5 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

This article appeared June 14 in CT's The Bristol Press:

 

Dave Gesner of Plainville, left, and Ellis Goodlette of Middletown take a break during Sunday’s swap meet and tag sale at Rapid Raceways.

 

"To the state’s dedicated handful of slot car racing enthusiasts, Plainville has become a sort of mecca.

 

They pack into Rapid Raceways on Woodford Avenue every Friday night, racing handmade cars on eight-slot tracks. The hobby, which peaked in popularity in the 1950s and ’60s, attracts people of all ages.

 

“This is the last place in Connecticut that does weekly racing,” said Rich Goucher, a Bristol resident who races several times a week.

He was among a small group that held a swap meet and tag sale at the center Sunday.

 

According to owner Dawn Raducha, what had been the state’s only other remaining raceway, in Vernon, has closed. Some might think she’d be content with all the business, but she’d actually love a little competition.

 

“It would help if there were more tracks around so we’d have more people to race against,” she explained."

 

You can read the rest of this nice article HERE.

[Joe Mig]

What a cool thing to do, a swap meet at the local raceway.

Nice to know you guys are around.

[Cheater]

Here's a second version of the Rapid Raceway Swap Meet story that appeared on Sunday. It was used in the Monday paper.

Same basic story, in more detail, and with a different pic. Smart journalism to generate two stories from one event.

And the good news is that Rapid gets more exposure.

Can't believe they ran into Gil Aubin, who is rarely seen in a raceway these days, I think. (Hi, Gil! LOL.)

 

I think every person mentioned in this article is a registered member of Slotblog!

Slot car racing survives, thrives in Plainville

 

 

To the state’s dedicated handful of slot car racing enthusiasts, Plainville has become a sort of mecca.

 

They pack into Rapid Raceways on Woodford Avenue every Friday night, racing handmade cars on eight-slot tracks. The hobby, which peaked in popularity in the 1950s and ‘60s, attracts people of all ages.

 

“This is the last place in Connecticut that does weekly racing,” said Rich Goucher, a Bristol resident who races several times a week.

 

He was among a small group that held a swap meet and tag sale at the center Sunday.

 

According to owner Dawn Raducha, what had been the state’s only other remaining raceway, in Vernon, has closed. Some might think she’d be content with all the business, but she’d actually love a little competition.

 

“It would help if there were more tracks around so we’d have more people to race against,” she explained.

 

Raducha learned about slot cars from her brother Ricky before opening her doors 12 years ago. In the time since, the center has hosted many birthday parties, weekly events, even outings for nearby companies such as General Electric.

 

Visitors can rent times from 15 minutes to several hours. At least once a month, there is a special, all-day event.

 

“We have the cars and controllers available for people who don’t have their own stuff,” said Raducha, who welcomes anyone into the center, including those who are new to the pastime.

 

Read the rest of the story HERE.

[elinsley]

Danbury is open on weekend but Rapid is the only place in CT that hosts weekly races and also regional races like the NERR and the NECC.

[Gil Aubin]

Hi Greg