EVERYTHING
YOU ASKED.
First time racing, planning a group, or bringing your own kart, the questions are usually the same. Here are straight answers to all of them, from the people who run the track. If yours is not here, call us at (931) 437-3225.
Your First Visit.
Never been karting, or never been here. Start at the top.
I have never been go-kart racing. Where do I start?
Start with Arrive & Drive. Book a race online or walk in, we put you in an Italian CRG rental kart, give you a safety briefing, and you are on track within a few minutes. No experience needed. Most first-timers book the three-race package so they have time to learn the track and then actually race it.
Do I need a reservation, or can I just show up?
You can walk in any open day and we will get you on track, but race day gets busy. Booking online locks in your spot and your time slot. On weekends and holidays we strongly recommend booking ahead so you are not waiting on a busy grid.
How does a race session work, start to finish?
Check in at the front counter, sign a waiver, gear up with a helmet and neck brace, and get a short safety briefing. Then you head to the grid. Each race is a competitive eight-minute heat of green-flag track time, with your lap times tracked to the millisecond. You get a printed timing sheet afterward.
How long should I plan to be at the track?
For a single race, budget about 45 minutes start to finish. For the three-race package, plan on about an hour and a half. Check-in, the safety briefing, and the time between sessions all add up, so do not cut it close if you have somewhere to be after.
Can I race by myself, or do I need a group?
Either works. Solo drivers get mixed into the next heat with whoever else is out, which is a great way to race strangers and find out where you stack up. Groups can ask to run their session together.
Pricing & Booking.
What it costs, what is included, and how to book.
How much does it cost to go racing?
A single eight-minute race is $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends. Two races run $55 or $65, and three races, our most popular package, are $75 or $90. The five-race package is $130 any day of the week, the best value if you are serious about chasing a lap time.
What is included in the price?
Everything you need to drive: the kart, the helmet, the neck brace, the safety briefing, your track time, and your printed lap times. The only things sold separately are a head sock, which is required and available at the counter, and anything you want from the Pro Shop.
Why do most people book the three-race package?
Your first race is almost always spent learning the track. The second is where it starts to click. The third is where you actually race it. One race rarely scratches the itch. Three is the sweet spot, and the package costs less than booking them one at a time.
What counts as a weekday versus a weekend?
Weekday pricing applies Wednesday and Thursday. Weekend pricing applies Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The price is set by the day you actually book and drive.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. A day at the track makes a genuinely good gift, and we are happy to set one up. Ask at the front counter or email hello@musiccitykartplex.com.
Do you offer a military discount?
Yes. Active military and veterans get 10% off their first race with a valid ID. One per person, walk-in only, it cannot be booked online, and it is not transferable to family members. Thank you for your service, now go set a lap time.
What is your cancellation and weather policy?
Plans change, we understand. Contact us ahead of your booking and we will reschedule you. We are an outdoor track and we race year-round, but a wet surface changes everything and unsafe weather will pause sessions. If the forecast looks rough, call ahead and we will tell you exactly what the track is doing.
Ages, Height & Who Can Race.
Age limits, height requirements, and options for younger kids.
How old do you have to be to drive a rental kart?
Rental drivers must be at least 12 years old and at least 58 inches tall. The height minimum is a safety requirement, not a guideline: the seat, the pedals, and the harness all have to fit the driver correctly. If your child is close to 58 inches, come by and we will measure.
My child is younger than 12. Can they still race?
Yes, just not in a rental kart. Competitive karting starts much younger than rental karting does. The Kid Kart classes in our Rhythm & Race Championship Series begin at age 5. Those run on your own kart, and our staff and the Pro Shop can walk you through getting a young driver started the right way.
Do I need a racing license or any experience?
None at all. Arrive & Drive is built for complete beginners. Every driver gets a safety briefing before their first session, and our staff watch the track the entire time you are out there.
Is there an upper age limit?
No. Some of our most committed racers are well into their 60s. If you fit the kart and follow the briefing, you can race. The Rhythm & Race series even has a dedicated Masters class for drivers 35 and up.
Can teenagers race without a parent present?
A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver for any driver under 18. Once that waiver is signed, your teenager is cleared to race.
Safety.
How we keep racing fast and safe at the same time.
Is go-kart racing safe?
Karting is one of the most controlled forms of motorsport there is. Our CRG karts are purpose-built race machines with roll bars and a full safety harness, our staff monitor the track with a flag system the entire session, and every driver is briefed before they drive. Take the briefing seriously and karting is genuinely safe.
