Key Takeaways
- Minimum height 48 inches; no minimum age requirement.
- Cadet packs: $180 for 12 races ($15 each), $240 for 20 races ($12 each).
- Cadet Track is kids-only; no shared track with adult drivers.
- Each session produces a printed lap time card.
Indoor go-kart racing for kids is available at Redline Racing in Orem, Utah County, starting at 48 inches tall.
What Is the Age and Height Requirement for Kids’ Go-Kart Racing?
There is no minimum age to race at Redline Racing. The only requirement is a minimum height of 48 inches. Any child who meets it can race on the Cadet Track, a course designed specifically for junior drivers. Kids between 48 and 54 inches tall race Cadet, and racers 54 inches and taller can move up to the Pro Track.
Most kids who are 7 or 8 years old will meet the 48-inch minimum. If your child is close to the line, measure them at home before you head in. Redline staff check height at check-in, and a child who falls just short won’t be able to race, so it’s worth confirming first.
Why height rather than age?
Go-kart safety comes down to how well the racer fits the kart, not how old they are. A 9-year-old at 47 inches won’t have the reach and leverage to control the kart safely, while a tall 7-year-old at 49 inches can race comfortably. The 48-inch minimum is the standard used by indoor karting facilities across the country, and Redline follows it consistently.
What if my child is 54 inches or taller?
Kids 54 inches and up can race on Redline’s Pro Track alongside adult drivers, and many kids in the 10 to 14 age range fall into this group. If your child is confident and has raced before, the Pro Track is a natural step up: the karts are faster and the track layout is more technical.
What Is the Cadet Track Like?
The Cadet Track at Redline is a dedicated course for junior drivers. It runs a 13-lap race format with electric karts purpose-built for the height range, and each race takes roughly 8 to 10 minutes. The karts are lower-powered than the adult versions, which keeps speeds appropriate for younger drivers while still delivering a real racing experience, including the steering, braking, and cornering decisions that make karting genuinely skill-based.
After each session, drivers receive a printed lap time card. Kids can compare their fastest laps to their previous visits and to the other racers in the same session. For most kids, that lap time card becomes the reason they want to come back.
On Fridays and Saturdays the Cadet Track closes at 7 PM (during the week it stays open until 9 PM), so plan Friday and Saturday evening visits around that cutoff.
What Safety Gear Does My Child Need?
Redline provides all required safety equipment. Helmets rent for $5 per session, or your child can bring their own DOT-approved full-face helmet (open-face and bicycle helmets are not accepted). Balaclavas are $3 and are yours to keep, so bring it back on the next visit and you won’t need to buy another.
A few other things to know before you arrive:
- Closed-toe shoes are required. Sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe shoes are not permitted on the track.
- Hair must be pulled back if it falls below the collar.
- Long fingernails can interfere with the kart controls, which occasionally comes up for younger kids.
None of this takes special preparation. Most kids show up in sneakers and a ponytail and are ready to race within a few minutes of check-in.
Is indoor karting safe for young kids?
Yes, for kids who meet the height requirement. Electric karts have no exhaust, which dramatically reduces the carbon monoxide risk found at older gas-kart venues. Redline’s staff give every first-time driver a brief orientation before they hit the track, and on-track marshals monitor each session. The Cadet Track’s speed range is set to match the skill level and reaction time of younger drivers.
How Much Does Kids’ Go-Kart Racing Cost?
Cadet racing at Redline is sold in multi-race packages rather than single sessions. There are two options:
| Package | Races | Price | Per Race |
| Turbo Pack | 12 races | $180 | $15.00 |
| Nitro Pack | 20 races | $240 | $12.00 |
Packages are tied to a named racer and stored in the system, so your child doesn’t have to use all 12 races in one visit. That makes the Cadet program work more like a recurring activity than a one-time outing.
A helmet rental adds $5 per session if your child doesn’t bring their own, and balaclavas are $3 on the first visit.
For a first visit, most families choose the Turbo Pack. At $15 per race, it’s noticeably cheaper than single-session pricing at other family entertainment centers in Utah County, and the multi-race format spreads the cost across several outings.
What Should I Expect on a First Visit?
Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. Here’s how a typical first visit breaks down:
- Check-in (10 min): Staff verify height, collect payment, and issue a racer wristband. First-time Cadet drivers get a 2-minute track briefing covering kart controls, track signals, and how the race format works.
