Archive for the ‘Carspotting’ Category

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K1 Speed Torrance – Cruize Night

Monday, July 26th, 2010

K1 Speed in Torrance, California hosted “Cruize Night” last week sponsored in part by the California Cruizers Car Club. A large mix of low-riders, customs, mini-trucks and sport trucks along with a various mix of others from other car clubs are the local area. Enthusiasts enjoyed an afternoon of showing off their rides along with the fun of racing our indoor electric karts on our unique concrete surfaced, technical race track.

Once a month Cruize night will be held on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The show in the parking lot is open to all enthusiasts and everyone is welcome to come out and join in on the fun.

Keep up to date on the schedule on the California Cruizers website

Check out the rest of the photos on our Facebook page

Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Torrance | 1 Comment »

Car nights at K1 Carlsbad

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

K1 Speed in Carlsbad hosted Euro Car night this past Tuesday night giving European Car enthusiasts a place to come and chat about cars for the evening, and race against each other with our indoor electric karts. It was a great mix of Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz owners all taking on our fast and technical track.

Joe Holmes ended up taking the pole over the full field of drivers with a 26.504 second lap. He was followed by AJ Halsey who qualified in second with a 26.754 second lap and Matthew O’Donnell would qualify in third with a 26.791 second lap time.

The drivers would be gridded up on the main straight away for the drop of the green flag and it was a dash to the first turn with everyone vying for the same spot on the track. Joe would hold off the tight-nit group for all 16 laps maintaining a very quick pace. The rest of the group battled back and fourth with each-other and multiple positions were traded back and fourth through-out the race. Matthew was able to make his way up to second place, but was unable to catch Joe as he had a comfortable lead over the rest of the group. AJ dropped back a few spots and TJ Galati who had qualified in 5th, worked his way up into third and would remain there for the duration of the race.

The group had a great time and is looking forward to coming out again next month on July 20th, and we are looking forward to seeing a number of European car enthusiasts the second time around.

K1 Speed in Carlsbad will be hosting different car nights for enthusiasts in the coming months, be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook fan page for dates and times. Currently the schedule is as follows

JDM Car Night – 1st Tuesday of the month
Bike Night – 2nd Tuesday of the month
Euro Car Night – 3rd Tuesday of the month
Muscle Car Night – 4th Tuesday of the month

Each specific night will be geared towards enthusiasts who enjoy motorsports, racing, and talking with fellow automotive aficionado’s.

You can find our Facebook fan page by clicking the link below.
www.facebook.com/pages/Carlsbad-CA/K1-Speed-Carlsbad/110363525655861

Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Carlsbad | No Comments »

Lamborghini Spotted at K1 Speed in San Diego

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Spotted at K1 Speed in San Diego – An early model Lamborghini Murcielago. The Murcielago was introduced as a coupe in 2001 for the 2002 model year, succeeding the famed Diablo super-car in Lamborghini’s lineup. The car was the auto maker’s first new design in eleven years, as well as the first under the ownership of German automaker Volkswagen. The new chassis design is a four-wheel drive, mid-engined sports car. Its coupe body is especially low-slung, with its roof rising to just under four feet above the ground. The super-car features the well known scissor doors, which contribute to its exotic image. First-generation Murcielago’s, produced between 2001 and 2006, were powered by a 6.2-litre V12 which traces its roots back to the company’s beginnings in the 1960s.

The rear differential is integrated into the engine unit, and the four-wheel drive features a central viscous coupler. Power was sent to the wheels through a six-speed manual. The Murciélago possesses an independent double-wishbone suspension design, and features a combination of carbon-fiber and steel bodywork. The rear spoiler and the air scoops integrated into the car’s shoulders are electro mechanically activated, and fold out from the body at high speeds to aid aerodynamic performance and provide additional engine cooling, respectively.

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2010 Ferrari California seen at K1

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

SPOTTED, at K1 Speed’s North San Diego, Carlsbad location, a 2010 Ferrari California, The Ferrari California hosts many “firsts” for the Ferrari company, including the first front-mounted V-8, the first use of direct injection, along with the first ever dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The new car still maintains its luxury through-out the car, as all other Ferrari’s do, and it maintains that distinct exhaust note that will turn heads anywhere.

Posted in Carspotting, News - K1 Speed | No Comments »

Carspotting: San Diego Motorcycle Club Visits K1 Speed Carlsbad

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
High-performance sports bikes in the parking lot at K1 Speed Carlsbad

High-performance sports bikes in the parking lot at K1 Speed Carlsbad


In addition to being a popular spot for car enthusiasts, K1 Speed is also a hit with motorcycle enthusiasts. In fact, many of our customers bring in their own helmets and our customers who ride tend to get a hang of our karts pretty quickly! On New Year’s Eve, members of the Gentlemenz Affairz motorcycle club visited our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor go kart track in San Diego, California to bring in 2010! The crew proudly sported their club apparel, and there was some healthy competition on track to see who would set the fastest time of the group in our electric karts!

