Karting in Maywood, NJ (Velocity 17). Opening??

Do you guys know when the new karting place in Maywood, Velocity 17 is supposed to open? The site says end of March and it's now the end of May. The site doesn't provide too much info as well. Wonder if it's going to be kiddie karts or the real deal.

Anyone know?

 

Would be interested to know myself. I know a few guys on the board went down there to take a look, but I never heard it officially opened.

 

David,

I'm itching to race! I'm actually putting a team together to participate in the 1.5 hr race @ Lime Rock.

http://www.endurancekarting.com/Program_EnduranceRaces.html

The prices aren't too bad....$150/ea. w/ a team of 3.

 

I drive by the place everyday. It's still not open... I'll probably stop by there next week to see if I can get a definite date.

 

Should be opening in a few weeks. Inspectors there the past few days testing the karts and everything. All this guy needs to open is Permits!, lol. Gotta love NJ. The reason I know this much is that my dad is a State Electrical Inspector and he was there testing the karts

 

Sweet! Eric...thanks for the update. I emailed them also and here's their response:

"Dear Arrwin,

We are waiting for our final building inspections at the moment.

So hopefully we will open our doors around the 27/28th of this month!

Our karts are Electric, we bring them in from the UK. They are Storm and Spark karts with racing chassis.

You can Google to find out more information.

Many thanks, Rivka."

Looking forward to it.

 

They are looking to open Memorial Day weekend. I met with Pedro Fernandes who is the General Manager who gave me a detailed tour. The place is just incredible. The Karting is just one of many things going on there. The karts are electric, but have a lot of torch and are quick through their banked the turns. They have a room with 4 F1 stimulators that are programmed for any type of car/track/weather condition/drivers aids etc. They also have real flight stimulator pods that are used by the Canadian air force. You actually have to go through pre-flight training before even looking at one. They also have a kids track, meeting rooms, party rooms, and a whole restaurant section………..You need to check this place out, real top notch. Well…I basically found my new home. If you’re in the area, just walk in the side door and ask for Pedro, he is the cool guy.

Marcello

 

lol, your gonna have a whole bunch of FChatters waiting at that place tomorrow looking for a sneak peak

 

I'm assuming you'll be one of them..... Jerry, Pedro and Jason are really good people. The place has a great atmosphere.

 

haha i wish. I am so busy this week its crazy. I guess cutting out for a couple of days to drive across the country piles up alot of work Ill def be one of the first to stop by when it opens though.

 

Do you know if they will have a league or something? I would definitely be interested in joining.

 

No clue, but Pedro did mention that he's definately open to fresh ideas.

 

That's right fellas, it is officially open as of today. Their hours are pretty crazy...10a-12pm EVERYDAY!!!!

I'm going with my girl tomorrow!!!

 

Woah this sounds fun. Im unable to attend the lambo meet in the AM so is anyone else up for this in the afternoon?

faz

 

I hope this is a typo .....

 

Yeah, it was...9am - 12 AM or midnight everyday.

Anyway, I'm swamped with work so, I'll probably won't be able to make it over until tomorrow.

 

Wait, what?

 

I went over today. the track was fun, I did the flight simulator which was ok. Prices are expensive and everything is a little unorganized. I'd give it a few weeks before I go over. My best lap was 40.81

I think the price is 6 laps for $18.00+ 1 time membership cost of $20pp problem was today it took almost 2 hours to get us on the track after the saftey breifing, little kids party, and confusion.

 

Thanks for the update Rob. How were the karts? Fast? So overall...do you think it's worth it??

 

It was fun once you get on the track. the carts are quick and its enjoyable to zip around the track. Again I would give them a few weeks to get their process down. I hope they work on their pricing. I think until they've been established for a while they should offer free memberships. Right now a one time date for a HS or college kid would cost $90 for one 6 lap session. I dont see that 30 minute date as being worth it, by the budget minded kart target market.

 

Also Rob pointed out something interesting this morning -- Rob, Kimmy and I went over there, spent $105 and did 1 kart session for all of us (in theory, 6 laps ~10 minutes including warm-up/cool-down) and a flight sim training for me & Rob (15 mins).

We then realized they forgot to charge us for the karting! The $105 was for 3x memberships @ $20 and 2x Flight Sim Training @ $20. Had we actually been charged as we were supposed to, it would have been $170 for the three of us to get a total of a half-hour's worth of entertainment. I think that's out of almost everyone's budget....$120/hr pp...

 

Was it a fairly wide track with at least a little room to pass or are you stuck behind another car the whole time? Last time i went Karting it was at Strike which was a half assed narrow track with no room to pass at all. I tried to pass once, punted the guy and by the time it was all sorted out i was stuck behind him again. Needless to say i never went back.

 

You can definitely pass on the main straightaway and in one or two other spots, but I wouldn't call it "wide" (i.e. like the outdoor track we all went to upstate a while back).

 

*Ouch!*
I just got back from OVRP which is where you guys went the last time and it was definitely enjoyable albeit far for a regular outing. Which is I guess, V17's advantage. We spent $75/hr/pp there.

It would be great if V-17 would structure their pricing towards karting fans rather than the 1-time or "special occasion" visitor. Hopefully it will be changed.

 

We went last night and are going again tonight. I got 45.012. Like the Glen... Boot is now open. Be there or be square.