Terry Schrimscher
IRONDALE, Ala. — Seventy years ago this month, Art Ingels bolted a lawnmower engine into a steel frame and the first go-kart roared to life in California. To celebrate the invention that sparked generations of recreation and racing fun, K1 Speed in Irondale is joining K1 tracks around the world Friday, Aug. 28, to host an event billed as the “World’s Largest K1 Go-Kart Race.”
Art Ingels (seated) and Lou Borelli with the first go-kart in 1956. File photo from K1 Speed.
All points accumulated in K1 competitions in the U.S. that day will count toward the race. The top three finishers at each location will win free race packages. Will Stokes, general manager at the Irondale location, expects big crowds to show up to race.
“There hasn’t been a slow day since we started,” Stokes said. “We’re having to staff up more now for Fridays and Saturdays. We’re actually having to staff up for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
Stokes also said customers drive to Irondale from as far away as Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Meridian, Miss. He said he understood why people would drive so far to visit.
“Because it’s something different. You’re actually engaging in something,” Stokes said. “You can go to Dave & Buster’s and play video games that you have at the house but most people don’t have a go-kart at home,” he said.
“You get out here, it’s fun and you’re racing against other people,” Stokes said. “Even if you just do a group event and racing against each other, the competitive juices get flowing, you’re interacting, you’re actually doing something.”
In addition to the events on race day, K1 Speed will offer a variety of specials throughout the week. Ingels introduced his creation in 1956, so single races are on sale for $19.56 from Aug. 24 through Aug. 27. There is no limit on the number of races a customer can add to their account to use later.
K1 will offer a commemorative patch to the first 100 people in the pits on race day and will reward free races to customers who do the most miles in their go-karts that day.
“Fridays we offer Glow Night, so that’s a cool sight to see,” said Dai Harris, cashier supervisor. “A lot of people come in just to be able to race in the dark.”
Stokes praised the people of Irondale for the support the business has received from the community.
“The community has really embraced us,” Stokes said. “We did hire a lot of people from the Irondale area to give back to the city as well. The mayor, city council, police department everybody has been real supportive. They bring their families and friends. The city as a whole has been really great.”
“I’m thrilled to have K1 Speed right here in Irondale,” said Council Member Aaron Sims. “My kids and I have loved visiting, but even better, it’s bringing families from all across the region into our city to see everything Irondale has to offer. It’s a fantastic addition to the community, and I’m still holding off my kids from beating my times!”
Based in Irvine, Calif., K1 Speed opened the Irondale location in June and operates more than 100 sites globally. The Irondale venue opens at noon on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. It also features dining options, an arcade, meeting rooms for events and a viewing area. Drivers can buy single races or multiple-race packages to compete for points with other K1 racers around the world.
