European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 24, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday april 242007 stars and stripes Page 19 German indoor go cart track satisfies need for Speed by Ben Bloker stars and stripes poorly lit Side Street in the Industrial Section of Effenbach a suburb of ser Slauter Germany is Home to an entertainment venue designed for one purpose driving fast before slipping on the ninja looking helmet liner and strap Ping on a full faced helmet a Racetrack worker at go indoor Kart explains to Drivers the caution flags used in a Spinous or crash it is Clear that anyone driving this course had better make safety a priority while if s easy to stereotype go carts As childrens toys scores of professional racers got their Start racing them indoor cart tracks can be relatively expensive and feel almost unsafe at times but after youve lapped the course once youre hooked and begin to understand what drives the professionals after the safety briefing each Driver is assigned a cart know ing the number of your cart is crucial to keeping track of Lap times and your position in the pack the track worker signals you onto the course and the driving begins As your cart enters the first turn the cold tires cause the cart to Start Drifting feeling slightly out of control after wrestling through the first Section of a twisty mix of sweeping s turns and tight hair pins you open it up on the first Long Straightaway it is at this time you get the sensation that if your 65 Kilometre per hour go cart hits the Wall you could be seriously Hurt you fight your Way through the next twisty Section and Straightaway to glance at the Lap time Board to Check your time and How it compares with others on the track not so Good each car is equipped with an electronic device that enables you to Check your position last Lap time and fastest Lap time the cars Start at different times so you race against the clock not other Drivers within a few laps the tires on your cart Start to heat up and traction improves you Start with the speeds achieved at the go indoor Kart track customers need a full face helmet to protect them in the event of a crash photos by Ben and stripes american Wesley Hrushka watches go carts Speed by As he awaits his turn to drive at Erfen bachs indoor go cart track go indoor Kart the tracks top cart is capable of 65 Kilometres per hour on the tight twisty track probably enough to please just about any Speed enthusiast feeling like Michael Schumacher As you attempt to hit each Apex of a turn to maintain Speed Lap times shorten As you move up the scoreboard you will quickly learn that you dont want to get stuck behind someone slow because it is hard to pass if they stick to the tracks Center and while the carts can go fast it is difficult to regain Speed once you slow Down after 10 minutes of racing around the curve riddled track your arms Startt Hurt from mus cling the cart through each turn with eyes watering from Speed you see the Check ered Flag drop and you make your Way to the parking area where you began after racing the one upping begins Veteran and Rookie Rac ers alike head to the bar to Tell stories of Speed and gaze at the printout of Lap times the bar has a Birdseye View of the track providing a visual Aid for the racers tales about their Tormen Tor and an Opportunity to begin planning How next time  do better email Ben broker at after a Short wait Hrushka speeds off in a cart a Standard German offers a Birdseye View of the track at go indoor Kart providing a place to share pos Trace stories Peter and stripes on the it directions from autobahn 6 go North on l367 also known As b270 and exit at Strasse stay on the priority Road through Effenbach to Ward the end of town there Are signs for the track turn left on Carl Denk Strasse the track is the last building on the right times go indoor Kart is open daily although hours vary it is open 4 pm to 11 pm monday through thursday 4 pm to 1 am fridays 1 pm to 1 am saturdays and 11 am to 11 pm sundays and Legal holi Days the entire track can be reserved outside of business hours for groups of 10 or More costs Cost varies based on the Type of cart and length of track time the top cart is the fastest available and costs 11 euros for 10 minutes you might want to Start by driving two 10minute races for an adventurous group of at least seven adults 34 euros per person will Pur Chase a reservation for 60 minutes of track time including 10 minutes to qualify and medals for the three fastest Drivers you must also Pur Chase a reusable helmet liner for a few euros food a typical German is available with Standard refreshments and snacks information the tracks German Only web site is  de there Are English language brochures at the track and information in English by telephoning 06301300250 Ben Bloker