By Formula K Raceways

The rise in demand for electric karts increased when the concept of indoor karting amusements became popular. Recently, the outdoor market has been quick to recognize the advantages of using electric karts in their facilities as well. An electric kart requires about 50% less maintenance and labor than traditional gas karts and tracks.

An electric kart’s efficient, robust motor means fewer moving parts and a lower chance of failure.

A lower failure rate leads to less down time and less labor costs.

A better, more efficient go-kart leads to lower needs for parts inventory and labor to maintain.

The exhilaration and consistency of the ride that an electric kart provides will enhance satisfaction of the driver, which will lead to repeat customers, and a more enjoyable experience.

An electric kart meets the needs of all drivers, and unlike traditional go-karts, is able to accommodate large, tall, or child-size drivers (50" to 7’). Outdoor FEC’s are realizing the market is changing and what was the norm in go-karts a few years ago simply will not compare to the added performance of an electric kart.

New amusement facilities are opening all over the country with the emphasis on go-karts and a number of existing locations are adding electric karts to their facilities. They are capitalizing on the year-round benefits of indoor FEC’s and opening indoor tracks.

Electric karts provide a low maintenance motor, which allows longer running times at your track or facility. Noise or air pollution is not an issue. Conversion kits are available for karts with Honda or Briggs motors. With the conversion kits, existing tracks have all the benefits of electric without having to lose any existing investments in chassis or chassis parts.

CHOOSING YOUR FACILITY
Consider this:
The expenses of locating, leasing or purchasing, retrofitting, and operating the building will be far exceed the costs of the karts, the business trade fixtures and systems.

Electric karts do not require a freestanding building. They are quiet and clean enough to be a good common wall neighbor within a building or strip mall.

You lease only the amount of space needed to establish your business, not an entire building.

The Fire Marshall will not dictate expensive or impossible controls for flammable fuels. There are no hazardous materials.

OSHA will not require massive and expensive ventilation of fumes or pollutants, which also removes your winter heating or summer cooling.

Cities require on-site electrical inspections of your track. Our products use only UL approved components, which make UL certification inspections much easier.

As a common tenant, you will not be solely responsible for the building expenses (repairs, roof, insurance, maintenance, grounds, parking, etc.).

You can select a location that has other businesses providing access to your demographics.

Your indoor go-kart facility is an asset to the neighbors and community because the building requirements are simple enough to use a well-located grocery, furniture or department store that has been empty and is perceived as community blight.

Your indoor go-kart facility will draw the hardest demographic to get to go shopping . . . young and middle aged men (and their sons and daughters).

Open evenings and late on weekends, you provide quality foot traffic for your neighbor tenants.

WHY AN ELECTRIC KART?
Environmentally Friendly Karts = A Fresh, Wholesome Image
— Many people talk about the environment these days, but few are actually doing anything about it. Now, communities and ongoing legislation are demanding changes. With the ecologically friendly electric karts, your customers are presented with a clean environment in which to experience all the speed and thrills of a conventional racetrack indoors, but with none of the negatives of air and noise pollution. You can provide an upscale, exciting and healthful environment conducive to recreation for both the family and the business community. Electric karts are the future of racing.

Zero Emissions = Clean Air and Lower Operating Costs
— Gas powered indoor karting facilities must bear the initial cost of an expensive air handling system that attempts to eliminate noxious and deadly gasses emitted by internal combustion engines. Beyond the initial costs, there are continuous increased operational expenses. The very system designed to refresh and replenish the inside air, is in fact removing seasonal climate controls. Track operators must balance these opposing efforts and the results are that the air in these facilities is still contaminated! Electric karts emit no air pollution whatsoever. City codes and inspectors meet the approval of electric go-kart tracks or facilities, however, with gas karts, they have previously denied or not passed the rigorous standards of city codes.

Whisper Quiet Operation = Longer Operating Hours
— When you first enter a conventional karting facility, the roar of the karts fills you with excitement – for about five minutes. After that, the loud, incessant droning is more likely to give you a headache. Customers there to enjoy the facility are driven away. There is no way to bring the noise level of gas engine karts down to an acceptable level. Electric karts on the other hand create almost no noise, except a pleasant high-pitched whine like an F-1 racecar. This translates to longer operating hours and fewer complaints from your crew, customers and neighbors.

