Manzanita
Superstars
Automobiles are wonderful...and dangerous. In the year 2001 there were 42,443 deaths from automobile accidents in the United States. There were also over four million people involved in auto accidents for whom emergency room treatment was required. This is not a phenomenon of recent years; auto deaths and accidents accelerated throughout the 20th century with the growth of America's love affair with automobiles. Obviously, the 21st century promises more of the same.
These statistics, however, beg this question: why do men and women of apparent sound mind strap themselves into 3500 pound projectiles, powered by high performance engines, and race 20 cars at a time, around a short, 1/3 mile dirt track for a prize of $175 and a plastic trophy? It sounds foolhardy; however, these people do take precautions. They wear "crash" helmets; they wear "fire proof" suits, shoes, and gloves; and the cars contain "roll" cages; and the gas tanks are full of high octane "racing fuel."
Who are these people and what are they thinking? We will attempt to answer the question of why these people put themselves at such risk for so little. Or is there more to it than meets the eye? We will report on and interview the individuals who spend thousands of dollars a year and untold hours of labor to participate in this most dangerous of sports. We will look for the common thread, the why.
| Price,
Larry |
| McCurdy,
Chris |
| Taylor,
Bob |
| Madrid,
Anthony |
| Pautot,
James |
| Staley, Reeve |
| Staley,
Kent |
| Mumaugh,
Terry |
| Funk, Ron |
| Steele,
Tony |
| Reynolds,
Tom |
| Silber,
Randy |
| Pino,
Frincine |
| Goetschius,
Jeremy |