Small Cars, Fast Times

AVON PARK -- The sounds of cars racing at high speeds around a track are nothing new in Highlands County.

If you heard the noise over the weekend, it wasn't coming from Sebring International Raceway, instead, the sounds of racing were emanating from the Remote Control Pro Series competition at the old clay pits in Avon Park.

More than 123 of the best racers, of all ages, came to Avon Park from around the United States as well as Canada to compete in the two-day, National RC Pro Series East Division competition.

There was a class for amateurs as well as one for professionals.

"We have some of the top racers in the country competing in this event," said Keith Lockett, who is from Sebring and is the president of the DC Off Road RC Club. "This is such a fun hobby and anyone can race.

"We have a great time racing, because it's about the one-on-one competition, and everybody enjoys traveling and getting together for the different events around the country."

Lockett, who started racing in 1982, enjoys being able to host some of the competitions at the local track.

"I spent my time on the driver's stand," he said. "Now I just enjoy being able to organize the competitions and having the racers come up to me and tell me how much they enjoy our track.

"I've been to a lot of different tracks around the country, but ours is one of the largest, fastest and nicest facilities going."

The remote control cars cost anywhere from $250 dollars up to more than $1,000, and the miniature two-stroke machines, which can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour, run on nitro-methane and a castrol mix.

"The cars are fast and take a beating and that appeals to a lot of people," said Lockett. "Everybody takes turns racing and being turn marshals for the other races, and they are willing to share information and help out the other racers."

There is a $65 membership fee to join the local club and that allows you to practice and race your car at the track.

To race in the sanctioned events, an entry fee is required.

"Track hours are 8 to 8 each day and we race every Saturday at 5 p.m.," said Lockett. "The amateurs just race for fun, but the professionals actually compete for cash and are pretty serious racers."

The local enthusiasts have been racing in the Heartland since 2000, and have been at the track at the clay pits off of 17A in Avon Park since 2005.

"We've made a bunch of improvements to the track and we built the drivers stand," said Lockett. "Our goal is to make this the showcase track in Florida and attract some of the top national events in the future."

Even the NASCAR drivers enjoy racing the remote control cars in their leisure time.

"Tony Stewart and some of the other NASCAR drivers are into the remote control cars big time," said Lockett. "There's no pressure and they just want to have some fun."

Since the remote control cars need only one driver, individuals can enjoy the hobby.

"This isn't a team sport and that appeals to a lot of people," said Lockett. "You can race as little or as much as you want, but once you get into the sport, you'll understand how much fun it is and why it's so popular."

For more information about the hobby and the local club, contact Lockett at 863-381-4356.