Indoor Karting Business

[munkynutz]

daemon said:

They wont be unique as IF they happen to be successful, your competitors will simply do the same thing.

You can talk about this all you like, but i honestly dont think anyone is going to bankroll you - to the tune of several million perhaps plus maybe several years of loss making to get it up and running - as you've no experience in this field. People who have that sort of money to invest will be doing so on something that is close to a dead cert to succeed.

Thank you for sharing that, I never thought that another track might want to copy what I do nor did I think about whether what I create could be protectable or not or think about required investments to gain rights/protection.

I think several million is a little over egged. Sure it is not going to be cheap to set up nor are the overheads going to be negligible however, I do believe there is a viable business in it - in particular getting the location right which again I believe I have identified the correct area to go in to (should I go in to it)

[munkynutz]

I hear what people say about there being quite a high failure rate which I acknowledge, I attribute some of those failures to people not being fully prepared when they enter in to such a venture or maybe not trying something different or adapting to get the customers in (by different, I mean different formats that are away from your traditional arrive and drive).

Not sure how it is coming across but I’m not looking to blow loads of money in a business because I think it would be fun. If I don't see the business case then I shall not be going ahead. However, if there is a business case that will allow me to get in to karting and succeed for a couple of years then I will have the infrastructure and equipment to then take Karting as a leisure business in to a different dimension which, will be very profitable in my opinion. Seems arrogant/cocky I am sure but my idea is unique and I believe in it and believe it will bring a whole new set of customers.

I can see a couple of you know what you are on about and I’d been keen to discuss more with you as any help / guidance would be greatly appreciated. Arm chair dragons I appreciate your input too 

[hyphen]

Don't forget the kids market too.

Only one circuit in the UK allows 3 year olds, and some do 4 year olds. Im sure there are people like me who wouldn't bother with Karting unless was a corporate thing, but will be putting kids in at earliest age allowed. Birthday parties for kids could be a source of revenue too.

http://www.uk-go-karting.com/juniors/

[technodup]

munkynutz said:

I hear what people say about there being quite a high failure rate which I acknowledge, I attribute some of those failures to people not being fully prepared when they enter in to such a venture

...

munkynutz said:

I never thought that another track might want to copy what I do nor did I think about whether what I create could be protectable or not or think about required investments to gain rights/protection.

I think you need to do a lot more thinking or you'll be one of those you speak of in the first quote.

munkynutz said:

I will have the infrastructure and equipment to then take Karting as a leisure business in to a different dimension which, will be very profitable in my opinion. Seems arrogant/cocky I am sure but my idea is unique and I believe in it and believe it will bring a whole new set of customers.

Is there no way of producing something and selling/licencing it to an existing business? If there is I'd be doing that.

Or look at it another way, if there's no way to protect your idea, offer it to a karting place. If they haven't taken it up in six months you just saved yourself a lot of money.

[munkynutz]

hyphen said:

Don't forget the kids market too.

Only one circuit in the UK allows 3 year olds, and some do 4 year olds. Im sure there are people like me who wouldn't bother with Karting unless was a corporate thing, but will be putting kids in at earliest age allowed. Birthday parties for kids could be a source of revenue too.

http://www.uk-go-karting.com/juniors/

Thank you, I have child's track time in my operation schedule as well as family time - i.e. parents and children on track at the same time. A lot of places cater for 7-15 year old track time and then 16+ track time. No mixed - it would be stringent parent and child only / child only.

[munkynutz]

technodup said:

s there no way of producing something and selling/licencing it to an existing business? If there is I'd be doing that.

Or look at it another way, if there's no way to protect your idea, offer it to a karting place. If they haven't taken it up in six months you just saved yourself a lot of money.

I have thought about this but I would need to collaborate with an existing track (working during their closed hours) and require freedom to severely alter the existing track whilst also investing money in to someone else's business. It is plan B as I would prefer to go solo.

[jammy-git]

hyphen said:

Don't forget the kids market too.

Only one circuit in the UK allows 3 year olds, and some do 4 year olds. Im sure there are people like me who wouldn't bother with Karting unless was a corporate thing, but will be putting kids in at earliest age allowed. Birthday parties for kids could be a source of revenue too.

http://www.uk-go-karting.com/juniors/

I imagine that's a cost of insurance thing.

[StevieBee]

It would be worth you trying to speak to the guy who runs Brentwood and Thurrock Raceways. He runs a very good and seemingly successful business.

They started out running off road carts round a farmer's field before moving to an off road track at Brentwood. They ran that for three years before they tarmaced it and built the business from there.

We were trying to book a corporate do there (Thurrock) - 10 teams for an euduro - £3k. They were fully booked each evening for at least a month! There's clearly some money to be made.

[fido]

LDN said:

Daytona's other tracks are outdoor and seem to have a solid base, especially with their fleet of 2strokes.

Great venues - I'm a recent convert. It shows there is a market for faster karts with experienced users. The problem is getting the balance right i.e. restricting access for newbies/idiots who are likely to wreck the karts or other people on the track (okay, I might have done it myself a few times!) but allowing regulars to hone their skills.

[daemon]

munkynutz said:

Thank you for sharing that, I never thought that another track might want to copy what I do nor did I think about whether what I create could be protectable or not or think about required investments to gain rights/protection.

I think several million is a little over egged. Sure it is not going to be cheap to set up nor are the overheads going to be negligible however, I do believe there is a viable business in it - in particular getting the location right which again I believe I have identified the correct area to go in to (should I go in to it)

Grand - and i am sure you're closer to more accurate figures than me.