Kartplex track opens to the public at Area 27 in Oliver

There’s a new way to satisfy your need for speed in the Okanagan as Area 27’s new kart track opened to the public this week.

Kartplex racing’s Craig Finer says the track opened on Saturday, Aug. 17. It closed yesterday and today, Aug. 20 for some last minute finishing touches but will be open to the pubic six days a week starting today.

The Kartplex track is part of the racing facilities at Area 27, a private Formula one racetrack located east of Oliver.

Finer says the track has every level of karting service available, with everything from race kart sales to service and storage. It’s the only full time, full service karting centre in Western Canada.

“We’re hoping to recruit karting enthusiasm. We already have a core of dedicated drivers in the area, and the idea is to attract people who will be active participants,” Finer says.

Area 27’s kart track is the first centre to use the RaceSafety fully autonomous kart safety system, developed in Europe.

The track is also part of the first karting social network known as RaceFacer, where participants can enter lap times and compete with friends not only on Area 27’s kart track, but on tracks around the world.

“We’re the first to use approved karts that are racing machines, but still safe,” he says. The track has junior-sized karts for eight to 11 year olds, and two seater karts that allow a passenger to go for a ride.

Finer says the rides are offered in packages, at $25 per race. Packages in three and six passes are available that offer progressive discounts for buying in volume.

Non-track members must pay a $10 daily ‘pit pass’ to access the facility as well.

More information can be found at the Kartplex Facebook page.

Brand new, state of the art karts are available at Area 27’s new Kartplex facility. | Credit: SUBMITTED


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories