Indoor go-kart racing chain K1 Speed buys Grimes' Pole Position, installs new track and barriers

Philip Joens, Des Moines Register
Updated ·2 min read

An indoor go-karting center in Grimes reopened recently with a new name, track and go-karts.

Position Raceway at 1350 SE Gateway Drive in Grimes, was acquired by Irvine, California-based K1 speed in March, said K1 spokesperson Ryan Jurnecka. K1 acquired all Pole Position Raceway chains in August 2022, but the Grimes location remained independently-owned until K1 purchased it, Jurnecka said. K1 now has 86 locations in 30 states and seven countries including a location in the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit, Missouri.

K1 has widened the Grimes raceway's track to make passing easier and safer and increased the length of the main straightaway, Jurnecka said. It also improved barriers on the track.

K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.
K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.

"These barriers don't move around at all," Jurnecka said. "Unlike the old ones, they're firmly seated into the ground, and absorb impacts much better than the system that was there."

The Grimes center is the first in the K1 chain with OTL-Storm go-karts powered by lithium-ion batteries and do not lose torque as the charge depletes, Jurnecka said.

K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.
K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.

Many areas also got new coats of paint and the company remodeled the arcade, he said. In addition, he said K1 promises a more serious approach to racing.

Hours are:

  • 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

  • 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday.

  • 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Saturday.

  • 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

A $7.95 annual license is required to race and includes a free race on the driver's birthday, helmet use and a reusable head sock.

Races run until a driver completes 12 laps and cost $26.95, with discounts for two-and three-race packages.

K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.
K1 Speed of California has bought Pole Position Raceway in Grimes, first location in Iowa.

"The feedback from diehard regulars has been tremendous, and they've really enjoyed the upgrades to both track and kart and our improved marshalling of the races," Jurnecka said.

Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: K1 Speed opens Des Moines area location after buying Pole Position