Running a go-kart track is fast-paced, high-energy, and full of moving parts—literally. Whether you operate a small indoor track or a multi-attraction venue with karting, arcades, and food and beverage, your success depends on more than just horsepower. Behind the scenes, your business needs smart systems to keep things running smoothly—and that’s where go-kart software comes in.
From managing race timing and waivers to selling birthday parties online and tracking guest data, specialized software can help you streamline operations, improve safety, and drive more revenue. In this guide, we’ll explore what go-kart software is, the features to look for, how to evaluate providers, and how real venues are using tools like ROLLER to fuel growth.
What is go-kart software?
Go-kart software is purpose-built to help track operators manage the complex, fast-paced nature of running a karting venue. But not all systems are created equal. Some focus only on one part of the experience—like race timing or ticketing—while others offer a complete, end-to-end solution. Understanding the different types of go-kart software is key to choosing the right fit for your business.
There are three main types of go-kart software on the market today:
- Timing-only software tracks laps and race performance but requires separate systems for bookings, ticketing, and guest management.
- Booking-only software focuses on reservations and ticket sales, but doesn’t support race tracking or on-site operations.
- All-in-one platforms combine race timing, online bookings, digital waivers, POS, CRM, analytics, and more, streamlining operations across your entire venue.
While race timing tools are essential, the real opportunity lies in using a platform that connects every stage of the guest journey—from first click to checkered flag.
Key benefits of go-kart software:
- Boost revenue with streamlined online bookings, upsells, and recurring memberships.
- Increase efficiency by automating scheduling, staff management, and inventory tracking.
- Enhance guest satisfaction by reducing wait times and simplifying check-ins.
- Save time and reduce admin with integrated waivers, reporting, and centralized guest data.
With the right system, you’ll spend less time troubleshooting tech and more time delivering an unforgettable racing experience—and growing your business.
Read next: Go-Kart Track Management 101: Tools and Tactics to Run a High-Performing Venue
Core features to look for in go-kart software
Choosing the right go-kart software starts with understanding your venue’s needs. Here's a breakdown of the essential features to look for:
Online booking
According to ROLLER’s 2025 Attractions Industry Benchmark Report, online bookings generate up to 3x higher order values than on-site transactions. A smooth online checkout isn’t just a convenience—it’s a revenue multiplier. A modern, mobile-friendly booking system allows guests to reserve race times, birthday parties and memberships on their own time.
Look for features like:
- A clean, mobile-optimized interface that works across devices
- Timed ticketing to control race session flow
- Group and party booking functionality
- Upsell options for add-ons like merch, snacks, or VIP packages
- Automated booking confirmations and reminder emails
Point of sale (POS)
Your POS system is the engine room of your venue’s daily operations. From walk-up race ticket sales to food, drink, and merchandise purchases, it should be fast, intuitive, and connected with your other systems.
Key features to look for:
- A user-friendly interface that’s easy for staff to learn
- Support for multiple payment methods (credit cards, mobile wallets, gift cards)
- Inventory tracking for concessions and retail
- Real-time sync with online bookings and waivers
- Compatibility with self-service kiosks for faster throughput
Read more: How to Choose the Best POS System for Your Venue
Digital waivers
Waivers are a critical part of operating a go-kart venue, helping to manage risk and ensure guest safety. However, relying on paper-based waiver collection at check-in can lead to delays, administrative inefficiencies, and a poor first impression for guests. Implementing a digital waiver solution streamlines the process, enhances the guest experience, and improves operational oversight.
Benefits of digital waivers include:
- Online waiver completion on desktop or mobile
- Automatic linking of waivers to bookings or race sessions
- Cloud storage for easy access and regulatory compliance
- Guardian and group signing for families or parties
- Reminder emails to encourage completion before arrival
By digitizing your waiver process, you can reduce front-desk congestion, improve safety protocols, and ensure every guest is properly registered before they hit the track.
Flexible payment options
Offering a wide range of payment methods isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a proven way to increase conversions, reduce booking abandonment, and deliver a frictionless guest experience. According to the 2025 Attractions Industry Benchmark Report, digital wallet usage has grown by 5% year-over-year, now making up 10.6% of total sales. Even more striking, guests who use digital wallets spend 43.5% more per transaction than those using traditional payment methods.
