Laredo’s Need for Speed
By Jesus Garcia Bridge Reporter
About five years ago someone decided to build a place where people who had a need for speed could satisfy their itch for burning rubber. That place was a small drag racing track at the end of the Zapata highway called “Excessive speedway”. It wasn’t long before it closed down due to lack of attendance. Local “speed freaks” rejoiced at the news that the raceway was opening its doors once more and under the name of, South Texas International Raceway.
STIR opened at the end of 2011 and has been having hosting small racing events for anyone with a car and the guts to race down the quarter mile track. Like in any other race track in the country, if you want to race your ride you need to pay. STIR chargers price of just ten dollars to race and five dollars to attend and watch from the stands.
Juan Reyes, a regular racer at STIR, was asked if making a raceway was a good idea for Laredo. Reyes commended by saying, “I think it is a good idea to keep it safe and away from the streets”. Street racers now have a safe and legal environment where they can fulfill their need for speed without in dangering innocent drivers. He was also asked if there was anything he would do anything to improve STIR, his response was, “Probably make more events where people can go watch and chill with the family all day long”. At the moment, STIR is not well known by the public.
STIR is not just a long empty road with a few blenchers on the side; STIR is a fully functional drag strip with the same equipment as the big boy drag strips you would see in places like California. Racers at the track have commented that although they have the proper equipment they still need to be properly trained in using it to give the racers the best results. Oscar Lira, another regular racer, was asked about the race officials methods for preparing the track for racing. “I’ve seen them use adhesives but they are supposed to burn a certain way and they don’t. All they do is spray and spread it around with a broom. It affects the launch which effects our times”. Adhesives are used at tracks so that race cars can warm up their tires properly and get better traction.
STIR is still a new track so naturally there is still a learning curve when it comes to prepping the track or getting the word out, but like with everything, over time it will grow. South Texas International Raceway is a great place to enjoy an afternoon if you want to see high octane machines being pushed to their limits or if you just want to see what your car can do if you put your foot down on the accelerator. For more information on events or to become a member of their website click on the link, STIR.
(You may contact Jesus Garcia at: jesusgarcia@dusty.tamiu.edu)