Okay so I karted for about 5 years (about 10 years ago) , with real (non-shifter) Karts on real tracks (primarily Norway Speedway).

Anyway, between that and HPDE days with the S, I just never went to the indoor places.

Among other things I figured the low speed/revving/hp karts would leave me wanting compared to 15,000 rpm karts making 22 or so hp and getting up to a good 70-80 mph at times as well as pulling 1.5+ lateral g's in turns.

After taking the whole summer off due to a new baby, I need my fix. The three options in the Chicago area seem to be:

Chicago Indoor Karting - Buffalo Grove
Chicago Indoor Karting - Addison
Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix.

Can everyone weigh in and give me which is the best experience please? And for that matter, are they all worthwhile but still there must be some ranking of opinions.

I think my biggest question is: Is Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix any good/fun, or is a total waste of time? It's certainly less expensive, which I don't care as much about, but their equipment sounds questionable in the fun factor.

Thanks,

-Steve

 

I'm not a fan of Melrose Park...haven't been there in a while though. They used to grease the track for more sliding. No idea why. Their karts and exactly top notch either. The good thing - fun course layout and CHEAP! You get what you pay for though.

CIR - Buffalo Grove is nice. Used to go there all the time. First time I went, track 1 was cool and track 2 was short and boring. They updated it and track 2 is fun and track 1 is boring (at least the last time I went).

CIR - Addison I've only been to once maybe a year ago. They were showing the Austrailian GP on their many tv's at midnight and i got a few laps in before hand. I really liked it. Their restaurant/bar area is nice than BG and their equipment is newer.

I think you'd like either of the CIR's more steve. The inconsistancy between karts at MP is a bit frustrating - especially considering you know what you are doing (many people at MP don't).

Let me know if and when you go. I have a groupon burning a hole in my pocket. I also like it for off season training.

 

I tested out Melrose Park Grand Prix (MPGP) this past winter, and I'm not a fan of it. The Karts are not well maintained, and neither is the track. Also, there's a mini-bar near the track entrance and they were allowing drivers to drink before/after track sessions. I'm not sure if they intentionally allowed it or not, but regardless, I probably won't go there again.

I've been to the CIR in Buffalo Grove several times, and it's much better than MPGP. Well organized, well staffed, and a much more "professional" environment. I'm still having fun there and I keep buying CIR Groupons whenever they become available. I haven't been to the Addison location so I can't comment on the track, but I imagine it's managed under a similar (if not the same) philosophy as the Buffalo Grove location, so I'm pretty sure it's fine.

 

Never been to Melrose and it does not sound like a place I would like to visit after reading Pat's comments.

I do most of my carting at CIR in BG. It is only 5 minutes from where I work. The carts are older then those at Addison but recently they have a new guy working on them and we found them to be in better shape and more consistent at our last outting. I have a small group of guys that go out and do 7 - 21 lap races for $70 every 4-6 weeks. We like the staff at BG much more than the folks at Addison it may have been an off day for them but they seemed very disorganized.

There is a monthly runoff this week at Addison that I was hoping to go to tbut due to last minute changes in my life I will not be there

Matt aka MitMak goes to these monthly runoffs regularly.

 

I was speaking to a friend/competitor of mine and he was thinking of starting up a winter league. A group of drivers who would be serious about going at least once a month, maybe more, when our cars are in storage. Dedicated enough to pay a good portion up front. I'd like to think if we talk with CIR we could work out a discount if we prepay a percentage for a season and come on a typically slow night.

Otherwise, I could try to organize another S2000 meet there. I used to organize them in the past but between late sign ups and no-shows it became quite the hassle. My new idea is for people to paypal me a deposit (25% or so) first.

Post up if you'd be interested in either.

 

--> Interested

 

I'm down depending on day.

 

Steve - Considering your past experience with carts, you might like the monthly run offs at CIR. The drivers are fast and will provide some challenge for you.


[QUOTE]Hello Racers!

We hope you will join us for the Monthly Run-Off’s this Monday, August 16 at our Addison facility.

 

I would be up for it.

 

To give you and idea of the tracks:

Track 8 at Addison:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfB7SSsVeYs [/media]


Track 2.5 at Buffalo Grove
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxhwLuySPjw [/media]