn, I crash into the plastic wall. BOOM! Apparently my foot wasn't all the way off the pedal and I kept accelerating. Ouch. I'm stuck.
They stop the race, bring me another go-kart because I broke the first one. The guy says don't break this one or we'll have to charge you. Oh great. The race starts again, and I start to get the hang of it. Aw yeah, I'm drifting, baby! Take that Vin Diesel! Then suddenly, everyone starts to pass by me and I wind up in last place. Wow, that was fast. 14 laps? It felt like half that. So would I race again? Yeah, at home on my PS3. At least I get to crash all the cars I want.
Holy wow... this place is awesome. I went here for the first time on a Tuesday evening with five of my coworkers, and we had the track to ourselves when we raced. I wasn't really expecting it to be so huge on the inside (go figure, the place houses two tracks), but it is really a nice set up. There are comfy couches next to the track so you can just sit and chill out between races, there is a snack bar area, and there is also a game room with pool tables and arcade games. You could easily spend a long time here, even if you don't spend any money to race, it is fun just hanging out and watching the carnage on the tracks!
The racing though... wow... I have had my driver's license for about 15 years now, so my wife was making fun of me when I told her that I was going to race go-karts with my coworkers, so yes, I realize it may seem a little odd for grown men to get excited about driving a go-kart. These however, are not your average go-kart. Supposedly, they can get up to 45mph, and when you are sitting that low to the ground, on a twisty turny track, it feels a heck of a lot faster than anything you can experience (legally) in your normal car on the freeway. Also, these things have some amazing acceleration.
The "arrive and drive" races last 14 laps, which takes a good 10 minutes or so to complete, and on most days they run a 3 for 2 deal, so you can get a good half hour of racing in for about $40 I think (I don't remember the exact price, as my firm picked up the tab). It is definitely not priced as an activity in which you can partake on a daily or weekly basis, but I can see coming here once a month if I had the time.
Whiizzzz, poossssshhh, bang!!! Wipe-out!
K1 Speed is a good stop for adrenaline junkies! I went here for the first time not too long ago and had a blast. Sign up for their online newsletter and the coupons and promotions will pour in. The electric go carts are very well maintained, torquey, and fast. I ended up doing a 180 in turn 1 after being passed by a much more experienced racer in my group. This a great place for corporate and group events. Throw in some trophies for your event and you will have a good time. The 14-lap race you can initially buy is plenty of action for most especially if you're going all out. Great fun for all!
I like to come here wasted
The place is super clean and the cars are surprisingly fast. Watch out for crashes, which can jostle you around and leave you with a hurt neck and back for a while. But for the price, you can find just as powerful cars elsewhere... I think.
[insert witty "need for speed" comment here]
A co-worker took me here for a lunch one day, as a thank you for all the great business I was throwing his way and winning. Now I'm not one to look gratitude like this in the steering wheel as I LOVE a good romp in the raceway, and what better way to prove you haven't matured at all by going gokarting? I can think of none better! Actually I can, but that's for another post.
This place must have been an old prison, because I'm pretty sure even Coscto and Sam's didn't have aluminum siding, chain-link fences and hard concrete floors. Fortunately, it only smells like a freeway (didn't I come in here to get away from that?) so as long as you love the smell of rubber and track, you'll be fine.
To drive here you need a license, and not that girly license the DMV issues, but a K-1 Raceway license, which evidently entitles you to entry but not actual driving on the freeway (Yes Officer, my license is from K-1, is there a problem?) and will cost you some cash. I don't know the cost, because my co-worker bought it. If you can, get your friends to buy your license, it makes the experience so much better. So after spending 15 minutes filling out a "I canz dr1vE rolly" form and signing a death warrant--er, a release form, you can then spend about 15 more minutes waiting. In the meantime, you should soak up the smell of raceway, it's quite exhilarating...
They do have your latest extreme sports and tattoo magazines for your waiting enjoyment, however. What is it with SoCal and their need to see their picutre in the Social Life pages, anyway? Oh wait, I don't read these things, silly me. You could always talk to that girl in the front, she's just effervescent and lively...
We got lunch here too, which evidently is first come first serve, so if you come too late, you may miss your meal. We didn't, and it was pleasant to have. My coworker also bought lunch.
When you go into the pit to prepare to race, you'll be briefed on flags (yeh, I kinda zoned out too) and then you get the headsock and helmet. Pick a big enough one for you, or you might feel like ripping it off your head while racing as it closes around you like a bad dream. Yeah, don't ask, long story.
