Published: October 09, 2008 11:25 pm      

Horizon Shootout comes to Tilton

TILTON — This weekend marks the first annual Horizon Shootout sponsored by Horizon Hobby and JTEC Racing.

The Shootout will be at JTEC Racing’s newly renovated track. According Donnie Davis, co-owner of JTEC Racing, the track has been closed since completion so that area racers don’t have an unfair advantage for the upcoming races. JTEC Racing is operated by brothers, Joe, Jeff and Donnie Davis Jr., as well as their father Donnie Davis Sr.

“We expect to have 160 entrants for the races,” said Davis. “We have racers coming from all over the United States and Canada to participate in this race.”

According to Davis since it opened 1½ years ago, JTEC has seen phenomenal local interest in RC racing. RC stands for remote-control or radio-control.

“We have people out here racing from 5 to 81 years old,” Davis said. “If you like motor sports, competition, camaraderie and fun, you will love RC racing.”

The cars come in all scales, from 1/32 to 1/8 scale. They will have different classes also for the race, including buggies, trucks and truggies. Truggies are a cross between a buggy and a truck.

Davis points out that this is a ROAR sanctioned event. ROAR is the official sanctioning body for the United States and Canada of RC racing. It can be considered RC racings equivalent to NASCAR.

Adam Drake, 2008 ROAR 1/8 Scale Nation Champion and ROAR Vice Chairman Billy Fischer are expected to make appearances at the race this weekend.

The entry fee is $40 for the first class entered and $25 for each additional class.

Jim Christison, a local RC racing enthusiast, has been racing since JTEC opened.

“I think it is awesome that such an event is being held here,” said Christison. “This is a big event for the RC world.”

Christison, who is registered to race this weekend, invites local residents to come out and check out the action.

“I am part of a group of about 80 people who go out on Sundays to JTEC and race,” explained Christison.

Christison said he is amazed at the level of racing that goes on and the technology that goes into the cars.

“The cars are almost limitless in their ability to run,” Christison added.

Jeanie Cooke, executive director of the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a local resident mentioned the race to her and she contacted Davis.

“We just made him aware of our services and what we could do to help him promote the event,” said Cooke.

“The main problem has been motel rooms,” explained Cooke. “With this being the opening weekend for the Covered Bridge Festival (in Parke County, Ind.), motel rooms have been scarce.”

“We have had to direct some people to Champaign for rooms,” added Cooke. “We hate to have to do that, but they are very accommodating and they often send us people when all of their rooms get filled, so we work together very well.”

One bright spot may be the opening of the new Hampton Inn on Lynch Road.

“We have heard they have to undergo their final Hampton Inn corporate inspection and test their computer reservation system and may open on (today),” Cooke said. “If they do get opened up, that will be 72 additional rooms available.”

Cooke said the race event is a big plus economically for the area. With 160 racers signed up, that figures into about 400 people attending the event. Cooke said that could translate into about $50,000 to $60,000 for local restaurants alone.

Davis said there is plenty to do between races with JTEC’s indoor facility, which features three pool tables, 14 arcade games, a slot car track, a full-service snack bar and, of course, those must have parts and accessories.

Davis said they are fully stocked on parts in case someone breaks something on a car while racing.

According to Davis, it costs about $400 to get into RC racing but he estimates some racers have upward of $2,000 invested in their cars. The cars weigh about 7 to 8 pounds and can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour. Most of the cars burn pure nitro.

Once the initial investment is made, it is relatively cheap to come out and race.

“You can come out here normally and pay $5 and race all day,” said Davis.

IF YOU GO

Today’s open practice will be 9 a.m.–9 p.m. On Saturday, practice will be from 7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. followed by a driver’s meeting. Racing starts at 10 a.m. On Sunday, racing will start at 10 a.m. To get to JTEC Racing, take the G Street exit off of Interstate 74 and turn west on the Catlin-Tilton Road. JTEC Racing is located on the south side of the road as you leave Tilton.