NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits the renovated RPM Raceway in East Farmingdale, featuring LED-lit tracks and advanced karts for an immersive racing experience. Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez, Steve Pfost

Long Island is about to make racing history. When RPM Raceway in Farmingdale officially unveils its new multimillion-dollar renovation, it will have the longest indoor go-kart track of its four locations. 

"We’ve been in the process of renovating all our existing stores in the tristate area as well as working on new ones across the country," says CEO-founder Andrew Farage, who opened the Farmingdale location in 2014. Others include Jersey City, New Jersey, Stamford, Connecticut,  and Syracuse. "Long Island is the last one to get renovated and also the most aggressive, longest and biggest project."

Go karts race around the track at RPM Raceway in...

Go karts race around the track at RPM Raceway in East Farmingdale. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

Construction began in November and the track will be unveiled April 9 to the public. The 100,000-square-foot facility features three multilevel tracks that can be combined into six different configurations boasting more than 3,600 feet of racing.

"It’s a mixture of a video game, a roller coaster and a Formula One car," says Farage. "People won’t even recognize it. It’s that much of a different experience by going multilevel, vertical, through underpasses and down spiraling ramps."

There are three tracks designed from scratch, each with different highlighted elements.

"Track 1 is the longest one with major straightaways and banked rolling corners," says Farage. "Track 2 is more technical with spiraling ramps and more quick turns that you have to navigate. When you are competing for time, people like those technical tracks because it shows skill level. Track 3 is a mixture of both."

Despite the massive renovation, the admission prices will remain the same, at $30 per race for nonmembers and $23 for members. 

NEW LOOK

Not only has the track been upgraded, but the overall aesthetic has also changed. It’s lined with LED lighting that interacts with the go-karts.

"It’s like walking into 'Tron.' There’s a gamey, immersive digital world vibe to it," says Farage. "When the race starts, everything goes green and it’s go, go, go. When there’s a pileup in one area of the track, everything will be yellow indicating caution. There’s even lighting that tracks the person in first place."

A new track involves getting new karts with lithium-ion lead-based batteries for endurance as well as an LED screen on the steering wheel displaying your race statistics.

"The new karts are super responsive with better technology," says avid racer Luca Connor, a 23-year-old graduate student at Hofstra University who has tried the renovated track. "The wheel-mounted timing screens are cool because you don’t have to look up at the main screen when you pass it. Plus, the track surface is better than the previous ones, giving you more grip."

Each kart, which can go up to 45 miles per hour, contains a boost button that drivers can use for extra zip.

"When you hit the boost button, the kart speeds up for seven seconds per lap," says Farage. "You can decide to use a bit here, a bit there. It adds a level of complexity."

Because the track is expanded, the capacity has doubled holding up to 30 karts at once therefore decreasing drivers’ wait time. Additionally, there are ample viewing areas for spectators with tables and chairs along the railing.

Benji Balshin, 13, of South Bellmore, with a new kart...

Benji Balshin, 13, of South Bellmore, with a new kart at RPM Raceway in East Farmingdale. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

"These renovations have really brought the experience up a lot, adding much more excitement to the track," says regular racer Benji Balshin, 13, of South Bellmore. "Before the track was flat and you were just kind of going around and around. Now there are bumps that give you some airtime as well as exit and entrance ramps. You feel like Sonic the Hedgehog moving through a whole new universe."

RACING FOR ALL

RPM Raceway is open to people aged 6 and up with a height requirement of 48 inches. Junior racers are separated from adults (12 and older) as well as pro-racers.

"This is set for the most basic, never-raced-before junior racer to the most competitive outdoor gas professional racer," says Farage. "We specifically design our program, our tracks and our experiences to cater to that full range."

The screen on the steering wheel of the new go...

The screen on the steering wheel of the new go karts at RPM Raceway. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

A race lasts about 15 minutes beginning with prep time in the pit, where a head sock ($3) and helmet (provided) must be worn. Each driver watches a safety video and gets briefed on the rules before the race (seven to eight minutes) begins. Afterward, you receive your timing results and can take a picture at the podium.

"There are flaggers along the track giving guidance and tips making sure drivers are following the instructions," Farage says. "Lights on the track tell you when to stop or when to slow down."

MORE UPGRADES

New additions aren’t only limited to the track as other improvements include 25 new arcade games and an immersive experience called Hyperdeck, which is a virtual reality game with heat, floor motion and a stationary gun.

"The four players work together to save the world in a variety of different scenarios," says Farage. "It moves like you are on a plane"

A second renovation phase will start late this summer, adding a full sports bar and restaurant plus another immersive experience, Gel Blaster Nexus, which Farage describes as "paintball meets laser tag."

RPM RACEWAY

WHEN | WHERE Monday-Thursday: noonto 10 p.m., Friday: noon to 11 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.to 10 p.m.; 40 Daniel St., Farmingdale

COST $30 per race (nonmember), $23 (member); $75 memberships (includes two races same day, one race next visit, head sock, membership pricing, $10 arcade card), $5-$12 entertainment attractions

MORE INFO 631-752-7223, rpmraceway.com