Members of the Gentlemenz Affairz motorcycle club at our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor go kart track

Members of the Gentlemenz Affairz motorcycle club at our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor go kart track in San Diego, California

There is a wide variety of motorcycle clubs these days celebrating an even more diverse range of bikes – from choppers, bobbers, Harley Davidsons, Indians, cruisers, vintage bikes and European marquees, to name but a few – but the members of this San Diego club have a passion for high performance sports bikes. Not content with the factory performance or aesthetics of these machines though, the guys modify their bikes to both personalize them and to increase their performance. From extended swing arms and aftermarket exhaust systems to custom paint jobs, the motorcycles of the Gentlemenz Affairz club are truly unique and have the performance to match their looks!

A custom paint job depicting scenes from the film 300!

A custom paint job depicting scenes from the film 300!


The theme is even carried over to the rider's helmet!

The 300 theme is even carried over to the rider's helmet!

We would like to thank the club members for visiting our indoor karting center in North County San Diego, and we hope to see them again soon! We always appreciate it when motorsports enthusiasts choose our indoor go kart tracks to satiate their need for adrenaline and speed!

K1 Speed is a popular spot with motorcyclists

K1 Speed is a popular spot with motorcyclists

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Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Carlsbad | 3 Comments »

Carspotting: Tesla Roadster at K1 Speed Seattle

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
An electric Tesla Roadster at K1 Speed Seattle

An electric Tesla Roadster at K1 Speed Seattle


Our latest Carspotting feature showcases an automobile that we feel is particularly appropriate for K1 Speed: the all-electric Tesla Roadster! Spotted outside of K1 Speed Seattle recently, this striking blue Tesla caught our attention and we were pleased when we found that the owner was more than happy to show it off! With an advanced chassis based on the nimble Lotus Elise and cutting edge lithium ion battery cells, the Tesla Roadster – like our K1 electric karts – proves that high performance and electric efficiency don’t have to be mutually exclusive. We are big proponents of electric power at K1 Speed, and with cars like the Tesla Roadster and Audi E-Tron concept car paving the way for electric performance cars, we are excited to see where the technology takes us in the future!

The owner of this Tesla Roadster traded out his electric sports car for our high performance electric go karts!

The owner of this Tesla Roadster swapped out his electric sports car for our high performance electric go karts!

It was a pleasure having the owner of this Tesla Roadster at our K1 Speed Seattle indoor karting center in Redmond, Washington, and we look forward to seeing him again soon!

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Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Seattle | 1 Comment »

Carspotting: Dodge Viper RT-10 at K1 Speed Torrance

Friday, December 18th, 2009
Carspotting: Dodge Viper RT-10 at K1 Speed Torrance

Carspotting: Dodge Viper RT-10 at K1 Speed Torrance


The Dodge Viper has been a hit with auto enthusiasts ever since it was introduced nearly 20 years ago, and for good reason! The large displacement V10 engine develops a huge amount of horsepower and torque and the exterior styling is unmistakable. Though the Corvette has always been a bit more affordable and perhaps a bit more user friendly as well, the Viper can lay claim to the title of America’s premier supercar with little debate! With a noteworthy and successful racing history ranging from Le Mans 24 Hour wins to ALMS wins at Daytona and Sebring and endurance wins at the Nurburgring and famous Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the Viper has proven itself capable of going head-to-head with some of the biggest names in motorsport!

The menacing front fascia of the Dodge Viper RT-10 is unmistakable!

The menacing front fascia of the Dodge Viper RT-10 is unmistakable!

It was bittersweet seeing this Dodge Viper RT-10 at our K1 Speed Torrance indoor karting center in Los Angeles, California, as the future of the Viper platform is up in the air. Production on the current model will soon end and there are no definitive plans to bring the car back (though Dodge may introduce the car’s replacement or the next generation in 2012). Nonetheless, it was great being able to exam one of America’s most iconic sports cars up close! If you would like to see more of our customers’ most exciting cars, be sure to check out our Carspotting entries! We love it when motorsports enthusiasts visit K1 Speed, as we like to think it validates our goal of offering an authentic racing experience that can be enjoyed by enthusiasts and novices alike!

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Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Torrance | 1 Comment »

Carspotting: Ariel Atom at K1 Speed Seattle

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
An Ariel Atom at our K1 Speed Seattle indoor karting center!

