Keep Local Racing Alive

For every automotive enthusiast on the planet there is one place that holds an almost religious type of appeal. It’s a space that unites us, and places us all on level ground. It’s a “discrimination-less” temple that encourages the kind of behaviour that the Police and public loathe. For decades it was a site where families and friends could bond over cheap food, under fast cars. The Race Track. Argue all you want about which shape of track is best, but I’m willing to bet that wether you find your peace on a long left hand curve or a slick strip that’s only a quarter mile long; the feeling is all the same.  

The summer months in my hometown were sweltering hot, but the heat was all but ignored for weekends at the track or for events, like the Knox Mountain Hill climb. Growing up, the Hill Climb was a once a year raging weekend filled with race fuel and burning rubber. That event will always hold a special place in my heart; as one spent with family in the stands learning about all things automotive. Oval tracks from Pentiction to Vernon encouraged kids and high school students alike to literally build their dreams Monday to Friday, and then bash limiter in them over the weekend. King of the Hill events allowed any disputes you could possibly have with those around you to be settled. Once and…until the next track day. 

The atmosphere at the track is an extremely unique vibe that ignores who someone is and where they’ve come from. Religion, colour, gender identity and sexual orientation are entirely ignored at the track. The only thing that matters, is race. And no, not the snowflake “I’m not from America I’m from Canada” kind of race. I’m talking “heads up, foot down zero sandbagging, let the cars do the talking” kind of race. I’m sure most of you have heard Jermey Clarkson’s sound clip (from the 2009 film “Love the Beast”) thats reappeared recently on TikTok with images of custom built cars splashed on the screen of your smart phone. It’s the one that tries to explain to non-car people exactly what it is that they very simply, do not understand. Find a quick snip from the film here.

Now as much as I whole-heartedly agree with that quote - I also believe that the track is a space where they can learn. It’s why people rent ATV’s and Motorcycles in Mexico. It’s why people visit Vegas and spend obscene money on hot laps around a small track. It’s fucking thrilling. The connection to that rubber and steel those “normies” feel in those rare moments of exhilaration on vacation is the same connection car people experience every time we get behind the wheel of our vehicles. Get it now? Probably not. And thats cool. Do you. I’m willing to go out on a limb here and say that people who aren’t into cars probably have something they enjoy just as much. It’s just not as cool! (IMO).

I think I saw a meme that has some value here. It wasn’t the funny “make you laugh while you poop” kind of meme, but more like the “make you think while you snack” sorta deal. It was called “The Circle of Street Racing.” Put very simply. 

1. People street race.

2. A track is built somewhere out of the way - allowing racing to continue in a far safer (and legal) environment.

3. Developments expand and homes begin to pop up near the race track. 

4. The people who purchase a home don’t like the noise caused by the vehicles on track. 

5. The track is shut down so as not to impose on the “American Dream.”

6. People street race.

From there it’s pretty easy to see how the cycle begins all over again, and more tracks are built, and even more are shut down. I’ve personally witnessed three local tracks be closed for good because of sound-scared civilians who believe peace and quiet is more important than passion and sport. I’ve genuinely always wondered how it’s possible to go looking for a home and fail to notice that right behind the space you want to settle down in is a 55 year old race track. One that was built while you were figuring out how to stand up without the assistance of the couch. In my head it’s the same as living near an airport and complaining about the noise caused by Cessna 182’s for sky diving. Can I sign a petition to shut down my local airport? No. And I wouldn’t. At some point don’t we need to just accept that different people enjoy different things, and let them carry on with their enjoyment?

Maybe this has all come off as whiney, and that was far from this blog entries intent. Maybe I’ll even come back and re-write this in the future; hopefully from my own home, nestled close to a local race track. But who knows? It’s my blog, and you’re all just living in it… or reading it I suppose. At the end of the day, the only thing that is hurt by the existence of a space to race near your home are the tires spent from putting in flat out laps. (And I guess your local retiree’s ears.) Support your friends. Support local racing. We all deserve a safe space.