My K1 Speed Addiction

So for the newbie, what exactly is K-1 Speed? K-1 Speed is Southern California’s premiere high-speed, indoor go-karting racing event center. Now what’s the difference between K-1 and say your average rainbow bumper car facility at an amusement or theme park? Well, besides the scary and annoying mascots, it is all about the racing at K-1. While K-1 has other attractions to amuse oneself between races such as a sleek second story lounge, Guitar Hero machine, and cafe, you’re primarily there to hike up your adrenaline stock for the day with the unique speed of their eco-friendly electric engines. It is also as accessible if not more so for speed lovers of all ages than most locations as it provides exceptional high-performance racing that is safe, thrilling, and most definitely addictive.

I was given the privilege of checking out one of K-1’s grandest locations (they have five in Southern California) in Anaheim, a true oasis of racing off the 91 freeway, only half a mile east from the 57 freeway, hidden amongst bland and unsuspecting office buildings. I was greeted by Anaheim’s General Manager Uli Perez, an amiable and knowledgeable man who seemed to know K-1 like the back of his hand, a true professional in the business of keeping the good times rolling. The facility itself reminds one of a giant airplane hangar except a curvaceous racing course fills up most of its formidable belly. As soon as you walk through the doors of the exterior where a sign cautions you “Warning- Can be Addictive,” the sounds of whizzing and screeching, up-tempo music, excited conversations, and the smell of impending thrills rile up the spirit into sixth gear. Racing and NASCAR paraphernalia blanket the walls with rich color and actual racecars perpetually parked near the entrance inspire an authentic racing atmosphere. I couldn’t wait to get on the track and start my first race, and neither could the two lovely and adventurous friends of mine, Danielle and Katie, and my good friend and camera man extraordinaire Alex, whom I brought along for the ride (I am aware that the racing puns are getting a little out of hand but they just flow so effortlessly!), but I was also curious to learn more about K-1 from Uli, who was kind enough to oblige me with a filmed interview which is posted here in this blog.

I had a great time learning about K-1 from Uli, such as their green go-karts that reach a top speed of up to 45MPH, the five different racing leagues they offer, the opportunity for large parties and corporative events, the addicted regulars, and all the underground nuances of the track. But talking time was over, and I was ready to get my fix. We registered at their user-friendly electronic kiosks to receive our racing names and sign some wavers, and we were soon slotted for the next race. To pass the time and warm up our competitive spirits, the ladies and I dueled with electronic axes of rock where I was reigning victorious until we were beckoned over the microphone to begin the race, and we thus conceded to end our battle prematurely and begin the real competition.

We entered the track where we were briefed by one of K-1’s employees about the various meanings of the flags used on the course and the rules. I felt like an armored medieval warrior or astronaut as we adorned our yellow sock-masks and racing helmets.

There is nothing quite like the thrill of walking down a line of high-performance vehicles lying dormant in their sleeping states, waiting for their power to be awakened, and watching racers introduce themselves into their machines, familiarizing themselves with the equipment and the feel of the wheel. I was bestowed the honor of the number one vehicle and I proudly sauntered into my kart, fiddling with the adjustments to fit my long legs. The helmet does a great job at insulating noise and the rhythmic sound of your own breathing becomes one of the only few things you can hear before the race. Uli and the employees walked down the line of carts: securing seatbelts, making safety adjustments, and unplugging the electric power cord off the back of the karts. I was given the “okay” from one of the black-clad racing guys to slowly move up to the start. After a few moments of pause and playing with the pedals I was free to indulge my speed. I was surprised by how quite and quick the go-kart picked up speed and before I knew it I had to slow down before my first sharp turn, which I took a little too sharp and almost skidded! I made modifications to my breaking and accelerating as I navigated the winding turns, starting to get the hang of it, and I could already perceive my competition gaining quickly behind me. I flew under the tunnel and came to a long straightaway in the back of the course, a perfect time to develop a led foot. I slammed on the accelerator as hard as I could and felt my adrenaline surge as the go-kart rapidly gained speed and power. Unfortunately, I was more concerned with my top velocity than the approaching turn, and misjudged its urgent sharpness. As the turn came up on me I quickly slammed on the brakes and turned my steering wheel as far right as I could go- I lost control and began 360 spinning (which was pretty awesome), but miraculously I missed all the guard rails and stopped facing the right direction. My mistake would cost me though, as my friend Danielle and another racer maneuvered around me to take the lead. I spent the remainder of the fourteen laps playing catch up for first and trying to out-drive the competition that was swarming around me at seemingly every turn, and watching for all the different waving flags telling us to slow down, let a racer past, or stop. Every time I reached that straightaway, however, I couldn’t help my compulsion to get lost in a few moments of top-speed bliss, no matter what the cost.

During the final lap the karts automatically slow down as you putter and idle back to your start positions. After clearances from the race team we all stood up and
began taking off our helmets. Electronically posted from a huge screen was the
racing board that showed the ranks, times, best laps, etc. from our race. I was
disappointed to see I was only seventh out of ten, and even worse behind Danielle (who had demolished me in a bowling game previously and thus started a rivalry). But I couldn’t be sad, I was in a hypnotic state of racing elation, and all I wanted to do was get right back on.

A cool thing K-1 offers is a printout of your racing stats which you can pick up at the kiosk and take as a souvenir or to compare with your friends and fellow
driving mates. I had to listen to Danielle gloat a little bit after but I wouldn’t change my tactics if I had to do it over again. That’s the advantage of K-1, that although it is competitive, the racing is thrilling enough that whatever rank you fall into, you will still have had a unique and unforgettable experience.

A little while later we entered another race with Alex and had just as much fun as the first time. Right before we left, we said thank you and goodbye to Uli
for all his hospitality and assistance, and as we walked out the door we were
accosted by yet another wise sign that said “the race ends here,” because the
led foot can be addictive and not so easily be removed, and it was a good
reminder for me that I was going to enter the real world now, and to leave the
racing on the track. I will be back to K-1 again very soon though as I know my
speed needs will return with vigor and must be satisfied.

K-1 Speed features locations in SoCal:Torrance, Irvine, Anaheim, Ontario, and Carlsbad. For more info, log on to K1Speed.com or call 888-K1-KARTS.

Click here to get your exclusive coupon package for K1 Speed.