I will be in Laguna Beach for a week, where to go, where to race karts?

trhoppe · 05-16-2007, 03:37 PM

I'll be working in Laguna Beach next week. I've only been "out west" once and that was for the San Jose Grand Prix. Never been to LA or "south Cali".

I'm thinking I'd like to go and take some cool pics somewhere, hang out at the beach, and go hit a good karting track.

Any recommendations? I'll have a rental car I can use if need be. Will be working from 8-4 or so.

-Tom

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pio!pio! · 05-16-2007, 04:48 PM

Dromo 1, I think is the closest indoor karting track to Laguna Beach?

neo-sti · 05-16-2007, 05:13 PM

Dromo 1 is on the corner of Katella and Main in anaheim/Orange. If you want to go closer K1 is in Costa Mesa/Irvine. K1 is electric karting. I think their website is www.k1speed.com

cooleyjb · 05-16-2007, 05:21 PM

About an hour away

http://www.moranraceway.com/

One of the best tracks in the country. They rent real karts too. Not just rental stock.

remowgn · 05-16-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trhoppe

I'll be working in Laguna Beach next week. I've only been "out west" once and that was for the San Jose Grand Prix. Never been to LA or "south Cali".

I'm thinking I'd like to go and take some cool pics somewhere, hang out at the beach, and go hit a good karting track.

Any recommendations? I'll have a rental car I can use if need be. Will be working from 8-4 or so.

-Tom

K1's definitely the place to go. Dromo1 is fun, too, but I like K1 a bit better- even though the karts are electric, they're far more interesting than the gas ones at Dromo1. If you want to arrange a day next week to go karting, I'd totally be down to go- I'm sure there's some other socal folks who would be in.

trhoppe · 05-16-2007, 06:00 PM

Are the K1 karts any good? Electric sounds wierd, but they say that have the equivelent of 20hp.

I think the hour+ away one might not work as I would be leaving work at the peak of rush hour and don't want to deal with that. I don't have any regular day hours, or weekends free.

-Tom

trhoppe · 05-16-2007, 06:02 PM

I think Tuesday right now sounds the best as its buy 2, get one free. So 3 races for $40. I bet I can expense that somehow too

Not sure on the time exactly, gotta figure out with worky work.

-Tom
who will look wierd taking his helmet on a "business trip"

PKer · 05-16-2007, 06:14 PM

There's an autocross at Qualcomm Stadium this Sunday. Run the rental in HS!
I would let you co-drive my STX WRX, but I'm still on trans #1 and need to keep it that way for a while.

(actually I probably can't go, if I were going I'd let you drive)

Or you could go to CA Speedway the following Saturday or Sunday and your celebrity status alone would land you a drive. Max like to whore is car out maybe he'd let you.

remowgn · 05-16-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trhoppe

Are the K1 karts any good? Electric sounds wierd, but they say that have the equivelent of 20hp.

I think the hour+ away one might not work as I would be leaving work at the peak of rush hour and don't want to deal with that. I don't have any regular day hours, or weekends free.

-Tom

I was skeptical at first too, but they're definitely more fun. The awesome low-end torque is more forgiving than the peaky gas carts... you can get great drive off the corners, and they don't punish you nearly as bad when you mess up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trhoppe

I think Tuesday right now sounds the best as its buy 2, get one free. So 3 races for $40. I bet I can expense that somehow too

Not sure on the time exactly, gotta figure out with worky work.

-Tom
who will look wierd taking his helmet on a "business trip"

Let me know if you're goin down on tuesday, I'm in. I work in irvine about two miles away from K1 (dangerous, I tell you!

)

pio!pio! · 05-16-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooleyjb

About an hour away

http://www.moranraceway.com/

One of the best tracks in the country. They rent real karts too. Not just rental stock.

Is Moran still open? I thought they sold it to make way for a strip mall or something

I'd be down for a Nabisco karting day @ Moran...

cooleyjb · 05-16-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pio!pio!

Is Moran still open? I thought they sold it to make way for a strip mall or something

I'd be down for a Nabisco karting day @ Moran...

