What it's like to WIN the K1 CHALLENGE GP! (K1 Boston, February 2022)

Come along the ride for my first win at the K1 Challenge GP, a monthly league race put on by K1 Speed. This was the second race of the year, and my third league race ever (my first one was December 2021).
Most importantly, this was my first race win! Luck was definitely a factor tonight, as it is any night in racing. Fortunately, it was good luck this time.
My first (of two) qualifying sessions went great - I had a quick cart that did what I asked of it, so there was minimal driving adjustments needed. I lapped a 21.212 (my personal best), which turned out to be the fastest lap of the night, landing me pole position.
Then, the race - what a doozy! Lots of stoppage, a fair bit of contact, and some really close calls towards the end, but I maintained my composure and did my best to keep the lead most of the race. You'll see, a few mistakes cost me at times, but I fought my way back.
Watch my first race from December 2021: • My first K1 Speed GP C...
#k1speed #challengegp #indoorkarting #gokartrace
Follow me on IG: @GabeOrlowitzRacing

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

What are your thoughts on this race? The more I watch it, the more I realize how lucky (and at times, sloppy) I was. But, as I learned in racing school, luck is where preparation meets opportunity. You have to be in the right position in the first place to take advantage of luck!

[@jamesnewton651]

I watched a few of your videos and seeing the description of this video alone made me pretty happy for you! Congrats!

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

I appreciate it man!

[@harrisonseeley1669]

Well managed and well executed race win. You're defending techniques were very good! 100% deserved

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

Thanks man! With luck on your side you could’ve easily taken the win too.

[@davidorlowitz]

what a race Gabe, nice job bro!

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

Appreciate it bro!

[@KingKaiPoker]

It seems like when you hit the turns, you keep a great job of keeping the wheels from skipping or squealing, so I’m wondering if you brake and coast into the apex then accelerate coming out of the apex OR do you just let off the accelerator and coast into the apex then accelerate out of the apex? I got my lap time down to high 21 seconds and just can’t seem to break into low 21 seconds and I keep thinking maybe i’m losing time around each corner, especially at the first and last hairpin turns.

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

I don't brake unless I'm going to hit another cart. I know some people do, but I haven't practiced that enough to make it work. I let off the throttle only as much as I need to going into certain turns (letting off completely for the hairpins, less for the gradual turns), and get back on throttle right around the apex, depending on how settled the cart feels on entry. Admittedly, my line in this video is more of a defensive racing line than in quali, where I'd use more of the track on corner entry. Are you braking at all?

[@riflemanjim]

That my biggest complaint with that place you never have the same Kart twice,secondly the tires are so worn on some of the karts all they do is shake. But I will be there next weekend for the gp😊

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

Oh yea the karts are all over the place

[@MW-qo8hw]

This helps a lot, thanks! I got down to a 22.1 today and we do a lot of things alike... I weigh over 200lbs could that be a factor?

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

Glad it helped! Weight could be a factor but I’m also over 200

[@MW-qo8hw]

@@gabeorlowitzracing i think im still overdriving

[@DZOElPortavoz]

Why did they put him on p1 after spinning out he was in p2

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

Who, me or someone else? On the restart I happened to get a good jump and took back P1 right away.

[@DZOElPortavoz]

@@gabeorlowitzracing seems like he just let you get p1 back but good race

[@gabeorlowitzracing]

@@DZOElPortavoz yea tricky situation because the karts should’ve all went back to full power at the same time. Either I caught him sleeping or his kart hadn’t gotten full power back, in which case that was a race control issue, not mine. But this is K1 speed, so that stuff is normal, unfortunately.