New go-kart track in Rogers speeds toward weekend opening
ROGERS — Taylor Donhom of Bentonville can’t wait to see her two sons race and compete at K1 Speed.
“They are going to love it,” Donhom said. “They love going fast, competing and gokarts.”
Donhom and others can cure their need for speed starting Saturday, when the business at 2111 W. Walnut St. in Rogers is scheduled to open.
One of her sons has cerebral palsy and especially loves go-karts, Donhom said.
“He just opens up and becomes a ray of sunshine,” she said.
Buster Vanhooser, co-owner and general manager, said K1 Speed isn’t only for children, but is a great way for adults who love racing to spend their time.
“I think what makes this place so special and why people are so interested is because there is really nothing like it in Northwest Arkansas,” Vanhooser said.
Vanhooser said K1 Speed has electric karts that go up to 45 mph. There’s no age limit, but racers must be at least 4 feet tall to compete in the junior carts that go up to 22 mph. Racers must be at least 5 feet tall to race in the carts that go up to 45 mph.
The business is family-operated, Vanhooser said. He said his family is originally from Indiana where there was a K1 Speed location. He said his family would go there and have fun racing.
“We have loved racing all our lives, and we go to the Indy 500 every year,” he said. “It’s racing in your blood for sure. So we thought, what better place to bring K1 Speed?”
The business will have its own leagues he expects to begin in January.
“There’s tons of opportunities even to get noticed and get sponsorships,” Vanhooser said. “If someone was like really trying to pursue a career in carting or racing. This is a great place to get started, especially for kids.”
Vanhooser said 12 drivers compete in the 12 laps around the track, which is close to 2 miles. One race usually takes 10 to 12 minutes, he said.
“It’s just gonna be an amazing place for people to come in, relax, have some fun, drive a little crazy instead of being on the actual streets,” Vanhooser said. “Overall, it’s going to be a great experience for people.”
A parent must accompany their children to sign waivers for them to race, Vanhooser said.
The business will provide the helmets. Racers may bring their own, but the helmets must be approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Vanhooser said. The business will have the racing suits, along with gloves and shoes. People will also be able to buy the items, Vanhooser said.
A bench trial related to the business is scheduled for 9 a.m Wednesday in Benton County Circuit Judge Doug Schrantz’s court.
6420 Frisco Station claims in court documents the racing venue is in violation of two reciprocal easement agreements between property owners, both dated January 1994.
The go-kart facility involves the north side of the building, which also houses Benton County offices and Samaritan Shop.
Bentonville Rogers LLC bought the 5.3-acre parcel for $5.6 million in November, according to county property records. The property owner and the building’s customers are allowed to use parking spaces owned by the mall, according to a parking and sign easement agreement dated 2004.
Frisco Station argues the building owned by Bentonville Rogers may only be used for “such purposes as are customarily found in retail shopping centers, including financial institutions, service shops, restaurants, offices and retail stores, and for no other use or purpose.”
The agreements prohibit uses of the property which involve “any noise, litter, dust, dirt, odor or other activity, which may constitute a public or private nuisance, any unusual risk of fire, explosion or other hazard (including explosives or fireworks)” and bowling alleys, bingo parlors and skating rinks, according to a brief filed by Frisco Station in answer to the suit.
Representatives of Bentonville Rogers LLC claim the easement agreements don’t prohibit leasing the building to K1 Speed. The complaint by the company, filed March 23, says Frisco Station discussed leasing its own space to K1 Speed.