Yep, it got a stay of execution. Can't remember the exact reasons why. IIRC the area was going to become more warehouse for Wal-mart or something.

Scooby South · 05-16-2007, 07:20 PM

teh Hoppe in teh OC...
Nothing in Laguna cept for some weird dudes and some hotty chicks that won't even talk to you unless you give the an 8ball...

San Diego is about 1.5 hours south...
LA/Hollywood is about 2 hrs north....
Ortega Hiway is right there...
Dana Point is right there
and Newport/Irvine is right there..all within about 30 mins of you...
San Clemente is cool if you like to surf...
Oceanside is Jahreeen base..
Laguna is in south Orange County...lots of $$$$$ down that way....

Garden Grove/Anahiem is probably your best bet for some kind of motorsports activity...El Toro is right there too....I5 to 405 to 55..

About Laguna...don't go there without an open mind....

....its a mini San Fran down there..

...
Be careful...and have fun...

Bill( who grew up in HB)

Scooby South · 05-16-2007, 07:44 PM

some of the cars/jerks you might see in Laguna....this was taken on PCH just north of Laguna...going into Newport....

pretty expensive hardware...

Jack ffr1846 · 05-16-2007, 09:55 PM

Jim Hall Kart racing school in Ventura:

http://www.jimhallkartracing.com/

I took a 1/2 day school there about 5 years ago. 160 pound, 27hp karts are the starting point.

jack

OnTheGas · 05-16-2007, 10:59 PM

Hey Tom! Hope you enjoy your visit...

From Laguna Beach, K1 and Dromo1 are both close, w/Dromo1 about 1/2 hour away or bit more depending on traffic.

I work near K1, and live near Dromo1, and your initial reaction is probably correct... the electric karts are a little slower than the Dromo1 karts... With the track lay-outs at K1, they're much slower actually, because the track is tight, and never lets the kart unwind. Where as Dromo1's current lay-out has a decent sized straight preceded by foot flat sweeper, so you can wind-up the kart pretty well.

The other difference is the chassis... the K1 lectric karts feel heavier, and chassis is bit flexy. The Dromo1 karts definitely seem to be lighter, and work well, closer to regular racing kart.

Also, there are some decent restaurants right across the street from Dromo1, as well some fast food joints and other restaurants about 1/2 mile south on Main St.

Both places are good, so it don't matter too much, 'cause indoor karting is a hoot, and it would be good for some of us SoCal folks to say hello, and hang. I've been a fan of your posts here for a few years. My schedule can be tight, but I might to be able to come by and say hi.

trhoppe · 05-17-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the responses! I haven't driven a good kart since VIR a couple of years ago, so I'm looking forward to it

I wish I was staying over the weekend, but I'm flying in Monday afternoon and back out on Friday afternoon. Not much time for fun other then a couple of evenings.

-Tom

skuttledude · 05-17-2007, 10:43 AM

Tom,

Clear your PM's..I have a ton of stuff to tell you about Laguna.

Scooby South · 05-17-2007, 10:57 AM

Hope you like Art...and $15 latte's

trhoppe · 05-17-2007, 11:41 AM

PMs cleared. Also email @ tomhoppe.com

-Tom

trhoppe · 05-21-2007, 01:02 PM

Leaving in a few hours. Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to stay for the weekend, only $50 extra. Got plans for saturday during the day, but have all of friday off, so unless something cooler comes up, moran raceway it is. Friday is an open track day

-Tom
who will get a LOT of karting in this trip and after going to a dirt track kart race this past weekend, is almost considering buying a kart for the future

cooleyjb · 05-21-2007, 03:15 PM

When you get there, just take a peak at the first turn and realize that when done correctly in a shifter kart it can be taken flat out.

It took me a few laps to get to that point in a KT100 when I was there and was mighty impressed by the guys in shifter karts doing it. They were getting loads great enough to flex the chassis to the point of bottoming out.

I also have a shifter kart that is need of some TLC to be brought up to running form that could be had for pretty cheap.

preacher#1 · 05-22-2007, 12:51 AM

when/where? I have been to Dromo 1 and that place is sick!!
What is up on this place...
calspeedkarting.com

pio!pio! · 05-22-2007, 02:27 AM

I wanna goto Moran!! Will you be renting a kart? or taking the karting school?

