Just about anyone who was a motor-minded kid remembers the first time they saw go-kart racing. Whether it was on a track with expertly designed vehicles or in the street with a low-to-the-ground contraption powered by a lawnmower engine, the image becomes forever implanted and the desire to race go-karts becomes a plausible need-for-speed option in the years before one becomes drivers’ license age. Even after getting a license, the fantasy of that ultimate go-kart ride doesn’t just fade away. At Pole Position Raceway, it becomes reality.
It doesn’t take more than a few circumventions around one of the indoor tracks that Pole Position Raceway provides at its two Las Vegas locations to get hooked. The state-of-the-art electric Formula EK20 adult karts are capable of speeds up to 45 mph but are easy to control as long as drivers meet the 48-inch minimum height requirement. The karts accelerate smoothly right out of the gate, allowing “karters” to immediately gain speed on the brief straight-away leading into twists and turns that become easier to handle with every lap. It’s a highly satisfying fix for adrenaline junkies, and leaves drivers breathless once the checkered flag waves them in.
Pole Position’s motto is “Built for racers, by racers,” and the quality standards testify to the integrity of that statement. The facility just west of the Strip off of Flamingo Road is beautiful inside and out, with a spacious track area dominated by the yellow-and-black color scheme of the racing barriers. The numbered red-and-black karts gleam beneath the lights as they wait for the next racers to take them on fumeless rides that are easy on the ears thanks to non-combustible electric power.
Millions of dollars went into the design and construction of both track and karts, with co-founders Jason Williams and Ken Faught opening several locations before they teamed with current company chief operating officer Brad Mark to apply the lessons from those venues to their Vegas raceways.They also enlisted celebrities like Nascar driver Kurt Busch and pit correspondent Jamie Little to help out with pre-racing information and orientation videos.
Up to 13 drivers can race at the same time inside the South Arville Street location near the Strip, while the Summerlin location can accommodate up to 10. Parties, corporate groups and special races are offered, as well as a sizable selection of arcade games dominated by racing simulators. Staff members are highly personable and well trained in helping guests feel comfortable in order to maximize having a good time.
All that matters when you get behind the wheel is momentum though, and the EK20s provide that in the smoothest way possible. Pole Position provides driver stats via a SpeedSheet with results for rankings, times and driving skills. The Las Vegas locations also have hand-controlled karts for disabled racers. Go-kart racing has evolved into go-kart culture, and there is no better place to start than the electric indoor karting offered by Pole Position Raceway.
4175 S. Arville St., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat., races start at $18, 702.227.7223, 7350 Prairie Falcon Road, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun., 1-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat., races start at $18, 702.227.7223
