Outdoor
Karting category
2 active venues
Drift Karting in United States
While standard karting focuses on grip and racing lines, Drift Karting (often found as "Slick Track" racing) is all about losing traction. In the United States, this discipline is split into two categories: the classic "Slick Tracks" found at amusement parks, where polished concrete meets bald tires, and the modern "Drift Night" events hosted by major chains like K1 Speed, where high-torque electric karts are modified to slide like professional drift cars.
The US drift scene is unique because it blends low-speed fun with high-skill car control.
- The "Slick Track" (Amusement Style): This is a staple of American fun centers. Tracks like those at Boomers Parks (CA) or Wahooz (ID) feature a finely polished concrete oval. The karts are fitted with hard plastic or slick rear tires that offer almost zero grip. The goal is to "steer with the rear," maintaining a constant slide through the corners at speeds of 20-30mph. It levels the playing field, as raw engine power matters less than throttle control.
- Sport Drift: (K1 Speed Drift Night) For a more serious experience, K1 Speed hosts quarterly "Drift Nights" at select locations nationwide. For these special events, the standard electric karts are fitted with "Drift Slicks" (hard plastic sleeves over the rear tires). The instant torque of the electric motor combined with the slippery tires allows drivers to initiate high-speed drifts, mimicking the physics of professional Formula Drift cars.
- Drift Trikes: A distinct sub-culture in the US is the "Drift Trike." Venues like Vegas Trike Adventures (Las Vegas) offer adult-sized "Big Wheels" with PVC-sleeved rear wheels, allowing riders to drift down wide boulevards or specialized tracks.
2 kart tracks
Ordered by venue ranking
Outdoor
Indoor & outdoor
OutdoorMB2 Entertainment Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, California
Indoor & outdoorMB2 Raceway
Sylmar, California
Map locations are approximate.
Drift Karting — FAQs
A Slick Track is a go-kart track with a surface made of extremely polished concrete. The karts use special smooth tires (often hard plastic) that have very little traction, simulating driving on ice. This forces the driver to counter-steer (turn into the skid) to get around corners.
Drift Night is a special event held quarterly (e.g., January, March, May) at participating K1 Speed locations. It is not an everyday activity; you must check the specific schedule for your local track to catch these events.
Yes. It requires a completely different skill set. In normal racing, you want grip to go fast. In drift karting, you are constantly managing a loss of grip. You must be gentle with the steering and throttle to avoid spinning out completely.
No. Venues like Boomers and Wahooz are open to the general public. K1 Speed's Drift Night is also open to the public, though some prior karting experience is recommended so you understand how to handle the kart.
Because drift karts can be harder to control, the height requirement is often the same as adult karts. For example, Boomers and K1 Speed both require drivers to be 58 inches (4ft 10in) tall.