Frequently Asked Questions

Racing

Prices vary by location. To see the pricing at the location near you, please start by visiting our Location page.

K1 Speed’s 20-horsepower electric adult go karts can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour – the fastest in the industry. The Junior karts can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

All junior racers will need to be at least 48” (4’) tall to race on track. All teen/adult racers will need to be at least 58” (4’10”) to race our larger, faster go-karts.

IMPORTANT: Meeting the height requirement is not a guarantee you’ll be able to race our karts. Drivers will be measured at the location and must be able to safely operate all elements of the kart. Final approval will be at management’s discretion.

Adults and kids can not race on the track at the same time, unless the child meets the requirements for our Adult Karts. Otherwise, for a safer racing experience, Junior Karts and Adult Karts are never on track together.

There is no age requirement to race at K1 Speed, just a height requirement of at least 48″.

No, all karts at K1 Speed are single-seaters. If your child is not at least 48”, they will not be able to race on track. We do, however, have a small arcade to keep the little ones entertained.

Yes, K1 Speed offers a military discount. Discounts are available at the location for active-duty military, police, fire and EMS personnel. Qualified personnel receive $5 off a regularly priced one-race package with valid ID.

You will need to purchase an annual license if you are looking to race at K1 Speed as an Arrive & Drive racer. If you book a party, you and your guests will have the license requirement waived, however you will need to purchase one if you return for Arrive & Drive racing.

The K1 Speed Annual License is valid for one full year after purchase (e.g. if you purchase your license in March, it will remain active until March the following year). After the license has expired, you will need to purchase an additional one if you want to race, that will last for another 365 days.

If you don’t know when you last purchased your K1 Speed Annual License, a simple trip to your local K1 Speed is all you need to do. The cashier at the front desk will be able to pull up your information and let you know if your license is still active or expired.

The maximum weight for our adult karts is around 300lbs, and maximum height is around 6’7”. The junior karts have a maximum height of around 5’3” and can only accommodate children – sorry, no adults in Junior karts even if you meet the height requirement!

Check our video and blog that addresses this question!

No, you do not need a driver’s license to drive at K1 Speed. However, you will need to purchase a K1 Speed Annual License ($7.95 at most locations) if you don’t have already have one.

A reservation is not required to race at K1 Speed. However, for groups of 8 or more, reserving a group event is highly recommended as “Arrive and Drive” racing is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. To begin planning a group event please visit our Groups and Parties page.

All of the go-karts at K1 Speed are 100% electric. This means faster acceleration and no noxious fumes – a win-win situation!

Each location offers a unique track available only at that location, so there are some slight differences depending which K1 Speed you visit. However, the majority of our tracks are around a quarter of a mile in length.

K1 Speed is NOT like bumper cars. Our go-karts are much quicker, more responsive, and more expensive! That’s why we discourage any sort of contact with our karts out on the track. If we find someone intentionally bumping, they may be ejected from the race.

No prior experience is required to race at K1 Speed. All drivers will be briefed on track safety, rules, flag/sign meanings, and kart operation prior to their first race.

While racing has its inherent risks, K1 Speed takes every measure possible to ensure all customers enjoy an authentic racing experience in a safe environment. All go-karts are routinely checked and serviced, our PROTEX barriers are the safest in the industry, and any driver found to not be racing responsibly can either have their go-kart speed decreased remotely by a member of our track staff or can be ejected from competition to ensure the safety of others. Prior to each race, every driver is given a safety briefing that goes over track safety, rules, flag and sign meanings, and kart operation. In addition, each racer is required to wear a current DOT approved helmet with a full-face cover and equipped with a visor or goggles (provided for every racer).

Yes, you can wear your own helmet at K1 Speed as long as it is Department of Transportation (DOT) approved with a full-face cover and equipped with a visor or goggles.

All drivers must wear closed-toe shoes at K1 Speed. Sandals or any other open-toe shoes are not permitted on track and you will not be able to race. Loose-flowing garments such as dresses should not be worn. We recommend dressing casually in a shirt with pants/shorts. Shoes are required for all guests inside the locations. No bare feet allowed.

All you need to bring to K1 Speed is yourself, a form of payment, and the appropriate attire (see previous question). We’ll provide the headsock, helmet and kart!

All drivers under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian with them and the parent/guardian will need to sign our Minor Liability Waiver prior to them racing at K1 Speed. This waiver can be signed in-store.

The use of GoPros or other personal videos cameras while racing at our facility is prohibited, however you can rent Viewpoint video cameras at K1 Speed to record your races.

Wait times at K1 Speed can vary considerably based on location, time, day, and other factors. You’ll typically wait less during the week as opposed to the weekend. For an estimate on the current wait time, call your local K1 Speed directly.

It may be hard for K1 Speed to allow everyone in your group to race together during busier periods, as we will fill any vacant race positions with the next racers in the queue. However, during slower times you may always ask the front desk cashier to see if they can accommodate your request. If you have a group size of 8 or more, we recommend booking an event with us which will provide private racing for your group. Just note, Junior and Adult karts are never mixed on-track.

