Argonaut Online Sports&Rec

FRI 3 OCT 2003

Spokane Raceway gives alternative to illegal street racing

By Emet Ward
Photo Editor

Somewhere between a state penitentiary and the largest airport in the Inland Northwest lies 1,320 feet of high velocity insanity.

On a typical day, Spokane Raceway Park is quiet and no different from any other stretch of sweltering tarmac. However, every Friday night the raceway comes alive with the sounds of screeching rubber, modified engines and the cheers of fans.

It is hard to pick an exact point in time when drag racing really went mainstream. While forms of drag racing have been around since the dawn of the automobile, some might argue it was popularized by the muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s. Others would disagree and point out that movies in recent years have really boosted the sport to the popularity level it currently enjoys. Either way, more than 100 racers can’t be wrong; drag racing is now very much a part of today’s society.

Drag racing in many cities across the United States has grown out of control as people illegally use residential roads as hot-rodding grounds. Many cities have fought back, offering organized racing as a safe alternative to life-threatening “street racing.”

EMET WARD / ARGONAUT / High-performance motorcycles are a popular mode of racing at Spokane Raceway Park.

San Diego was one of the first cities to offer this service. For a small fee, people can bring their cars to race against others in the same stadium the San Diego Padres play in. And now that the Padres have moved to a new stadium, legal street racing is offered to the people of San Diego County every Friday night all year long. Not only does it attract thousands of participants, but illegal street racing has also dropped by 99 percent in San Diego County.

Spokane has taken a similar direction in its handling of illegal street racing. Although not as populous as San Diego, Spokane has seen problems with street racing in the past few years. With help from Spokane Raceway Park and the going price of a street racing violation at $500, Spokane now has a viable solution to illegal street racing.

For $5 to get into the park and another $1 to race, Spokane’s “Friday Night Street Racing,” or “FNSR,” is easy on the wallet and high on adrenaline.

“I could get addicted to this!” said Ryan Williams of Moscow after racing in his 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. It was Williams’ first time racing in his new car, and he had come at the invitation of some fellow car fanatics. He said he will definitely be coming back again.

The event begins at 9 p.m. every Friday night from the first week in April to the first week in October and draws more than 100 participants, many of whom continue to race until 1 or 2 a.m. Even the Spokane FM radio station Wild 103.9 comes out to participate in the fun, holding contests for fans in the bleachers. Zoo 93 FM and Rock 94.5 FM also frequent FNSR for prize giveaways and to entertain the crowd.

With the help of these radio stations and Spokane Raceway Park, among other sponsors, FNSR is put on by the American Hot Rod Association. Although the AHRA is geared mostly toward professional drag racing, Friday Night Street Racing is becoming wildly popular and allowing amateurs of all kinds to test their skills against their peers.

Because FNSR caters to such a wide range of car enthusiasts, the lineup of vehicles is more diverse than all of the car lots on Sprague Avenue in Spokane combined. Cars there include Honda Civics, Mitsubishi Eclipses, Chevrolet Cavaliers and Corvettes, Ford Mustangs, Toyota Supras, Nissan 240sx’s and 300zx’s, and even an audaciously loud pickup truck or two. Older muscle cars and newer Japanese imports rub shoulders all night.

The excitement of FNSR ends today for the winter. But according to the 10 or so racers from Moscow who attended FNSR last week, it only means they have more time to build up their cars to triumph over the competition next season. And as long as this insane pursuit for velocity continues, FNSR will be open for business every Friday night.

Sports Editor: Nathan Jerke Webmistress: Amanda J Hundt
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, Idaho 83843 208.885.7845

TODAY

UI soccer vs. Pacific, Guy Wicks Field, 2 p.m.; Outdoor Program — Upper Priest Lake kayak-canoe trip (through Sunday)

SATURDAY

UI volleyball vs. Long Beach State, Memorial Gym, 7 p.m.; club sports — fast-pitch softball vs. Washington State, City Playfield in Pullman, 9 and 11 a.m.

SUNDAY

UI soccer vs. Cal State Northridge, Guy Wicks Field, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Outdoor Program — natural rockclimbing class, 6:30 p.m., SRC; open kayak pool sessions, 7-10 p.m., Swim Center.

Note: Intramurals — Entries for team sports will open one week before entry deadline. For more information call Campus Recreation Office at 885-6381.

Outdoor Program — For more information call the office at 885-6810.

Sports calendar items must be submitted in writing or e-mailed to arg_sports@sub.uidaho.edu by Sunday or Wednesday before publication. Items must include a date, deadline or some other kind of time element.