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Activities / Children / Events

A Guide to Denver’s Go-kart Tracks

If traffic jams and high gas prices have made driving more like work and less like fun, maybe you need a little time behind the wheel where fun is the only object.

A go-kart track could be just the ticket — and not that kind of ticket.

The Denver area offers go-kart tracks for all tastes, from gasoline racers that blaze up to 120 mph to bunny-slope electric karts that are more like a walk in the park.

On a gorgeous early-spring Sunday afternoon at Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster, the crowd was sparse — a far cry from what the track will look like when it gets up to speed in warmer months, said attendant Derrick Rivas, who was starting his second season there. The cars were lined up and waiting, neat and shiny and covered in logos ranging from NAPA and Goodyear to M&M’s and Target.

A few of the local facilities are part of entertainment complexes; others are dedicated tracks.

Here’s a look.

1. IMI Motorsports Complex

This one-mile road course features karts for ages 5 and up, said general manager Bobby Sanchez. It’s designed for faster gas-powered karts, with banked corners, longer straightaways and easier turns.

The track has 17 karts, and allows up to 10 people at a time on the track. Full racing suits are required and are provided with rentals. There’s also a required briefing session before you can drive.

A concession stand and picnic tables are available. Open daily, weather permitting. 5074 Summit Blvd., Dacono (Exit 232 north of Denver on Interstate 25). 303-833-4949 or imimotorsports.com

2. Boondocks Fun Center

Boondocks offers electric and gas go-karts, the more powerful gasoline models for the older drivers. The fun starts for “junior racers” who stand at least 36 inches tall and goes up from there to a total of three categories, each of which has a dedicated track. The biggest is a quarter-mile long; all offer straightaways, turns and curves.

The center’s other attractions include laser tag, a large video arcade, miniature golf, bumper boats, a batting cage, a three-story play structure and a full-service restaurant, said general manager Casey Lee. Open daily, weather permitting. 11425 Community Center Drive, Northglenn. 720-977-8000 or boondocks.info

3. Adventure Golf and Raceway

This operation, part of Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District, offers a twist: In addition to the 900-foot figure-eight track for electric karts, thrill seekers can test themselves on two side-by-side dragsters powered by bungee cords — that’s right, bungee cords.

The alternative-powered racers go forward with a thrust three times the force of gravity and return with a force twice that of gravity, said site spokeswoman Joann Gomez. There are 30 conventional electric go-karts, six of which are two-seaters.

The site also offers miniature golf, a party area and a ’50s-style burger and pizza restaurant, Gomez said. Open daily, weather permitting. 9650 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster. 303- 650-7587 or adventuregolfandraceway.com

4. Heritage Square Amusement Park

Heritage Square provides three tracks for different ages, starting with kids ages 4 to 7 (technically, at least 42 inches tall). The youngest kids’ karts are electric, while the karts for older kids and adults are gas-powered, said general manager Randy Nederman. Two-seaters are available for more mature drivers with buddies.

When the track changes to daily operation on Memorial Day, a new set of higher-powered cars will be added. Other amenities include a full-service restaurant plus ice cream and concession stands, an alpine slide, bumper and paddleboats, miniature golf, amusement park rides and dinner theater in the long-standing Music Hall. Open Saturdays and Sundays, then daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden. 303-727-8437, 303parties.com or heritage squareamusementpark.com

5. Action Karting

This track, on the property of Bandimere Speedway, is for serious go-kart drivers and others who want an idea of what serious kart driving is like. The 0.7-mile asphalt course features more than 17 corners and curves for gas-powered driving, said the owners, J.B. and Ann-Louise Olmstead.

The track is open to drivers ages 8 and up on weekends and holidays, and there’s a special program for 5- to 7-year-olds on weekdays. Action Karting requires that guests attend a safety seminar. Racing suits are provided. Karts for adults can go up to 55 mph, while the kids’ karts top out at 18. Open daily, weather permitting; closed Mondays beginning in November. 3051 S. Rooney Road, Morrison. 303-781-4483 or actionkarting.net

6. Fun City Family Entertainment

Formerly known as Mr. Biggs of Littleton, this track is indoors on a former roller- skating rink. There are about a dozen electric cars, which might be quieter — if a go-kart track could be quiet.

Usually no more than five or six people are on the track at a time, said Rio Henson, who’s in charge of guest services. Minimum height is 48 inches.

Other services include a three-story ball pit, a playground, laser tag, miniature golf and The Twister, an amusement park ride. Snacks, including hot dogs, are available. Open daily. 9670 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton. 303-972-4344 or funcitycolorado.com

7. The Track at Centennial

This track offers high-speed, gas-powered karts for everything from high-performance racing to soccer moms looking for thrills. Drivers are ages 12 and older, but appointments can be made for drivers as young as 5, said owner Jim Keesling.

The 0.8-mile track offers 22 turns and 24 feet of elevation change. Racing suits are provided, but jeans and closed-toe shoes can be worn. A safety briefing is required.

Vending machines are available, and meals can be arranged for large parties. Open daily except Mondays, weather permitting. 13600 Eaglerock Road (South Potomac Street and East Otero Avenue), Englewood. 303-706-9300 or thetrack.us

8. SpeedRaceway

This indoor track celebrates its grand opening May 1. The quarter-mile course uses movable barriers, so the configuration can change from a figure eight to various patterns of turns and straightaways, said spokeswoman Laurie Anderson. Top speed is 50 mph, though that’s reduced for youngsters. Helmets are provided, and closed-toe shoes are required. A full concession stand is available. The recreational course is designed to attract all ages, with 48 inches in height the minimum. Open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas; 8532 Concord Center Drive, Centennial; 866-865-7223; speedraceway.com

-Michael Rudeen

Mile High Mamas
Author: Mile High Mamas

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3 Comments

  1. #1, IMI is where my husband had his accident last summer.

    http://bit.ly/acuVIx

    Be aware that the emergency personnel were very well-acquainted with the track, which offered (at the time, anyway) only a cursory “required briefing session.” IMI showed no concern for my husband, but was fully able to collect on the firesuit that was ruined.

    In addition, IMI left a comment (marked as spam) on a YouTube video of the crash aftermath, falsely claiming that alcohol was involved.

    This was a non-drinking group.

    Not safe track. Not nice people.

  2. fantastic idea

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