Organizer Osvaldo Friger has been staging similar competitions in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. They now have found a U.S. partner in the Avon Park Executive Airport. It will be the first of its kind in the United States.
“We have participants coming from Miami, Tampa, and Orlando,” said Friger. “There also are cars and drivers coming from Georgia and Texas. We even have had an inquiry from England.
This will be a different kind of drag racing. The cars reportedly will run a half mile down the airport’s Runway 523 to get to their top speeds.
“They need a half mile to run, and another half mile to stop,” he said.
All participants will be required to have sufficient safety equipment including helmets and fire suits. Vehicles also will undergo a rigorous technical inspection to make certain they are up for the grueling half-mile run.
In addition to a day full of racing, there will be other activities for those who turn out. Because the event is slated for December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day – a number of warbird aircraft are being invited to attend. They will be and put on display for the crowd.
There also will be a food truck area, plus fun – or FON – zones for children and even for dogs. In all, there will be eight to 10 food trucks serving up a wide variety of fare. As many as 30 different vendors also will have products at the event.
Organizers are still unsure of the number of attendees. However, Friger anticipates there may be thousands. Airport officials say there will be some grandstands. Attendees also are being urged to bring their own chairs to view the event.
Due to the anticipated large crowd, he has predicted a huge economic boost from the event.
“I believe we will see no less than a $5 million dollar impact here,” he said.
Because many of the drivers and car owners are investors, company owners and entrepreneurs, Friger anticipates that there could be some long term effects in terms of new businesses in the area.
Accommodations for spectators still are being worked out. However, Friger revealed that plans already are underway to create a VIP Pass+ area at the starting line. That vantage point will give viewers a good look at the cars before they start their run.
The event is being run through the Florida Airport Management group, which has been operating the airport for the city for the past couple of years,
Gates will open at 9am on December 7, with racing to commence at 10am. The event is slated to run until 6pm.
More information can be found on the fastornothing Instagram page.
In early 1940 the US Army created the Lodwick Academy. They adapted the former Highlands Lakes Hotel, a former golf course, an old casino, and several former resort structures to create it. Lodwick functioned as a primary fighter pilot training school. It began with fifty Stearman PT-17 trainers.
Because of multiple locations, it was necessary to transport students by bus between barracks and airfield. Using the remodeled hotel however, provided recruits with accommodations more luxurious than many other Army installations.
More on that history can be found at the Avon Park Historical Society.
