1997
Born in a family garage
Sylvain and Corinne Allègre found the company in Clermont-Ferrand, backed by Henri Allègre. The first electric kart is born in the family garage, going against the tide of a 100% petrol market.
A family
adventure.
A family of entrepreneurs, an idea against the tide: setting competition and petrol aside to make karting electric and accessible to all.
In 1997, Sylvain and Corinne Allègre founded SpeedoMax karting in Clermont-Ferrand. With Henri Allègre, they dreamed up the company’s very first electric kart in the garage of the family home.
From the Auvergne, we design, build and develop everything you need for karting, and we have been running our own indoor track for more than 29 years. A manufacturer’s expertise combined with real hands-on operating experience, which we now share through our brand licence and the “House of Karts” network.
Sylvain Allègre
Founder of Speed2Max, CEO since 1997
The journey: from 1997 to today.
The moments
that mattered.
Scroll down. The story unfolds, image by image.
1997
1997 archive: first prototype
01 / 20
1998
Events, the third pillar
Launch of the events offer: pop-up circuits from 800 m² for companies and public bodies: tyres, chargers, 70 kg of equipment. Complex logistics that would evolve over time.
2001
Karting goes to school
65 French schools equipped with educational electric karts: thousands of pupils discover mechanics, electronics and computing. The same year, the first karting-on-ice event at the Clermont-Ferrand ice rink.
2002
The ZI du Brezet workshop
A move to a building in the Brezet industrial estate: a bigger track and, above all, a proper design and manufacturing space.
2005
The French network grows
After Clermont-Ferrand, Cosne-sur-Loire, Yssingeaux and Grenoble, Speed2Max equips its fifth track in Troyes. 100% French karts, assembled on human-scale lines, known for their reliability and longevity.
2007
SpeedoMax becomes Speed2Max
A change of name to stand apart from the sportswear brand Speedo. After several years of R&D, the equipment is approved for ice: the first ice-rink track opens in Mulhouse.
2009
Flex’2Max, the safer track
Speed2Max designs a boundary system made of plastic tubes, with no sharp edges and more resistant to friction. Every circuit becomes modular: Flex’2Max is born.
2011
Twentieth track equipped
The network passes a symbolic milestone by equipping its twentieth track, in Brive-la-Gaillarde.
2012
Karting goes fashion
Speed2Max provides the electric karting activity for Kanye West’s haute couture show at Paris Fashion Week, followed by a private party where celebrities such as Puff Daddy and Kim Kardashian take the wheel.
2013
International growth and licensing
First track equipped in Spain, launch of the brand licence to support future operators, and opening of a centre in Mauritius under the name SpeedoMax Mauritius.
2014
WRC tries its hand at ice karting
Speed2Max stages the launch of the WRC championship on the Gap ice rink: all the drivers, including Sébastien Ogier, try their hand at karting on ice.
2015
The SLC2
The kart evolves into the SLC2: an improved Max-Charge system and longer-lasting batteries, active noise reduction, redesigned looks and driver safety. Internationally: three tracks in Spain, one in Poland.
2016
Chron’o Max, the management software
To support its licensees, Speed2Max develops its first site management software: till, track management and timing. A tool that would evolve over time to become Trakx.
2020
Reinventing in the open air
Covid-19 closes the Clermont-Ferrand indoor track. Never mind: an outdoor circuit is improvised in the car park to keep drivers thrilled, whatever the circumstances.
2022
A new brand identity
A complete overhaul of the visual identity around a signature lightning bolt: the short form S2M and the tagline “The House of Karts” anchor the full range of activities.
2023
Signature events
Landmark events across Europe and prestigious encounters: Pierre Gasly, Zinedine Zidane, Esteban Ocon. When a place meets a leisure activity and people, we create memories.
2024
The Mondial de l’Auto, second appearance
A second appearance at the Paris Motor Show, this time in partnership with Peugeot.
2025
West Africa’s first karting track
Opening of Speed2Max Zinvié: West Africa’s first electric karting track. The House of New Horizons, open all year round, and a model that can be exported across the continent.
2026
An ice karting track in Courchevel
Drive on ice in the heart of Courchevel! Electric karting at the Forum ice rink, 7-minute sessions, open from mid-December to early April.
Everyday life
Inventing tomorrow’s kart
Every day, in the workshop and on the track, men and women who love this sport work hard to invent tomorrow’s electric kart. That is Speed2Max.
