Individually, or through a small group, purchase a suitable 8-12 acre. plot. Build a paved parking lot. Somewhere around 2/3 of the lot will be empty for a course layout. That layout could change year to year. The perimeter of that track area is fenced off, and a bunch of storage units installed. These will serve as rentable pit areas and storage for track-operations. One will be a concessions area (with serving door cut in side.) Install bleachers ABOVE the storage units.
Track configurations will be outlined with cones and Scribner-type plastic barriers. Ideally, enough of these locations will exist that they can opt to make the same layouts and compete with time-attack runs throughout the year via practice daysā¦
Site will be positioned in or near industrial parks or airports so noise isnāt a concern.
Track length ~0.8 mi. (closer to kartingās original tracks rather than country-club layouts)
Club or org running the track will have a spec racing class for noobs and budget racers (Think: Ignite or equivalent) with karts stored at the track in one unit. ALL classes MUST use medium or harder tires for asphalt longevity.
Financing will be obtained for mixed-use, but with the benefit that it could be all converted to storage units if the karting business foldedā¦ (Banks like viable alternative plans, I presume.)
What am I not thinking of? What do you think of the concept?
Yes, I realize variable natural terrain is more āfunā but Iām prioritizing access and logistics and operationsā¦
Figure out the costs on that. That is a few million dollar project between land acquisition, site work, paving, buildings, etc. The concessions area would be even more expensive with kitchen items and permits. It would be a fun exercise to go through the real numbers on this for people to see. I think everyone will be surprised at where they come in before you even get to operating costs.
I think the finding property that allows for the noise level of karting would be an issue. One of the reasons current karting/racing facilities are closing.
What is the Franchise offering? If someone is paying a fee to purchase a franchise, and likely a percentage of sales, I would imagine there is some level of support/startup provided.
The āFranchiseā here is somewhat of a misnomer. What I have in mind is the initial investment being done by a consortium of people who genuinely care about the sport, and the āfranchiseeā gets a local group (club?) to ābuy-inā and then it becomes a lease-to-own up to 49% ownership. At that point, the consortium retains controlling interest and ultimate ownership, but the operational āprofitā and such go to the club. The point is NOT to be a strictly for-profit operation. The point is to preseve the existence of the sport and establish commonality between regions.
Noise mitigation would help, but is primarily why Iād put it near airports and business (think industrial) parks. Noise wont be an issue thereā¦
I will do a budgeting exercise here for those interested.
I was thinking along those lines too. Locally, the SCCA clubs are using either unused airport runways or abandoned military runways. I suppose the only concern with all of these ideas is the condition or smoothness of the surface.
As an idea, I think itās not a terrible one. I think youād struggle to find enough consortium members who have the passion for the sport combined with the financial backing to come together with enough moolah to get going.
Which leads you towards the seeking investors route - then you need to consider most investors want to know two things at the outset - whatās the ask (how much money theyāre being asked to put in) and when do they get it back, which typically needs to be within 2-3 years and minimum 10x return on their investment - which is difficulty to achieve in a kart center. An investor cum passionate karters consortium wonāt work - two sides wanting different things always ends in trouble but maybe terms and conditions could be tailored to appease both sides
Def worth a bit more number crunching though Iād say.
BDC Canada is a good resource for business plan and financial templates, if you want to crunch some numbers seriously.
Locally to me Autocross has had difficulty getting insurance. I think the acquisition of loan and insurance would guide the possibility. There was a club that ran karts at Baseball stadium, it was rough on karts though.
When I first moved to NC, before Trackhouse Motorplex existed, there was a group running karts at the parking lot of Rockingham Speedwayā¦hot, no shade, no amenities, but it was a place to raceā¦
I predict this setup would work, and could be built in stagesā¦ parking lotā¦.containersā¦ niceties.
And worst case, could be sold for semi-trailer storage and container storage. Iāll see what local rates are.
The benefit of an existing lot would be the chance to use a 1ā micropave topcoat and save money. There are plenty of abandoned industrial sites that might be options. (At least around meā¦)
I live relatively close to a big name national track, and I would like to collaborate with them for a ākarting campā Imagine the parents drop off the kids for a week or 2, adults/teens burn a week of vacation from work and spend it at the track with national drivers where you start from the very beginning (what the flags mean, how to find the racing line) etc.. all the way up to intermediate/advanced driving techniques. Taught by real proās. Just like any other camp would be. I canāt believe that this doesnāt already exist. I feel like it would be an amazing way to get up to speed 10x faster!
Ted pls come to indonesia. We only have 1 kart track nationwide. That is safe for pro karting. Rentals have lots. Hahahahahaha i need investors to make new track. Permits n whatnot is easy.
Make karts slide againā¦
