 Grand Prix Speedways, Earth City, MO |
Just across the bridge from my hometown is a place called Earth City, Missouri. It’s basically made up of businesses, warehouses, an amphitheatre and some restaurants. Many years ago, one of those warehouses was converted into a country-western bar and dance club which was originally called Little Bit of Texas, then Incahoots and finally, Cody’s. After three failed attempts at catering to cowboys and buckle bunnies, the place closed down and sat vacant for over a year.
Today was the first time I had set foot in that building in probably ten years, back at the height of its popularity under the original name, in the days when I actually looked good in boot cut jeans and Ropers. The place has undergone a dramatic change for the better.
Gone are the cowboy hats, country concerts and sawdust-covered dance floor. In their place are asphalt, helmets and the revved up sound of high performance race cars. Down home country has been replaced by Italian manufactured speed, all surrounded by high-class gourmet food, a pro shop and executive meeting rooms.
Grand Prix Speedways is about to open their first of fifty karting and meeting centers, and Spring and I were privileged to visit the facility this morning. This is not your typical Friday night Mom and Pop go kart track where you hop in and bump your friends into piles of worn out tires. GPS is a 125,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that caters to those in the executive world. It contains numerous meeting rooms outfitted with all the amenities, just a few steps away from two European-style quarter-mile asphalt tracks.
What a fun concept this is for companies to reward top-notch employees, host team-building seminars, or even put on a bang-up Christmas affair. And for individuals with a flair for something unusual, this is the perfect place to throw an adult birthday party or retirement celebration.
Not only do all participants attend driver training before being allowed behind the wheel of one of the electric-powered karts, but they are outfitted to the nines in driver suits, helmets and neck supports. Races are officiated by a trained staff, and should an on-track incident necessitate, cars can be slowed or even stopped by remote control. Every safety precaution has been thought of, right down to the unique movable barrier system.
We had a great time checking the place out, and look forward to the open house in early July. Robyn Pass, Director of Marketing, was wonderful about answering all of our questions and pointing out things we hadn’t even thought of. Like the idea of laying down three inches of asphalt indoors – now there’s an interesting feat of engineering! I love the idea of competitive karting leagues and celebrity guests and all the fun that will entail. The thought that the two big bay doors can be opened, providing indoor and outdoor karting is pretty awesome too.
In one short hour, we were sold on the idea, and impressed with all of the research and thought that has gone into this. It is a great concept, and one that is already drawing a lot of attention. Thank you for inviting us in to be a part of it!
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