But racing is FUN! I think the only bad part was my spin out and slamming into the wall, but man those things handle well and are fast! If you ever want an adrenaline rush indoors and the smack isn't cutting it, get boozed up here and then drive like you do on the freeway normally, only don't stop! Why no, they don't serve alcohol here, why do you ask?
A fun fun fun run. Oh, don't worry about those flags, you can't see them with those tight helmets anyway....
This place is seriously really fun. I suggest coming in a group and racing each other for MAXIMUM fun. Be careful though because these go-karts go reallly fast. I screamed like 10 times because I spun out way too many times. The only thing is it's kinda pricey for one round but honestly that's all you need. After your first round you feel like throwing up from the adrenaline rush.
OH AND REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR K1 CARD! You'll probably use it again.
This is from the POV of a non-racer.
If I'm not going to drive, maybe you could make the music more manageable in the seating areas in the back so I could have a conversation with someone from six feet away in a normal tone.
You know you're gonna end up with moms, girlfriends, wives, etc, here. How about a manicurist? A Color Me Mine? SOMEthing, anything to pass the time besides racing mags and racing on TV. Unrealistic, I suppose.
I know this is more of a rant than a review, but K1 should realize that not all their clientele is male. Granted, I'm not expecting them to make it super female friendly. Just acknowledge that non-males want to be entertained as well.
I have the best time here every time I come. I am definitely a fan. I was kinda scared the first time I drove the go-kart as it was going so fast (totally thought I was gonna pee in my pants) but I am glad that I got over my fear and decided to come back and go nuts on the track. I like both tracks equally...although my honey thinks track 2 is more fun since the turns are more exciting...and less straight-way.
Since then, I have been here several more times (I wish I could come back more often, but it's really cost prohibitive...three races for over $50 I think not to mention you have to purchase an annual membership!)
Most of the time, there are less than 8 persons on the track at the same time; however, I have seen 10 carts racing at once and that really was kinda dangerous.
I thought of so many ways the place could capitalize on the loads of people waiting around...like wait staff selling drinks, etc. Kudos for adding the leather sofas which makes it so much for comfy to wait...
It is hard for me review a place that I've hardly tried. This was my second time doing this go-kart thing, but lucky for me, I started first and ended in 9th position out of 11. You could say it was my fault because I let them pass me.
The experience was fun, the karts are definitely faster than I expected. Price is $20 per 14 lap race. But they always have coupons for Buy 2 get 1 free, or Buy 1 get 1, or $5 off. Stuff like that is always available.
Coming back here in the end of July before and after Comic-Con. I got the license, might as well use it. Also, the experience with 10 drivers is only good when you know everyone racing. If that's the case, get passed them. Drive like you've never driven before...just don't hit anyone.
Who knew that a little go-kart could be so scary! The go-kart only can go up to 45mph (although I know I wasn't even close to going that fast) and I was scared sh*tless. I guess I'm not such a speed racer after all. Darn!
Despite my crybaby status, it was actually kind of fun. I mean my boyfriend was loving it (of course) especially since he would pass me up before I would even finish a lap! (Note to self ladies: bring the boyfriend to K1 speed and he will be in a great mood for the rest of the day.)
There are two tracks and both of them have a good amount of twists and turns, which have the potential of turning into a crash site if you don't hit the breaks. If you don't want to cause a sig alert then you should be careful!! You get about 7 minutes per race. It doesn't seem like a long time, but 7 minutes seemed like an eternity to me!! I appreciate that the staff did their best to conceal their laughter for my nonexistent go-kart racing skills.
Prices are a bit steep:
$20 for 14 laps + $5 for a K1 speed license
(Check out their website, I noticed that they have specials on certain days that could save you a few bucks).
I would come back, but probably as a spectator!
If you feel the need for SPEED, this is the place to go. If you're a competitive person, this is the place to go! I strongly recommend going with a group of friends (max 12 people) if you want to make it a private race.
The track is a decent size, and fun corners to drift with. The go-karts are electric karts, not gas powered so the operators can shut down your kart at any time.
Came here for a friends bday, and it was my first time too. Never go-karted before and BOY was it fun.
If you have your own Motorcycle Helmet or Go-Kart helmet, I strongly suggest you bring it. Unless you want to use the ones they provide there...(wish I had my own to bring).
The pricing of the race isn't bad, for the amount of fun...I'd say it's well worth it.
