In the end of October, we enjoyed spirited automobile racing at the DeSoto Super Speedway near Bradenton, Florida. The races took place at night on a 3/8 mile (0.6 km) long track with a 12 degree bank. Most of the competitors and spectators were local 'Good Ol' Boys' from Manatee and the adjacent counties. [For your information, a 'Good Ol' Boy' is defined in 'How To Speak Southern' as a fellow who enjoys corn liquor, boon companions, and buxom women but not necessarily in that order.] The evening was full of noise, beer, stadium food, and colorful fans...A real hoot!
The races included a number of classes including trucks, cars of yesteryear, bombers, outlaw modified, sprint cars, and school buses. The most entertaining were the latter two.
Sprint cars are extremely lightweight, open-frame vehicles with large power-to-weight ratios. They reach speeds of up to 140 mph (225 kph) with engines that output around 630 bhp (470 kwh)! They are so stripped down that they have no starters or batteries and have to be pushed to crank. The cars race with an alcohol fuel that is mechanically fuel injected into the engine. For safety, they have a roll cage and the enormous wing. The wing holds the car down onto the track and is outfitted with sideboards that help with cornering. The wing also provides protection to the driver in the event of a rollover. The sprint cars were undoubtedly the loudest, smelliest, and fastest vehicles racing that night. I am proud to say that my nephew, Greg Alexander, is an emerging star of sprint car racing in California. We wish him the best of luck and safe racing!
Behind the truck in the foreground was one of the competitors in the school bus race. The bus race is always saved for end of the night. The buses have all of the seats removed and the driver is enclosed in a protective cage. The unique feature of this particular event is that the buses compete on a figure-eight track. As they progress through the twenty-five laps, there are hair-raising near misses between the leaders and the stragglers at the intersection in the course. All the spectators were out of their seats throughout this race because it was very exciting watching the big vehicles blasting along at breakneck speeds.
The night of racing coincided with the holiday of Halloween. To mark the occasion, the drivers parked their cars in front of the grandstand and passed out candy and treats to the kids, who came in costume. There was a costume contest as well and the winners received trophies that were similar to those awarded to the victors of the races. It was great fun! It also filled the stands with parents and their children which provided a change from the usual hard-core racing crowd.
Most of the world is familiar with the major sporting venues of the United States; however, the local and regional competitions like motor sport events and minor league baseball provide visitors with unique insight into the American culture. I highly recommend attending if you are able.
The races included a number of classes including trucks, cars of yesteryear, bombers, outlaw modified, sprint cars, and school buses. The most entertaining were the latter two.
Sprint cars are extremely lightweight, open-frame vehicles with large power-to-weight ratios. They reach speeds of up to 140 mph (225 kph) with engines that output around 630 bhp (470 kwh)! They are so stripped down that they have no starters or batteries and have to be pushed to crank. The cars race with an alcohol fuel that is mechanically fuel injected into the engine. For safety, they have a roll cage and the enormous wing. The wing holds the car down onto the track and is outfitted with sideboards that help with cornering. The wing also provides protection to the driver in the event of a rollover. The sprint cars were undoubtedly the loudest, smelliest, and fastest vehicles racing that night. I am proud to say that my nephew, Greg Alexander, is an emerging star of sprint car racing in California. We wish him the best of luck and safe racing!
Behind the truck in the foreground was one of the competitors in the school bus race. The bus race is always saved for end of the night. The buses have all of the seats removed and the driver is enclosed in a protective cage. The unique feature of this particular event is that the buses compete on a figure-eight track. As they progress through the twenty-five laps, there are hair-raising near misses between the leaders and the stragglers at the intersection in the course. All the spectators were out of their seats throughout this race because it was very exciting watching the big vehicles blasting along at breakneck speeds.
The night of racing coincided with the holiday of Halloween. To mark the occasion, the drivers parked their cars in front of the grandstand and passed out candy and treats to the kids, who came in costume. There was a costume contest as well and the winners received trophies that were similar to those awarded to the victors of the races. It was great fun! It also filled the stands with parents and their children which provided a change from the usual hard-core racing crowd.
Most of the world is familiar with the major sporting venues of the United States; however, the local and regional competitions like motor sport events and minor league baseball provide visitors with unique insight into the American culture. I highly recommend attending if you are able.
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