NEW Trackside Thursdays: LCRC Raceway

Hello RC Community! How is everyone staying involved in the hobby during this down time?

At ARRC Live we recognize that the community and stories we share are the Heartbeat of this Industry. We’re not only talking about the stories we share on this platform but the stories we share among each other. With all that being said, we’d like to present Trackside Thursdays! The goal of this series is to not only promote all the tracks that enable us to create these memories and do what we love, but also to share the stories behind our tracks and the track owner life!

This week we had the pleasure of catching up with Christa Mummah from LCRC Raceway! LCRC is located in Oakland Mills, PA and host to the 2020 ROAR Fuel Nationals! Christa shares all the ups and downs of the track owner life! When she shared with us the most rewarding part of track owner life, it really reinforced the conviction we have around this community!

What made you decide to open up your own Track? Share some history!

LCRC was started as a "backyard track" for Kevin and his buddies. He and I were heavily invested in ATV Motocross racing, and traveled all over the country throughout the summer, he was Team Manager for Team Suzuki, and I was Press Coordinator for the Series. On our weekends off, Kevin and some of the teammates were looking for an RC Track, and ready to head to Virginia to drive their rc cars! I suggested instead of traveling on their off weekends, that maybe they could build something in our side yard... On one of the days they were driving, 3 offroad racers, (Ed, CR, & Brad) stopped by and told us "We should have races", which was the start of LCRC.

Tell us about your facility and what it features?

I am surprised at how hard it is to try to describe our facility! Lets give it a try: LCRC Raceway is a nice 1:8 Offroad Track, but we might be most proud of our facility. We have almost a dozen 30 and 50 Amp Camper Hookups, A Wash Station with Water and Air, a kids play area, bleachers in a spectators area, an Oval Track... I guess Its hard really to describe our place if you haven't been here, but after every race we sit down as a family and ask what we could do better. After almost 10 years of doing that, we continue to try to improve large things, like the improvements we made to the drivers stand last year, and small things, like cutting the field grass more often so its nicer to pit on.

What is your favorite thing about owning a Track? Least favorite thing?

My favorite thing about owning a track is owning a track. Stick with me here: When we traveled around the country going to ATV Motocross races, we went to so many tracks as racers, and said many times "if it was my track, I would have this". "If I had a track, I would take care of this like this". (Every racer does it!) Its such a privilege to now be able to do those things, and try our best to find the problems and solve them. My least favorite part of about owning a track is taking care of garbage and portapottys!

What’s one thing you’re looking to add or a project you want to tackle at your facility (if any)?

We have an ongoing list of projects for LCRC at all times. We just finished adding 2 more RV parking spots and adding some fresh stone. Some of our next goals are to put a fresh coat of paint on everything, improve some drainage issues, fill in the pond next to the oval to make more pitting, and to continue to improve the online store.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a business?

Wow, all the hard hitting questions... Right off the top of my head, I would say hosting the Fuel Nats in 2012. Our track had never held an event that large up to that point, and is so many ways we were unprepared. Although it was such a proud moment to host such a prestigious event, it was also a huge pressure and responsibility. Rising to the challenge changed our business into what it is today, and we learned a lot of lessons by hosting that race, but it was a huge challenge.

What has been the most rewarding part of the track owner life?

The most rewarding part of being a track owner is seeing the relationships built at the races. I know so many people that have met up at our track, and now pit together, who will be friends for life. Thats the beautiful part about racing; most people don't come here to race, they come here to hang out with their buddies. The friendships built, (I especially love when it happened by Kevin taking a new guy and "assigning a group to them",) That's really the most rewarding part.

Tell us about your favorite memory that took place at your facility?

Its impossible to pick just one, I have tons. But maybe close to my favorite race memory is sitting next to my husband during the final A main during 2012 Fuel Nats, watching the most epic race, maybe ever. We just had a moment where we looked at eachother, and knew we survived hosting that race. There were people completely surrounding the track; just tons of spectators. And then Ty passed Phend, and then they switched... and all those people cheered and yelled louder than all the nitro engines, and racers pulled off to watch what was happening; just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. And in that moment, Kevin looked at me and said, "We built this." That's a good memory.

What would you tell others who are interested in opening their own track?

- You have to be willing to make a decision and stick by it. Listen to the racers, and know how to best serve your customer, but do not let them make the calls. They will thank you. 
- You will always need more pipe and more portapotties
- Be humble enough to know where you need to improve. 
- Do not comment on controversy on facebook. 
- Remember to thank your racers. 
- Listen to what your racers are telling you. They will tell you exactly what they want and need if your listening.

What’s your favorite: Off Road, On Road, Oval, Monster Trucks or Rock Crawling?

Offroad!

What’s the best way to get involved with your track and keep up with you?

You can check us out online at lcrcraceway.com, or we are LCRCRaceway on Facebook or Instagram!

Anything else you’d like to share or promote? 

Hannah, I would just like to thank you for spotlighting tracks in our region! We are so lucky to have your family involved in this hobby, and especially your skill set!

A huge thank you to the Mummah’s and all that they do for this industry! We are so stoked about this interview with them and their responses to these questions! Thanks for joining us and we’ll see you Trackside!