Photo courtesy Mary Ann Hegvold
Officials developing the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District under construction in New Caney announced Feb. 23 that a new 30-acre attraction is expected to debut in December. The new Speedsportz Racing Park, expected to break ground in late March, will feature a European-style rental kart facility and track and a separate high-speed performance track, said Alan Rudolph, co-owner of Speedsportz Racing Park and professional karting driver and racing trainer. Speedsportz is designed to offer outdoor recreational racing for drivers age 10 and up with regular karts that can travel up to 50 mph and high-powered karts that can reach speeds of up to 90 mph, Rudolph said. The facility will also be able to accommodate lightweight race cars and other vehicles on its two tracks and will house a snack bar, arcade and meeting spaces for corporate gatherings and parties, he said. "The idea is [Speedsportz] will literally be the first of its kind—a true multipurpose racing facility," Rudolph said. "There's nothing like it in the country. There are others doing the same concept but working on the same track." Grand Texas is designed to feature a sportsplex, recreational vehicle park and hotels, all of which are scheduled to open this spring, according to a timeline established by Grand Texas CEO Monty Galland in July. Phase 1 of the venue's water park is slated to open this summer, and Phase 1 of a theme park with rollercoasters is scheduled to open in May 2016, according to the same timeline.