It’s a whole new world on and off the Las vegas strip, and Pole Position Raceway, purveyor of some of the fastest go-karts you’ll ever drive, is constantly aware of that, putting in place several measures to make your next trip here as safe as it is exhilarating.
As long as you’re at least 48 inches tall, prepare yourself for an afternoon of some of the most fun you’ll have indoors. Each of the facility’s go-karts is powered by an 18-horsepower electric motor, allowing top speeds of 45 miles per hour. These karts’ fat, F1-inspired performance radials seriously grip the floor, and your control on turns is second to none thanks to hydraulic brakes maintained to the highest standards. As fun as it is to race against others, it’s also a blast to view the action from the sidelines, where you can play arcade games and a game of four-way air hockey.
But with the changing times come changing circumstances. It is highly recommended that you book your trip to Pole Position in advance—only 20 people are allowed inside the 60,000-square-foot building every half hour. Walk-in customers are accepted only within the maximum number of racers per half-hour time slot.
Safety precautions include sanitizing every kart and every helmet between each race, not to mention hand sanitizing stations as you enter and throughout the facility. All riders receive individual head socks upon check-in, and food service is suspended until further notice.
But the fun factor here is not dampened by the heightened sense of security. After all, it’s just you and your kart—and with a helmet and sock on your head, social distancing is a breeze.
If you’re new to the Pole Position experience, you are in for a serious treat. Once you get your helmet on, you’re led to your kart and strapped in. When the race first starts, everyone begins at a preset speed thanks to supervisors with radio controls—and you might for a second think this is as fast as it gets. But fear not; within seconds, the presets are removed and you suddenly feel a blast of g’s. We dare you not to scream “woo-hoo!” when this happens (or some variation of that).
But then you begin actually racing your competitors, and adrenaline takes over. You focus your laser beams on the car in front of you—you’ll do anything to pass them. But be careful; if you cause anyone to spin or turn their car into an obstacle, the entire race team gets slowed down until the kart is back on track. The key here is a careful balance of speed and accuracy. With enough practice, you’ll be overtaking racers in no time.
Once the black-and-yellow-striped railing starts whirring by, the appeal of racing automobiles around a track becomes immediately apparent. It’s addicting, adrenalizing and anxiety-proof, thanks to the safety considerations built into the design. But that won’t be necessary for you. You’re a speed demon with lightning-fast reflexes. You’re light years beyond customized lawn mowers. You’re a karter, and Pole Position has your raceway.
Races start at $25, 4175 S. Arville St., pre-booking strongly encouraged. Specials include two-hour all-you-can-drive for locals and 40 percent off individual racing. 702.227.7223
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