While local business groups, municipalities and elected officials bemoaned being left out of pre-Super Bowl events, one Jersey City businesswoman took matters into her own hands.

Why wait for the NFL to provide an opportunity to get involved when you can create your own, Pole Position Raceway president and co-owner Karen Davis-Farage thought.

As a participant in the Meadowlands Huddle Zone and a member of the Hudson County Huddle Zone, she soon decided she wasn't going to let Jersey City fall by the wayside.

"Attending (the Meadowlands Huddle Zone and Hudson County Huddle Zone) meetings for the last 18 months and realizing that nothing was going to come to be, that my phone wasn't ringing, that there wasn't funding, and there wasn't Jersey City collaboration occurring, I decided then rather be a complainer, I was going to do something about it," she said.

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Report: From software to road gear? Q&A with Jersey City raceway owner

Monday, September 03, 2012, 3:15 PM
By Ana Ferrer/The Jersey Journal

After three decades in the software industry Karen Davis-Farage found herself unemployed in 2008 after the recession put an end to her career, but after a life-changing road trip to California Davis-Farage is back on track The Star-Ledger reported.

She and her husband Eyal are owners of Pole Position Raceway in Jersey City, a two-track electric go-kart racing facility where she serves as the general manager.

She wasn't expecting her management position to be cut in 2008, the article stated.

"I was not a believer that I could take my skill set and my experience and transfer to another industry," she said in the article. "I was beside myself.

After a road trip to California, ending in a go-karting excursion in Los Angeles, their son Andrew suggested his father open up a similar business on the East Coast.

According to the article, in 2010 Eyal signed a contract with Pole Position Raceway to open up five East Coast franchises by 2015 and are set to open their second franchise in Syracuse.

Davis-Farage joined the management side of Pole Position Raceway and put her skills to use, building the brand and forging business relationships within the community, the article stated.

When asked what surprised her about the go-kart business, Davis-Farage said in the article, "Number one, is that racing in America is one of the largest sports, but it's a relatively unknown sport which is gaining tremendous growth because of the karting industry, before now, was all gas."

Davis-Farage said in the article that giving back is a core value of their business and opened up their business as a "venue that will support any foundation, any charitable organization that comes to us."

As for working with her family, in the article she states that she and her husband try not to talk business 24 hours a day.

She added, "there are so many aspects of who he is that I wouldn't have seen otherwise, it's really just a gift."

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... m_software_to_road_g.html

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V17's karts go about half as fast as these.

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V17's track is darned tough to get around under 40 seconds.

There is a separate track for kids.

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Was Ice Cube there too?

I just called them - all participants has to be 48" or taller, and that's usually 8 years or older.

My question for those that have been there is: do the teenagers / adults race on the same track and same time as the younger kids? Or do they separate by age while they race? I'm concerned if it will get really "rough" and scare off my kids (who's never done racing before).

Thx.

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Hmmm. They have kid's cars/track (slower cars) but I'm not sure if that is suitable for those under 8....let us know what you find out.

This place is literally in my back yard, I go every few months, its a a great addition to the neighborhood. Last time I was there Ice Tea the rapper was there. Good Times.

Is this suitable for kids under 8? I'm interested in taking my sons there, but I'm wondering if this is really for teenagers / adults only?

Looks like they're offering another 50% off deal at pole position. I did this last fall with a group of friends and we had a blast!

http://readeroffers.nydailynews.com/r/6Unff3TeA8j?r=121086

The deal says $30 for 2 laps + a drink.

Enjoy!

Just went for a race. This is not your teenager's go kart. There are people who take the racing seriously. Given the way they start the races, the more skilled should be let out first to avoid crashes. Also, in my race, there were 9 karts and probably 9 times they paused the race. I started last and therefore never really could get up to speed because I was constantly braking to avoid smacking into the back of the cart in front of me. I think starting from a dead stop with six cars lined up 2x3 would be a better start. The fast would pass within a lap and the slow would be shot out the back. My fastest lap was 24.37.

Fun and a good forearm workout.

just got back from my first day of racing at Pole Position. They have a really good setup there, and I know they will be seeing a lot of me in the future. The track has a nice layout with some high speed sections and technical areas as well. The karts are very good, with a lot of pick-up in them. Compared to the other offering in the area, V17, I like this much better.

i spoke with one of the managers, and they will be setting up leagues with a variety of racing events. Giant track, linking both tracks together, endurance, grand prix events. My fastest lap of the day was a 23.010. If you are in the low 23's you are doing well. If you break into the 22's you are moving.

I saw some youth races while I was there, and seems to be the same format and length, just with the speed reduced.

Some videos of the racing action, I know race 1 is filmed sideways :(

Race 1
Race 2
Race 3

Stopped by to take a look today. Looks fun. Maybe a tad over priced but I am going to try and get a group together to do a race.

This looks like a great day out for the family! If someone goes with children, please let us know how the set-up is.
It isn't really clear on the website what the $18.00 fee for kids gives them (ie; how much racing time).

Congrats! I know I'll be there today to check it out and do some racing. I'll post some pics for everyone when I get back.

Friends of Pole Position Raceway,
It?s been an exciting and challenging time. But, we can finally open the doors and say ?Thank you? for believing in our vision and plan for Pole Position Raceway! We passed the final inspection this afternoon and we are open!

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The site says opening soon. Do you have a opening date set yet? I'd really like to come racing this weekend.

Azul_the_cat The website for the Jersey location went live yesterday and you can check out the hours here... http://www.polepositionraceway.com/ne ... ity/directions-and-hours/
Hope this helps you out, we are very excited about our first location on the east coast.

anyone know the hours yet? I will be there for sure this Saturday if they are open to the public.

A helmet is included as part of the race price. You need to wear closed toe shoes, and that's about it.

Pole Position FAQ

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azul_the_cat..... is the helmet rental included in the ticket price? And do you need to wear any other gear? Gloves? Racing Suit?

It does look like fun!

Quote: Having raced gas karts and electric before, I think electric karts are a lot of fun. I love the feel and the top end of those tiny gas engines ruining right behind you, but I hate the fumes indoors. Electric has great acceleration, but they always seemed to run out of speed too soon for me. The lack of fumes though is very nice. As I said in a previous post I stopped by and looked in the windows, this place is going to be a blast. As long as they have decent turn marshals and run the place well (one of the biggest determining factors for me) I'll be a frequent racer. If you see me in my helmet say hi.

This is going to be amazing for JC! I can't wait to try it. Wonder how the electric cars will be, never really tried one before, but i think acceleration should be really great with an electric engine!

Not open yet. There will be a preview for the press on Wednesday morning. As soon as there is a firm date (which will be soon), I'll post it on JCList.

Does anyone know if they are open yet? I remember hearing they weer supposed to open last Monday, but their web site hasn't updated. I want to go racing this weekend.

Still a better deal than what v17 is offering. either way I cant wait till next week for this place to open. It would be super sweet if they did what some other places I have been to do; free race or appetizer, or something for fastest lap time of the hour. I know it always made me push a little harder.

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This is the info box that was printed in the JJ.

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would they just open jersey ave already? its such a pain accessing LSP through the crazy backroads detour from downtown. i would think it would be in these businesses best interest too if a few more start popping up along that side of the park. anyway, hope this place succeeds, but shaving a few bucks off per race could be a good grand opening promotion perhaps...