Indoor Go Kart Racing: Is it the same as outdoor tracks?

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, an indoor go-kart racing track is one of my favorite places to go. If you are following this blog from the very beginning, you will probably read about my experience in the Affi Indoor Kart track in Italy, which is where this blog started.

In short, indoor go-kart racing tracks are the same as outdoor except they are more technical than outdoor tracks (more tight corners, less long straights), the track surface is also different, with indoor tracks being smoother and more slippery in many cases. Indoor karting is a great experience for anyone.

There are some key differences between indoor and outdoor karting, and it’s important to know about these especially if you’re planning on racing in the future. If you understand the differences between indoor and outdoor karting, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect when you go to the different tracks.

How fast does an indoor go-kart go?

Indoor go-karts are often the same as outdoor rental karts. This means that they are 4-stroke karts that are around 50cc. These karts can go up to 35 miles per hour on a long straight, but they usually accelerate slowly.

Indoor karts are designed for fun, which means that they lack the speed that you would expect from a racing kart. They are also tuned for safety rather than speed because of the tight and twisty nature of indoor tracks.

It’s difficult to pick up a lot of speed on an indoor track because they have short straights and several corners, which means you will spend more time cornering and accelerating than hitting the kart’s top end speed.

Differences between indoor and outdoor karting

There are some big differences between indoor and outdoor karting. It’s important to understand these differences whether you’re going from outdoor karting to indoor, or vice versa. If it’s your first time karting, it’s still a good idea to understand the differences between these two types of circuits because it could come in handy in the future.

The first difference between indoor and outdoor karting is, of course, that the indoor circuit is not exposed to the elements. There will always be a consistent temperature and track conditions, which means that you almost always know what to expect on the track. You don;t need to change your racing line depending on the weather conditions.

Outdoor circuits have fluctuating temperatures (especially with the sun beaming down on the track) that affect your grip out on track. You might also have some wind that affects how the kart handles through corners. Finally, there could also be some rain, which will require you to change your braking points and racing line to find some more grip.

Indoor race tracks have a different track surface compared to outdoor circuits. This concrete surface is relatively slippery because it has a much smoother surface compared to tarmac. This means that you will be sliding and fighting the kart much more on an indoor circuit compared to an outdoor circuit.

Indoor karting circuits are usually much shorter than outdoor circuits too. This is because indoor circuits usually need to fit into smaller spaces such as parking lots and inside buildings. You’ll have shorter straights and more tight corners on an indoor circuit, which means that you don’t get a lot of time to rest, and you need to stay focused on the track ahead of you at all times.

These tight and twisty corners with short straights, and the narrow track also makes it much more difficult to overtake. Indoor circuits are a good place to practise your overtaking in close quarters, but you might struggle to find overtaking opportunities, especially if you’re up against experienced drivers.

One big factor to consider is that professional races are almost always held on outdoor circuits. This means that if you’re planning on racing professionally (such as in an official FIA event), you will need to get used to racing on an outdoor circuit rather than an indoor circuit.

Where is the world’s largest indoor go-kart track?

The world’s largest indoor karting track is at Supercharged Entertainment in Edison, New Jersey, USA. The entertainment complex opened in December 2022 and features the largest indoor karting circuit in the world with some of the latest and greatest technology. This is definitely a circuit that I would love to visit in the future.

The indoor circuit features multiple levels, allowing drivers to move up and down as they race around the track. The indoor area is also temperature controlled, allowing the karts to run in perfect conditions at all times. It also means that you won’t be struggling with cold or overheating tires, because the temperature is always set at the ideal range for karting.

The entertainment complex features two indoor circuits that have been uniquely designed and allows drivers to choose which layout they prefer. The two circuits can also be combined into one “supertrack” that is 80,000 square feet large. It’s one of the biggest attractions for karting drivers all around the world!

Where do I find indoor go-kart tracks?

Finding indoor karting tracks is usually quite easy. These karting tracks need to market themselves a lot to attract customers. You can do a quick Google search to find karting circuits near you. Most of the time the circuits that show up on Google will be indoor karting circuits.

You can also try to check your Facebook and look for any attractions in your local area. Go-karting is usually a great hobby or party attraction, and advertising on Facebook is one of the best ways for indoor karting circuits to bring in new customers.

Indoor karting circuits are often found at shopping centres, which is another easy way to find an indoor karting circuit near you. The best place to find these is in a major city where the circuit would attract plenty of customers.

Conclusion

Indoor karting is one of the most popular forms of karting out there. There are some important differences between indoor and outdoor karting, and it’s important to keep these differences in mind when you head to the track. Indoor karting is extremely fun, and you can often find these tracks at shopping centres or warehouses in big cities. A quick Google search should bring up some of the best indoor karting circuits in your local area.