Andretti Indoor Karting & Games opens in Schaumburg to great fanfare
Tuesday’s debut of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Schaumburg was hardly the soft opening some businesses try, but rather a true test of its full capacity.
After an energetic ribbon-cutting ceremony, the throngs of eager, early-registered visitors dispersed to the electric karts, laser tag, virtual reality, arcade games and dining options that awaited.
But those who spoke put the moment in perspective.
Schaumburg Business Association President Andrea Biwer said the opening of such a significant enterprise was appropriate to both the 70th anniversary of the village itself and the 25th anniversary of her own organization.
“It’s about momentum,” she said. “It’s about innovation. It’s about the further growth of our community.”
For Mayor Tom Dailly, the occasion was even more personal. He spoke of a lifetime of watching the car racing excellence of the Andretti family, many of whom were sitting just behind him.
“So in case you haven’t noticed, having Mario Andretti here to open this wonderful facility is as close to fulfilling a lifelong dream of being an Indy driver,” Dailly said.
Andretti Karting Managing Member Eddie Hamann recalled the idea starting from a conversation he had in 1996 with the now late John Andretti. He wished the Schaumburg crowd the best for the 15th and currently northernmost location.
“Never leave this building unhappy,” Hamann said. “We’re going to do everything we can to ensure you leave happy with your family.”
Later came the reactions to the smooth, quiet and speedy electric karts after zipping around the intertwining three-story tracks.
“I don’t know how to describe it,” Dailly said. “It was amazing, the speed of the karts. Definitely a lot faster than gasoline-powered karts.”
That also was the review of Erika and Mike Boehler of Arlington Heights, who said they’re looking forward to bringing their 8- and 10-year-old children to the family-friendly venue on a nonschool day.
Schaumburg Village Trustee Esha Patel, though familiar with motorcycles, said she had never ridden a vehicle quite like the low, quick karts before.
“Once you are out there, you just feel free,” she said.
Biwer also took the opportunity to try out the facility’s main attraction.
“It was a blast!” she said. “So much fun. Exhilarating!”
General Manager Tedd Brewer said the day was the much anticipated culmination of six weeks of training for his new staff of more than 250.
“It’s wonderful to see it all come together,” he said.
On a more serious note, Jarett Andretti — the son of John and grandson of Mario’s brother, Aldo — spoke of the fundraising of the CheckIt4Andretti Charitable Foundation. It works to provide colonoscopies for people who can’t otherwise afford them to help fight the colorectal cancer that took his father.
Not only does it hope to raise money through the new location, but to find local gastrointestinal physicians to partner with and help this underserved community, he added.
“We would love to keep the Schaumburg money in Schaumburg,” Jarett said.