The Automotive Addicts team loaded up the 2015 Infiniti QX60 for a brief road trip to west side of Jacksonville, Florida to catch up with Chris McCoy from Endurance Karting. Chris and his team of drivers and mechanics were feverishly wrenching to prepare more than a couple dozen Honda powered go-karts for this weekend’s The 24 Hours of America, an endurance go-kart race held inside Daytona International Speedway January 30-February 1, 2015.
The philosophy of Endurance Karting is simple: anyone who has ever dreamt of being behind the wheel of an open racer at full throttle on a legitimate track should be able to give it a try.
While I have never owned a race car, I have owned a boat. I loved being out on the water, but I dreaded trailering the boat to the ramp, the hours of maintenance involved, and the anxiety that repair costs could bring. All I really wanted to do was go out on the water. Endurance Karting understands that frustration and shoulders the burdens of ownership. For a small fee you can drive the wheels off one of its perfectly maintained karts and go home. You don’t have to worry about fuel, brake pads, new tires, etc. All you have to be concerned about is trying to beat your best friend around the track.
Driving the cars was more fun than I imagined.
You hear that the kart is putting out a whopping 11-horsepower and you kind of chuckle to yourself. Then you find out that the tiny kart is capable of pushing a 200 pound man up to 50 mph and you do a double take. Of course, the first time you hit the back stretch of the City of Jacksonville owned race track at 10244 103rd Street you realize that 50 mph is a lot more intense than you expected. Letting off the throttle produces a satisfying gurgle from the exhaust and once the initial adrenaline rush begins to subside you can’t wait to try 50 out again.
While the team may only be here for a couple more days before they head to Daytona, there is still time to head out to the track to give the karts a try. Chris and his team will be out today for a few more hours and tomorrow morning as well. You can contact them through the website.
Grand Prix of Jacksonville Benefiting Spina Bifida 6 Hour April 10-11, 2015
Of course 10 minutes behind the wheel is amazing, but being a part of a race team and putting in a total of 6 hours on the track is even better. Endurance Karting is returning to Jacksonville from April 10-11, 2015 to host the Grand Prix of Jacksonville, an endurance race that you can be a part of. Grab a few of your buddies and sign up to race in one of the karts. Part of the proceeds go towards helping raise money and awareness for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting the prevention of spina bifida and improving the lives of all afflicted with the disabling birth defect.
Endurance Karting on Facebook
Endurance Karting’s Website
Endurance Karting on Twitter