In the end, they give you an individual performance print-out so you can compare & brag to your other friends on who did best/better.
I would recommend this place for a chill bday party or any type of party event. It's family fun & friendly!
If you're the type that sacrifices GREAT gas mileage for JUST OK gas mileage from flooring your fuel efficient Honda Civic down the highway, K1 might be just the place for you.
When you first walk in, the place is quite impressive. It's basically in a huge modified warehouse. You immediately start hearing this bass heavy techno music blaring from everywhere - you know, the type that makes you unintentionally drive about 10 mph faster? You will then notice two racing tracks, TVs everywhere to compare stats against other drivers, and one excellent fact - these go-karts go up to 45 mph!
Pros
1. Electric karts (not gas powered)
2. "Real" go-karts that go 45 MPH!!!
3. Opportunity to run people off the road, though this is highly discouraged
4. Cheesy 1st, 2nd and 3rd place podium to bask in all your glory
5. BYOB in the privately rented rooms is allowed. Schedule your kid's next birthday party here!
Cons
1. Those socks they make you wear on your head (safety requirement under your helmet)
2. Price (1 race=$17 and 3 races=$50). Note: these races go by VERY quickly!
Overall, a great place to "suggest" for your next corporate event (write the damn thing off!), or if you have more fundage, pass it off as something to do for your kid's birthday party and invite a bunch of your own friends.
I went by here yesterday, bought a single race with my friends and tried indoor kart racing for the first time. The staff was nice and the girls who worked the front desk are cute.
Seeing others zip by, I was very surprised at how fast these things go, and the fact that it's not gas-powered makes it okay to drive indoors. It's a lot nicer to do it inside than outside, I think, just for the weather aspect alone.
After swiping my card to buy a race, I got a quick rundown of what the different color flags meant from a staffer. I had my helmet on, so I could only hear certain words that were emphasized. I just nodded to get on with the race. I was wearing a pair of glasses that time, and I realized that if I were to come back here, I need to wear contact lenses. The damn things fog up once the helmet visor's down. The key is to leave a little crack in the visor to let the hot air out.
During the first couple of laps, I've spun out a couple of times as I got adjusted to driving the go-karts. I also tried to desperately recall what the different flags meant as the staff waved the blue and orange one. Bam! Next thing I knew, I got hit from behind. Oh, so that's what that was. I guess I should have let him pass.
The funny thing was that I didn't realize there was a reversing option with the little switch under the steering wheel. Not that I even really had a need for it anyhow. I just kept chugging through the course. Here in Irvine, my fastest lap was 25.75 seconds. Out of my party of six, all of whom have done this before, I actually finished fourth! I couldn't stop rubbing it into my two friends' faces the rest of the night.
They grouped us together in 8 and set us to get ready. If you go with a group of friends let them know you want to stay together. They give you a "sock" for your head. I got really freaked out when I put the sock on which covers your entire head except where your eyes are. Next comes the helmet which doesn't help when you're claustrophobic and now really freaking out.
BUT, it was fun driving around like a speed demon. You don't realize how fast the laps goes.
I started going to K1 for shits and giggles a few years ago at their original location in Carlsbad. After the Irvine location was built, I would find myself and my buddies heading over there now and then to feed "the need for speed" - although nothing comes close to shifter karts on a real track. With that being said, 2.5Gs through corners is pretty darn good. And K1 has real tarmac instead of the crappy concrete surface at Dromo 1 (aka "Slip 'N Slide" as I like to call it). And unlike indoor places with gas karts, suits aren't needed.
There are a few reasons why I'm giving the Irvine location only three stars:
1) Too many idiots who have no idea what they are doing (and slow on top of all that); probably originating from nearby UCI
2) The tracks are way too short, compared to the Anaheim location - which is where I go nowadays
3) Some of the karts are in bad shape, probably from being crashed far too often into the barriers
If you're out to have a good time, albeit a bit expensive, K1 is pretty cool. If you want an experience that's a little closer to REAL karting, try Adams Kart Track in Riverside. Outdoors, much longer course, etc. (although arrive and drive only happens in the evenings, for the most part, so do dress warmly... daytime is reserved for shifter kart practice runs.
