F1 Boston

www.f1boston.com

Anyone ever been? They have a facility similar to this in Houston that I used to go to called Kart Zone. Whole lotta fun!

 

We had a company Xmas party there last year. Good fun- 12 of us went racing and had the indoor track (the "city" track- lots of tight turns and elevation) to ourselves for a 45-minute enduro.

You'd be surprised how tired you can get muscling those little 5hp carts around the track.

-Gio P

 

I've been twice. Great fun. Don't have any hint of alcohol on your breath - they are very, very strict.

Didn't do the 45 minute enduro, but had four or five races each time plus a 15 or 20 lap Grand Prix. The time slips are a nice feature.

The key seemed to be planting your foot firmly on the gas from green and leaving it there....using the brake only when absolutely necessary.

Very much worth the entry fee......Co-owned by Aerosmith, I understand.

 

It is an amazing place. I went to a 5 day camp there over the summer. We raced on both indoor tracks and the outdoor on on the last day which was great fun. I highly recommend trying to get to the outdoor track. I did very well there too, I came in first place every time (10 races) on the last day! The outdoor karts that we used had 9HP and reach 55-60MPH down the strait away.

 

How much is it to race?

 

Inside tracks are $25 dollar for a 15 minute race and 5? minute warmup. You also need a license ($10 for a day, $25 for year). It is very fun, but adds up quickly. I have done a 3 hour enduro there with the BMWCCA on both inside tracks combined. It was quite challenging and tiring.

 

I did it 3 years ago and it was THE best night (without a woman) I have ever had. I was able to do 60 laps that night during my company outing. I was sooooooooo tired and sore after that. I moved out of state for a little while and have not had a chance to go back in the time since I have moved back.

I thought about joining the league there during the winters during my non-golf time but I am not sure how I would do. I am 6'5 245lbs so my size is a serious disadvantage. Maybe next winter.

 

Yes it is very tiring. After 5 days of racing all day, I had a big scar and scab on my back from the small uncomfortable seat.

 

I organized a grand prix event (4 races) for about 10 people. It came out to 75 per person and had the entire track to ourselves! Lot's of fun. I haven't been to the outdoor facility but I hear it's fun. Here's some pics of our event. I'm the 3rd from the right in the back row.

Theo
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What is the trick? Do you never lift the throttle? Do you use brakes?

 

You have to almost never use the brakes. The only place you use the brakes on the city course is heading into the hairpin. Throttle is floored the whole way around the track almost except for turns 5 &6 where it can get a little tricky if you are offline. I am no expert, but that is what I have taken from the course.

 

Pretty much always full throttle except the hairpin on track 2. For the first few laps going through this down hill hairpin, it feels like the steering is straight when you have it fully turned. Until the tires warm up, it will understeer beyond belief in that corner, it scared me the first time, I thought I was going strait into the wall. Full throttle is not always the fastest though, and you must maintain traction through out the track. If you skid, you lose your momentum and that is a very important thing to keep with karts such as these. Something strange though, is that I found that it was more difficult to pass bad drivers than passing good drivers. I think thats because they will use brakes and trap you behind them unintentionally and they will swerve into your path because they dont know any better. You also must be very smooth with your steering and throttle inputs, although smooth steering is not as important on these as it is on real cars (no shocks on go karts so less lateral wight transfer and no body roll) it is still important. I have some track maps for you to look at and I quicky marked some spots the go full throttle, and some spots to brake. One more thing, NEVER slam the brakes. You will slide side ways or spin out. Many people made the mistake of doing that. On the corners farthest to the left on the maps, it is very easy to lose traction and pull off a little drifting action, but just keep it steady and youll be fine. If someone passes you, just get next to them on the inside so they cant go anywhere at the turn.

The picture wont upload... Try the f1boston.com web site for maps.

Follow the rules and have fun!

 

Thanks so much!!
Would you be kind to send me the map with your marked spots to [email protected]?

 

Your welcome James. I sent you an e-mail.
Good Luck!

 

Is the outside track of F1 Boston still open this year? Does anyone know when it will close (if it did not already)?

Theo