Buffalo Grove Indoor Karting in March | FerrariChat

Buffalo Grove Indoor Karting in March

Discussion in 'Chicago' started by tifosi12, Feb 20, 2004.

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  1. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 3, 2002
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    Andreas
    I'd like to setup an indoor kart event for the last weekend of March (3/27 or 3/28). It will be held at the new facility in Buffalo Grove:

    http://www.chicagoindoorracing.com

    Who is interested? Any particular day or time?

    Depending on how many people we'll get we could block the track for us. Otherwise we'll just go there as regular customers. They have a bar and restaurant, so I'd like to make this an afternoonish event if possible.
     
  2. chasking

    chasking Formula Junior

    Nov 27, 2003
    317
    Chicago, IL
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    Chuck King
    I'm interested.
     
  3. Bob308GTS

    Bob308GTS Formula 3

    Sep 26, 2001
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    Bob Campen
  4. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    Jack
    I'll do it, but on 3/28 they're having an Enduro. If you want, I can call and get more info--they were still taking team applications not too long ago.
     
  5. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    Jul 2, 2003
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    Sparky
    I'm interested.

    Andreas, maybe on a weekday we could get a good slot time, and possibly better pricing.

    Oops, I just remembered a lot of people work, so maybe that's not feasible. Of course if we did do it on a weekday afternoon, you workers could call in sick. :)
     
  6. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 8, 2003
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    I'd be in on the 27th... afternoon or evening.
    the 28th is the Shamrock Shuffle for all you runners out there!
    I've heard this place is great!
     
  7. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Sounds like we're targeting for the 27th then.

    Maybe we can get a crowd of 10 together. Any ideas on whether or how we should do a competition? Or should we just do our laps? Nah, there has to be some time run, right? Suggestions?

    I know Mr. Frank will come up with a nice trophy, hehe.

    Jack, if you want to call the place and find out some more, that'd be great.

    Also I wonder what the parking lot will look like that day. There will be at least one (winged) 308...
     
  8. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    Andreas, I called out there but the event coordinators don't work on the weekends. Whatever. Anyway, I left a message and asked her to contact me. I also emailed them. For those who haven't checked out their site, here are the basics:

    Racing license: $10 Monthly
    $25 Annual

    Standard Rates: $25/person/race, each race is either 20 or 25 laps
    depending on which of the two tracks. Each additional race is $10, but not on Saturdays.

    She quoted me the rental rate last fall, but I don't remember how much. I'm thinking it was around $1000/hour. With the hourly rate, you can bring as many people as you like, but the max number of carts on track is 10, I believe. I've got some friends who I know will come, and you can get a lot of track time in an hour. We'll see what they say this week.

    As far as what I drive out there, so long as Mother Nature doesn't have any late surprises for us, I'll definitely drive my baby!
     
  9. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks Jack.

    Sounds like the hour rent is a bit high unless we suddenly double the number of people. I'd like to make this an annual event, so maybe we can aim for that next year.

    Sounds like we should have two races and the mode could be F1 GP points per race and the one with the most points after two races wins the cup. If other folks mix in, that wouldn't matter.

    Are the times taken by any chance? Just thinking what kind of tie breaker we would need. Maybe a third race if we have two drivers with equal points?

    Let us know, what else you find out and how many of your buddies would join us. I think this could turn out great and if we get hooked, we could have a follow up event in the summer on an outdoor track. Hmm...
     
  10. Dr.T348

    Dr.T348 Formula 3

    Jan 8, 2004
    1,599
    Chicago NW Burbs
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    Richard T.
    Hey, I would be interested.

    Keep posting info.
     
  11. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 8, 2003
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    I've got a friend that is really into racing his Porsche, has been trying to get something like this together for me and my partners... I will see if others would be interested.

    Is there a maximun number of people?
     
  12. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    No maximum really.

    Let's see how many we can get, maybe we will go for the $ 1,000 for an hour after all.
     
  13. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 8, 2003
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    Does $1K give you as many karts as you need (say for 20 people??), or is there a limit?
     
  14. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jack mentions a maximum of 10 karts on the track.

    Jack, do we know how long a race lasts in elapsed time?
     
  15. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    As far as the number of karts, since only 10 are on the track at once, they usually have 10 more in pitlane, so the next group is seated and ready to drive when the first group is finished. When you rent out the track, you can run things any way you choose. A bunch of short races, fewer medium-length, or an hour-long enduro if you wish. Generally, the races last about 10 minutes or so. I guess that would mean 5-6 races/hour, or $1250-$1500/hour if you paid race by race. The idea I'm going to present to them is to host an Enduro for charity. Teams will get pledges per lap for the charity. The only issue is how much the track will be willing to contribute. It will be some phenomenal PR for them if they agree to it.

