Checkered Flag Raceway

This place is fun for anyone. It has an average arcade, and the race track is awesome! I won a prize from the claw machine and ran over someone’s purse on the track. (Luckily nobody noticed) The prices aren’t half bad and the track was a good size. In my experience, the place closed three hours early due to non working lights on the track so I couldn’t race a second time. But other than that, I had a great experience! They have soda vending machines for a dollar in case you get thirsty in the line. This is a go to race track and I strongly recommend you to go and try it out.

This track can be fun for a short while. The draw was the cheap membership which includes discount on race tickets, a driver’s license complete with photo, and lap timers. The laps show up on the board, though they’re difficult to understand. They do not give you a printout to keep and track for multiple visits. It doesn’t matter how many races you’ve purchased, you must get back in line for each race. If there is no line, you still must switch to the next available kart, regardless of its condition. Some carts handle turns tightly, others not so well. In the end, you pay more for track that has no bridges, tunnels, etc., karts that make you wonder if the tires are going to fly off, and a strict policy that never bends. I’m a big guy. Every kart I drove required some serious adjustments in the harnesses, so much that I had to be issued an extender for the front cross buckle. I bought the membership for myself and my son, so I’m sure I’ll get some use out of it, but I’m not so sure I’ll be renewing it next year.
Last year, my son was 2 inches too short to drive the «Bomber», which is the slowest car, yet this time, there was a child driving one that was obviously more than 2 inches too short. So much for the «No exceptions» policy. Kids under 56″ in height are required to ride along with an adult in a two-​seater.

This go kart place had the larger track compared to the one across the street. The ride smells so be longer too but the people working on selling the tickets are not too bright.
I went in with a Groupon and knew exactly what I wanted. Single rides are $ 6 and 2 seater rides are $ 6.50. I had children who were not taller enough to ride on their own. I obviously wanted the most for my groupon but the guy at the front wanted me to get 5 tickets instead of the 6. With 6 tickets I would have to pay an extra $ 2.50 and with 5 tickets I wouldn’t have to pay but wouldn’t use up all my Groupon value. Before heading there be wise and do your calculations and don’t bother letting the people there do Math work for you.
I’ve been a few times and my arms kills after the trip. I know it’s from the go karts they have poor shock absorbers!

Go karts are fun. The track has lots of turns. You can see your lap times as you drive and again afterwards on the monitor.

If you are looking for a fun place to get your «need for speed» and feel like Danica Patrick or Dale Earnhardt but not quite ready for NASCAR or Formula One racing, the Checked Flag Raceway is the place to go.
Mark and I have been here twice over this past summer (thanks to a Groupon) and although I have yet to beat him — we had a blast both times. I blame it on always getting a slow car — he blames it on my lack of managing the curves. We agree to disagree.
Each race costs about $ 6 and you are on the track for probably a good 5 – 10 minutes depending on how crowded it is. Controlling the car is simple enough — one petal for the gas and one to slow down. Be careful though as these carts are not for the faint of heart — you will shake rattle and roll as you maneuver you way around each curve. The safety harnesses do a good job of keeping you strapped the seats do not have a lot of cushion so be prepared to get jostled.
In addition the first time we came it was slightly overcast and not very crowded so there was no waiting between races. The second time, however, was toward the end of the summer and on a weekend — and hence it was more crowded with families and younger children.
Children do have to reach a certain height to ride on their own and if they do not meet that requirement they have the option to ride with an adult. Be careful though — getting behind a younger driver can be a bit dangerous as swerving is a foregone conclusion and their cars run at a slightly slower speed.
The facility also has several vending machines as well as a game room with video games and an air hockey table (and no I have yet to win against Mark in that either).
Its location on the Berlin Turnpike is nice also and you can make it a full gaming afternoon with several miniature golf courses and a bowling alley close by.

So this place was rather disappointing, not all of the karts are created equal. On top of it after just two races my arms killed just because they shook so much. Reaching the pedals was a problem as I am only 5’1. Nothing special here, but it is cheap at $ 6 a race compared to other places. I cannot compare it to the place across the street but the fact that the other place is behind a strip club makes it pretty sketchy!
I came here with a Groupon and I like to go back to places with Groupons but the fact that my arms killed me like that (maybe I’m just weak or weird) makes me not want to go back.