Selling Your Kart Shop?

Stanley Morgan · Joined: 28 Sep 2012 Posts: 25

Since the cats out of the bag. We are interested in buying an established Kart shop with an out of State (not Arizona) established internet presence. We have cash are are ready to buy now.

Stan

John Matthews · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:13 am Post subject:

Where were you 4 years ago Laughing

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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Peter Brubaker · Joined: 19 Jun 2012 Posts: 4

Stanley Morgan ->->-> Morgan Stanley

Alex King · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject:

2Wild Karting is based here in Orange County (CA). They have a long and strong presence in karting. Well established as both online and front store, they are recognized as premier OTK shop - many loyal customers locally and nationally. Stop by and you will see high frequency of customers in/out and phone calls (all day). They are not for sale as they are quite satisfied with their operations and positive outlook. But if you are serious, offer them $4 million and they might consider it.

Mark Dismore Jr · Advertiser Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 1099

How much you got?

patrick slattery · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Selling Your Kart Shop?

Russell Stevens · Joined: 15 Oct 2012 Posts: 100

Anyone meeting this criteria probably isn't a distressed business. Buying and running a kart shop with little experience in the field is a scary thought. Unlike a straight retail store kart shops live and die by the setup and tuning expertise they provide. There is a limited marketplace, and word travels fast when a bad experience is had. I used to sell drag race goodies and was a Nitrous Express dealer. Was going to jump on the internet sales bandwagon way back when. I even had a local shop with a dyno to do service and install work. I was careful not to sink a ton of money into the business and kept overhead low. When I realized that there wasn't enough volume to make it worth my time I got out of the business. I also worked for a MotoGuzzi shop as a mechanic (part time to pay for my Ducati habit). That shop folded because of a lack of volume, and investor pressure for return. Motorsports is a hard industry to do better then scrape by in. None of it is a great investment for 99% of the folks that try. Buy a restaurant instead. At least you have a broad potential consumer base.

John Matthews · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:49 pm Post subject:

Started my shop in 2003, went full time in 2004, profitable in 2007, then we all know what happened Crying or Very sad

Now I'm in outdoor power equipment, still a tough business but a lot more people mow their lawns than race karts Laughing

It's definitely a business you need to have a passion for if you want to succeed, just knowing how to run a retail operation won't get it done. The toughest part is every kart shop is really just the owner and maybe a few dedicated workers (usually family) so it's nearly impossible to duplicate or scale up. Margins are low, customers can be fickle, and suppliers come and go even faster than the shops they support.

I worked at a successful kart shop back in the 1970's when it seemed like karting was on the rise (Yamaha even sold karts in their dealerships). Even then Gary Nelson had to build fun karts and minibikes as well as race karts and service chainsaws to make a living for his family.

Not saying it can't be done, there are plenty of well run kart shops out there. But, the old saying is definitely true " the way to make a million in racing is to start with two million" Laughing

I can't imagine any investor in their right mind passing up the chance to make .25% interest in a savings account to jump into the karting business if they didn't already have a bunch of money and kids that wanted to race....

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Stanley Morgan · Joined: 28 Sep 2012 Posts: 25

Morgan Stanley - I wish.

I think he has a totally fresh approach to the motorsports business, and it will bring the cost of racing back to being affordable again.

If you have a Kart shop with a strong internet presence, and you're going into a different business anyway, what have you got to lose?

We are willing to pay you cash right now for something that is worth nothing.

Stan

Blake Choquer · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:35 pm Post subject: Kart Shop

Just start a kart shop from scratch. Its cheaper in the long run, and won't take long to get up and running.

If I was American I would be in California somewhere, or Florida. Two good locations.

If your not buying a kart shop that is well known, big customer base and has a high inventory turnover ratio, then all your gonna end up with is a bunch load of old parts and karts.

Spend some marketing $$$$ with Howden, and before you know it you will be well known in the karting world.

Sincerely,

Blake Choquer
BBR Karting
www.bbrkarting.com

One Goal. One Team. BBR

Rob DuBato · Joined: 25 Nov 2012 Posts: 2

KIRLIN RICHARD · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:57 am Post subject:

If your serious this place is for lease or maybe for sale, i know they were looking for somebody to run the pro shop a While back. give them a try if your willing to Come down to Chicago.

http://concepthaulersmotorspeedway.wordpress.com/

http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=110866&highlight=Chms
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John Matthews · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:28 am Post subject:

Alex King · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

$4 million for 2Wild Karting is a good deal!

paul hir · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:46 am Post subject:

Hi,

I would suggest two possibilities, Speedz which is located in Columbus,Oh is a indoor kart track with bar, restaurant, play area, banquet area or in Buffalo there is another indoor kart track. Indoors means you can race all year long.