If you’re looking for some thrills, the Airport Raceway right here in Finney county is a great way to spend the day. Whether you’re a life-long race fan or a total novice, watching drivers race for the finish line is an experience you won’t soon forget. However, if you’re new to the sport, it can help to have some idea about the details of the racing game before you dive in.
This article is part one of a three-part series about car racing here in Finney County. This first part provides a basic overview of the sport of auto racing, the second part will explain the various types of races, and the third part will cover the details you need to know to get the most out of your raceway experience.
History of Car Racing
Car racing (also called auto racing or motor racing) is a sport for those who love speed. Races have basically existed since the invention of automobiles, with the first recorded race events occurring way back in 1867.
The first races were originally meant to test the reliability and capability of these new inventions, but they quickly evolved into a full-fledged sport. Car manufacturers realized that races were a great way to gain consumer confidence and develop clout for the brand.
By the early 1900s, auto racing had become popular enough that arenas started popping up specifically designed to showcase these events. In 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (the first arena to be called a speedway) was constructed and is now the largest sports arena on earth.
By the 1930s, racing competitions were populated with cars specifically designed for racing. Car manufacturing companies from around the world pitted their products in competition to prove with a stopwatch who made the best cars.
NASCAR was founded in 1948, laying the foundation for the entertainment behemoth that dominates the racing game today. Throughout the 20th century, car racing continued to expand in popularity and variety, as cars and drivers became household names and cultural icons.
Car Racing Today
These days, auto racing is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue. Formula One racing is by far the most popular globally, while NASCAR is the most popular here in the US.
The goal of a car race is simple: the fastest wins. However, like with most sports, it gets a lot more complicated in the details. There are numerous types of cars, tracks, and races, all of which have specific rules and requirements.
Also, most races, particularly at the elite levels of the sport, can cover hundreds of miles of track, requiring complex maintenance stops (pit stops) to change tires, fuel the car, and generally keep these machines going under intense conditions. In other words, car races are less like sprints, and more like intense endurance races that test an entire team of experts rather than just a car and driver.
About the Airport Raceway
Luckily for racing fans in southwest Kansas, Finney County has our very own ⅙ of a mile dirt and clay oval car racing track at the Airport Speedway. By comparison, the Kansas Speedway NASCAR track is over 1.5 miles in length. Basically, this means our raceway is best suited for slightly slower speeds and shorter races — but just as exciting.
So for all you true speed demons out there, you’ll have to head to Kansas City to see the big boys on the big track. But before you pack your bags and head east, know that there are a few reasons why sprint tracks like ours can be a rewarding experience for both drivers and spectators.
Even the Best Start Somewhere
While all true race car drivers dream of competing at the Indy 500 or the Daytona 500, no driver can just start their career there. That’s like beginning your football career as a starter with the NFL Chiefs. Even the best drivers have to get their start somewhere, and most start on sprint tracks just like ours.
Here at the Airport Speedway, new drivers can develop the basic reflexes they will require throughout their driving career while learning the ropes from more seasoned veterans. So, if you want to catch the next superstar in training — or you want to become one — local tracks like ours are where you’ll find them.
Low Cost of Entry
Another reason drivers tend to start out on sprint tracks is because it’s cheaper to buy your way into competition. Unlike soccer, baseball, or even football, you can’t get into car racing with just a few bucks worth of gear. You need a race car, and they aren’t cheap. However, some are cheaper than others.
A Formula One car costs over $12 million, so, needless to say, you can’t just go down to the local dealership and pick one up. And remember, race cars require an entire infrastructure for optimal performance, so as the price of the car goes up, the total price of operation rises exponentially. Instead, beginners need to race cars that require much less investment so they can hone their skills without breaking the bank.
Along the same lines, spectator tickets for sprint tracks cost much less than those of big races. An average NASCAR ticket costs around $200 per person, while you can get into the Airport Speedway for a thrilling day of races for less than $20.
Variety of Competition
The Airport Raceway hosts sprint races of all kinds, with participation from both seasoned pros and beginning competitors. You can see sprint races, junior sprints, go-karts, vintage cars, and just about everything else that has wheels and goes fast. This is great for new spectators who are still figuring out what races they like to watch.
Conclusion
Now, you should have a basic idea about the world of auto racing. In the next article in this series, we’ll go into detail about the Airport Raceway here in Finney County and the types of races you can go there and watch — or participate in!
If you are interested in learning more about what the speedway has to offer, or if you want to begin your journey as a race car driver, you can check out the Airport Raceway website or Facebook page for more information.
If you’re planning to visit Finney County or Garden City, feel free to check out the other great content available on our site.
