As a teenager, I enjoyed go cart racing at a few tracks. As an Adult, I graduated onto Malibu Grand Prix where I competed against family members. Then I experienced GoKart Racer in Burlingame. While there were similarities to Malibu Grand Prix, nothing compares to actually racing against others on the track.
To race at GoKart Racer you’ll need a driver’s license from the department of motor vehicles; however, on weekends, Go Kart Racer has a racing school for teens 12-17 years. Classes are 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. All in all, it’s a great teen outing. Learning…Adrenalin rush…physical activity…team building and it’s just plain fun! It beats a video game many times over!
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During the class teens are instructed on the following:
15-20 minutes of classroom instruction on GoKart operation, safety flags and rules.
The remainder of class spent on track in the GoKarts practicing. The class concludes with a complete practice session with timing sheet.
Once you’ve completed the Junior Driving School, you’re free to race during normal track hours.
When you arrive at GoKart Racer, the first you’ll need to fill out some paperwork and get your GoKart Racer license and racing hood (this is yours to take home and bring back with your every time you race). Then you choose which way you’d prefer to race. You can select to go onto a track competing against others or by yourself during what they call a practice session. Once you’ve made your decision, you’re assigned a race track and time.
They have two courses: Yokohama and Monza. The courses can be very physically demanding as you’re frequently negotiating tight corners. The Yokohama course can be faster; however, it doesn’t have the sneaky small hill like the Monza course. The small hill is positioned just around a tight corner to force competitors to negotiate it just right in order to have enough momentum to make it over the hill.
Next you’re off to the locker room to suit up in a racing suit. They even provide lockers (are there locks?) for your mobile phone, purse, etc. Then you’re off to the holding area. When your name is called it’s off to a classroom where you watch a brief video on the dos and don’ts involving the GoKarts, course, racing flags and safety.
After the class, you head into the racing area, select a helmet and work your way to your GoKart. You slide into your GoKart, fasten your seat belt and you’re off! If you’ve chosen a practice session, you compete for the best overall time. Competition against others can be somewhat fierce even though the prohibit contact between cars. If you are too aggressive, a race official may wave a black flag and force you to pull off into the pits and lecture you regarding safety.
While most of the clientel at GoKart Racer are corporate groups during the week, there's plenty of race time available for families. Due to their popularity, GoKart Racer is adding another location in the East Bay the near future.
All in all, it’s a great teen outing. Learning…Adrenalin rush…physical activity…team building and it’s just fun! It beats a video game many times over!
Therefore, GoKart Racer gets my checkered flag as Best of Bay Area's Fall Teen Adventure!
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GoKart Racer 1541 Adrian Rd. Burlingame, CA 94010 650.692.RACE Web: www.GoKartRacer.com
