PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Even if you’ve never dreamed of competing in the Indy 500, you’ll love the exhilaration of racing your own kart around the indoor track at Miramar Speed Circuit. I’m no speed demon out on the roads (how quickly do I really need to get to the grocery store?), but those little karts bring out the Dale Earnhardt in me.

My family has made a tradition of racing at Miramar Speed Circuit for the past few years around Christmastime and everyone enjoys it. We’ve battled relatives from my 70-year old uncle to our then-6-year old son. The competition can be fierce (my husband and brothers are a wee bit aggressive on the track), but the track marshals keep a close eye on the drivers to ensure that no bumping occurs and that everyone stays safe.

Before you can drive, you are given a safety briefing and an explanation of how the karts work. After you pick out a helmet and neck guard, it’s race time! I don’t know much about go-karts (or racecars, for that matter), but these little karts are so freaking fast! You can get up to 40 mph on the straightaways and then zip and skid around the hairpin turns of the technical asphalt track. The karts turn on a dime and are much easier to drive than one might think. After a 10-minute race, each driver is given a lap time report that tells their overall race time and how he or she placed against the other drivers. Let the gloating begin!

Junior karts are available for kids who are under age 12 and at least 48” tall. Drivers of the adult carts must be at least 54” tall. All drivers must wear closed-toe shoes.

Regular admission is $23. Discounted rates are available for members ($60/year) and for groups. Tuesday nights are 2-for-1 race nights and there is a lunch special Monday-Friday.