This place is fun for 30min, and then you got pay another 20 bucks todo another lap.. I wasnt pro and had never drivin a go kart before, so since the track had like 10 people driving on it i think alot of people who were pros were being dicks, I did it twice and then said forget it both times. It was fun though just not worth it when you have so many cars at once racing against you and thinking there pro.. I'd say if you have kids this is a fun place for them if they are of age. Food was kinda of cheap but not worth it. I think the main thing was the cost of racing.. There were no deals really.
This K1 Speed is in a HUGE warehouse containing 2 separate tracks, a small game area, and party/ meeting area.
Staff was helpful and friendly. The facilities were clean. They are pretty concerned about safety so bumping the wall or others cars will be met with warnings, black flag then ejection.
Racing was easy enough. You get a head sock and a helmet then go. The carts are plenty fast for the tracks topping out around 45 mph(?). As previously stated you do not have to change into coveralls like Dromo 1.
I ran track 2 which seemed pretty narrow and somewhat technical with several hairpins. Track 1 looked simpler than track 2 more like a run and gun track.
The price for a single race is expensive. The multi race pack is better.
This is only worth it if you go with several friends to make it more interesting.
Great place to go with a group! Had 12 people for a recent Yelp event and everyone had a great time. For $60 each we got 12 practice laps, then we got split into two 6 person groups and had 14 lap qualifying races. After those races, then they put the top 6 fastest in one group and the next 6 fastest in a second group for the final races. Then we had an awards ceremony where the top 3 in each group got trophies. Very fun and well organized. If you go without a group and pay per race it is $20 per race and I think you have to get a license that costs about $5.95 and is good for one year. They have a couple other group packages as well and discount specials throughout the week.
The go karts are electric and are pretty fast (about 40 mph top speed). It's good they give you the practice laps because it takes a few to get the hang of taking a corner fast without spinning out. They have 2 tracks. I think the one we were one was the easier one, as the other one looked like it was more technical with more turns. After each race you get a printout with your stats and overall rankings.
There is an area with some video games, pool tables and an air hockey table too so you can play while you wait to race. All in all this is a great place to come for some quality go kart racing! Just beware, if you're looking for bumper cars, don't come here. They're pretty strict on bumping other cars!
have you ever been driving out on the road and felt the desire to put your right foot down and see how fast you can go?
or maybe you like the feeling of taking turns a little fast some times?
are you constantly being pulled over by police for speeding or aggressive driving?
have you ever found yourself in a bumper car at an amusement park and wish it'd go faster?
ever been to SpeedZone and rode the go-karts but wanted more of a thrill?
ever have a score to settle with a friend and could never figure out a fair way to challenge one another?
or do you have one of those friends with a rice rocket and think he/she is hot sh*t and you've always wanted to put them in their place?
is this review sounding like the beginning of an infomercial so far?
WELL K1 IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!!
seriously tho.... it is.
K1 has got to be the best thing ever conceived, designed and built since sliced bread.
never before has Mario Kart ever meant something more than just a cartoon character on a tv screen.
K1 is a decently large facility that houses an indoor gokart race track made to satisfy the kid in you. not only can you get your fix for the need for speed the legal way, or your long-lived life-sized Mario Kart reality, or maybe just wanting to come out of your shell.. but this place is majorly good for two things... getting your aggression out in a safe and healthy manner, and having TONS AND TONS of fun!!
the go-karts featured here are electrically driven go-karts capable of virtually instantaneous speed that can accelerate up to approximately 40mph. that's pretty darn fast if you think about it. SpeedZone's go-karts hover between 25-30mph and they use gas-powered engines which have an initial lag and slower take-off speeds. K1's go-karts are not only environmentally conscious, being electric karts, but they are super fun!! driving these things can be compared to getting that "gold star" on Mario Kart and driving like a bat outta hell.. nothing can get in your way!!
the facility is a pretty large facility.. and the race track itself takes up about 2/3rds of it. the facility has a "pro shop" where you can purchase additional gear (for the hardcore go-kart fanatics); they also have a snack bar along side a seating area complete with tv's and such. in addition to that.. they also have a couple conference/party rooms which can be reserved and rented for private occasions.
the track itself has a few different configurations. each day can be different.. it's pretty much up to K1 officials on how they run it. the Grand Prix track design is one giant track. from this they usually split it into two different tracks and run them simultaneously.. from that they can either run it clockwise or counterclockwise. the Grand Prix design is usually for "league" competitions or private events.
