The Slot Car Track in downtown Kannapolis, NC is a one-of-a-kind indoor racing experience for the whole family. Located about 30 minutes from Charlotte, you can race miniature slot cars on three different tracks, challenge each other for the fastest lap, and even try RC car racing. Rentals are available on-site, so no experience or equipment required to have a blast.
When you live near racing country, it only makes sense to want to get behind the wheel yourself, even if your race car is a miniature one. The Slot Car Track in downtown Kannapolis, NC gives families, racing fans, and kids of all ages the chance to experience the thrill of slot car racing up close. Whether you’re planning a unique day trip from Charlotte, hunting for a birthday party idea, or just want to try something totally different on a weekend, this hands-on racing experience brings classic slot car fun into the modern day.
Quick Facts: The Slot Car Track Kannapolis
- Address: 101a West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081
- Phone: (704) 938-1811
- Website: The Slot Car Track
- Hours: Sun 1 to 6 pm | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 1 to 9 pm | Wed Closed | Sat 11 am to 9 pm
- Race Nights: Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri at 7 pm
- Day Pass (bring your own car + controller): $12
- Slot Car Rental (includes controller): $12 for 30 min
- RC Car Rental: $15 for 20 min
- Birthday Parties: $180 for up to 8 kids (1 hr on track + 1 hr party time)
- Drive from Charlotte: About 30 min (~25 miles NE)
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; stairs required
What You’ll Find at The Slot Car Track
Inside this article:
A Racing Experience Where Everyone Can Compete
Skip the sidelines. The Slot Car Track puts you in control of the action, no matter your age or experience level. Racers can bring their own slot car and controller for a Day Pass ($12), or rent slot cars for $12 for 30 minutes. No experience? No problem. Slot cars are easy enough for younger racers to learn, making this a fantastic activity for siblings, parents, and even grandparents to enjoy side by side.
But don’t expect to simply hold down the controller and hope for the best! Racing takes real skill. You have to watch the turns, manage your speed, and avoid crashes, especially on the figure-eight track where racers can quickly find themselves crossing paths. (We may or may not have learned this the hard way after a few full-speed crashes.)
Whether your family has a future NASCAR driver in the making or you’re just looking for a little friendly competition, this is the kind of activity that immediately pulls everyone in.
Three Tracks and Digital Competition
Part of what makes The Slot Car Track so fun is that every race feels a little different. The Kannapolis location features three distinct tracks to race on:
- Figure Eight A six-lane figure-eight track that’s uniquely challenging, with crossing paths that force racers to watch their timing and avoid collisions
- 155′ Purple Hillclimb A fast, banked track with high speeds and 155 feet of racing surface, great for testing your top speed
- Oval A beginner-friendly option perfect for getting comfortable with the controls before moving up to the bigger tracks
Digital screens throughout the track display speed, laps, fastest laps, and racer rankings in real time, so there’s always something to race toward. Different lane challenges (tighter inner lanes require more precision) add another layer of strategy, and they also offer mod truck racing slot cars for a unique twist on the experience.
Whether you’re racing for bragging rights or just trying to beat your own fastest lap, the setup gives every racer a goal and every visit its own story.
Tip: Start younger or first-time racers on the Oval before moving to the figure-eight. The crossing paths on the figure-eight can cause some unexpected (and hilarious) crashes for beginners still learning speed control.
RC Cars and the Trackside Bar
The racing fun doesn’t stop at slot cars. Visitors can also rent RC cars for $15 for 20 minutes and race them in a designated RC racing area. It’s another way for kids and kids at heart to test their driving skills, and a great option if you want to mix things up during a longer visit or give the slot car tracks a break while someone else takes their turn.
The in-house Trackside Bar offers drinks and snacks, making it easy to take a break between races, cheer on your family’s newest champion, or just hang out while the kids discover exactly how competitive they really are.
Birthday Parties and Group Events
Looking for a unique birthday party idea near Charlotte? The Slot Car Track offers a birthday package for $180 for up to 8 kids. The first hour is all track time, and the second hour comes with tables set up for your party, so bring your own cake, food, and gifts. A $50 non-refundable deposit holds your date. Call or book online to reserve.
