Pole Position Raceway

Pole Position Raceway Description

Craving a taste of adrenaline on your vacation? If you want a bit of excitement and adventure, Pole Position Raceway will send your heart racing. Novice and experienced racers alike can enjoy this state-of-the-art facility, which features indoor race karts zooming faster than any of their kind in the country.

In fact, over 80,000 unique racers have raced at Pole Position Raceway since opening in December of 2007. In addition to celebrities like Star Wars creator George Lucas, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and professional racers such as Kevin Harvick, Travis Pastrana, Al Unser Jr. and Kyle Busch, novice drivers from ages 10 to 70 also come out to the track.

"The response has been unbelievable," said Bryan Kroten, director of sales and marketing.

NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch and seven-time AMA Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath are both part of the team that brought Pole Position Raceway to Las Vegas.

Pole Position Raceway's 60,000-square-foot facility features a unique quarter-mile European-style track. The track can be compared to the real thing because it is actually designed by professional race car drivers.

But the karts are what surprise most guests.

"People are most impressed with our karts," said Kroten. "A lot of people think they're going to be kiddie karts or bumper karts." 

These racing karts are approximately 18-horsepower and capable of going up to 45 miles per hour, which is quite impressive for being indoors. In addition, these electric-powered karts are environmentally friendly -- they emit no exhaust.

Before heading out on the track, drivers get to choose a racing name -- this name shows up on the big screen above the track. Here, racers can see exactly where they stand against the other participants during the race.

Once the adventure begins, drivers find themselves racing through long straightaways, hairpin turns and other unique elements. Your arms will get quite a workout -- you'll need to use your muscles to maneuver the sharp turns. And while you may hear all sorts of screeching, crashing and bumping cars behind you, don't let those factors psych you out. These should be your motivation to pick up the pace! 

At the end of each race, each driver will receive a scorecard, which includes details like lap time and position in race along with overall race stats. Compare your results with other racers to see where you stand.

Even if you're not into racing, you'll have fun simply being here. Guests can stroll through the facility and see race cars, motorcyles, helmets and racing suits on display worn by professionals, including Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

The upstairs game room features two pool tables, a pinball machine, plasma TVs and not to mention, a great aerial view of the track. Catch the excitement below and pay attention to how the experts execute the tricky turns. And who knows? After watching for a while, you may be able muster up the courage to try the track yourself. The helpful staff makes you feel comfortable and will also address any concerns you might have.

Pole Position Raceway also offers an arcade, which includes a variety of racing games. If you want to take a piece of your experience with you, Pole Position Raceway also sells memorabilia, including T-shirts and hats.

A variety of private parties, catered events, as well as group racing packages are available. With Pole Position's custom racing, you can either race head-to-head with friends, against the clock or eliminate drivers through multiple rounds of racing. For more information about hosting your special event, please call (702) 227-7223.

Whether you're the careful cruiser or the super speedster, Pole Position Raceway is fun for all.

"This place is built for the masses," said Kroten. "It's an entertainment experience, yet it also provides competitive karting. It's a good combination of both." 

Complimentary shuttle service is also available from the Las Vegas Strip. Please inquire for details on participating hotels.

-- Review by Jeannie Borbe