Just want to warn you guys about arnolds go karts.

[Cardriverx]

I wanna start out with the fact that 2-4 years ago, this place rocked. Only fast go karts in the area, and a cool track. The ppl that worked there liked doing it too. Well I went today hoping for more fun karting, and boy was I wrong.

First off, they dont use waivers anymore, I shoulda took that as a hint... anyway I pay for 2 karting sessions, and on I go. When I noticed the track was shorter, I was disapointed, but figured its ok. Still some good turns and a straight. So I ask one of the guys that works there about the track, and his responce was "they ruined it, it sucks". So I just figure whatever and go driving.

Well before (2 years ago when I was there last), they had the karts de tuned for the first lap or 2, then turn them up to full blast. Well now, they have them detuned for the first 8 min of a 10 min ride (like full gas the whole track detuned), then fast for the last 2 min. And full speed now is nothing like before... much less torque and speed! So pretty much you pay $20 for 2 min of some speed.... plus they now let kids on the "pro" track, and driving with them on it makes the experience aggravating.

So after the first ride, I go to try and get my money back for the seconded ride. I told the counter girl that I was very disappointed, and that I just wanted money back for the run I dident use. When I did this, a guy sittin behind the counter sharply says "no", to which I respond "Well, I dident use it, I just want my money back".

Well, to make the story short, the guy said we dont do refunds, then implyed I lied about using the last run (even through the computer said I dident... ). I asked to see where they display the policy, and he says "Its not anywhere, its how it is". Now, this whole time he has had a "go **** yourself, kid" kind of tone, which got me very upset, he was not apologetic at all .

When I mentioned how the track is shorter and the karts slower, and how I used to come here a good amount, he tried to make me look stupid or something by saying ive never been here before, because "he would remember me". wth?

Ill admit this guy pushed me over the edge, which is a rarity for me. I will also admit I made the mistake of raseing my voice after that point, and started to yell. I should have just kept the card with the "points" on it and left... ive just never had someone push my buttons like this before, and I almost dident know what to do.

In the end, I just left with no refund or anything (forgot the card because of my clouded head..), because if I had stayed any longer I would have done something very irresponsible. I just cant bleaive the customer service in this place, it was an experence ive never had before...

Overall, they are even more price-er than before for slower karts, the track sucks, and management is unbelievably rude. Also, the condition of the karts is, well, poor to say the least. Its more "family oriented" I guess? I don't know.

Why did such a cool place turn into this?

Sorry about the vent....

[Zillon]

That's a shame.

I haven't been to Arnolds in some time, last time I went, I had a front wheel shear right off the axle and I piled into a tire barrier coming into a hairpin.

I hear that the new kart place in DE is awesome, though.

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by Zillon

That's a shame.

I haven't been to Arnolds in some time, last time I went, I had a front wheel shear right off the axle and I piled into a tire barrier coming into a hairpin.

I hear that the new kart place in DE is awesome, though.

Whats it called?

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by Zillon

That's a shame.

I haven't been to Arnolds in some time, last time I went, I had a front wheel shear right off the axle and I piled into a tire barrier coming into a hairpin.

I hear that the new kart place in DE is awesome, though.

Dude I just look it up. Mid alantic grand prix. Im definitely trying it out very soon, looks real legit. Thanks!

[SpEcRv9]

wow that's disappointing about arnolds haven't been there in a few years but was planning on going soon....

[2drStunner]

Originally Posted by Cardriverx

Dude I just look it up. Mid alantic grand prix. Im definitely trying it out very soon, looks real legit. Thanks!

Mid Atlantic in DE is sweet. Ive been there twice and have had no problems.

[jdmwill]

man that sucks man....good thing i read this becuase i was planning go with a couple of friends.

[HickRocket1258]

Yeah I don't like the whole points thing they have there. Makes no sense at all to do it but I guess that just sort of ties your money up there. Last time I went in February and well luckily my buddy knew the guy that owned the track and we were on there for quite awhile with the speeds cranked up. But that does blow.

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by 4drstunner

Mid Atlantic in DE is sweet. Ive been there twice and have had no problems.

thats good to hear, imma try to go next week.

[TalonTsi97]

I've been hearing bad things as well. Word on the street is Leigh High Grand Prix is where it's at now ;)

[656of1000]

That SUCKS dude. The crappy track and the crappy karts can be overlooked, but asshole management is absolutley inexcuseable. I'll never go there again.

I actually had a similar experience at Cecil Co. Dragstrip, of all places. They kicked me out for no helmet, which was fine. But when I was like "all of those people are not wearing a helmet, but they continue to race," the guy literally said "Quit your bitching, get out." I'll never go back there now, even with a helmet.

