Those who think their nights aren’t as action-packed as they’d like them to be now have the opportunity to experience a different kind of amusement.

Excelerators, located at 536 South Duff Ave., is an indoor go-cart racing track offering Ames residents another way to spend free time.

“I got the idea in December and pitched it to the other two guys [Jerry Nagle and Brad Fullmer],” said Tom Burke, co-owner of the track. “Once we got the building, it took us two months to get it up and running.”

The rates were determined by the owners and compared to other tracks in Des Moines, Nagle said. ISU marketing students will be taking on advertising for the Excelerators this fall as part of a group project.

“I think the rates are fair because this is the going rate of the go-carts,” Nagle said. “It’s because of maintenance reasons, such as refilling of gas and the general upkeep of the carts.”

Burke said he thought Ames was a good place to open a go-cart racing track because entertainment options are limited.

“There’s one in Des Moines about the same size, but in Ames, we get people from all over,” Burke said. “A lot of guys who race here on Tuesday nights come from surrounding areas like Marshalltown and Ankeny. Our track is a pretty good size for an indoor track.”

The track is one-fifth of a mile long and can handle up to 15 drivers at a time. The go-carts can go up to 35 miles per hour.

“Even though we don’t have a lot of business right now, I think in winter we’ll have a lot of bigger leagues because students will be back at Iowa State,” said Excelerator employee Heather Miskell.

Michelle Anderson, Ames, is one of the many people who come to race. “I’ve been here every day since it’s been open,” Anderson said.

Anderson also said the reason why she likes to come to Excelerators is because of the atmosphere.

“It’s a fun environment for everyone, because it’s a non-alcoholic and non-smoking atmosphere,” Anderson said. “It’s safe for kids and fun for them as well.”

Anderson agrees the go-cart racing track is something Ames needed. “I race because the speed and the cars are awesome,” she said.

Penny Tam, 2011 Linn St., Boone, comes to watch her husband race.

“The week the track was open, he came everyday,” Tam said.

She said her husband is addicted to go-carting and hasn’t missed a week since he’s started.

Excelerators is open to children ages 8 up to adults. It is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.excelkarts.com, or call 232-4084.