regardless.. whether you are new or old to go-karting, a race-nut or not, a safe driver or speed demon, young or old.. it doesn't matter. if you have a passion or desire for speed.. if you have always wanted to drive fast but wasn't sure or never had the guts to.. THIS IS THE PLACE!! it's PERFECT to learn and have fun!! it's actually easier than driving cause you don't have to worry about lane changes or cross-traffic or those pesky pedestrians.. you JUST DRIVE to your heart's content.. or your wallet's.. whichever comes first. and if you get good and comfortable.. you may just develop the courage and skills to drift the kart through the turns. (it's not that hard.. just pedal down and control your speed with the accelerator).
with friendly competitions setup by track officials.. there's a giant ranking board that shows your positions at all times along with the time.
the entire facility is really clean and well maintained. staff here are super cool and super friendly. if i remember correctly, you do need to show proof of driver's license. minors (under 18) need to be accompanied by a consenting adult and sign a liability waiver. they also prohibit DUI.. soo yea.. no drinking.
the good thing is.. they are open 7 days a week!! hours of operation are usually noon till night.
for first-timers.. bringing tons of friends and a camera is a must!! you are also REQUIRED to purchase a membership in the form of a "K1 Driver's License" which is like $5-6. prices for races are on the website.
the K1 facility provides all safety equipment. no fire suit needed here.. but they do give you a CLEAN/non-used balaclava (cloth face mask - like a robber would use in a liquor store hold-up).. and a racing helmet. i do however, recommend that you wear fitted clothes here.. nothing baggy or flow-y.. cause the go-karts are open-wheel karts and things like that may get dirty or burnt by the tires.. or worse, tangled up with you in it.
so GET OUT THERE and give it a shot.. guarantee you'll have fun!!
I HATE THIS PLACE!!
According the the race report/sheet, i am among the SLOWEST EVER at this place...goodness
Oh well, i know im the coolest cat in the house tho. I have my own shiny new helmet and have a swagger like i know whats up...then comes times to race.... :*(
In all honesty, i dont care how slow i am anymore, this place is a fun place to go with friends for a bit of competition and trash talking(too bad i never partake in that portion of the night).
Awwww g'yeah~~ K1 Speed FTMFW!!
This place is so much fun, I don't know where to begin! I came here last year with some friends and once for a company event. At first I thought it was a little expensive, but it is worth it especially if you go on the deal days. Asphalt track with electric carts are the way to go. Be sure to wear closed shoes (no open toe or slippers allowed), wear comfortable clothes (no skirts, tight jeans, etc) because you have to get in and out of the carts, and don't do your hair because it's gonna get messed up from the head sock and helmet.
The first time I went, the place was fairly new so the track and carts were really nice. They were much quicker than I expected and had pretty good handling. The second time, I went with my company and we did the competition style racing. My arms were killing me and sore the next couple days. It must have been a busy night or something because the track was more slippery than before, which ended up in excessive drifting and a couple of spinouts (weee~). Fun, but not the best when trying for the lowest lap time and the win. They served pizza (pepperoni, cheese, combo) and salad (green lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers), they were both surprisingly fresh and good.
We're going to have another company event this week and it's going to be at K1 Speed... YAY!! This time, I'm going to kick all my coworkers asses because I want to win that trophy! *drool* However, my boss is the current title holder, and he's really good, so if I want to keep my job I might have to settle for 2nd place.
The only frustrating thing is drivers who do not pay attention to the rules. Each flag signifies something (i.e. slow down, move over, speed up, etc) but some people just don't pay attention. Please... I beg you, follow the instructions and do as the referee says! That is all I ask. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation! Have a nice day!
Update: (lowering to 3 stars) Went back on 12/6/07 for our company event. We made reservations for the corporate special which included pizza, drinks, and 3 races. The staff at the front were very disorganized. We waited over an hour for our pizza, when it should've been ready when we got there. My boss inquired about the status and they said they put the order in on Tuesday. Trying to point the finger at the pizza place for not making it in time, the staff said it would be arriving in about 15 mins. Over 30 minutes pass, still no pizza. Turned out they didn't even order the pizza. And when we asked where they ordered the pizzas from, they said they didn't remember. Gimme a break!
Apparently, I drive like a grandpa.
You see, the big screen clearly showed that I was 5th or 6th. But it doesn't tell you that you already got lapped. Twice.
My results printout (which shows your rank throughout the race) was basically a flat line in the bottom of the chart.
:(
Good times though. Come on Mondays and Tuesday for the buy 2 get 1 free special!
