Karting is the world’s most popular and simplistic form of auto racing, providing a relaxing or competitive activity at a reasonable budget for youths to grandfathers.
A trip to the track on an “arrive and drive” rental basis can be a terrific family activity. Individually, it’s a good way to blow off steam.
Club racers take it to another level by buying karts, thus paying only for track time, and challenging themselves against their peers. Karting is recognized as the first step to becoming a professional in any of today’s elite-level auto racing circuits.
Though karting differs from car racing in that karts don’t have springs and shocks to enhance chassis performance, the same driving disciplines apply.
“Eighty percent of this whole game is the driver,” said Jim Kees-ling, owner of The Track at Centennial, a 0.8-mile, 22-turn road course built in 2005. “Fifteen percent of it is chassis setup (tire pressure, wheel stance and distributed weight), and the last 5 percent is the condition of the motor.”
Keesling’s facility, located just south of the Broncos’ headquarters, is the finest facility of its kind in the Denver area. A handful of other Colorado tracks offer similar entertainment, including Action Karting in Morrison, IMI Motorsports Complex in Erie and Grand Junction Motor Speedway.
Keesling’s public rental karts cost $35 for 10 minutes, and includes all protective gear (helmet, fire suit, gloves) and introduction for newcomers. Club racers pay $30 for an hour and typically reserve the track as a group. An experienced driver can reach 60 mph on the straightaway with a 13-horsepower rental, and club racers with shifter karts can get up to 90 mph.
Like most facilities, The Track at Centennial is open year-round when the temperature tops 40 degrees and the track is dry. Children must be at least 12 years old and 60 inches tall to use rental karts, but smaller vehicles are available to private owners.
Other tracks offer karts to younger drivers.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Introduction to the driver’s seat: Ride this way
Here’s a list of popular outdoor karting tracks in Colorado:
Action Karting, Morrison
303-781-4483
Aspen Motorsports Park
970-923-0713
CRE Motorsports, Calhan
719-749-9840
Grand Junction Motor Speedway
970-256-0107
IMI Motorsports Complex, Erie
303-833-4949
The Track at Centennial, Englewood
303-706-9300
