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Racing is Dead?
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PHOTO:
HAWAIIMOTORBEAT.COM |
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When the
Hawai'i Racing Association created the Keiki Motocross
Series at Waimea's Parker Ranch a few years ago (above),
over 500 kids, from 6 to 16, were assigned race numbers
for their dirt bikes over its 3-year run. And no kid
came alone. |
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Courtesy of:
Hawaii Motorbeat Monthly
By
Paul Maddox
Last year, after hearing my testimony
before the Department of Land & Natural Resources about the family
recreational values of the proposed Kona Motorsport Park, a
taut-lipped woman approached me and admonished, "Just give it up.
With the price of gas and utter useless of racing... it's all but
dead anyway."
You know I wanted to rip her a new
one, but I paused and calmly replied, "People have been racing from
the beginning of time. On foot, horses, in chariots, yachts and
canoes. It doesn't matter if cars and motorcycles of the future are
electric or banana powered ~ folks will still race with 'em. And
they should have a safe park for it."
And when racing, we'll find ways to
make whatever-the-engine-is a whole lot better ~ and faster. That's
what we do. Those improvements find their way to car makers and
ultimately to your family ride to improve everyone's performance ~
from mileage to durability.
But locally, racing is a social thing.
It's not like going to a mainland megatrack to cheer on the Stewarts
and Earnhardts along with 100,000 strangers. In the Islands, and
hundreds of places around the country, it's families that fill the
local track's grandstands to watch their own sons, nieces, husbands,
fathers and daughters race each other in weekend competition.
It doesn't matter if it's a beat-up
bomber stockcar, a dirt bike or 200 mph dragster, the driver never
comes alone. His, or her, island-style 'pit crew' is always 'ohana.
And the pit areas are a sea of tents, BBQs and kids playing with
other families' kids. This is more than racing ~ it's a weekend
social and sporting event all-in-one.
No, the various motorsports may not be
everyone's cup of tea; but they are the tea of choice for thousands
of Island families. Personally, I find soccer pretty dull to watch,
but I don't begrudge the Parks and Recreation Department building
and maintaining soccer fields for those who do love it. I'd just
like to see more, and better, parks for the motorsport enthusiasts
as well.
In Hawai'i most of our County
governments have seen fit to create and support parks for racers and
their families. Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island all have County
supported motorsport facilities. Honolulu is the only County still
ignoring the need for a multi-venue motorsport park for its citizens
~ which is bummer since 80% of the state's population live there.
"It's for the kids!" A popular
buzz phrase when looking for support in any cause, but in racing it
certainly is a true one. When the Hawai'i Racing Association created
the Keiki Motocross Series at Waimea's Parker Ranch a few years ago
(above), over 500 kids, from 6 to 16, were assigned race numbers for
their dirt bikes over its 3-year run. And no kid came alone.
"It's good for business!" Needless to say, Big Island
motorcycle shops saw a big increase in the sales of keiki size
bikes, leathers, helmets and safety gear when KMX was at its peak.
There are dozens of island businesses that sell parts and supplies
to racers of all persuasions. Sales are just better on Kaua'i, Maui
and the Big Island ~ where racing certainly isn't dead..... PM
More from Paul Maddox at:
www.hawaiimotorbeat.com
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