HORSEPOWER & HEELS

Drove down to Orlando for the World Street Finals this weekend. It rained, and the event was cancelled, but I did want to comment on the much needed improvements that were made to the facility since I had last visisted.

Orlando over the years has been earning the nickname of being one of the most hated, most dangerous facilities around. The fact that one of the best Street Car events of the year is held there was being slowly outweighed by the number of angry racers that were refusing to return after some of the safety concerns went unanswered year after year. Racers have been seriously injured and even lost their lives at that track (Godspeed Steve Grebeck) and worse, a spectator tragedy was forseeable with the lack of attention to the outdated metal guardrails that didn't stop careening racecars from leaving the track surface and launching into the crowds.

Orlando was my home track for many years, and I always feel a bit nostaglic to return to Speedworld because it was there I learned to drive and spent so many nights in my early days of racing. But even still, I was fearful bringing my thunderbird there last year to compete with the track conditions as they were. The guardrails were in need of replacement (photo above courtesey of Drag Racing Online.) to the standard concrete walls that prevented cars from leaving the surface and the crowd safe. The lanes had some issues down track, and the lack of spotters had many racers weary of running into another racer's oildown without proper clean-up from track staff.

But I want to applaud the Speed World staff... they spent some real time and money in upgrading the facility with some great improvements. Most noteable, the safer concrete walls were erected. Spotters lined the track all weekend looking for oil and debris. New equipment made clean-up more efficient and thorough. The spectator fence was moved a further distance from the surface (or maybe the walls made it appear so, but still.) The entire facility looked safer, cleaner, and more inviting than ever before. My only complaint? More lighting on the track surface. The night sessions made it very difficult to find the groove. (photo at left and below: Competition Plus)

TRIP counter: 1,308 miles

2007 Horsepower & Heels Odometer: 23,038 total miles