I wholeheartedly recommend you visit TBC Indoor Kart Racing while visiting Richmond here in BC. It’s a blast! My partner and I arrived total newbies but left feeling hungry for more. I can’t wait to return someday soon to keep honing my racing skills.
TBC Indoor Kart Racing opened in 2020 and is located at 2100 Viceroy Pl. in Richmond, BC. It’s not an easy place to get to via public transit, but with some determination and a good stretch of the legs you’ll get there. It’s a unique experience that’s totally worth any extra effort. The facility is clean and well maintained, and we found the staff to be friendly and professional.
What to expect
TBC’s website states that the go-karts can reach speeds of up to 70km/hr, but while we were there the staff claimed they could go up to 75km/hr. If you’re a speed demon who wants to spread their wings, you’re in the right place! I felt during our race time that it was the perfect way to feel like a race car driver without the heightened risk of doing it for real. It was incredibly fun once I got the hang of the pedals and comfortable maneuvering around corners at faster speeds.
The go-karts are gas powered so you can feel the rumble of the engine as you accelerate toward your next turn. It’s exhilarating! The karts do have seat belts which you’re required to wear (of course) and are made with speed and sharp turns in mind so you can sit back and enjoy your ride in comfort. Additionally, despite being an indoor track we felt it was well ventilated and were glad to avoid the rain.
TBC is open Monday – Thursday 2:00pm-10:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 12:00am, and Sundays from 11:00am – 11:00pm
If you’re new to go-karting and are feeling nervous, don’t sweat it. Before you step foot on the racetrack you’ll be directed to a side room where you’ll watch a very helpful and informative safety video. It gives a thorough warm up to what you can expect and what to look out for when you’re racing. The karts are automatic transmission so you won’t have to worry about shifting gears while driving. Also, something to keep in mind is that just because you’re on a racetrack doesn’t mean you have to “race”. You’re the driver so do as you will! Just make sure you’re not going at a snails pace ^_^.
My partner and I appreciated the fact that before you get your helmet the staff give you a mesh head covering to wear underneath in order to keep everything sanitary. It’s a nice detail that may be residual from opening during a pandemic. When you’re finished your race you can check to see your top lap time at the front counter, or have it e-mailed to you for your personal records.
Pricing
Each race for go-karting consists of six laps around the eleven-turn track. With the passing of each lap your confidence is sure to grow. Something to keep in mind is that each race (if you’re doing multiple) are back to back, so you’ll need to take any picture’s you’d like before and/or after you’re finished. One race costs $34.00/person for guest pricing. For members one race is only $25.00/person, however the price goes up slightly on more popular days of the week. Whether you’re a guest or a member, booking multiple races is cost effective; for a full price breakdown visit TBC’s website here.
We were happy to take advantage of their special pricing offer of two races + 30mins of axe throwing for $65.00/person. Having the added fun of axe throwing felt like the perfect topper to our afternoon. Rather than having the targets painted onto the wood like at other axe throwing establishments, TBC has utilized projectors with sensors to project the image of the target and keep track of your points for you. There are multiple types of games you can choose from in addition to the classic bullseye; tic-tac-toe, an off-brand version of Space Invaders, targeting zombies, and more.
You can make group bookings as well which can accommodate large numbers of people for occasions such as birthdays or corporate events. Also, after you’re finished racing and/or axe throwing, you have the opportunity to continue the fun by enjoying some arcade games if you’d like before leaving.
Some helpful tips
- Make a reservation in advance. While you aren’t required to do this, it is recommended as a way to ensure you get to race at your preferred time. Especially on busy weekends.
- Give yourself enough TIME to get there! Like I mentioned earlier, arriving via public transit is difficult and involves at least 26mins of walking time. Use your chosen maps app to anticipate your required travel time at least one night prior to your reservation.
- Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. I wore my hoodie while racing and, even though it was unzipped I felt flushed and near over heated when we had finished our race.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Do your best to get out of your head and embrace the experience at its fullest. The main rules to remember is that a yellow light means to slow down, a green light means the race is on (speed up!), and a checkered flag signals that your race is finished and it’s time to return to the pit area.
Start your engines
I hope you enjoy your time at TBC Indoor Kart Racing as much as we did! I felt giddy afterwards and feel that it was a fulfillment to a long forgotten childhood dream. When you’re on the track you get to become an edgy version of yourself and just go for it. There is one section in particular where you can ‘floor it’ and feel as though you’re in a high-speed chase. Let your imagination go wild!
Drive safe ^_^
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