RC Racers have the inside track on success

Augusta RC Racers started out nearly 17 years ago, racing in the parking lots of businesses.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

One of Darren Brooks' cars takes a jump on a practice run at the Bayvale Park.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Augusta RC Racers club President Darren Brooks and his oldest son, Elijah, 13, pose with some of the radio-controlled cars they race at the track at Bayvale Park. The facilities draw some major competitions in radio-control racing.

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Now, they play host to several radio-controlled racing championship series and other races at their own tracks at Bayvale Park on Milledgeville Road.

The park is owned by the Augusta Recreation and Parks Department.

"One of the reasons we are able to have some of the larger races come here is because of our facilities," said Darren Brooks, the president and founder of RC Racers. "The park has both an off-road and dirt oval track; we have plenty of parking; our stand is handicap accessible; and we actually have restrooms where a lot of others may just have Port-o-Potties."

Another reason is the club's dedication to racing.

"We put a lot of work into it," he said. "It's a hobby we all love, and we enjoy sharing it with others."

The club, which has 20 members, meets twice a month at the tracks. Several members come out to the park on other days to practice. The park is open to the public every day. Tracks are available any day except race days, Mr. Brooks said.

"It's a place where everyone can come to have fun," he said. "You don't have to be a member of the club to use the track or to race. You just have to have your own car, which you can purchase from just about any hobby store."

Interest in radio-controlled racing has increased over the past few years, Mr. Brooks said.

"It's a hobby that's always changing. Technology has been the biggest factor," he said. "It seems like almost every year there's either something new being added or something being improved."

The racing is also a thrill, he said.

"For people who love any kind of racing and enjoy the thrill but want a safe way to do it, this is it. This is their hobby," he said. "It was what attracted me to it. I can race and not worry about getting hurt."

For information about the Augusta RC Racers, visit www.augusta.rc.freehomepage.com.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.