If this is your first time here, go to the computer and fill out some info. They will then give you a little card and as you to sign your life away. One race is 14 laps and lasts about 7 minutes. You can buy 1 race or buy 3 races at once.
When it's your turn to race, they will announce it on the PA, so just listen. You'll get a little speech on what the color of the flags mean, get a head covering, get a helmet, and it's off to the races! The go carts are bouncy and I definitely braked too much. I think next time I race, I'm gonna just ease off the gas when I approach a turn instead of hitting the brakes.
The times for each lap is recorded for you and after the race is over, you can go to the counter and get a printout of how you did, what position you were in throughout the race, the times of each lap, your personal best, etc.
Plenty of parking in the lot.
This place is a blast. Only thing I wish they would do is run the guys and girls at different times. They don't allow bumping and a girl on the track is sure to slow you down so you have to knock them out of the way and get yelled at by the track guy.
This place ROCKS!!! I admit, it was a bit of a drive for the day, but completely worth it.
The Birthday boy loved it. They started off by telling us the rules... 1. being No Bumping. So for our first race, No Bumping...We raced with a group of all guys in their early 30s, this allowed us to all have a true race. But... once we got bumped and nothing happened. The next round... we warned everyone the Heat was on, Bumping included. You do get warned for bumping and they may slow you down, but it sure does add some excitement to the races.
A good recommendation is to bring some food, if you think you'll be hungry. They not only have the racing, but a couple pool tables and games. All and all, after a 1.75 hour drive we spent about 2 hours here and loved every minute.
I liked race track 2 the best, but Fabio liked track 1 (more turns / more skill). They have deals all the time ($50 for 3 races or 2 for 1)
I had fun even though they split me & my sister from the group. I like that they don't make you change completely into a jumpsuit, but you just wear a head sock & a helmet. I would definitely come back in a group & hopefully I won't get split up from everyone again.
Ahh the smell of burnt rubber. I am not sure if that was a good thing or not but it had to mean I was going fast right. That's what it's about here, speed speed speed.
It's an indoor place with 2 tracks that uses electric carts. The track is pretty sticky so you don't really spin out that much.
This place is pretty fun and I had a blast racing against other yelpers. Definitely a place to check out if you like racing and speed.
I used to be an avid fan of this place, until I realized that you don't really get all that much race time for what you pay. With arrive and drive, after all is said and done, getting into the kart, buckling in, getting last minute rule checks, you only get about 5-6 minutes of race time, at least it was so the last time I was there (multiply your lap time by the number of laps).
Also, the arrive and drive rules do leave a bit to be desired. Instead of being a placement race, it's all about fastest lap time, so your relative position is not really important. This is in contrast to the indoor facilities at Dromo in Orange, which give you a little bit more race time per dollar, while simultaneously using a truer race format for arrive and drive customers (first 6 laps are qualifying, then there's a grid restart, and then a final positional race).
Other than that, it's loads of fun, and the statistics at the end of each race are pretty good. K1 is a bit less noisy compared to Dromo, and it's easier for "newbies" to just dive in. But for those looking for a little bit more value in terms of minutes/dollar, and a little bit more sportiness, I'd recommend Dromo instead, when it comes to indoor karting anyway.
For those who love karting or just want to try something new, make sure you visit K1Speed on either Monday or Tuesday for their buy 2 races get 1 free special.
With that being said, you can expect high speed (up to 40mph) thrills on two tracks. Sliding may seem fun, which is what I used to do, but it's definitely not the best for low lap times. Just make sure you actually turn and not go straight into the walls -- saw two racers go *under* the barriers this past Saturday, due to them accelerating straight into the apex.
I've tried Dromo, but I prefer the track layouts at K1. The Anaheim location, with the single mega track, should be open next week. Owner gave me a walkthrough preview last week, and it's definitely worth the wait.
I love this place. You can't beat go-kart racing. I used to go here every week with some friends on Mondays and Tuesdays because they have a deal where you can buy "2 races get 1 for free" for $40. It got pretty pricey so we really don't do that anymore. Normally, one 14 lap race here is $20 dollars.
Anyway, if it's your first time here, you have to purchase a membership card for $5 dollars in addition to your racing fees. You also have to go through a quick tutorial about the flags and the warning signs. Pretty simple stuff, but I guess they have to do that stuff for safety reasons. I've also noticed, that they usually set your kart at a slower speed. I had a friend that used to work here and he said they usually set the girls at half-speed. That's pretty sexist, so if you're a girl you should tell them to let you race at the same speed as the other people in the race to get the full experience your first time there.
