Explained: What happened to Mega Fast Go Karts, and where do we go from here?

It’s been home to everything from go-karts to laser tag for more than 30 years but now everything is set to go as the Richmond favourite waves the chequered flag for final time.

Whether it was your first time behind the wheel, or you were simply a kid at heart, Mega Fast Karts in Richmond has opened its doors to anyone with a passion for speed and tight corners for decades.

But as of November 3, the beloved family run business will close its doors for good after more than 30 years of operation.

On Wednesday, The Advertiser revealed the entertainment venue, which is home to an indoor go karting track, dodgem cars, laser skirmish and arcade games, would cease operating due to compulsory acquisition on the land it operates on.

Clipsal 500 Drivers Anton de Pasquale and David Reynolds with Footballer Charlie Dixon at Mega Fast Carts in Richmond. Picture: Matt Loxton

Venue owner Aaron Thompson said the decision to close the doors was gut-wrenching, and hundreds of South Australians have shared their sadness about the end of a central Adelaide venue they’ve enjoyed for so many years.

So, what actually happened to the business, and why is it shutting?

What happened to Mega Fast Karts at Richmond?

In June this year, The Advertiser revealed Mr Thompson was facing the very real prospect of having to close his family run business – the business he’d known and loved since he was seven years old.

“My father was a mechanic here, I’ve got a scar on my foot from when I was a child,” Mr Thompson said.

He asked the public to support the business after he was notified that their current premises would be demolished for the Torrens to Darlington upgrade.

Mr Thompson said it would cost more than $1m to set up shop somewhere else – including kitting out a new workshop with a bitumen track, and setting up laser skirmish – but the government won’t pay for the business to relocate.

Mega Fast Karts Richmond owner Aaron Thompson at his business. Picture: Dean Martin

“The government has a ruling when it comes to business acquisitions – they’ll do whatever is cheaper, whether that’s to relocate you or to close you down,” he said.

“The cost to close us was a lot less than it was to relocate us,” he said.

Mr Thompson however has since announced he had made the decision to shut after being offered “a third of what we’d need to move”.

What’s next?

The final day of trading at Mega Fast Karts will be November 3, with these school holidays to be the final break where kids can spend their time off there.

Mr Thompson said all of the assets from the venue – including all go karts, go kart frames, battery powered dodgem cars, arcade games, air hockey tables and the laser skirmish arena as a whole – would be sold at auction following the final day of trade.

“It will all be on Lloyd’s auctions, and will be listed a week after we cease operation,” he said.

General manager at the venue Mark Cuch thanked the members of the public who have supported Mega Fast Karts over the years.

“Thank you all for the support and well wishes,” he said.

“We wish you well as you find somewhere else to spend your time. We’re just as sad as you are.”

Footballer Charlie Dixon from Port Adelaide Football Club at Mega Fast Carts in Richmond. Picture: Matt Loxton

What did the State Government say?

A spokesman told The Advertiser the state government is committed to working with businesses impacted by the T2D “sensitively and as mandated under South Australian law”.

He said the Department for Infrastructure and Transport had been working closely with Mr Thompson to provide a “reasonable level” of compensation in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act.

“We understand the business was looking at two sites for relocation, however the costs for relocation were around two to three times the value of the business. As such, Mr Thompson has elected to close the business,” the spokesman said.

“The acquisition process is never easy and the Department works closely and sensitively with all affected, under a process mandated by state law.

“We are building the biggest transport infrastructure project in the state’s history, which will have far-reaching, generational benefits for the South Australian community and economy. This has been a long time coming and we are getting on with delivering it.”

Originally published as Explained: What happened to Mega Fast Go Karts, and where do we go from here?