An Ariel Atom at our K1 Speed Seattle indoor karting center!


This weekend, an Ariel Atom stopped in at our K1 Speed Seattle indoor kart racing center in Redmond, Washington! Featuring an exoskeleton frame, a rear-mounted 4-cylinder engine, inboard suspension and an open wheel design, the Ariel Atom is about the closest thing to a go kart on the street! With a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio and lightning quick reflexes, the Atom is capable of going head-to-head with some of the best cars in the world. We are fortunate to see a lot of exciting cars at K1 Speed, as many of our customers are automotive enthusiasts, but the Ariel Atom just might be the most unique and exciting car we’ve seen in awhile!

We’re particularly pleased that the owner of this Atom decided to spend his evening racing our high performance electric karts and we hope to see him again soon! We strive to provide our customers with an authentic racing atmosphere at K1 Speed and take great pride when racing enthusiasts and motorsports fans decide to spend the day at our indoor go kart tracks! If you would like to see some more of our customers’ cars, feel free to check out our Carspotting category.

The exoskeleton frame of the Ariel Atom

The exoskeleton frame of the Ariel Atom


The open wheel design and lightweight nature of the Ariel Atom makes it the closest thing to a go kart on the street!

The open wheel design and lightweight nature of the Ariel Atom makes it the closest thing to a go kart on the street!

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Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Seattle | 1 Comment »

Carspotting: Porsche 911 GT3 at K1 Speed Carlsbad

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

A Porsche 911 GT3 parked outside of our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor kart racing center in North County San Diego

A Porsche 911 GT3 parked outside of our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor kart racing center in North County San Diego


We are fortunate to see a wide variety of nice cars at K1 Speed, as many of our customers are automotive enthusiasts, off-road enthusiasts, motorcyclists and racing fans. It occurred to us that our readers might appreciate these cars, trucks and motorcycles as well, and thus our Carspotting features were born! Last night, this incredible Porsche 911 GT3 (the latest 997 model) paid a visit to our K1 Speed Carlsbad indoor karting center in San Diego, California. Unfortunately the sun was going down just as the customer arrived, which meant we didn’t have many opportunities to get a photograph, but that didn’t deter us from taking a closer look at this beautiful car!

With a 3.6 liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine producing 415hp, massive disc brakes and an advanced suspension tuned for the track, the 997 GT3 is a tremendous performance car that is respected the world over. This particular GT3 though had a host of accessories that made it even more at home on the racetrack, including a roll cage, an aftermarket adjustable suspension, and a free-flowing exhaust system which gave the car a devilish high-pitched wail! The owner was happy enough to start the car for us and rev up the engine, and we can tell you that it sounded incredible! We would like to thank the owner for taking the time to talk to us, and we were pleased to hear that when he isn’t racing at Willow Springs or Buttonwillow in his GT3, he satiates his need for adrenaline at K1 Speed!

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Posted in Carspotting, K1 Speed Carlsbad | 1 Comment »

Carspotting: Cosworth Impreza STI at K1 Speed Irvine

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

A Cosworth-powered Impreza WRX STI outside of our K1 Speed Irvine indoor go kart track

A Cosworth-powered Subaru Impreza WRX STI outside of our K1 Speed Irvine indoor go kart track


This beautiful Subaru Impreza WRX STI was spotted recently at our K1 Speed Irvine indoor go kart track in Orange County, California. Though the Impreza STI is an amazingly capable car that has a storied racing history (such legends as Colin McRae, Richard Burns, Petter Solberg and Tommi Makinen have driven the Impreza in the World Rally Championship and American drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block are making a name for Subaru in the States) they are also somewhat common. What caught our eye about this particular Impreza STI was the Cosworth badge on the rear hatch! The Cosworth name is well-known in the motorsport community, and the company has recently turned its attention to tuning the Subaru flat-four engine. We don’t know how much power this Subaru makes, but we can imagine that it’s probably a lot! Needless to say, this Impreza looks like an incredibly fun car to drive!

Cosworth power and Volk racing wheels make this Impreza STI stand out from the pack -- K1 Speed Irvine Indoor Karting Center

Cosworth power and Volk racing wheels make this Impreza STI stand out from the pack -- K1 Speed Irvine Indoor Karting Center


Our Carspotting features, which showcase the exciting hardware that we see out our indoor karting centers on a regular basis, are for our fans who are car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts! We are constantly striving to make our Blog more interesting and exciting for our readers, and we happen to think that cool cars and trucks are interesting! Whether it’s a Ferrari or a vintage Land Cruiser, we appreciate all sorts of vehicles at K1 Speed and will do what we can to bring them to you! Be on the lookout for more features in the near future.

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