The area’s only indoor go-kart racing facility abruptly shut its doors last month, and there has been little information revealed about the reason behind the closure.
Fastrax Raceway opened its doors to go-kart racing enthusiasts and thrill seekers in the summer of 2013 at Crossgates Commons, but closed without any warning to employees or customers, according to Amanda Podgorski, who was director of sales. In an email Thursday, Oct. 24, to clients, Podgorski said some employees were not paid for the last two weeks of work, and several deposits were not refunded.
The Fastrax located in Poughkeepsie has also been permanently closed, according to Podgorski. Both of the company’s facilities were located on property owned by Syracuse-based Pyramid Management Associates.
There was a sign on the door stating the facility was temporarily closed for building and kart repair, and directed customers to check its website for updates. The website is still up, but there is nothing regarding the closing. Its Facebook page appears to have been deleted, and its phones were disconnected at the Albany location.
The Albany County Sheriff’s Office changed the locks on Fastrax’s doors on Oct. 2 as part of a court-ordered eviction. Podgorski said employees came to work that day to find the locks changed.
“As soon as this happened, I began returning deposits for future scheduled events,” Podgorski said in her email to clients. “I then started to receive phone calls that employees’ checks were bouncing and blame was placed on me by one of our owners for returning deposits to future guests. I was then locked out of email and our booking host could therefore not get a hold of guests or return any more deposits.”
Podgorski could not be reached for comments beyond her email. The owners of Fastrax could not be reached for comment.
Pyramid filed a lawsuit in Albany City Court regarding “non-payment” in July, and the judge granted a vacate order in September, according to court records. The court records available online did not include any details behind the lawsuit.
Podgorski claimed she had little success contacting the owners about the closure and being locked out of its booking system.
“I have done my best to send emails and call the owners and they have chosen not to respond,” Podgorski said in her email. “They are instead choosing to handle their mess with zero understanding, compassion or regard for others. In my opinion, it is incredibly immature and disgraceful.”
Among the deposits Podgorski said were not refunded was one from a church group that had planned to host a fundraiser. Other media outlets reported Podgorski said up to $10,000 in deposits was not refunded. There were also paid memberships that are now useless.
There was a slight silver lining for Fastrax members because Pole Position Raceway announced on Friday, Oct. 28, it would offer all former Fastrax members a free three-month membership to its facilities.
The two Pole Position Raceway locations where the offer can be redeemed include Destiny USA in Syracuse and The Marketplace Mall in Rochester.
Karen Davis-Farage, president and co-owner of the Pole Position Raceway franchise, said she was disappointed to see Fastrax abruptly close and wanted to restore customers’ faith in the indoor racing industry.
“We feel like we represent a best-of-breed of indoor electric go-kart venues, and we want to make sure people understand that is a unique situation,” said Davis-Farage. “I can’t tell you why Fastrax didn’t make it.”
There are 13 Pole Position Raceway venues across the country, with two where Fastrax customers can redeem its free membership offer located in Pyramid-owned facilities.
Davis-Farage said Pole Position had previously looked at opening a location in the Capital District, but at the time had made some commitments to other locations so the timing wasn’t right.
She did not rule out a Pole Position Raceway eventually opening in the area, and said the company has a “great” relationship with Pyramid.
“I can’t really comment on what the future holds,” she said.
