OklaCity_75
05-09-2006, 10:41 AM
Go-kart indoor track comes to starting line
By Ja'Rena Lunsford
The Oklahoman
The sounds of engines revving as helmet-clad drivers wind a curvy course soon will be a regular occurrence in Oklahoma City when an 80,000-square-foot indoor go-kart facility opens.
Corona, Calif.-based Pole Position Raceway Inc. is converting the building that once housed Big Kmart and Builders Square at 2905 NW 36 into a haven for those who love speed.
"We've looked at a bunch of cities around the U.S. and (Oklahoma City) is great; it just seems primed," said Ken Faught, president and co-founder of Pole Position Raceway. Faught and his business partner, Jason Williams, opened the company's first track in September 2005.
The Oklahoma City location is scheduled to open in late August, allowing racers to do 16 laps for about $20.
The site will be equipped with 75 electric go-karts, two race tracks, video games, a snack bar and a 900-square-foot conference room with audio/visual capabilities.
Although kids love go-karts, Faught said Pole Position Raceway is a favorite spot for adults as well. He said the indoor track works for corporate events.
"The one nice thing is everybody inside your office knows how to drive, unlike (playing) golf," Faught said.
The project is worth more than $1 million, he said.
"It's a chunk of change to be able to do that," Faught said.
Pole Position Raceway plans to employ 60 people in Oklahoma City.
Serge Diehl, owner of Diehl Construction, said the project is first class. Diehl said he hired two additional people to work on the project.
"It's been a very good impact for us," Diehl said. "It's bringing jobs to the city."
Although indoor tracks are rare in Oklahoma, Faught said the sport's popularity is increasing across the country. However, it still hasn't reached the caliber of
Europe, which has more than 900 tracks compared to the United State's 58. He said he expects the United States to have 70 tracks by the end of the year.
Faught, former editor of Dirt Rider magazine, is a three-time land speed record holder at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats.
Celebrity racer Mike Metzger, who recently broke the record for the longest motorcycle backflip when he cleared the fountains at Caesars Palace, will make an appearance at the new facility, Faught said. He said Metzger is a company shareholder.
Pole Position Raceway is not turning off its engine in Oklahoma City. Faught said the company is looking at other areas to expand.
By Ja'Rena Lunsford
The Oklahoman
The sounds of engines revving as helmet-clad drivers wind a curvy course soon will be a regular occurrence in Oklahoma City when an 80,000-square-foot indoor go-kart facility opens.
Corona, Calif.-based Pole Position Raceway Inc. is converting the building that once housed Big Kmart and Builders Square at 2905 NW 36 into a haven for those who love speed.
"We've looked at a bunch of cities around the U.S. and (Oklahoma City) is great; it just seems primed," said Ken Faught, president and co-founder of Pole Position Raceway. Faught and his business partner, Jason Williams, opened the company's first track in September 2005.
The Oklahoma City location is scheduled to open in late August, allowing racers to do 16 laps for about $20.
The site will be equipped with 75 electric go-karts, two race tracks, video games, a snack bar and a 900-square-foot conference room with audio/visual capabilities.
Although kids love go-karts, Faught said Pole Position Raceway is a favorite spot for adults as well. He said the indoor track works for corporate events.
"The one nice thing is everybody inside your office knows how to drive, unlike (playing) golf," Faught said.
The project is worth more than $1 million, he said.
"It's a chunk of change to be able to do that," Faught said.
Pole Position Raceway plans to employ 60 people in Oklahoma City.
Serge Diehl, owner of Diehl Construction, said the project is first class. Diehl said he hired two additional people to work on the project.
"It's been a very good impact for us," Diehl said. "It's bringing jobs to the city."
Although indoor tracks are rare in Oklahoma, Faught said the sport's popularity is increasing across the country. However, it still hasn't reached the caliber of
Europe, which has more than 900 tracks compared to the United State's 58. He said he expects the United States to have 70 tracks by the end of the year.
Faught, former editor of Dirt Rider magazine, is a three-time land speed record holder at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats.
Celebrity racer Mike Metzger, who recently broke the record for the longest motorcycle backflip when he cleared the fountains at Caesars Palace, will make an appearance at the new facility, Faught said. He said Metzger is a company shareholder.
Pole Position Raceway is not turning off its engine in Oklahoma City. Faught said the company is looking at other areas to expand.