Family entertainment center on track for expansion into Memphis

Two new entertainment options--appealing to adults and kids alike--are coming to the Memphis area, led by Autobahn Indoor Speedway's indoor go-karting facility, set to open in March.

The 40,000-square-foot facility, located at 6399 Shelby View Drive, features adult go-karts that reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour. The junior karts reach up to 25 miles per hour.

Racers must be at least 13 years old to drive the adult karts and 8 years old to drive the junior karts. The electric go-karts are Formula One inspired and are manufactured in Italy.

Racers will compete on a Grand Prix-style track, with straightaways and turns. Autobahn Indoor Speedway hopes to land corporate events and birthday parties, as well as fundraisers and racing competitions.

"We are honored by the excitement and enthusiasm we have seen so far from the Memphis community," said Anthony Dillard, Autobahn Indoor Speedway’s General Manager. "We pride ourselves on being able to offer racing fans a cool, modern facility with a unique and real racing experience."

Autobahn Indoor Speedway currently operates locations in Baltimore and Jacksonville, Fla. It also has plans to open in Virginia and Birmingham later this year.

Another entertainment chain--Main Event Entertainment--has plans to open its bowling-anchored concept in Memphis in the next year.

Main Event stores feature bowling, billiards, laser tag, video games, bars and food. Some locations also have climbing walls, ropes courses, mini golf and bocce ball.  

Main Event Entertainment is based in Dallas, with 14 of its 20 existing U.S. centers located in Texas. The stores range in size from 45,000 to 75,000 square feet.

The company plans to open eight new centers--including the one in Memphis--by June 2016. It did not reveal an exact location for its Memphis-area store.
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Read more articles by Jane A. Donahoe.