    Anyway, the $1000 IS a lot to pay unless you've only got 10 guys planning on doing a ton of driving. Otherwise it doesn't really make sense since you spend more time watching.

    Andreas, to answer your question about timing, all the karts are equipped with timing equipment, so everything is recorded! Also, I don't know how many of you have driven at a place like this, but the managers take it pretty seriously. They won't let you drive if you've been drinking, and they have a penalty box where they send you for rough driving. Usually, it's a 3-strikes and you're out policy. They highly encourage tipping a few in their lounge, but only after you're done racing.
     
  16. FerrariFrank1

    FerrariFrank1 F1 Rookie

    Aug 15, 2003
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    Frank
    Trophy's....Covered!!! :) Just let me know what kind,and how many,and what you want written on them,etc....Just need a week or two advance.(depends on how many)

    Can kids ride along on a Non Competitive Lap or Two? I won't be able to Drive one yet,But,Lil' Frankie would LOVE to go around a few laps,if it's cool. But,if not. Thats O.K.,too. We have an Outdoor GoKart track right on RT.83 in Oakbrook Terrace,(less than a mile away) that will open in Spring. But,must be at least 10 to drive one. But,2 people can fit on one,if desired. Probably,not as near as fast as these Indoor Karts sound like they'd be,though. But,still Fun.:) They are Only a couple bucks for ,I think,10 laps or so. They have GT style bodies on them.
     
  17. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    These guys require you to be 18+.
     
  18. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jack, how is the grid for a race formed? Just random I suppose?

    With all the timing information available figuring out some points system/classification will be easy. And with 10 minutes per race we should be able to run several races.

    Can you elaborate a bit more on your charity idea?
     
  19. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    We can draw straws for the first race, then grid up according to results after that--in order or in reverse. Basically the charity idea would be like any other fundraiser ______-athon. Put together teams of 2 or 3 drivers, depending on how long we can race. Drivers will collect pledges for donation by the lap (.10 a lap x 200 laps= $20 suppose) or just a flat donation. It could be for Cancer, Diabetes or any charity with someone may have a connection. Ideally you get the track to donate the karting in exchange for the write-off and a nice chunk of publicity. We'll see what they say.
     
  20. FerrariFrank1

    FerrariFrank1 F1 Rookie

    Aug 15, 2003
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    Well,I'm all for doing anything that will help sick kids. They get pretty scared when they are sick,and don't understand why. FCA helps out Childrens Memorial Hospital. Windy City Corvettes helps out Children who were born with Spina Bifida. I'm sure that there are alot of posibilities. We'll have to all get together and discuss it sometime.
     
  21. dsweet

    dsweet Rookie

    Feb 23, 2004
    3
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    Dave
    Great idea, Andreas! I just drove past there on Saturday but didn't have time to go inside and check it out. I did this back in VA with my old car club a few years ago and we had a great time - and the rates were triple what they are here.

    http://amcc-dc.org/karting0201

    Count me in!

    Dave
     
  22. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Welcome to the board, Dave!

    Looking forward to see you at the kart track. It will be interesting as we seem to have drivers with and without previous experience.
     
  23. RocketBoy

    RocketBoy Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2004
    1,082
    Wisconsin
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    Professor Hajji
    Andreas,

    I went to the opening house of this place. It is simply geared for corporate events as it has many board rooms and meeting areas as it does racing areas. It is very professional: certain ages, high priced, drivers wear overalls, neck brace, helmets, it has computer controlled timing, and driving monitors ready to flash you with warning signs if you bump accidentally. The age limit and pricing discourages teen punks from showing up and running people off the track. I think if we have enough people show up on a weekday night, why bother renting the place out? We can overflow one of the two tracks with our Ferrari guys in case they have a decent public turn out that night, ( I stopped by on one weekday to see if my girlfriend wanted to try it and it was completely empty. ) It has a wonderful viewing area that is parked up against a bar and little eatery.
    Count me in if its on a weekday, it will be nice to meet you guys.

    RocketBoy
     
  24. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    No punks? Sheesh, sounds like I will have to behave.

    I remember all the times I was thrown out of go kart places for wreckless driving...
    :(
     
  25. Tod328gts

    Tod328gts Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2003
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    River Forest, IL
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    Tod Whitmore
    Hey Andreas,

    Count me in too, sorry for the delay, had to check the schedule and the boss for clearance...

    I remember an outdoor gokart track that we use to cause havoc in also, bumping into people, cutting them off on turns, etc...etc... I also remember myself running off the track and hitting the fence, ouch..... :)

    Guess we have to behave at this place??? Thats ok, we'll save the other fun for Gingerman raceway in may when we can drive the Ferraris.... :)

    Tod
     

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