05-16-2007, 07:20 PM	#12
Scooby South Subtly Outspoken Moderator Member#: 238 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 2013 Limited SWP BRZ and a Vehicle: 99 Ver6 Recreation JDM Speedwagon 3 LSDs..:)	teh Hoppe in teh OC... Nothing in Laguna cept for some weird dudes and some hotty chicks that won't even talk to you unless you give the an 8ball... San Diego is about 1.5 hours south... LA/Hollywood is about 2 hrs north.... Ortega Hiway is right there... Dana Point is right there and Newport/Irvine is right there..all within about 30 mins of you... San Clemente is cool if you like to surf... Oceanside is Jahreeen base.. Laguna is in south Orange County...lots of $$$$$ down that way.... Garden Grove/Anahiem is probably your best bet for some kind of motorsports activity...El Toro is right there too....I5 to 405 to 55.. About Laguna...don't go there without an open mind........its a mini San Fran down there..... Be careful...and have fun... Bill( who grew up in HB)

05-16-2007, 07:44 PM	#13
Scooby South Subtly Outspoken Moderator Member#: 238 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 2013 Limited SWP BRZ and a Vehicle: 99 Ver6 Recreation JDM Speedwagon 3 LSDs..:)	some of the cars/jerks you might see in Laguna....this was taken on PCH just north of Laguna...going into Newport.... pretty expensive hardware... Last edited by Scooby South; 05-16-2007 at 07:50 PM.

05-16-2007, 10:59 PM	#15
OnTheGas Scooby Specialist Member#: 3807 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Orange, CA, USA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan Silver, tinted	Fast times in The OC Hey Tom! Hope you enjoy your visit... From Laguna Beach, K1 and Dromo1 are both close, w/Dromo1 about 1/2 hour away or bit more depending on traffic. I work near K1, and live near Dromo1, and your initial reaction is probably correct... the electric karts are a little slower than the Dromo1 karts... With the track lay-outs at K1, they're much slower actually, because the track is tight, and never lets the kart unwind. Where as Dromo1's current lay-out has a decent sized straight preceded by foot flat sweeper, so you can wind-up the kart pretty well. The other difference is the chassis... the K1 lectric karts feel heavier, and chassis is bit flexy. The Dromo1 karts definitely seem to be lighter, and work well, closer to regular racing kart. Also, there are some decent restaurants right across the street from Dromo1, as well some fast food joints and other restaurants about 1/2 mile south on Main St. Both places are good, so it don't matter too much, 'cause indoor karting is a hoot, and it would be good for some of us SoCal folks to say hello, and hang. I've been a fan of your posts here for a few years. My schedule can be tight, but I might to be able to come by and say hi.

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05-16-2007, 03:37 PM	#1
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	I will be in Laguna Beach for a week, where to go, where to race karts? I'll be working in Laguna Beach next week. I've only been "out west" once and that was for the San Jose Grand Prix. Never been to LA or "south Cali". I'm thinking I'd like to go and take some cool pics somewhere, hang out at the beach, and go hit a good karting track. Any recommendations? I'll have a rental car I can use if need be. Will be working from 8-4 or so. -Tom * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

05-16-2007, 04:48 PM	#2
pio!pio! Scooby Specialist Member#: 4190 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Jose, CA Vehicle: 2008 Impreza WRX STi Aspen White	Dromo 1, I think is the closest indoor karting track to Laguna Beach?

05-16-2007, 05:13 PM	#3
neo-sti Scooby Newbie Member#: 101778 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Clemente Vehicle: 2010 Ford Taurus Company Car	Dromo 1 is on the corner of Katella and Main in anaheim/Orange. If you want to go closer K1 is in Costa Mesa/Irvine. K1 is electric karting. I think their website is www.k1speed.com

05-16-2007, 05:21 PM	#4
cooleyjb Scooby Specialist Member#: 55727 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: North Carolina Vehicle: #533 Spec Racer Ford	About an hour away http://www.moranraceway.com/ One of the best tracks in the country. They rent real karts too. Not just rental stock.

