Big race for small remotecontrolled cars in Mercer County

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The cars are small, but the race will be big when the seventh annual Showdown in the Snow Trophy Race roars into Stoneboro, Mercer County, Saturday afternoon.

Racers and spectators are expected from several states and Canada for this day of racing among RC, or remote-controlled, cars that are 1/10th as big as the real thing. They’ll be moving the scaled-down equivalent of as much as 400 mph on two oval tracks and one dirt offroad track. These cars can go much faster outdoors and in a straight line.

“Usually not the fastest car wins. It’s the most consistent driver,” says John Raskob, who runs Big Dog RC racing and hobby shop with his wife, Robin. Despite the event’s name, the races are all indoors there. They’re expecting more than 200 entries from amateur and professional drivers, male and female, ranging in age from the single digits to the 70s.

“It’s a lifelong, family oriented hobby. We have several families who spend their Saturdays enjoying the racing action,” Mrs. Raskob says.

There will be some 30 classes of cars competing for custom trophies and other prizes and giveaways to watch beginning at 1 p.m. “Last year we were here until midnight,” Mr. Raskob says. Entry fees are $5, $10 and $20; spectators get in for free.

It’s one of four large annual events at the business, which once held, and still proudly displays a certificate for, a Guinness World Record for the Longest RC Car Jump. The place — where enthusiasts can race three times a week, yearround, and which offers a range of RC toys and services plus a restaurant — is at 482 Stoneboro Lateral Road in Stoneboro, PA, 16153. For more information, visit bigdogrc.com/new.asp or call 724-3762379.