Best Go-Karting in Iowa

**Cycsk** · 05-08-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by cowboycurtis

We did the karts in Knoxville last summer and they let us get away with some pretty serious bumping.

Was this at Slideways?

Their cars look fun (big tires), but the track looks like a simple oval. Is it mostly about managing your slides on the ends of the oval to pass?

**isufbcurt** · 05-08-2012, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

Was this at Slideways?

The Slideways cars are pretty fast (not as fast as the ones at the indoor place that used to be in Ames though) and they will let you bang a little.

The best time to go to slideways is when one of the Knoxville Nationals races (whether it be 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints or the Late Models) are going on because chances are you will have a couple drivers over there during the day that you can race with.

**isufbcurt** · 05-08-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

Was this at Slideways?

Their cars look fun (big tires), but the track looks like a simple oval. Is it mostly about managing your slides on the ends of the oval to pass?

Yes simple oval, but u must figure out how to pass and properly apex the corner so that's the challenge that makes it fun.

**Cycsk** · 05-08-2012, 04:08 PM

Is there nothing in the immediate Des Moines area?

**Clones21** · 05-08-2012, 04:10 PM

Sprockets in West Des Moines was the place to be like 5 years ago. No idea why it shut down. Those Karts flew! Also had paintballing there.

**isufbcurt** · 05-08-2012, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Clones21

Sprockets in West Des Moines was the place to be like 5 years ago. No idea why it shut down. Those Karts flew! Also had paintballing there.

Sprockets and the indoor karting place in Ames were awesome, but they were also to expensive to build a regular customer base.

**cmoore_23** · 05-08-2012, 04:25 PM

sleepy hollow? I have never been on the carts so idk if they are any good..

**cyfan964** · 05-08-2012, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

OK, apart from your unique experience, what is the Kart Ranch like?

Yep, sadly the Kart Ranch is no more. It was bad-*** though. Those karts were FAST too. They also used to have bumper boats there. like bumper cats only on water with boats with little outboard motors. Pretty sweet.

**ianoconnor** · 05-08-2012, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by cyfan964

Yep, sadly the Kart Ranch is no more. It was bad-*** though. Those karts were FAST too. They also used to have bumper boats there. like bumper cats only on water with boats with little outboard motors. Pretty sweet.

Sounds like a severed limb waiting to happen.... count me in!!

**Hawkeye11en1** · 05-08-2012, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by ianoconnor

Off topic, but if you are ever in Denver, you gotta hit up the Unser Racing place.
Unser Racing - Indoor Karting High Speed Go Karts in Colorado - Powered by Clvr.Tv

Went there when I was out in CO for the last ISU/CU game. It was awesome.

I've heard of this place, but what did you have to drop to actually spend some time there and have fun? How long was each race? I see they have discounts if you buy 5-9 races, and that scares me, considering it is $25 a race. I don't like it enough to drop a few hundred, that's for sure.

**isufbcurt** · 05-08-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by cmoore_23

sleepy hollow? I have never been on the carts so idk if they are any good..

They are pretty good. They have a bigger track so it can be fun if you have a large group.

**CyOps** · 05-08-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Clones21

Sprockets in West Des Moines was the place to be like 5 years ago. No idea why it shut down. Those Karts flew! Also had paintballing there.

Go-Cart paintballing!!!! I'll get a lawyer to write up something to limit liability while I go look for the real estate.

**ianoconnor** · 05-08-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hawkeye11en1

I've heard of this place, but what did you have to drop to actually spend some time there and have fun? How long was each race? I see they have discounts if you buy 5-9 races, and that scares me, considering it is $25 a race. I don't like it enough to drop a few hundred, that's for sure.

We might have received some sort of opening discount, because it was brand new when we went, but I'm positive I didn't spend more than $40 and we did two full races. I don't quite remember how long they were, but it was definitely worth the money. So fun.

*edit: Now that I look at it, we must have gone on a Tuesday. It was buy one get one. So $30 for two races. Great deal.

Per their website "A single race is typically 20 laps and lasts 7 minutes".

**Cycsk** · 05-08-2012, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by isufbcurt

They are pretty good. They have a bigger track so it can be fun if you have a large group.

Any idea of their prices? The website isn't very helpful. It seems to focus on other activities.

I would probably want to get a multi-race pack or unlimited rides.