Another California-based company has moved in to the former Fastrax Raceway and is offering a deal to those left with gift cards from the previous business.
K1 Speed opened its doors Friday, Nov. 21, at Crossgates Commons and has since rebranded the inside of the indoor kart racing facility, with plans to make changes to the track. The same general experience is offered at K1 Speed, which features high-speed electric go-karts, a snack bar and private rooms that can be reserved for parties. Anyone can walk in and hit the track, but race packages are also available.
Fastrax Raceway opened in the summer of 2013, but it abruptly closed in October due to a court-ordered eviction. The company also closed its facility in Poughkeepsie. Both locations were rented from Pyramid Management Group.
“We are a polished, professional national brand and we have centers all across the United States, and we are continuing to open new centers,” said Mike Maguire, director of operations for K1 Speed. “We are on a nice growth pattern, so people can feel safe we are not going anywhere.”
To help out former Fastrax customers left with gift cards, K1 Speed is offering anyone with a gift card one free race, no matter how much is left on it. Maguire said some people might have more or less than what a race costs, but the company wanted to do something to help out people.
“Anybody that was a previous racer at Fastrax, we are going to honor their license,” Maguire said. “We think this is a good community, and we have some avid racers.”
Some former Fastrax employees were interviewed to work at K1 Speed. The company will also bring in new staff members.
When K1 Speed opened, the facility closely resembled the previous occupant, but changes have already been made to the environment inside. All the signage has been changed and areas have been repainted. The outside sign still needs to be replaced.
“Every day we will just continue to make the cosmetic change,” said Maguire. “We are going to change the track eventually. It will be a different design and system.”
In about a month, the track layout will be redesigned, and there will be different barrier system installed, according to Maguire.
K1 Speed also opened at Fastrax’s former site in Poughkeepsie Galleria. The company operates about two dozen facilities nationwide.
A single race is $20, with a $6 license fee if someone is a new racer. A package of three races can also be purchased for $50.
People interested in a more competitive environment can test their skills in K1 Speed’s Challenge GP. There are also race leagues and race package events, which offer two qualifying heats to determine starting positions before a standing-start race.
For information on K1 Speed and its Albany location, visit www.k1speed.com.
