November 18th, 2001 (SPEEDS in Columbus, Oh)

We did some go-karting out in Donnegal a few months ago, which was lots of fun...unfortunately, i had no camera power, so the pics were not to be had. As winter set in, the outdoor karting scene shuts down...and noble president Jerry of the NHSCC decided we should brave the cold air and head west, to the land of Columbus Ohio, for some indoor karting fun. And not your average family-fun-park karts either, these babies can MOVE. While acceleration isn't that ridculous, unlike most karts, these don't really have a top speed on the half-mile track inside the huge building....conservation of momentum is rewarded with higher terminal velocity, just like a real car (one that doesn't top out in 10 seconds). Heats are held towards a championship, and your best lap is compared to the best laps of others in your heat to determine the winner...so one botched lap doesn't mean the end of the race. We're going again (as i write this) next sunday, look for more pics then! Check out the speeds website HERE..

On the way there, I encountered a truck carrying parts for the Death Star or something. Yipes.

This place is HUGE

Indoor karts use propane to power the OHV honda motors....no VTEC, sadly....Andy quipped that he was right at home, just like his CRX, same horsepower and everything.

The assembled Posse

the first group gets ready to tear up the painted concrete

digicams are great without flash in low light (i was trying for some blur pics...turns out, i'd get them even with the flash at this rage)

Mike ancas is used to wringing every ounce of speed out of a honda

who is this mysterious racer!?!

Ralph tearin it up

Jenny muscles her kart into submission!

Gettin tail out is no problem on the speeds karts

A bigger view

Mike travelling at ludicris speed

this is about 3/4 of the way down a full-throttle stretch...the karts are really hummin here

Jenny knows not of the mortal emotion called FEAR!!!

Who was that mysterious blur?

Our generous host, whose name escapes me...

Praise Caesar! I mean andy! 3rd place is 2nd place for loosers!

Jerry pays the speeds folks to secure his 2nd place trophy.

Yay Jerry! 2nd place is 1st place for loosers!

The champion of the day...mathmatically, assuming prior statements were correct, 1st place is 0th place for loosers, but that just doesn't make any sense.

I give you....the VICTORS!!! (Sidenote: Andy broke his back while karting. not really badly, but apparently the vibrations chipped a bone in his back....we're going to coat him in NERF next time.)

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