Indoor kart racing is a cool way to beat the heat

Photo from Google Images

Everyone who has grown up in Bakersfield during the summer knows how hot it can get. This summer is no exception, with temperatures reaching the 90s in spring. With the blazing heat of Bakersfield weather it can be hard to leave the cooling comfort of your AC.

But JAM Raceway is Bakersfield’s only indoor karting facility, so it keeps participants out of the heat and focused on racing to victory. JAM is newly located on 6901 District Boulevard and is open Monday through Sunday. Specific times can be seen here.

These electric karts are capable of speeds of about 50 mph, and with speeds like that it should keep you relatively cool. JAM charges about $20 for a non-member and $15 if you are a member, these prices are for a 14-lap race. And of course you must be able to provide a valid drivers license in order to race. Complete list of prices can be seen here.

JAM welcomes anyone from professional racers to a novice just looking to race their family or friends. Each person who races is given a score sheet after every race which breaks down their performance and their state of the art timing system allows each competitor to view their lap time and race position in real time on a giant projection screen.

Racers can even go online to check past race results. Each one of these races last about 10 minutes and can go longer depending on the type of race.  JAM is very dedicated to making racing fun and making it very competitive.

If you’ve never been to JAM Raceway, why not try it out this summer and get out of that summer heat for a bit and race your friends and family.

Pedal to the Metal

Behind the wheel at Jam Raceway. (Photo courtesy of bakersfieldcalifornian.com)

Despite people moaning and groaning about how “boring” Bakersfield appears, entertainment can be found just about anywhere in this town. Located at 6901 District Blvd., Jam Raceway provides families and friends with plenty of fun. This indoor go-kart arena combines speed and competition together in one package. Open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jam Raceway satisfies everyone’s need for speed. Since the indoor go-kart arena is dedicated to safety, each person who will be driving is required to sign a racing waiver and minors must have their parents present in order to fill out the paperwork correctly. In addition, each person is required to watch a safety video on racing and he or she must also meet the minimum height requirements. Members can expect to pay $15 for a full 14-lap race, while non-members pay $20. Also available for purchase are a basic membership for $50 and a VIP membership for $100. Besides single races with friends and family, Jam Raceway also provides party rooms for any occasion. Prices start at $80 per hour and range up to $450 for a full eight-hour day. More information about Jam Raceway can be found at their website and also their Facebook page. Whether it is a simple race between you and your best friends, or a high-stakes race against your family members, Jam Raceway goes pedal to the metal.

The track at Jam Raceway before a high-speed race. (Photo courtesy of slick deals.net)