This is a little feel good story about slot car racing........................I grew up in Brooklyn a few blocks from Buzz A Rama............My father would take me there as a kid 4-7 years old.1969-1972
Then we moved out of the neighborhood and i never went back...........but I would often pass by on my way to my Grandmothers house often wondering what it would be like in there years later.
Well fast forward to 2007...........I have a nephew that was always trying to get me to play video games . Of which i had no interest in. I told him about slot car racing when i was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, and he wanted to give it a try. I found the Race Place in NJ and we took a trip down...........rented some cars and we were both hooked. I then found out that Buzz A Rama was still open .......I was beyond excited.I bought a few old cars on Ebay........we fixed em up and started going every weekend for about a year or so. My nephew started High School ............found a girlfriend and I was left high and dry.
I had gone a few times by myself ...................and then started racing weekly at Race Place in NJ. On the weekends I would go to BAR and try to convince Buzzy to start a racing program. He was tired and not really into it. But after several attempts..............I convinced him , and we would have about 5 races a year. But the interest in Brooklyn just was not there. It was tough to try and get 7or 8 racers.
In 2021 Buzzy and Dolores both passed away from covid............10 days apart. I have to tell you I was devastated...............and I told my wife I was done and Im selling everything.
She says to me ..........."don't do it"...........I listened to her ........and a year and a half later ,john and Tara Vitale opened up RACE YA on Staten Island about 8 minutes from my house.
WOW .............what surprise . Its almost like the "GHOST OF BUZZY " has blessed me with another raceway.
John and Tara Vitale who opened Race Ya ..............were strictly thinking of parties...........and not organized racing. I started reaching out to a few guys I knew from Staten Island and before you know it after a few months ..............we have over 38 guys racing with us. Our Tuesday night racing program is off the charts..............guys were digging out their old boxes and coming in left and right.
it has been over a year now and still going strong.....................Tuesday nights are anywhere from 16 to 26 racers in 3 mains. Its like a big family........a social club.......boys night out.
Buzzy would be proud of the program I put together and best bunch of racers on the east coast.
Come on down and check it ....................you wont be disappointed..........I (and Buzzy) promise you..
