In the Stix: Scared of the Dirt? Most Carolinas Drivers Are
By Jason Buckley
(Executive Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this column are the views and opinions of the author of the article. His views are not necessarily those of LegendsNation.com, its sponsors or other contributors.)
An old bicycle on top of a roof at Millbridge adds to the flavor of the track. (LN Photo)
Growing up in rural Iowa, I am very familiar with dirt. I lived on a dirt road, which was an offshoot of a gravel road, three miles outside the nearest small town. I played in the dirt and mud constantly with my toy cars, making roads and trails for them. I was simply having fun. Sure, I had to take a shower to clean myself up afterwards, but the hours of enjoyment was well worth the short time it took to clean the dirt off myself later.
So that is why I cannot understand what is wrong with people here in the Carolinas.
A short drive up the road from Concord (NC) is Millbridge Speedway, a ‘throwback’ dirt track that is just outside Salisbury. At the facility they run Legends and Bandoleros around the small 1/5-mile oval on Sundays throughout the season.
I personally have attended two of the races this season, and the driver
participation is sad. This past weekend there were only eight cars that made the trip; three Legends and five Bandoleros. Why won’t anyone show up to these races?
Some people just do not like dirt racing as a whole. I will admit I am an asphalt racing fan myself. Dirt racing has never been something I have been overly thrilled about. This year, besides Millbridge, I attended racing at The Dirt Track next to Lowe’s Motor Speedway. While I do not hate dirt track racing, I prefer asphalt racing. I am sure there are many drivers in the Legends and Bandolero ranks who feel the same, but I do not think that is the main reason.
Too many drivers and teams are too lazy to clean up after the races. Sure, I know many of these drivers are young kids and have school to attend during the week, putting the pressure on the parents or the team members to clean up the cars. Most of them also have 40-hour jobs during the week as well, so time can be a factor. But I would bet most are just lazy and do not care to clean up after a dirt race, so instead they skip these shows. I have talked to drivers who haven’t shown up to race there, and that is what they whine about.
One good thing about Millbridge is that it isn’t a muddy dirt track. According to many of the drivers that attend these races, cleanup afterwards does not take very long. Some of them use compressed air to blow out the dirt from their car and then just wipe down of the car like they normally would at an asphalt track. What is so difficult about that? From just attending the track myself I had dirt on my clothes, in my hair,
on my shoes and in my eyes. When I arrived back at the house a quick shower and a change of clothes, and I was all set.
For the amount of Legends and Bandolero cars there are in the Carolinas, it doesn’t make sense only eight showed up and raced this past Sunday. If you look at some of the greats in the sport of auto racing, you will find many of these drivers learned to race on dirt. Everyone says they learn car control from racing on dirt. That is one thing every driver should learn if they want to move up through the ranks of racing.
Millbridge Speedway is currently taking a break from the action as they completed their Spring Championship Sunday. In August they pick back up again for their Fall Championship series. If more drivers do not show up to race, I will be extremely disappointed. The facilities might not be the most extravagant, but the racing the track produces along with the skills a driver can learn on dirt make the place invaluable for true racers to race at.
Suck it up drivers. A little dirt and dust isn’t going to hurt you. If the cleanup is the problem, hire someone to clean the car for you.
Hey, there is an idea. Anyone want to start a Millbridge car cleaning business?
Where is the mud? Drivers, quit being picky and race!