05-16-2007, 06:00 PM	#6
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Are the K1 karts any good? Electric sounds wierd, but they say that have the equivelent of 20hp. I think the hour+ away one might not work as I would be leaving work at the peak of rush hour and don't want to deal with that. I don't have any regular day hours, or weekends free. -Tom

05-16-2007, 06:02 PM	#7
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	I think Tuesday right now sounds the best as its buy 2, get one free. So 3 races for $40. I bet I can expense that somehow too Not sure on the time exactly, gotta figure out with worky work. -Tom who will look wierd taking his helmet on a "business trip"

05-16-2007, 06:14 PM	#8
PKer Scooby Specialist Member#: 27647 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: 69 Datsun 311, 10AE Miata Vehicle: 89 Civic-STC 03WRX (ret), 08 Titan-Tow	There's an autocross at Qualcomm Stadium this Sunday. Run the rental in HS! I would let you co-drive my STX WRX, but I'm still on trans #1 and need to keep it that way for a while. (actually I probably can't go, if I were going I'd let you drive) Or you could go to CA Speedway the following Saturday or Sunday and your celebrity status alone would land you a drive. Max like to whore is car out maybe he'd let you.

05-16-2007, 09:55 PM	#14
Jack ffr1846 Add Lightness Moderator Member#: 13699 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hopkinton, MA Vehicle: 2007 Lotus Elise (From General)	Jim Hall Kart racing school in Ventura: http://www.jimhallkartracing.com/ I took a 1/2 day school there about 5 years ago. 160 pound, 27hp karts are the starting point. jack

05-17-2007, 09:21 AM	#16
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Thanks for the responses! I haven't driven a good kart since VIR a couple of years ago, so I'm looking forward to it I wish I was staying over the weekend, but I'm flying in Monday afternoon and back out on Friday afternoon. Not much time for fun other then a couple of evenings. -Tom

05-17-2007, 10:43 AM	#17
skuttledude Scooby Specialist Member#: 738 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Southern Ohio USA Vehicle: 2008 Lexus IS-F Ducati Monster 800	Tom, Clear your PM's..I have a ton of stuff to tell you about Laguna.

05-17-2007, 10:57 AM	#18
Scooby South Subtly Outspoken Moderator Member#: 238 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 2013 Limited SWP BRZ and a Vehicle: 99 Ver6 Recreation JDM Speedwagon 3 LSDs..:)	Hope you like Art...and $15 latte's

05-17-2007, 11:41 AM	#19
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	PMs cleared. Also email @ tomhoppe.com -Tom

05-21-2007, 01:02 PM	#20
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Leaving in a few hours. Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to stay for the weekend, only $50 extra. Got plans for saturday during the day, but have all of friday off, so unless something cooler comes up, moran raceway it is. Friday is an open track day -Tom who will get a LOT of karting in this trip and after going to a dirt track kart race this past weekend, is almost considering buying a kart for the future

05-21-2007, 03:15 PM	#21
cooleyjb Scooby Specialist Member#: 55727 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: North Carolina Vehicle: #533 Spec Racer Ford	When you get there, just take a peak at the first turn and realize that when done correctly in a shifter kart it can be taken flat out. It took me a few laps to get to that point in a KT100 when I was there and was mighty impressed by the guys in shifter karts doing it. They were getting loads great enough to flex the chassis to the point of bottoming out. I also have a shifter kart that is need of some TLC to be brought up to running form that could be had for pretty cheap.

05-22-2007, 12:51 AM	#22
preacher#1 Top Scoob 022 Member#: 129894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Laguna Beach Vehicle: FSTI '04 4EAT Sierra Gold Metallic 20G-XT, EWG	when/where? I have been to Dromo 1 and that place is sick!! What is up on this place... calspeedkarting.com

05-22-2007, 02:27 AM	#23
pio!pio! Scooby Specialist Member#: 4190 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Jose, CA Vehicle: 2008 Impreza WRX STi Aspen White	I wanna goto Moran!! Will you be renting a kart? or taking the karting school?