Electrical Power = Reduced Costs and Elimination of Hazards
— The operation of internal combustion karts requires fuels such as gasoline, propane, or methanol. The fuel must be purchased, delivered, stored, dispensed, and handled on-site. In many instances, local or state authorities will not allow this indoors and is regulated extensively on outdoor tracks. In addition, oils and lubricants must be properly handled and legally disposed. Electric karts use no gas or oil. This means no fumes, no spills, no air pollution, and none of the hazards or related costs associated with toxic liquids. Electric karts need no "re-fueling", translating to fewer man-hours and fewer hazards. Automatic pit-lane charging brings the karts to full racing capacity in a matter of minutes, and the electricity used to run an electric kart costs considerably less than gasoline. Electric kart batteries are UL rated and fully recyclable.

Fewer Moving Parts = Lower Maintenance Costs
— Electric motors have lower maintenance costs than gasoline engines. This translates into savings for you, as fewer repairs are needed. Our custom-built motors need no maintenance and run for years before needing a simple brush and bearing replacement. Combined with superior chassis, design, and strength, our karts give years of service. The use of dry lead acid batteries means there is no need to deal with messy, toxic acid. Our batteries are 30% more efficient and cheaper than any readily available on the market. Extremely long lasting, and the available power stays constant to provide thousands of exciting races. Just pennies per race, we have the most efficient cost saving battery. The belt drive never needs adjustment. It may need to be replaced once a year, but imagine the savings in time, money, and headaches that a year with no drive chain adjustment can mean to you.

Faster Acceleration = More Thrills!
— Electric karts cannot only match gas karts for top speed on straight-a-ways, their low-end power and quickness provide head-snapping acceleration throughout the entire range of speeds. Instead of a "live solid axle", electric karts have unique, custom-built differential that amplifies the kart’s turning response, improves handling, engine performance and battery life. The resulting performance makes for a truly exhilarating racing experience.

Remote controlled, Safer, Saner and more Fun!
— Our electric karts feature state-of-the-art radio controlled emergency shut-off and pit speed reduction. The radio control allows track personnel to control the track speeds before, during, and after a race. The pit lane speed allows the customers to enter and exit the charge rail grid safely. The system can also be used to penalize individual drivers who have made intentional infractions of track rules, by remotely cutting their kart’s power in half. Speeds are fully adjustable to suit your track design.

USER REQUIREMENTS
Whether an electric kart is used in a dedicated karting facility or as a mid-size attraction in a FEC, the requirements remain constant and nominal.

Electricity supply for charging: 6 KVA per kart
(30 amps @ 230v single phase)
(60 amps @ 110v single phase)

Charger systems: 18" wide x 8" high x 12" deep per charger, optional custom charging rack stores chargers Chargers: have a 1:1 ratio with a maximum run time of 15 minutes at high speeds

Auto Charge Pick-Up: installed in every kart, which shortens labor intense plug-in systems that other manufacturers use, reducing expense to operator and increasing turn around time

Charge Rail System: (1 segment per kart), 56" wide x 77.5" long x 5" tall, reference spec, cut and installation manuals for complete details

Charge Rail System Automatic Pick-Up: in combination with the charger automatically senses connection once the 48v kart parks in the pit lane Standard building structure for indoor operation: no additional sound proofing or ventilation systems

Noise levels outside building: 45Db or ambient level if greater
Noise levels indoors 3 foot away from kart: 68Db;
Noise levels @ 100 feet from kart: 38Db;
Noise levels @ 200 feet from kart: 32Db;
Noise levels can be as much as 50% less in Db levels of gas karts.

Formula K can supply amusement facilities with any parts related to go-karts for any make or model kart. They also offer a full line of tires for almost any kart and Carry, in stock, all parts for Honda GX 140, 160, 200, 240, 270. They can also get parts for any other air cooled Honda Motor in 1- 2 days.

For more information, contact: Formula K Raceway, Inc., 4358 N. Main St., PO BOX 488, Mattawan, MI 49071. Phone: 269-668-4575 or toll free at 800-873-0291 or by fax: 269-668-4819.

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