This shift highlights how critical it is for venues to support modern, flexible payment options that match guest preferences. Your go-kart software should allow guests to pay however they choose, including:
- Credit and debit cards
- Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Gift cards and vouchers
- Buy now, pay later (BNPL) options
Self-serve kiosks
Long lines at check-in can create a poor first impression and put unnecessary pressure on your team—especially during peak periods. Self-serve kiosks help alleviate congestion by empowering guests to manage their own check-in process with ease. With just a few taps, guests can scan digital tickets, complete or confirm waivers, and print race wristbands or passes—all without needing staff assistance.
They also give staff more time to focus on what really matters: welcoming guests, managing track operations, and making sure everyone has a safe, enjoyable experience.
Membership and loyalty programs
Recurring revenue is one of the most reliable growth levers for go-kart venues. A strong membership program helps you lock in repeat visits and boost per-guest spend.
With membership management tools built into your platform, you can:
- Offer tiered memberships with exclusive benefits
- Set up automated recurring billing
- Let guests purchase, renew, or upgrade online
- Track member activity and visitation trends
- Run loyalty campaigns and reward frequent racers
CRM and guest engagement tools
Once a guest visits your venue, your goal should be to bring them back. A customer relationship management (CRM) system helps make that possible. With a built-in CRM, you can:
- Track each guest’s visit history, purchases, and preferences
- Create guest profiles automatically from booking and POS data
- Segment audiences for targeted marketing
- Send personalized messages and offers (e.g., birthday promos, membership discounts)
- Trigger emails based on behavior or visit frequency
Analytics and reporting to drive smarter decisions
Data should be your co-pilot, not something you scramble to collect. Your analytics software should provide easy-to-understand dashboards so you can move quickly, make informed decisions, and uncover new revenue opportunities.
With the right analytics tools, you can easily:
- Monitor hourly, daily, or weekly revenue trends
- Identify top-selling packages or peak race times
- Track staff performance and transaction volumes
- Measure membership growth and retention
- Understand guest flow and optimize race schedules
Read more: Save Up to 125 Hours per Year With Analytics
Integrations and system compatibility
Your go-kart software shouldn’t operate in isolation. It needs to work seamlessly with the other systems and tools you rely on to run your business, from race timing solutions and arcade card systems to marketing platforms, payment gateways, and accounting software.
Choosing software with flexible integration options—like open APIs or pre-built connections with key third-party platforms—can save you time, streamline operations, and create a more cohesive, efficient experience for both guests and staff.
Go-kart software buyer’s checklist
Choosing the right go-kart software is one of the most important investments you’ll make in your business. The right platform should do more than just help you schedule races, it should support every part of your venue’s operations, from online bookings and digital waivers to POS, guest communications, analytics, and more. A truly comprehensive system can help you save time, reduce manual admin, and improve both the staff and guest experience.
It’s also important to think long-term. As your business grows and adds new attractions or locations, you need a platform that can scale with you. Look for software that’s built specifically for go-kart and attraction venues, with features designed to handle the complexities of race timing, group bookings, and high-volume foot traffic. A purpose-built solution will be far more effective (and efficient) than a general-purpose system trying to fit your needs.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, here are some key questions to ask vendors as part of your evaluation process:
1. Is the software scalable?
Whether you’re starting with a single indoor track or planning to expand into multiple locations, your software should be able to scale with you. Look for tools that support multi-venue management, offer centralized reporting, and maintain a consistent guest experience across locations.
2. Is it intuitive for both guests and staff?
Race-day energy shouldn’t be slowed down by confusing systems. The best go-kart software should be easy for your team to learn and fast for guests to navigate—whether they’re booking online, checking in, or managing waivers. A platform with a clean, mobile-friendly interface is a must.
3. Can it integrate with your timing and track tech?
Go-karting involves more than just ticketing. Your software should integrate with your existing timing systems, cashless arcade cards, and CRM tools to eliminate manual work and data silos. Look for providers that offer plug-and-play integrations or open APIs to ensure everything works together seamlessly.