- Gear up (5 min): Put on the balaclava and helmet. Closed-toe shoes are verified here.
- Staging (5 min): Racers queue in the staging area and are loaded into karts in order.
- Race (8-10 min): The 13-lap Cadet session. Racers get a rolling start and complete their laps before the checkered flag.
- Results (5 min): Lap time cards print at the kiosk near the exit. Most kids spend a few extra minutes comparing times with whoever they raced.
Cadet racing is walk-in, with no reservation needed. Weekdays are quieter and Saturday afternoons are the busiest window, so for the shortest wait, aim for Tuesday through Thursday.
How Does Redline Compare to Other Go-Kart Options in Utah County?
The two most common alternatives to Redline for kids’ racing in Utah County are Rush Funplex (also in Orem) and The Grid (Pleasant Grove). Here’s how the Cadet experience differs.
Redline’s Cadet Track is a dedicated, kids-only course, so your child isn’t sharing the track with adult drivers. At venues where all ages share the same track, the speed gap between the youngest racers and adults is noticeable, and it can make younger kids uncomfortable. Redline’s layout removes that gap entirely.
The lap-time system at Redline also means every Cadet session has a competitive record attached to it, so kids who care about improvement have something measurable to chase. For those who want to take racing more seriously, Redline runs Cadet league programs and coaching sessions beyond standard walk-in racing. See the Cadet Track at Redline Racing for the full program overview.
Can My Kid Race for Their Birthday Party?
Yes, and it’s one of the most popular ways families use the Cadet program. Redline’s birthday party packages for Cadet racers start at $35 per person (1 race, gear included, and a 1-hour party room) with a minimum of 5 racers. The Premium Birthday Package is $55 per person and includes 2 races, gear, a party room, race-themed swag, and a $15 gift card for each racer.
Birthday party guests use sessions from the party package, not from any Cadet pack balance your child already has. For full pricing and booking details, check the birthday party packages at Redline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum height for kids’ go-kart racing at Redline?
Kids need to be at least 48 inches tall to race on the Cadet Track at Redline Racing in Orem. There is no minimum age requirement, and the height check at check-in determines eligibility. Kids between 48 and 54 inches race on the dedicated Cadet Track, and racers 54 inches and taller can move up to the Pro Track.
Do I need to book Cadet racing in advance?
No reservation is needed for standard Cadet walk-in racing. You can show up, purchase a package at the counter, and race the same day. Birthday parties and group events do require advance booking. Weekday visits (Tuesday through Thursday) generally mean shorter waits than Saturday afternoons.
How long does a Cadet race session last?
Each Cadet race is 13 laps and takes roughly 8 to 10 minutes on the track. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour total for your first visit, including check-in, gear-up, the race itself, and getting lap time results afterward.
Can my child use their Cadet pack over multiple visits?
Yes. The Turbo Pack (12 races) and Nitro Pack (20 races) are stored in the system under your child’s name, so they can spread their sessions across multiple visits. Most families use a pack over several weekends.
What should kids wear to go-kart racing?
Closed-toe shoes are required, and hair must be pulled back if it falls below the collar. Comfortable clothes that cover the arms and legs are recommended. Helmets and balaclavas are provided on-site for a small rental fee, so no special gear is needed for a first visit.
Is there a place for parents to wait during the race?
Yes. Redline has seating areas where parents can watch their kids race from behind the track barrier. There’s also a viewing area near the finish line with a good sightline to the main straight.
At what age did most competitive go-kart racers start?
Most professional racing drivers started karting between ages 7 and 10, and a few started even earlier. The Cadet Track at Redline is built to give kids that same foundational experience (understanding racing lines, braking points, and lap time improvement) that feeds into competitive karting if they choose to pursue it.
Visit Redline Racing
Address: 1439 N 1380 W, Bldg 2, Suite 100, Orem, UT 84057
Hours: Mon-Thu 12 PM-9 PM | Fri 12 PM-11 PM | Sat 10 AM-11 PM | Sun 12 PM-5 PM
(Cadet Track closes at 7 PM on Fri and Sat)
Phone: (385) 483-7223
Walk in any day, no experience and no reservation required. View go-kart racing pricing in Orem or find the Redline Racing Orem location for directions.
