By Herb Moering
Remote car racing has grown in popularity in the past few years with dirt and paved track ovals popping up in recreational vehicle parks in the Rio Grande Valley.
Because of the growing interest Jim Davis, track chairman at Alamo Palms RV and MH Park, has been pursuing the idea of a formal association format that would open up events all over for anyone interested in racing, rather than limiting races to only those who live in their park. The association could set standard racing rules for all tracks in the region. He said that would hopefully allow RC racers to go to various tracks and compete just about any day of the week if they chose.
Davis became chairman of the Alamo Palms Chargers Club a year ago. He has plans for a Facebook page, calling it 55 Plus RGV RC Racing. He sees it as a vehicle for track chairmen to provide information about when open race meets are scheduled, the results of races and any special events that are to be held.
One of those big events was a recent RC swap meet at Alamo Palms Park, which drew about 20 vendors, mostly Winter Texans, from the mid-Valley. It was a place to discuss racing and to vote for the best car on display. The Harley Davidson pickup truck of John Keoni Aegerter was the winner and good for two restaurant gift cards. The drawing for a Losi sprint car went to Gerry Lewis.
Among the vendors was Rod Fitzgerald from Alamo Palms, who had a different twist to RC cars, showing vehicles known as “rock crawlers.” Operators have their cars in what amounts to an obstacle course of rocks, sand, mud etc. to negotiate. He said he has been at “bashing club” his way around a course for the past five years.
John Wallace, who now lives in San Antonio, came to the swap meet offering a variety of racing parts. Wallace, who used to live at Ranchero Village in Weslaco, said he had spent 40 years in the RC racing sport.
Lloyd Jerauld, who likes NASCAR, Indy racers and RC cars, said he had helped build a track where he lives at Texas Trails RV Park in Pharr. But he has come to Alamo to race over the past three years. He had been a resident at Ranchero Village, which had 10 different classes of RC racing. He was originally from New York State but then came to the Valley some 20 years ago as a full-time resident so he and his wife could ride their horses year-round.
Davis was pleased with the turnout, with about 125 people coming during the afternoon. He got started in RC racing 20 years ago, while traveling much of the country as part of a military family and then as a full-time RVer. He settled in the area as a coming home with his wife who is from the Valley.
Davis said they had a big summer program involving major track renovations. The dirt oval had a total resurfacing for the various classes. Although there are about 20 different classes for racing, Alamo Palms only runs 12 in the outdoor program, which began on December 2.
While work went on at the main track this past summer, the club had mini car racing on a smaller indoor track that worked out well in one of the park’s buildings. Any money raised by the club goes directly back into the program, Davis said.
Davis emphasized they try to make it easy for beginners to get into RC racing. While some race cars can range as high as $1,500 to $2,000, there are competitive cars right out of the box that are priced in the $200 to $300 range. The skill of the driver is what determines race winners.
It’s interesting to watch the cars run on the track, sliding through the turns just like the big cars driven on short tracks. Davis invites racing fans to come and see the action on any Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 5:30 p.m.