They also welcome groups of all kinds:
- Youth groups and Scout troops
- School trips and field trips
- Company outings
- Church groups
- Racing-themed gatherings of any kind
Group rates vary by size and time, so call ahead to get a quote. The fact that they’ve hosted senior groups from local churches tells you everything about the age range this place genuinely works for.
Good to know: eGift cards are available online and can be redeemed at either location (Kannapolis or The Race Center in Monroe). A great gift for the racing fan in your family!
Plan Your Visit to The Slot Car Track
The Slot Car Track is located in downtown Kannapolis, NC, about 25 miles northeast of Charlotte. For most Charlotte-area families, that’s roughly a 30-minute drive and an easy day trip to pair with lunch in downtown Kannapolis or a stop at the Dale Earnhardt Tribute in Cabarrus County.
A few things to know before you go:
- The space is not wheelchair accessible and requires using stairs to access the track
- Bring your own slot car and controller for the $12 Day Pass, or rent on-site
- Slot car rentals are $12 for 30 minutes; RC car rentals are $15 for 20 minutes
- Race nights kick off Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri at 7 pm for competitive racers and families who love a crowd
- Wednesday is closed
- Gift cards are available.
Visit: The Slot Car Track Website | Call 704.938.1811
Honest Mom Review
I went into The Slot Car Track not really knowing what to expect, and I walked out genuinely impressed by how quickly it pulls everyone in.
The controls are easy enough to pick up in the first few minutes, but there’s real skill involved once you’re trying to beat your fastest lap or navigate the figure-eight without crashing into a family member. (And yes, crashing happens. A lot. It becomes its own kind of fun.)
What surprised me most was how much everyone engaged, across all ages. This isn’t an activity where younger kids are just watching the older ones. Everyone gets a controller, everyone gets on the track, and everyone has their own moment of triumph (or dramatic wipeout). We spent way more time here than planned, because every race ends with someone saying “just one more.”
If you’re looking for something genuinely different for a family outing near Charlotte, not another trampoline park, not another mini golf course, The Slot Car Track delivers exactly that. It’s the kind of local spot that becomes a regular once you’ve discovered it.
Insider tips before you go:
- Arrive when they open for a quieter, more relaxed practice session. Evenings and Saturdays get busier on race nights.
- If you have your own cars and want to practice all day, the $12 Day Pass is by far the best value.
- The Oval is the most beginner-friendly track. Start there with younger kids before graduating to the Hillclimb or figure-eight.
- Plan your visit on a race night (Mon, Tue, Thu, or Fri at 7pm) if your crew loves competition and a lively atmosphere.
North and South Carolina are FULL of adventures for kids who love cars. Get the list and get going for more car fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Slot Car Track in Kannapolis
What is The Slot Car Track in Kannapolis?
The Slot Car Track is a family-friendly indoor racing attraction in downtown Kannapolis, NC where visitors race miniature electric slot cars on three different tracks. You can bring your own car and controller or rent equipment on-site. They also offer RC car racing, a Trackside Bar, birthday party packages, and competitive race nights throughout the week.
How much does it cost at The Slot Car Track in Kannapolis?
A Day Pass (bring your own slot car and controller) is $12. Slot car rentals with a controller are $12 for 30 minutes. RC car rentals are $15 for 20 minutes. Birthday party packages are $180 for up to 8 kids.
Is slot car racing good for kids?
Yes! Slot car racing is easy enough for younger kids to learn quickly while still being challenging enough to keep older kids and adults engaged. Racers develop timing, speed control, and strategy, all while having a great time competing. The Oval track at Kannapolis is especially good for beginners.
How far is The Slot Car Track from Charlotte?
The Slot Car Track in Kannapolis is about 25 miles northeast of Charlotte, which is roughly a 30-minute drive for most families in the Charlotte metro area. It makes an easy and fun day trip that you can pair with other stops in downtown Kannapolis.
Does The Slot Car Track offer birthday parties?
Yes! Birthday party packages are $180 for up to 8 kids, with the first hour on the tracks and the second hour set up with party tables for cake, food, and gifts. A $50 non-refundable deposit holds your date. Call 704.938.1811 or visit The Slot Car Track Website to book.