Remote control racing: a fun way to enjoy some wild driving on rough track without even getting dirty. The best part? You don鈥檛 even need to leave Squamish. As the inaugural organized remote control racing event, 麻豆社国产Shootout provided excitement for kids of all ages at the Automind Raceway on Saturday (Sept. 27).
Eager father and son teams prepared their radio-controlled cars for the short, off-road course that launched their miniature vehicles into the air.
The track is maintained by a small group of people from the Sea to Sky Corridor who share a passion for the hobby, donating their own time and effort so that anyone who wants to get out and have some fun with the cars has the opportunity to do so.
The remote control vehicles aren鈥檛 your average toy car either. They are fully customizable, range in size, and have components of a real car, like engines, brakes, and a gearbox.
鈥淚 have been into radio control cars my entire life, as I am sure many of the other guys have too,鈥� said Nick Coward, organizer of Area99 racing in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. 鈥淚 think the kids are enjoying it as they always have but one of the most important things to remember is that they need help through the steep learning curve.
鈥淵es, the hobby is more accessible than ever, parts are readily available and the kits are very durable but it still requires an appreciation and understanding of the mechanical side of things,鈥� Coward said. 鈥淚f we don't continue to support this important part of the hobby the kids won鈥檛 understand how things work and will lose interest very quickly because all they have is a busted toy truck.鈥�
Coward said Area99 embraces these aspects of the hobby by ensuring all events cater to kids and novice drivers.
鈥淎ll of our experienced drivers are asked to help where possible.鈥�
Not only is the hobby popular for men, but women are equally enthralled. 鈥淚 got my first car from my boyfriend for my birthday and have been hooked ever since,鈥� said Serena Karwatski, one of the car enthusiasts.
Fifteen drivers registered for the competitive 鈥淩acer鈥� class with different categories for 4x4 and 2wd cars. Mike LeGallais placed first followed by Steve Donohoe and Mark den Dekker, each laying around nine laps around the dirt track with their 4x4s. In the 2wd category, Marc Brassard claimed first place with Mike LeGallais and Kyle Sorenson rounding out the podium in third. The most improved driver award was given to Ethan Donohoe, who raced out of class in the 2wd division but still had a strong showing.
Although the racing can be quite competitive, the real prizes of the group are the smiles and friendships that are clearly shown from the racers coming together to do something fun and different on the track.
鈥淚 would ultimately love to see the hobby flourish in the local area. There are only informal groups in the Sea to Sky region so I started Area99 R/C Racing Club because I felt that a more organized fixture was needed to help these groups and their tracks grow,鈥� added Coward.
鈥淪ea to Sky remote control addicts are responsible for all the hard work on the track at Automind Raceway, but they were kind enough to support us coming in and doing something a little different for the day and hopefully others will do the same.鈥�
Coward said he wants the hobby to grow throughout the Corridor.
鈥淭he goal for Area99 is to help organize gatherings for all types of radio control vehicles in all kinds of different places, 麻豆社国产race days are just one piece of that puzzle,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have several locations to race in Whistler also and hope to encourage the social side of the hobby, rather than the stress of a serious race event we all get together for semi-competitive challenges that don鈥檛 require all the bells and whistles of a professional race club.鈥�
Race days are also being held weekly in Whistler on Thursday evenings. 麻豆社国产race days occur on the second and fourth Saturday of every month with the final race going down on Nov. 8. Spectators are encouraged at all events and entry is always free for everyone.
For more information on the club contact Nick at [email protected] or visit their Facebook page: Area99 R/C Racing Club.
