Stupid Fast at Port Jeff Raceway

There is something that stirs within all men and boys when exposed to fast cars, the smell of burning rubber and racetracks.  Tens of millions visit NASCAR for that thrill.  Here in the Sachem community, for over two decades the Port Jefferson Slot Raceway in Farmingville has been supplying that adrenalin rush to thousands of boys, fathers and grandfathers.

Model car racing had its heyday in the 1960's, with millions of slot car racing sets being sold by Aurora, Tyco and Lionel.  Dozens of slot car raceways flourished across Long Island and thousands appeared in shopping malls and towns across the nation.  Today on Long Island, three slot raceways remain, even though the model racing craze still rages world-wide.

Port Jefferson Raceway and Hobbies dominates the local scene.  This facility houses three beautifully maintained tracks, allowing racers to reach amazing speeds with their high-tech laser crafted model race cars. Doug Bauer first opened this raceway in Selden, expanded into Nesconset, expanded again into Port Jefferson Station and then Coram and for the last 5 years has been in Farmingville.  Decades of top quality racing has made Port Jeff Raceway known world-wide, so no matter the location, he kept his recognized name.

This May 15, the World Championships will be held at Bauer's Farmingville track.  This marks the third time he has hosted competitors from across the U.S., Germany, other parts of Europe and Brazil.

A visit to the Port Jeff Raceway website will refresh your mind to the excitement model car racing offered you as a child.  But the actions starts on your first step inside.   You want to head to the track, plug in your controller and get racing. 

"We get kids as young as 4 and up to about 13.  From there the age jumps to the real enthusiasts…the 25 year olds and up.  Then it becomes an adult hobby.  As a kid they raced…," said Bauer.  "Now the technology has advanced.  The motors are fast right out of the showcase."

But to win on a national level, it takes more than "stock" parts.  Small electric motors can be rewired and tuned, along with special laser crafted chassis.  Gears are swapped and modified.  Car bodies are honed for aerodynamic "slipperiness." But the skill of the driver is still a major factor in being a winner or a runner-up.

Bauer started his own line of tires designed to grip at the ultra high speeds his cars race at.  "Stupid Fast" slot car equipment has propelled his cars to major slot racing awards. He just returned from a competition in Aruga, Brazil.  In the coming months he is taking his cars and equipment to national events in Virginia and Texas. 

The allure of slot car racing is inter-generational, where grandfathers can remember their days at the track and impart their tips to their grandchildren.  To encourage a new generation of drivers, Port Jeff Raceway has instituted a Smart Kids Race Free program.  Do well in school and Bauer wants to reward your effort.  For kids who come in with their report cards, tests or quizzes, if they received an A or a score above a 90, they receive free track time.  There is no limit beyond one quiz or test a day.  Check the web site for exact rules and details.

Tuesday evenings there are special kid and adult leagues.  Wednesday is "semi-truck" racing.  These are customized hard and soft body trucks that are just as fast and amazing as the newer "wing" cars.  These sleek, light futuristic slot cars dominate the action every Friday night.  The "pros" can move around the entire track in under 3 seconds.  That is the definition of "Stupid Fast."

Visit Port Jefferson Raceway and take some laps behind the wheel.  It will be easy to remember why slot car racing was so popular in the 1960's.  It is because it is so much fun.