Indoor karting company K1 Speed has announced it will open an esports venue alongside a new indoor karting track at Scottish entertainment complex XSite Braehead.
According to a release, the esports facility will include state-of-the-art sim racing rigs for casual use and esports tournaments.
Alongside providing a facility for gamers and esports players to participate in sim racing, the opening is backed by an investment of £5.5m and aims to create 80 jobs in the local area. The release also states the esports facility will be used for ‘talent scouting.’
K1 Speed operates 100 karting locations across the world with 70 sites in the United States. The company noted that the 90,000-square-foot venue will feature the biggest indoor karting track in the world using high-end electric go-karts.
The sim racing sector continues to grow following its initial boom period during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2024, motorsport team McLaren Racing extended its existing partnership with Logitech G to continue supporting its sim racing teams. In September, Quatermass Motorsport launched the Para Racers Academy, an initiative to promote diversity and inclusion within sim racing.
K1 Speed says its venue at XSite Braehead aims to act as an ‘incubator for future F1 stars’ with options to participate in real-world and virtual motorsports at its facility.
Matthew Holyfield, Managing Director at K1 Speed UK, spoke on the news: “Our goal is to provide a top-tier entertainment experience that appeals to both casual racers and serious competitors.
“The new K1 Speed Braehead will embody our commitment to innovation, safety, and fun, and we’re excited to bring this to the region. We chose XSite because of its vibrant community and love for motorsport and can’t wait to see the excitement this new venue will bring to Glasgow.”
