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If Need 2
Speed's gift card sales are an indication, downtown Redding is
ready for indoor go-kart racing.
Need 2 Speed
opens at 3 p.m. Friday in the former Dicker's building inside
The Mall in downtown Redding.
Marketing
Manager Julie DePrada said Tuesday that more than 500 gift cards
were sold in a two-week period. The cards ranged from $5.95 (for
an annual license) to about $100.
"What surprised
me during the presales is how different the people were coming
in," DePrada said. "We have had the Red Hat Society call us three
times. They want to book a party.
"To see a
lot of older people coming in is really exciting. And ladies,
lots of ladies, which is a very pleasant surprise."
Friday culminates
about a yearlong sprint that started with owner Boris Podtetenieff
researching and buying into the indoor-racing concept. In September,
the former Dicker's building was purchased by Yuba Street Holdings
LLC, a partnership that includes
Podtetenieff,
Redding contractor Steve Stratton and the Redding Development
Group. Podtetenieff, who also owns T-Shirts Unlimited in Redding
and raced at Shasta Raceway Park, is the sole owner of Need 2
Speed.
Need 2 Speed
will feature more than a half-mile of racing with three track
styles: mini-grand prix (junior kart racing); grand prix (adult
kart racing); and super grand prix (miniand grand prix tracks
combined).
The adult
karts will be charged by 20-horsepower, zeroemission engines with
the ability to exceed 45 miles per hour, DePrada said. Kids' karts
will be capable of speeds of around 25 mph. There are 24 adult
race cars and eight junior cars.
Karts will
be equipped with remote controls operated by employees to reduce
speeds or stop the racer, if necessary, DePrada said. Everybody
who uses the facility will need a license, which costs $5.95 for
the year.
The cost to
race will be $20 for 14 laps, and $10 for juniors, who must be
at least 8 years old and 48 inches tall.
Need 2 Speed
will be open seven days a week.
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