4. What kind of support is offered?
Technology is only as helpful as the support behind it. Make sure your provider offers responsive customer service, ideally with access to live support during your operating hours. Ask about:
- Availability of local or 24/7 support
- Dedicated account managers
- Onboarding assistance
- Access to training materials and help documentation
5. Is onboarding and training included?
Switching software or setting up a new venue can be a big lift. Choose a provider that offers hands-on onboarding, staff training, and expert setup support. This is especially important for venues with complex attractions or high daily guest volume.
6. Are there any hidden costs?
Go-kart software is often subscription-based, but fees for onboarding, integrations, additional users, or transactions can sneak in. Be sure to ask about the total cost of ownership—including setup, add-ons, and payment processing fees. And if you're considering an annual plan, check if a discount is available.
7. Can you try before you buy?
Many top platforms offer a free trial or live demo. A live walkthrough with a product specialist is especially valuable—it gives you a chance to see how the software works in real scenarios, ask questions specific to your venue, and assess how well it matches your needs.
8. Is data security a priority?
Your venue handles a lot of personal data—from payment info to waiver signatures. Your software provider should follow industry-standard security protocols, including encrypted payments and compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR. Don’t hesitate to ask about their security certifications.
9. Does the provider have proven success in the attractions industry?
Choose a software partner that understands the fast pace and complexity of go-karting and multi-attraction venues. Look for case studies, testimonials, or customer logos from other go-kart tracks, FECs, or adventure parks. Hearing how other operators use the platform can provide useful insights and confidence in your choice.
10. What are the contract terms?
Before signing on, make sure you’re clear on the terms. Can you adjust your plan as your business grows or during slower seasons? Are there early termination fees? The best providers offer flexible plans that grow with your business, not lock you into something that doesn’t.
How Amp Up Action Park moved 75% of birthday party bookings online with ROLLER
Amp Up Action Park in St. Louis, Missouri, is a 50,000 sq ft family entertainment center that features go-karting, laser tag, axe throwing, and more.
The challenge:
With over half of their indoor space dedicated to karting, Amp Up Action Park needed a system that could manage online bookings, timing, waivers, and party packages—all in one place. Their existing systems created friction for guests and staff, especially when it came to overbooking races and handling waivers.
The solution:
They switched to ROLLER, an all-in-one venue management platform that combined online bookings, POS, digital waivers, and track-timing features into one seamless system. This allowed guests to book parties and attractions online with confidence, while staff gained greater control over capacity and session management.
Booking birthday parties online with ROLLER is a seamless process. There’s no reason for us to walk through it on the phone; the guest can do it all online in their own time.
Brian Link
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Amp Up
The results:
Amp Up shifted 75% of birthday party bookings online, reducing phone inquiries and freeing up staff for high-value guest interactions. The mobile-friendly platform improved booking accuracy, minimized race-time conflicts, and led to a 75% increase in overall online bookings—helping the venue deliver a smoother, more modern guest experience.
How to set your go-karting venue for long-term success
Investing in the right go-kart software isn’t just a tech decision—it’s a strategic one. The right system will simplify daily tasks, increase revenue, and help you deliver a guest experience that’s as smooth and exciting as your fastest lap.
A comprehensive solution like ROLLER combines all your essential tools in one easy-to-use platform, including:
- Online bookings: Make it easy for guests to book tickets, parties, and memberships online.
- Point of sale: Speed up check-ins, reduce wait times, and streamline food and beverage sales.
- Digital waivers: Eliminate check-in bottlenecks by allowing guests to sign waivers online before arrival.
- Memberships: Boost revenue with recurring memberships and loyalty programs.
- Guest surveys: Automate guest feedback collection to improve service and drive loyalty.
- Analytics: Gain real-time insights into performance, sales trends, and guest behavior.
- Multi-venue management: Centralize operations across multiple locations for consistency and efficiency.
Whether you're opening your first venue or growing to your third, the right software can help you race ahead of the competition.
Book a demo to discover how ROLLER can help your go-karting venue thrive.
