On Scale of 1-10, New Racing League a 10

CBN.com On a recent Friday afternoon while searching for a fun yet economical evening activity, a co-worker suggested I head out to Capron, Virginia to take in some regional auto racing action. After I stopped laughing and regained my composure, I explained that I would rather attend a basket party with some of my female co-workers than smell the acrid aroma of burning rubber.

Just how could watching a bunch of brightly painted rolling advertisements tooling around an oval stretch of grease stained asphalt be exciting? Call me anti-American, call me blasphemous, call me a sports elitist, but checkered flags, dirty air, and aerodynamic drag are terms I associate more frequently with flying a kite at a picnic than auto racing.

Eventually, curiosity got the best of me so I logged onto the racetracks web site. Interestingly enough, among the cars racing that evening were these vehicles that were half the size of a traditional stock car. It is called Scale Racing. What piqued my curiosity, though, was that these "cars" could allegedly travel at speeds exceeding 100mph. What? How could a fancy go-cart travel as fast as my own car? After debating this concept in my mind for several minutes I made my decision. I would forego the urge to re-arrange my sock drawer and point the ol Ford to the Southampton Motor Speedway instead.

Upon my arrival several hours later, I was struck immediately by the number of families filtering through the turnstiles into this sanctuary of speed. By bantering back and forth with several of the people in attendance that evening I discovered that the Scale Racing League is built around the tradition of family. A typical night of racing finds several generations of men, women, and children participating in a variety of roles as part of an otherwise male dominated sport. Among them are Rob Wells and Leanne Bell, two people I met during the course of the evening.

"We desire to bring more families into the sport of auto racing," says Wells, Regional Director for the Scale Racing League in Southeastern Virginia. "Our Pro divisions offer serious racing for adults and accomplished drivers ages 14 and up. Still, an aspect of the SRL many people dont realize is that the SRL offers programs for the entire family. As done in other sports such as baseball, football and soccer, the SRL has established a youth oriented training grounds for stock car racing, the most popular form of auto racing in America."

"We don't want people out there to think that we are the good old boy racing league," adds Bell, a pit crew member and crew chiefs wife. "That is not what we are all about. That is what the Scale Racing League is trying to change. We are trying to be family oriented and fun. Parents can bring their kids."

As I walked through the concourse toward my seat I couldnt help but notice a prominent display featuring the Toys for Tots people, you know, the program run by the U.S. Marine Corps that helps disadvantaged children around the country. I found out by talking to Major Maria Long at their display that because the tradition of family is vital to the Scale Racing League that Toys for Tots decided to become a Title sponsor for the Scale Racing League Mid Atlantic Pro Cup Series.

"Scale Racing draws a crowd of various ages and people from different walks of life," says Maj. Long, who is the Regional Toys for Tots Coordinator. "This league basically is an opportunity for us to get the word out that we are here to support children in need. We are always looking for support from the community so this is another great venue from which to get the word out."

As part of their involvement, Toys for Tots will actually raffle off a race ready Predator Scale Racecar valued at more than $9,300. Laura Rowe of Remax Central, co-sponsor of the raffle with humanitarian organization Racecare believes there is great value in supporting such a positive endeavor.

"I cant think of a better organization to support than Toys for Tots," says Rowe. "Im proud to be involved with them as the sponsor of their car."

After having such a nice conversation with Maj. Long and Ms. Rowe I was actually interested in watching the race. However, before I settled into my seat to watch this spectacle on wheels, I needed to get a closer look at the vehicle that had prompted my visit in the first place. Just as they were described, a Scale Racing League car resembles its larger stock car brethren but are slightly less than half the size. Unlike go-carts, the cars that compete in the SRL are fully suspended, have adjustable suspensions with full roll cages for safety, just like full sized stock cars. Based on what I learned at the Toys for Tots display, for a small percentage of the cost of traditional stock car racing, you and/or your neighbor could own and race a car. Visions of me behind the wheel, careening off the banked turns, while nudging my opponent for better position began racing through my head.

As part of a Scale Racing League tradition that proved to be a valuable learning experience for me, all fans have the opportunity to view the cars and talk to the drivers up close and personal. It was here that I was able to glean a wealth of technical-ese that I could wow my co-workers with the following week at work. My biggest question was, how does Scale League Racing differ from traditional stock car racing?

"These (the cars) are called half-scale cars," explains Jim Stewart, Chief Technical Consultant for SRL. "You are basically looking at a car that is one fourth the size of a NASCAR stock car. We do not have a regular car engine in it. It is a Honda, much like a lawn tractor type engine. The engine has been juiced up a little bit."

"Our cars use a lot of the same technology, the same safety requirements and features," agrees Wells. "This kind of car is built to go headlong into a wall at full speed and not hurt you. That is the way it is built. These cars are not slow."

But can these cars provide the non-stop thrills and chills that an auto racing fan has grown accustomed to through NASCAR? That question was answered for me within the first three laps of the race. While the cars may be smaller and less powerful, the drivers still approach the race with the same pavement pounding aggressiveness and oil stained grit that Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. display on national television every weekend.

For drivers in the Scale Racing League, winning is not everything but just being on thunder road each week is a thrill.

"It is in my blood," says Wells. "I have followed auto racing since I was a young boy and this is my chance to experience it first hand. I am having the time of my life in this league."

Wow. What began as a Friday evening spent organizing argyles and tube socks turned into an educational thrill ride. Not only did I learn a lot about the Scale Racing League, I also came to the realization that auto racing represents what is so good about America; that is, faith, family, and freedom. Oh yeah. As for the actual race, a guy named Chris Floraine won in a flashy looking blue car.