How fast do the karts actually go?
Our Italian-made CRG rental karts run up to 50+ mph. That number does not sound dramatic until you are sitting an inch off the asphalt. At kart height, with no windshield and no suspension travel, 40 mph feels like 100.
What are the safety features on the karts?
Roll bars, a full racing harness, and bodywork designed to absorb contact. The karts are also fully adjustable, so we set the seat and pedals to fit each driver. A properly fitted driver is a safer driver, and that matters more than most people realize.
What do I do if I spin out or stop on track?
Get the kart pointed the right way and rejoin safely as soon as there is a clear gap, watching the marshals and flags. Try to keep moving rather than sitting on the track. If the kart will not restart or you truly cannot move, stay in it with your hands and feet inside and wait for our staff to reach you.
Do you ever stop racing for safety reasons?
Yes, without hesitation. Our flag system stops a session for incidents on track, and we pause racing for weather. We would always rather pause a session than run it in conditions we are not fully comfortable with.
What to Wear & Bring.
Dress for it once and you will never wonder again.
What should I wear to go racing?
Comfortable clothes you can move in and closed-toe shoes are the only hard requirements. Sneakers are perfect. Skip anything loose or dangling. The track is outdoors, so in cooler months dress in layers you can adjust.
Do I really need closed-toe shoes?
Yes, and this one is not negotiable. No sandals, no flip-flops, no open-toe shoes of any kind. If you forget, it is worth keeping a pair of sneakers in the car so a wardrobe choice does not cost you your race.
Do you provide helmets and safety gear?
We provide a helmet and a neck brace for every driver, included in your race. A head sock, worn under the helmet, is required and sold at the front counter. Gloves are not provided, so bring your own pair or pick some up at the Pro Shop.
What is a head sock and why do I need one?
A head sock is a thin balaclava worn under a shared helmet, for hygiene. Every driver wears one. We keep them stocked at the front counter, so you can simply grab one when you check in.
I have long hair. Anything I should know?
Tie it back and tuck it fully in before the helmet goes on. Loose long hair near a spinning rear axle is a hazard our staff will not let slide. Get ahead of it and it is a non-issue.
The Track & The Karts.
What you are actually driving, and where.
How long is the track?
Half a mile of asphalt, 2,640 feet, with 11 turns in the full configuration. The layout has multiple configurations, so the circuit can change character from one event to the next. It is the only competitive outdoor kart track of its kind in the greater Nashville region.
What kind of karts do you run?
Italian-made CRG rental karts, from the same manufacturer raced competitively around the world. These are real race karts, not amusement-park go-karts. They are set up for rental duty but still quick enough to reach 50+ mph on our half-mile.
Are the karts electric or gas?
Gas. We run gas-powered CRG karts. On a half-mile outdoor circuit, gas gives you the engine sound, the throttle feel, and the top speed that make this real racing rather than a ride. It is a deliberate choice.
Is the track indoors or outdoors?
Fully outdoors, and that is the entire point. A half-mile outdoor circuit delivers real speed, elevation, and racing room that an indoor track physically cannot fit. It also means you dress for the season, the same as any real motorsport.
What is Phase 2?
MCK opened in November 2024 as Phase 1, with the half-mile track. Phase 2, coming in 2026, adds premium owner garages, an on-site mechanic shop, and expanded indoor storage. The plan has always been to build this into a true motorsports destination.
Group Events & Parties.
Birthdays, corporate outings, and everything in between.
Can I book MCK for a birthday party?
Absolutely, and it is one of our favorite things to host. Birthday groups get their own race session, a place to gather, food options, and a podium ceremony with the birthday driver front and center. Tell us the date and headcount and we build the rest.
Do you do corporate events and team building?
Yes. Racing is a great equalizer, the new hire can beat the VP, and that is exactly why it works for teams. We run corporate packages from a quick Sprint up to a full team Endurance race, with custom branding, catering, and an awards ceremony available.
How many people do I need for a group event?
Group packages start at 10 guests on weekdays and 15 on weekends. For a smaller group than that, just book individual races, no event coordination needed.
What food options do you have for events?
Hunt Brothers Pizza, a full BBQ buffet from a local pitmaster, and bottled drink packages. Our Group Events team arranges all of it, so you are not juggling caterers on top of planning the day.
How far ahead should I book a group event?
The sooner the better, especially for weekends and holidays. Reach out as soon as you have a rough date and headcount, and we will hold the slot while we build your package and quote.
