 At R.J.D. Hobbies and Raceway, however, the drivers always walk away
unscathed from an accident, save perhaps for a bit of personal
anguish at pushing their vehicles past the limits of good racing
judgment.The Raceway at Bee's Floral and Landscaping, 1302 State
Route 10, is home to auto racing all year-round. The vehicles are
remote control racers, but they are not the same as those early
models that came around in the 1960s. These vehicles, either
electric or gas engine, are far larger, more sophisticated and
realistic than the originals that often couldn't outmaneuver the
family dog.
Darrell and Lorrie Paige, the owners of the raceway, are kept
busy, not only helping clients with landscaping help and lawn and
garden equipment, but also with servicing an ever-growing number of
remote control enthusiasts. These enthusiasts work continually to
improve their vehicles to compete in weekly races at the track,
which is right across from Lincoln Christian College.
The store has shelves filled with tires, suspension and engine
parts that show an observer these cars are almost as complex as
their larger counterparts that run the track during the summer at
the Logan County Fairgrounds.
Lorrie explained that there are several different classifications
of vehicles currently popular with racers. "There is the monster
truck, the Truggy and the one-eighth scale Buggy, which is very
popular and can hit speeds of 60 mph," she said.
Darrell was quick to point out that just like with its bigger
cousins, the driver of a remote control car must rely on more than
just speed. "Tire changes, pit stops for fuel and who can keep their
vehicle on the track -- all these are factors in deciding who wins a
race."
The raceway has an indoor track that offers electric car racing
to enthusiasts in the winter when it's too cold and inclement to
race outdoors, and they hold races for gas engine cars during the
summer on their huge track just to the east of the store. Both
agreed that probably 75 percent of the winter racers switch over to
the outdoor gasoline racing in the summer. "Some of the indoor
drivers are sprint car drivers, so we do lose them when their season
comes around, but many remote control hobbyists race both types of
cars," Lorrie explained.
Although the weather has yet to break, outdoor racing is just
around the corner. "Our first race will be Friday night, May 2, and
that will start our outdoor racing season, which will be every
Friday starting at 7 p.m.," Lorrie said.
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The outdoor racing season entrants for the Friday night events
usually number in the mid-30s, depending on other events around the
state. "There aren't many tracks in the area, and we have drivers
from Bloomington and Springfield and other communities that enjoy
coming here to compete," Lorrie noted.
Even though, like its larger counterpart, remote racing is
primarily a male sport, it by no means doesn't welcome women to try
out their skills against the males. "We have a few women who race,
and everyone is certainly welcome to become involved," Lorrie said.
When asked how someone, male or female, can get involved in
remote control racing, Darrell stated, "You can buy a car that's
ready to race right out of the box, if you want, or you can build
your own from parts. Building your own can be involved, and a person
can spend as much time and money on their race car as they want."
A basic car ready to race runs in the neighborhood of $300 to
$400, and an enthusiast can take it from there, adding and refining
as they progress as a racer.
Lorrie explained that there is plenty of enthusiasm for new
racers to join the sport. "We have a novice division, and the expert
racers are very decent guys who are more than willing to help out
someone who is just getting started."
When asked the range of racers' ages, Lorrie proved the adage
that we all are only as old as we feel. "Racers probably range from
about 10 years old to 50," he said.
Although the initial cost of the hobby is not inexpensive, the
continuing costs to be active in the sport are extremely reasonable.
"We only charge a $15 entrance fee to race on Fridays," Darrell
said. "The races can last for up to seven hours, and where can you
have that much enjoyment for only $15?" Lorrie added.
To make the sport even more fan-friendly, spectators are welcome
to bring their lawn chairs and pull up to the fence and watch the
races for free. To continue to add realism and spectator interest to
the sport, the cars are fitted with transponders that keep track of
laps and lap times so spectators as well as racers can stay attuned
to who is leading in the race.
Those who might be interested in taking up this sport are welcome
to stop by on a racing night and see for themselves what remote
control racing is all about. In the event you find yourself catching
the bug to become involved, both Lorrie and Darrell will spend all
the time you need to find out which car was made just for you.
A checkered flag is waiting.
[By MIKE FAK]
Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at
www.searchwarp.com
and www.problogs.com.
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