Roth Regatta

Here in northern Westchester County, on two tracks inside a former warehouse, a racing operation called Grand Prix New York is giving drivers — even meek ones — a chance to slash and burn their way forward like Nascar’s unshaven Tony Stewart in a bad mood. The more cars you pass, the louder the cheers. Grand Prix New York provides a full-service go-kart experience.

Grand Prix New York is proud to offer two perfectly manicured tracks that are 24 feet wide and over a quarter of a mi

le in length each. A visiting reporter was supplied with a driving suit, safety neck support, racing helmet and freshly laundered head sock. Next, he was guided to a fast Sodi go-kart, capable of being driven straight into the club’s record books. To provide a level playing field, each Sodi’s 6.5-hp Honda motor is identical to the others and will propel you to a heady 40 miles an hour. In a go-kart, streaking along just inches off the track, that is speedy enough to make you wonder whether you

really want to go much faster. G.P.N.Y.’s two slightly different 14-corner tracks writhe, rise and fall with joyous abandon.

Your race begins with a slow, single-file pace lap. This lets you get your bearings and nurture a cold resentment toward the kart just ahead.

Then the green flag drops — and the villain ahead try to pull away.

What you do in the next few minutes (which last either moments or a lifetime, depending on who is passing whom) is between you and the gods. You have no sp

eed limit, no yield signs, no turn signals and no rearview mirror. (In racing, what is behind doesn’t exist.) And short of jabbing at the driver ahead with a sharpened broomstick, you are encouraged to do just about anything to get past him.

If you do misbehave and start bashing other karts, the track operators can electronically reduce your engine’s power until order is restored.

If your pace carries you past all adversaries without malfeasance, you’re the winner.