Competitive Racing.
Leagues, the championship series, and the ladder up.
What is the Rhythm & Race Championship Series?
It is our sanctioned outdoor karting championship: 10 rounds from March through November, 19 classes spanning ages 5 to 35-plus. Qualifying, heats, finals, championship points, and trophies. It is the real thing, run on the same half-mile you race as a visitor.
I want to race competitively but I do not own a kart. Can I still compete?
Yes. The Rhythm & Race series includes Rental classes that run on our CRG karts, split by weight so the racing stays fair. You can race for real championship points without buying a kart. It is the friendliest on-ramp into true competition.
What are the rental racing leagues?
League racing is structured, recurring competition on rental karts. Our adult league runs Wednesday nights under the lights, and there is a Junior Fast Track league for drivers 13 to 17. Everyone is in the same kart, so it comes down purely to the driver.
How do I get into kart racing as a sport?
Start in a rental kart and learn the track. Move into a rental league for real wheel-to-wheel experience. From there, the Rhythm & Race series and your own kart open up. There is a genuine ladder here, and our staff and Pro Shop will guide you up every rung of it.
What is endurance kart racing?
Endurance events trade short sprints for long-format racing: a 4-hour team enduro and a 200-lap oval race. Driver changes, pit strategy, and teamwork decide the result, not just raw lap time. They are some of the most memorable days on our calendar.
Owners, Memberships & Storage.
Bringing your own kart to MCK.
Can I bring my own kart to practice?
Yes. MCK is built for owner-drivers. You can buy a single practice pass, or, if you are here often, the Fast Track membership makes far more financial sense.
What does owner practice cost?
A single practice pass is $75 on weekdays and $90 on weekends. The Fast Track Annual Practice Membership drops that to a $15 daily fee for unlimited practice days. If you practice more than a handful of times a year, the membership pays for itself quickly.
Do you have kart storage?
Yes. Indoor kart storage starts at $100 a month for members, with discounted rates for additional karts. We also offer Premium Garages, lockable units with compressed air and power. The Phase 1 garages sold out, so there is a waitlist open for Phase 2.
What does the Pro Shop carry?
Parts, tires, gear, and full mechanic service. We stock Tony Kart, Kart Republic, Top-Kart, Tillotson, IAME, MyChron, MyLaps, Bell, and more. If your kart needs it, we either have it or can get it.
Do you offer coaching or driver development?
Yes. We run driver development programs through the year, plus pro driver coaching nights where working racers teach racecraft directly to drivers. Keep an eye on the calendar for dates.
Watching & Spectating.
Coming to watch instead of drive.
Can I come just to watch?
Always. Open practice and Arrive & Drive days are free to walk in and watch. On Rhythm & Race championship days, a spectator day pass is $15 for adults, and kids 5 and under get in free.
Is there a comfortable place to watch from?
Yes. There are bleachers overlooking the track and pit lane, with a clear view of the racing and the pits. It is an outdoor facility, so bring sunscreen on championship days when the racing runs all day.
Is race day good for kids and families?
Very. Between the variety of 19 classes, the open paddock between sessions, and the trackside podium ceremonies, there is always something happening. Food is available trackside on race days.
How much is parking?
General parking is free in the on-site lot. Reach out about reserved spots for Rhythm & Race competitors and large groups.
Hours, Location & Getting Here.
When we are open and how to find us.
What are your hours?
Tuesday-Thursday 12 PM to 7 PM, Friday 12 PM to 8 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed Monday. Hours shift around race days and special events, so check the calendar for the specific day you plan to come.
Where is Music City Kartplex?
3225 Highway 231 North in Shelbyville, Tennessee, on a 34-acre site. We are an easy drive from Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and the wider middle Tennessee region.
How far is the track from Nashville?
About an hour southeast of downtown Nashville, a straightforward drive down I-24 and Highway 231. Plenty of our regulars make the trip from Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Franklin every week.
Are you open year-round?
Yes, we race year-round. We are an outdoor facility, so winter racing means dressing warm, but a cold, crisp track is a fast track. Tennessee weather is mild enough that the season never truly stops.
Do you race at night?
Our adult rental league runs Wednesday nights under the lights, and the Rhythm & Race calendar includes a dedicated night race round. Racing after dark, with the track lit and the engines echoing, is something every driver should do at least once.
The fastest answer
is a lap.
STILL
WONDERING?
The fastest way to understand Music City Kartplex is to come race it. Book a kart, or reach out and we will answer anything this page did not.