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 Oh
my aching body! After two go-kart events in three days in early August,
I was sore all over. During my company’s supplier and service provider
annual Operation’s Conference we always fit in time for some “team building”
recreation. For years the options for participants were to play golf, or
tour local attractions. Needless to say, the tours weren’t all that well
attended. Two years ago we offered go-karting at F1 Boston as an option,
and as they say “the rest is history.” Golfing suddenly took a back seat
to team go-kart competition.
This year we were “stiffed” by F1 Boston, first on their outdoor track, then after offering the use of both tracks at their indoor facility they backed out of that offer. So I went searching for a backup karting option, and discovered a new facility, Maine Indoor Karting located in Scarborough, Maine. They were able to accommodate our group on relatively short notice, saving us having to tell 30 plus attendees that they wouldn’t be karting this year. This facility utilizes a large warehouse building, which they’ve converted to house one track prescribed by moveable tire barriers (they can switch from a “road course” to an “oval track” setup fairly easily). A fast lap takes about 20-21 seconds, similar to one of F1 Boston’s indoor tracks. The karts are quick, similar (if not identical) to those used at F1 Boston, and an upgrade to 9 horsepower karts is coming soon. I spoke with the owner during our event, and to say he’s pleased with the business he’s been doing since they opened last November would be an understatement. When we arrived the track was in full use, and as soon as we finished he had a long line of people signing up to compete – and this on a Thursday afternoon. In his pervious life he was a financial planner, guess which career he prefers now! Our event went off without a hitch, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. After 40 minutes of driving, I was exhausted and my ribs were complaining after the constant g-loading that comes with racing on a tight indoor track. Two days later it was time for the region’s event at F1 Boston’s outdoor facility. With my ribs still sore, I wasn’t all that pumped up about another hour or so driving a kart. So I took a couple of precautionary Aleve, which had me feeling better in no time at all. After the usual amount of trash talking, everyone got down to business. There was the usual amount of complaining about who drew a fast kart and who didn’t, and who might be less than forthcoming about their real weight. Typical stuff with our crowd, and all part of the banter and fun of the event. As for the event my partner Don Moberg and I did well finishing seventh overall despite several rear brake induced spins, only 3-4 seconds out of fourth place. Sunday morning I was sore all over once again, but I forced myself to be productive, cleaning up our race cars and washing a couple of cars. By then what little adrenaline I had fully drained away, and I spent the rest of the day in a vegetative state. Amazing how beat up you get driving a kart! I’ve been musing a bit about various driving techniques I’ve observed on our highways. Lately I’ve noticed a number of drivers extending their left arm out of the car and letting it hang down against the door. I’m not sure what their objective might be, maybe to cool their arm, or test the air temperature. I doubt they’d be able to get their arm back in the car quickly should they need to steer with both arms. It can’t be comfortable (at least that’s what my test in my garage suggests). I’ve also noticed people driving with one of their legs propped up on the dashboard. Again this can’t be all that comfortable, and doesn’t it assume the driver’s seat is the equivalent of a recliner in your home? I hope they never need to use that leg in an emergency. And what’s with the steering technique wherein the driver rests his/her wrists on the top of the steering wheel? When did drivers decide a firm grip on the wheel wasn’t required? I guess aiming the car is all that’s required anymore. Finally my pet peeve, traffic jams caused by drivers not maintaining their speed as they travel uphill. This past month we had a region board meeting that required a drive south on I-495. We spent over an hour traveling twelve miles, stuck in traffic for no good reason other than backups caused by drivers inattentively slowing going up gentle slopes on the highway. The resulting accordion effect wherein faster cars hit the brakes as cars in front of them slow backed up traffic from Lawrence to Lowell. One day this behavior will serve as justification for redesigning highways and automobiles utilizing technology wherein computers drive our cars – and the fun of driving will be lost. |
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