By Paul Lips
The .8 mile course can be converted into different configurations, allowing for one long track or two smaller tracks.
The Track at Centennial, a new karting facility, celebrated its grand opening on March 14. The first-class racetrack was built at a cost of nearly half million dollars. Owner Jim Keesling worked with designer Alan Wilson to plan and design the track, and developer Bruce Hammond was in charge of construction.
The race course is in a 10-acre bowl, and sits on the southeast side of the approach to Centennial Airport’s Runway 28. The .8 mile course can be converted into different configurations, allowing for one long track or two smaller tracks. The smaller track layout allows for small parties to have their own course and stay together.
“This is a challenging course,” John Brackney, president of the South Metro Chamber of Commerce, said after a test drive. “I can feel the burn in my shoulders.”
The Track at Centennial is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. until dusk. For $35.00, you’re supplied with a fueled kart and then sent out onto the track, for 10 minutes of exhilaration.
Jim Keesling, shown with his son, Logan, owns The Track at Centennial.
For on-the-road events, Keesling loads his semi-truck with the karts and barriers and sets out for Champ Car Racing events across the country.
The grand opening event also marked the kickoff for the Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver, which will be held August 11-13 and is produced by Champ Car World Series. Several Centrix Financial customers were on hand for the kickoff and many tested their kart-driving skills on the track.
Robert Olislagers, Centennial Airport director, said that the 20-year lease agreement with The Track at Centennial is good for the airport. The airport shares in the track’s revenues. Olislagers feels that it’s good use for the land until such time as it can be developed for aviation purposes.
The Track at Centennial is located at 9797 East Easter Avenue, Suite A, Centennial. For more information, call 303-708-9400 or email Jim@thetrack.us.
Katherine Legge was one of the Champ Car drivers present for the grand opening and kickoff for the Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver.