JourneysPhotograph

A Day at the Indoor Go-Kart Track

·San Francisco, California·#bay area#friends#go-karting#indoor-racing
Two men, one in red and one in purple, stand in a room with a rack of jumpsuits behind them.

Back in July of 2010, a group of us went for a day of indoor go-kart racing. The first order of business was getting suited up. The venue had racks of colorful jumpsuits sorted by size—red for large, purple for medium, and blue for small. We all got into our respective colors and posed for a few photos before the serious business began.

After a quick briefing, we grabbed our helmets and balaclavas. The whole group was in good spirits, laughing and getting ready for the race. I spotted someone with a pink helmet, which stood out amongst the others. Once geared up, we headed out to the track where the karts were waiting.

The karts were lined up in the pit lane, each with its own number. I remember seeing karts 41, 12, and 31 as we all got settled in. The staff did a final check, and then we were off. It's always a bit of a chaotic scene on an indoor track, with the sound of the engines echoing in the warehouse-like space.

After the race was over, it was time for the awards. Three of the guys stood on the checkered winner's podium, with the first-place finisher holding up a small silver trophy. It was a fun, competitive way to spend an afternoon indoors.

Four people in red and purple racing jumpsuits pose in a brightly lit indoor go-kart facility with a "GoKart Racer" sign.Two people in red and purple racing suits are smiling at each other indoors.Two people in GoKart Racer suits, one in a balaclava, the other smiling, are seated indoors.Three people in racing suits and helmets prepare for an activity in an indoor facility.Several people in helmets and racing suits sit in go-karts at an indoor track, with staff members assisting them.A person in a pink helmet and purple jumpsuit sits in a black go-kart on a track with tire barriers.Several people in go-karts are lined up inside a racing facility as a staff member walks by.Three men stand on a winner's podium in front of a checkered wall; one holds a trophy, another gives thumbs up.