[R22B]

Originally Posted by TalonTsi97

I've been hearing bad things as well. Word on the street is Leigh High Grand Prix is where it's at now ;)

Lehigh Valley Grand Prix is a great place. It’s a little expensive but they have team tournaments and stuff. I’ve only gone once and had a fantastic time. Everyone there was nice and helpful.

The cool thing is that you don’t have to use your brakes the entire course… just drive through all the turns lol.

http://www.lehighvalleygrandprix.com/

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by R22B

The cool thing is that you don’t have to use your brakes the entire course… just drive through all the turns lol.

http://www.lehighvalleygrandprix.com/

that's the part that pisses me off about go carts. i have yet to drive go carts that are fast enough on a track that's challenging enough to make you use the brakes and actually skillfully drive. every place i've been, including arnolds at the top of its game, has carts and a course that only require pinning the gas and turning the wheel. that's boring as hell. it still takes some skill, but it's pretty uninvolved.

i'll be truly impressed with a place that has carts that have enough power to whip it sideways and spin out around turns if you give it too much gas... the same powerful carts thatg actually accelerate quickly enough to be able to use the brakes without instantly coming to crawl and not being able to get up to speed for half a lap... a track that has a real road course flow to it... and one that makes you skillfully use braking and acceleration to get ahead. basically i'm looking for scaled down road course racing since i can't afford the real thing.

but... so far i haven't found a place that's really that good.

[PoorMan'sR]

damn i haven't been to arnold's in at least 3 years. Sucks to hear how ****ty its gotten, oh well guess i won't be going back there again.

[OutlawzPrez]

Very fun time, but its a big rip off!

[240sxDann]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

that's the part that pisses me off about go carts. i have yet to drive go carts that are fast enough on a track that's challenging enough to make you use the brakes and actually skillfully drive. every place i've been, including arnolds at the top of its game, has carts and a course that only require pinning the gas and turning the wheel. that's boring as hell. it still takes some skill, but it's pretty uninvolved.

i'll be truly impressed with a place that has carts that have enough power to whip it sideways and spin out around turns if you give it too much gas... the same powerful carts thatg actually accelerate quickly enough to be able to use the brakes without instantly coming to crawl and not being able to get up to speed for half a lap... a track that has a real road course flow to it... and one that makes you skillfully use braking and acceleration to get ahead. basically i'm looking for scaled down road course racing since i can't afford the real thing.

but... so far i haven't found a place that's really that good.

So you basically want to race professional carts. lol. Don't think your really gonna find that at any place you can go and pay $20 or $30 to drive.

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by 240sxDann

So you basically want to race professional carts. lol. Don't think your really gonna find that at any place you can go and pay $20 or $30 to drive.

that's exactly my point. i guess without saying it outright, i was basically saying that i don't like go cart places because they all pretty much suck. unless it's something resembling a pro race cart, i see no reason to spend money on them. i've done it before and it's definitely fun, but to me it's not worth paying any money for. doing it for free somehow? sure. i'll play. paying for carts that aren't that great? nah, not for me. i would gladly pay just about anything for some time on carts that actually perform well though.

i dunno, i'm weird about stuff like that. lol. to me it's the ultra realism that's fun, not just 'playing'. i.e. with video games... need for speed bores me to death but gran turismo, the ultra 'real' sim game, is really fun.

[OutlawzPrez]

Just spend $20 bucks & goto the track. You'll have wayy more fun & prolly get 4-5 runs instead of just 1.

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by DC2.2GSR

that's exactly my point. i guess without saying it outright, i was basically saying that i don't like go cart places because they all pretty much suck. unless it's something resembling a pro race cart, i see no reason to spend money on them. i've done it before and it's definitely fun, but to me it's not worth paying any money for. doing it for free somehow? sure. i'll play. paying for carts that aren't that great? nah, not for me. i would gladly pay just about anything for some time on carts that actually perform well though.

i dunno, i'm weird about stuff like that. lol. to me it's the ultra realism that's fun, not just 'playing'. i.e. with video games... need for speed bores me to death but gran turismo, the ultra 'real' sim game, is really fun.

For that, you pretty much need to go to a track like beverun and rent a shifter kart, which is like $150 for a hour lol.

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by PoorMan'sR

damn i haven't been to arnold's in at least 3 years. Sucks to hear how ****ty its gotten, oh well guess i won't be going back there again.

We had an awesome time back when we went.

It's a shame to see the place go downhilll