Celebrate 70 Years of Go-Karts – Enter the World’s Largest K1 Go-Kart Race!
K1 Speed is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the go-kart with a special week that includes discounted races AND a historic race event! Read on to learn how you can get in on the celebrations!
It Was 70 Years Ago This Month…
In August 1956, Art Ingels, with help from his friend Lou Borelli, created the very first go-kart in a garage in Echo Park – part of central Los Angeles.
Ingels, a fabricator for the race shop Kurtis Kraft, created the steel-tube chassis, while Borelli found a way to mount a surplus 2-stroke 2.5-horsepower West Bend lawnmower engine to the kart. An initial debut at Pomona Raceway turned heads, and soon a bunch of gearheads were racing their own go-kart creations at the Rose Bowl parking lot and a new sport was born.
Seventy years later, go-karts not only serve as the best introduction to racing (like here at K1 Speed), but have also become the starting path for nearly everyone on the grid from Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR, sports car racing, and more.
Want to learn more about our sport’s history? Read about the invention of the go-kart!
Be a Part of History: The World’s Largest K1 Go-Kart Race
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the go-kart, you’re all invited to participate in the World’s Largest K1 Go-Kart Race on Friday, August 28th.
This race is not one single race, but represents the collection of all races run that day at every K1 Speed location worldwide. So all you have to do to participate is show up at your local K1 Speed center and enter any race. It’s as easy as that!
Free Commemorative Patch for the First 50 Racers!
At each center, the first 50 people to complete a race on Friday, August 28th, will receive a FREE commemorative patch, celebrating 70 years of go-kart racing!
Available at all locations worldwide with the exception of Cleveland, Myrtle Beach, China, and Korea. Patches are limited to a quantity of 50. Only available on Friday, August 28th while supplies last.
Free Races for the Three Fastest Racers of the Day
Since the entire day is treated like a single race, we figured it’s only right to offer prizes to our podium finishers. Because K1 Speed offers a unique track layout for every location, every K1 Speed will award the top three fastest adult drivers of the day with FREE RACES:
- 1st: 5 Free Races
- 2nd: 3 Free Races
- 3rd: 2 Free Races
At most locations. Sorry, this contest is not occurring at K1 Circuit locations.
Enjoy Four Days of Discounted Races!
The World’s Largest K1 Speed Go-Kart Race isn’t the only way we’re celebrating our sport’s 70th. From Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27, you can score a single indoor go-kart race for only $19.56. That’s a savings of up to $12 over our regular prices! And no, there isn’t a limit on how many races you can purchase – you can buy all you want at only $19.56 per race.
*Promotional price only available at Continental United States locations (except Cleveland, Myrtle Beach and K1 Circuit) from 8/24 to 8/27/26. Price does not include tax or any additional fees. Does not include annual license, which is required to race and sold separately. Races must take place on Track 1 where applicable, and winners are limited to one prize per person. Free races are awarded as account credits for future use and cannot be combined with group packages, discounts, or corporate events. Fastest lap contest not available at K1 Circuit.
David
How much does the longest race cost to enter?
Staff Writer
Hello, David! There’s no special price for this event – our regular prices apply. Any race you complete that day will help contribute to creating the largest collective K1 go-kart race in the world!
robert mase
Can I buy 19 dollar races online
Tom
Hello Robert, the discounted single-race package is only available in-store and may not be purchased online. Hope to see you at the track!
Daniel
Does this apply to youth races?
Tom
Hi Daniel, this special event will be run much like our Fast Thursdays, which use the Adult karts. Hope to see you there!
J. G.
Do discounted races (19.56) need to be used during promotion period or any date or time.?
Tom
Hi J. G. – Races purchased during the promotion period may be used after the promotion period is over. See you there!
James
Can I buy races and use them in the future? Or do you have to use them the same day?
Tom
Hi James, with this deal, you can buy single races for $19.56 each and use them in the future on another day. It’s a good time to stock up!
Mateo K
Are there any package deals
Staff Writer
Hi, Mateo! These specially-priced races are sold as-is in one-race packages. However, our regular 2- and 3-race packages are still available for purchase. See you at the track!
Jerry
Can I buy multiple races and transfer them to other racers in my family out will I need to buy extra races for them individually?
Staff Writer
Hello, Jerry! These races are priced per person. So you can buy these races for other members of your family, but you will need to tell the cashier to credit them to their accounts during your purchase.
Mark marrero
Where is this place at and do we pay there?
Staff Writer
Hi, Mark! Check out our list of locations here: https://www.k1speed.com/locations.html. And yes, you pay at the center for these discounted races. See you there!
KayCee
If I buy 12 races, can I distribute it amongst my kids? And is this for Adults only or can also apply for kids?
Staff Writer
Hello, KayCee! Yes, you can purchase these for your kids – just make sure you tell the cashier that you’re buying these races for your kids so they can assign them to their accounts. Thanks!
Mario Rios
Es posible realizar la compra en línea en los días de descuento?
Staff Writer
Hola, Mario! Lo sentimos, estas carreras solo están disponibles en la tienda de lunes a jueves.
Scott Irving
Can you wear headphones while karting? Also if I buy multi races for $19.56 are they good at other K1 tracks or just the one you bought them at?
Staff Writer
Hello, Scott! Yes, you can wear headphones while karting in our Arrive & Drive races (not our league races), only if the volume is low enough that it doesn’t interfere with hearing our track personnel. Yes, if you buy multiple races, they are good at other K1 Speed locations in the United States, except our Myrtle Beach location and K1 Circuit locations. See you at the track!
Jocelynn
Hi! What time is the race on Friday?
Staff Writer
Hi, Jocelynn! Our World’s Largest K1 Go-Kart race is technically all day long during operating hours. It’s a symbolic race, as we are counting ALL races at EVERY K1 track as part of the World’s Largest Go-Kart race. So as long as you race with us on Friday, you’ll count as a participant in this event! Can’t wait to see you there!
Fabian Rohena
The “race” shows as happening on Saturday the 29th on the K1 Speed event calendar. So which date is it? https://www.k1speed.com/calendar-of-events.html
Staff Writer
Thanks for the heads up, Fabian! The date is, in fact, Friday, August 28th. We’ve updated the calendar now. Thanks again – hope we see you there!
Rich
How many laps are in a race?
Staff Writer
There are 12 laps in each race, Rich! Hope we see you tomorrow!
Angel
Does the sale include kids ? 11 year old?
Staff Writer
Yes, the single races for $19.56 include races for kids – but hurry, that part of our celebration ends today (Thursday)!
Maureen Murray
Where are you located what state or town in ny carmel
Staff Writer
Hi, Maureen! We’ve got over 100 locations around the world, but our location in Mount Kisco is probably closest to you in Carmel, NY. Hope we see you soon!