By RACHEL BRANT

Staff writer

Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth may not be coming to Kitsap County any time soon, but a Port Orchard family is doing their best to bring the spirit of NASCAR to Bremerton.

Rick and Shawn Wilson opened Kart Trax Formula Racing Dec. 15 on Wheaton Way in Bremerton. After a month in business, Rick said business is booming at the county’s only go-kart track.

“I’ve been pretty impressed. It’s been real steady,” he said. “Everybody I’ve talked to is really happy to have us here, so we’re glad to hear that.”

Rick and his family have been interested in opening a go-kart track for years. Rick, a welder at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, had the opportunity to cruise around a go-kart track in the Seattle-Tacoma area several years ago and began researching go-kart franchises.

“I rode some in the Seattle-Tacoma area and liked it,” he said. “There was nothing like this in my area that I didn’t have to travel to.”

Rick scoured the Internet hoping to find a go-kart franchise when he came across the Kart Trax Formula Racing Web site and decided to get involved.

“I had almost given up on the go-kart franchise,” he said.

Kart Trax, located next to Goodwill and PETCO, has both small and large electric go-karts perfect for adults and children of all shapes and sizes. Kart Trax also has two-seat go-karts available for those friends or parents and children who would like to drive around the winding track together.

“I haven’t seen any of the other places having the smaller cars for the little kids to ride,” Rick said.

Kart Trax has both standard and turbo go-karts. Standard go-karts travel up to 18 mph and cost $6 for one lap and $15 for three. The turbo go-karts travel at speeds up to 24 mph and cost $8 for one lap and $21 for three laps around the track.

Kart Trax also has a bounce house, arcade games and the Victory Lane snack bar. Kart Trax will host birthday parties, corporate events, church functions and other events.

Rick said if all goes well he hopes to expand into the neighboring space and lengthen the go-kart track. He also hopes to add a miniature golf course where people can putt-putt by the glow of black lights.

Rick said he and his wife have buckled up and gone for a spin around the track, but he has put the pedal to the metal more frequently.

“I think I’ve been out on it more than her (Shawn) … I definitely have had some fun,” Rick said with a smile.

Kart Trax Formula Racing

4205 Wheaton Way, Bremerton

(360) 478-RACE

www.kart-trax.com

Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-10 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.