Thompson Raceway Park, Drag Racing Fun for Everyone

I never thought much about drag racing. To be honest I had never seen it and really didn't know anything about it. All that changed several years ago when, on a whim my husband took me to Thompson Raceway Park in Thompson, Ohio. After one visit I was hooked.

Wikipedia defines drag racing as: "A sport in which cars or motorcycles race down a track with a set distance as fast as possible." At Thompson Raceway I have seen dragsters,cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, 4 wheelers and jet trucks--just to name a few. It seems that if you can get it there, you can race it there. There is even competition for children in vehicles called Jr. dragsters.

Every Saturday from early April through November there is something going on at Thompson Raceway Park. They host a yearly Gasser Reunion, Starboyz Motorcycle Event, Ford VS GM, Harley Davidson street bike nationals and much, much, more. My favorite race day is held in October of every year and is for charity. Thompson sponsors a race that benefits Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland. Not only do you get to watch or participate in drag racing, they are also selling baked goods and having 50/50 raffles all for a good cause.

To watch drag racing, adults pay a flat $10.00/person at the gate. The cost for children ages 6-12 is $3.00. If you've always wondered how fast your car will go, you can find out here. To drive your car, truck or motorcycle down the drag strip at Thompson it will cost $35.00 for car and driver. If you'd like to participate in racing you need to get there around noon and do something called a "time trial". This is a "test" race where you step on the gas and try to get to your top speed in 1/4 mile. Your time is recorded, called "dialing in your time". For instance, if you go 1/4 mile in 17.26 seconds that is your first test and tune time. You can test your car this way 5 or 6 times and the fastest time is the one you use for your actual real race. When the racing starts at 6:00pm you get to compete against other racers. This is called eliminations. Cars are eliminated as they lose a race, down to the final winner. The best number you made during the time trials is the number you want to reach during eliminations. If you go faster and beat that number, called "breaking out", you get disqualified. Racing can go on until midnight during the summer if there are a lot of cars racing.

If you don't know the first thing about drag racing, have no fear. Your admission price also allows you to walk into the pit area. This is the area where the vehicles that are racing are parked both before and after they race. Most of the regular racers at Thompson are friendly and very eager to tell you about their cars and answer any questions you have about drag racing in general. All you have to do is stop and ask.

Thompson has concession stands that feature hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, soda and more, but they aren't always open. You are always able to pack a picnic lunch and even bring your grill if you want. For $20.00/night you can camp at Thompson Raceway but you have to have a camper or RV. No tents are allowed.

Thompson Raceway Park, formerly Thompson Drag Raceway is located at: 8233 Sidley Rd.,Thompson, OH 44086. Their phone number is: (216) 252-RACE (7223). Thompson Raceway is a fully certified NHRA 1/4 mile dragstrip.

For more information about racing and Thompson Raceway Park visit their website: www.thompsonracewaypark.com.