Unlike other go-kart places like dromo1, you don't have to wear a fully body suit. You only have to wear a head sock and a helmet. The karts themselves are electric, so you also don't have to deal with all the fumes. I heard from some people, these electric karts don't have as much "pick-up" as their gas counterparts, but I think they're plenty fast especially in the straightaways.
At the Irvine facility they have 2 tracks. Since I started going here about a year ago, they've changed the layouts for both tracks once. The first track is pretty technical with a couple sharp hairpins. You only really pick up speed until you get to the straightway in the front. Here's a tip: make sure you don't take that first turn at full speed because you're bound to spin out (I guarantee it). The second track, in my opinion, is more enjoyable because you can get more speed. It's still technical, just not as technical as the first one.
Also, every 2nd Sunday of the month, they have a super track challenge where they combine the 2 tracks. It's $75 dollars for a practice, qualifying, and final race. It's pricey, but I think if you like your first time here, you should definitely give it a shot.
One final tip, make sure you use your breaks! Slow down before the turns and put your foot on the peddle as you exit the turns. The less your kart's tires squeak the better :)
Electric over Gas carts any day! (aka dromoOne)
Instant throttle!
Place has two tracks, one with a long straight, and a second, super curvy track. 2nd track allows for more competition, but very little passing. After the races, you get a print out like the other places, with a graph of your times, best time, etc. (Also saved online)
Mondays, are 3 races for 40 bucks, and there is a 5 off coupon right now. You can save the races and use them anytime.
My only gripe; the surface of the track is not consistent!. Come on guys, you have the best formula, just improve the actual track and you won!
To open up to full disclosure, I had been waiting for this place to open since December of 2006.
I have been in regular attendance to the Irvine K1 facility since early February, 2007, and have been in love with it ever since. This was my first real exposure to "Real" Go-Karts - not your typical lawnmower engine, 2 strokers that you find at Boomers or other neighborhood arcade/amusement parks. Rather, these are 20hp electric engine powered go-karts with enough "oomph" in them to put you into a wall, or cause you to spin out if you don't pay attention to what you are doing or lack tight turning experience.
Pricing feels a tad expensive, at about $20 a race, but if you check the website for K1, you can find out about deals and promotions that you can use to knock the price down. Personally, I recommend the Monday or Tuesday night special - buy 2 races, get the 3rd one free.
The Irvine location has two tracks, a fairly easy 8 turn track with a long straightaway, and a more difficult/intermediate 9-10 turn track with 2 straightaways. While the extra 2 turns don't sound like much, the fact that a majority of the turns are 180 degree hairpin turns make it much more difficult. Average times for Track one are around 25-28 seconds, and average times for Track two are 21-25 seconds.
Safety if the priority concern of the staff. All riders are required to wear DOT approved racing helmets. You can either bring your own, or use one provided. Provided helmets also come with a headsock, to absorb sweat and keep hair out of the helmets - these may not be as easy to put on for our larger headed friends, just as a warning. All new racers to the facility are given a brief overview of all warning flags, signs, and the safety features of the karts.
The facility is available for rental for presentations, corporate events, birthdays, etc. One can also reserve tracks for full on racing against competitors, with Medals and awards at the end. These are premium events, and need to be arranged ahead of time with their business office.
I personally prefer this track to Dromo1, in that you have better grip here, as opposed to Dromo's slick surface, and you're not required to suit-up in a fire suit, and spectators are not subjected to a heavily A/C'd warehouse (to vent exhaust fumes). There are some complaints about the cars not being equal, which has some merit, but the same is true of virtually every race facility. Having raced there over 20 times, I can safely say that if you're complaining about your kart being slow, it's more likely that you're not driving it correctly rather than it being a slower kart.
Also keep in mind that since these are electric powered karts, your bodyweight does matter in how fast you can go. Again, there is a enough torque here to spin anyone, of any weight, out. However, the lighter you are, the faster your kart will be, compared to others.
Fun a little bit pricey but worth giving it a try :)
I love this place.
I've been there, twice. I've drove once. I got a pretty good time.
It's fun. You can bring a date there and just vroom around. . 14 laps = 20$. There's a lot of competition at this place and it's a great place for a birthday. They have birthday specials, where you can even win a trophy for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The karts go pretty fast on the slick tar, it's electric and the workers there, do sorta control your speed. There's no gas fumes like Dromo1.
