Young racers enjoy the go-kart track at Jungle Rapids. Photo courtesy of Jungle Rapids.

Q. I was recently at Carolina Beach and I saw that the go-kart track is no longer there. Did they move someplace else on the beach? If not are there any other go-kart traks in the area? Who’s idea was it to replace the go-karts with a volleyball pit?

A. The go-kart track was owned and operated by The Lazy Pirate Sports Bar & Grille and Drifters Reef Motel located at 701 North Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach.

It was a staff decision to tear out the concrete track and replace it with two sand volley ball courts and grass area. After several months of work on the project, a grand opening was held May 19 with an estimated 1,000 plus people attending throughout the day.

“This has been something we’ve been thinking about for a while. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback,” said Christy Washburn, Lazy Pirate manager. “It’s now a complete outdoor area for families to come and enjoy outdoor activities.”

The new sand volleyball courts are the only attraction of its kind offered on Pleasure Island.

“We’re providing people with something they would otherwise have to go all the way into Wilmington to get,” said Washburn.

Each year the Lazy Pirate upgrades their restaurant. In addition to the volleyball area, a second deck was added. A large outside deck was put in last year.

“We are always expanding and doing things to keep people coming back. The locals are important to us,” said Washburn.

She says they’ve had a few families ask about the missing go-kart track.

“But once we explain, they’ve been very responsive.”

At this time, there are no other go-kart tracks in Carolina Beach or anywhere on the island.

The closest option is Wilmington’s long time Grand Prix Go-Kart track at Jungle Rapids (5320 Oleander Dr. 910-791-0666 or 910-791-0888). Its a quarter mile long and $8.99 per ride. Details found at http://www.junglerapids.com/pages/attractions.php.

In Brunswick County, there’s the Holden Beach Super Track with go carts and bumper boats (3437 Holden Beach Rd SW Supply, NC (910) 842-5050) and Ocean Isle Super Track Go-Carts (6422 Beach Dr SW Ocean Isle Beach, NC (910) 579-1777).

Near Pender County is s White Lake Go Kart (1561 White Lake Dr. Elizabethtown, NC (910) 862-6500.).

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Date posted: May 22, 2013

User-contributed question by:
Debbie Wright