Yes! All K1 Speed locations typically have an arcade and some table-based games such as billiards or foosball to keep the action going while you’re off the track. Read out blog that details everything you can do at K1 Speed when not racing.

Yes! All domestic K1 Speed locations have either a Pit Café or Paddock Lounge that offers a selection of food and beverage options to recharge in-between races.

It usually takes around ten minutes to complete a race at K1 Speed, but it just depends on how fast the racers are going and whether or not there are any caution periods. So the time can vary.

Yes, K1 Speed serves alcohol at most of its locations. However, K1 Speed maintains a strict anti-drinking and driving policy at all of our locations. If you wish to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, you must do so only after you have finished racing for the day – not in-between races. BRINGING IN OUTSIDE ALCOHOL AND/OR DRINKING IN THE PARKING LOT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. If we have reason to believe you are under the influence, you will not be allowed to race on track.

Yes, typically all go-karts in a race will be similar in almost every way and are regularly maintained and serviced by our in-house mechanics. There are various power settings, however, so those who are more experienced at K1 Speed may have a slightly higher power setting than those first starting out.

The only way you can reserve a time at K1 Speed is by booking a Group Event. These require a minimum of 8 people.

K1RS is K1 Speed’s proprietary scoring system that is used at all of its locations worldwide. The system rewards points based on each racer’s performance and how often that racer races at K1 Speed. Here’s the specific breakdown of points rewarded, based on category:

Every racer starts at 1200 K1RS points at the beginning of the calendar year and receives points for the following:

2 – points for each race
2 – points for each racer you beat
2 – bonus points if you had the fastest lap in your race
2 – bonus points if you had the fastest lap average in your race

To check on the current K1RS Points Championship leaderboard, please visit our National Leaderboard.

Locations

K1 Speed has over 85 locations around the world and counting! To find the location that is nearest to you, visit our Locations page.

PLEASE NOTE: All Junior Races end by 8pm on Friday and Saturday. We often have full location buyouts. Please check our Closure page to verify the location is not closed due to a rental.

Admission to K1 Speed is free if you’re looking to just spectate. Of course, there is a cost for the karting, food/beverages, merchandise, arcade games, pool tables, etc.

Yes, K1 Speed has franchise opportunities internationally. For more information, please visit our Franchise page.

Events

You need a minimum of 8 people to book an event at K1 Speed. You can always race with less, but you will need to pay for at least the minimum quantity required.

There is no cost to simply come and spectate at K1 Speed. Only if you want to go on track will you have to pay. We encourage as many guests as you’d like to come and watch!

Group Events provide many benefits at K1 Speed over the Arrive & Drive option including: a reserved time, private racing for your group, awards for the top three finishers of the final race, and a race for position rather than time – plus other bonuses!

Yes, you absolutely can buyout an entire K1 Speed for your event! Inquire with our Group Sales department for more information about pricing and availability.

Yes, there are meeting rooms at K1 Speed! Every domestic location features at least one meeting space that can accommodate parties, special occasions, and company events. Browse each location to see the available meeting space(s).

At this time, K1 Speed is unable to provide live reservations online. However, if you complete our online Booking Form, a Group Sales representative will be in touch to let you know if your preferred time and date is available.

Prices vary by location and time of week. For more information, please visit the page of the location you wish to visit, or contact our Group Sales department by filling out our Booking Inquiry form.

The price of a group event is typically slightly higher per person than our Arrive & Drive pricing, but that’s because you receive a VIP experience when you choose to do an event with us. It starts with a reserved time and date, so you don’t need to worry about an excessive wait time – you will start racing precisely at that time you’re scheduled. Your racing is also private for your group – you’re not mixed in with the general public out on track, just you and your buddies!
Then the racing format is different as well. Instead of the time trial-style format that you get with A&D, when you do a group event, you get a miniature pro-race weekend format with a qualifying race, and an actual race where you’re ranked by position on track, not lap time. At the end of the race, we even throw a podium ceremony where the top three receive medals or trophies depending on the package you go with. The Annual License fee is also waived for the day. You really get a lot more for your money with a group event!

Gift Cards

Gift cards can be used at all K1 Speed centers nationwide EXCEPT Myrtle Beach.

No, K1 Speed Gift Cards never expire!

At K1 Speed, we offer both physical Gift Cards shipped out via USPS or e-Gift Cards that can be emailed to you. Just select your preferred method when checking out. e-Gift Cards take up to 24 hours for activation, while physical Gift Cards require 1-3 business days for processing, and up to 5-7 days for shipping.

We now have a place where you can enter your recipient’s name and address! This way you don’t have to do any more work after you’ve made your purchase.

K1 Speed will email each card separately to your address. For example, if you purchased three e-Gift Cards, you will receive three emails – one email for each e-Gift Card purchased.

Any K1 Speed location can check your Gift Card balance – simply give them a call and the cashier at the front desk can help assist you.

Email your refund request to refunds@k1speed.com and someone will get back in touch with you.