Orlando’s I-Drive NASCAR, the indoor go-kart attraction on the city’s North International Drive, is planning a significant expansion.
The popular entertainment complex allows guests to race each other in eco-friendly electric karts at speeds of up to 45mph. The attraction is also home to bowling, gaming and a restaurant.
I-Drive NASCAR’s owner, The AMP Group, told The Orlando Business Journal that they plan to double the 5,000-square-foot meeting rooms in size. They will also increase the space and number of attractions in the gaming area. In addition there are plans to redesign and revitalise the restaurant and bar.
I-Drive NASCAR Growth Drives Events
Alejandro Pezzini is COO of the AMP Group. He said, “Business, both corporate outings and tour groups, has been good, but we began to realize we were missing on events because of our space.”
With the expansion plans, AMP is looking to maximise the full potential of the 88,000-square-foot footprint of the site. The warehouse off International Drive is home to both both I-Drive NASCAR and the AMP Group’s headquarters. This means that AMP will probably have to move its offices.
Pezzini said, “We have 24,000 square feet of space dedicated to our offices. We are looking into extending [the 64,000-square-foot attraction] into the warehouses of AMP Group.
“With that space, we can add new attractions to the building and increase the square footage dedicated to meeting space. We are still trying to determine what attractions to add but it could be zip lines or rope courses. We are also looking into neat ideas to maximize the track space and possibly changing the course in the near future.”
He said AMP, which also owns and manages I-Drive’s Perfumeland and the Orlando Crossings retail center, will add extra bowling lanes and simulators. The expansion and office relocation should be completed this year. As soon as AMP have found suitable new office space, construction will start on the expansion of the attraction.
A Busy Year on International Drive
I-Drive NASCAR won’t be alone in bringing indoor go-karting to the area. Currently under construction on South Universal Boulevard, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games will open in the summer.
However, Pezzini welcomes the competition. “We are excited that they are coming because it will bring more visibility to the attraction of go-karts — there’s room for two concepts,” Pezzini said.
AMP Group is also considering new cities for the I-Drive NASCAR brand and Pezzini expects an announcement later in the year.
It’s set to be a busy year on International Drive. The tourist corridor already attracts over 5 million visitors. I-Drive NASCAR and other new attractions including the new Hollywood Plaza entertainment complex, a Starflyer and a new iFly skydiving attraction will all add to the mix. Another attraction set to further increase footfall is the future Skyplex project.
Images courtesy I-Drive NASCAR.
https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/03/15/exclusive-i-drive-nascar-reveals-bigplans-for.html
