3-Hour Figure World Championship 2004
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Hmm... / Extreme sports

By John Stark, Photographer






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    Auto racing has always been an extreme sport by nature, but back in 1945 after WWII someone got the brilliant idea to run a figure 8 race. The original track some say actually had an overpass; the cars did not cross each others paths. It is believed by most auto racing historians though that the first actual figure 8 race where cars did cross each others paths occurred at the small 1/5th mile Indianapolis Speedrome.

    In those days the track was dirt, the cars were jalopies, many straight off the street. Today the track is paved and the cars are exotic, high-powered beasts and the annual 3 Hour Figure 8 World Championship has become an Extreme Sport all of its own. The rules are few, the competition; the best of the best in figure 8 racing. Drivers come from all over the country to race what many say is their Daytona 500." It doesnt hurt that the race pays the biggest purse in figure 8 racing either.

    Back in 1977 the Indianapolis Speedrome began running the 3 Hour World Figure 8 race which was won by Indianapolis driver Jim Fox. Little did they know then the race would become what it is today.

    The 2004 version had some 56 cars and driver combinations from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Florida, California and Washington, bringing some of the toughest figure 8 drivers together to see who could take home the $10,000 check and extremely large trophy and also wear the title of Figure 8 World Champion for a year. The fans get the biggest deal though as $25 buys a ticket for all three nights of action.

    Things got kicked off on Thursday with practice. Friday they had the 5 qualifying heat races and then Saturday, the big race. Joel and Bill Cohen, owners of the Indianapolis Speedrome promised a good show, and as usual they kept their promise. And drivers with names such as Leonard Basham, Raymond "Unconsious" Johnson, Rodney "the Rocket" Sizemore and a host of others put on a show that is hard to forget.


    Continued On Next Page (extreme auto racing, Page 2) ...


    AUTHOR: John Stark

    TAGS: Extreme sports                           

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    tater




    tater says on 2008-04-06 11:11:42 about 3-hour fig.8
    Worth every penny You will spend to watch it.Its the Super Bowl,Daytona 500,Final 4,and World Series combined excitement.You never know where to look and there is never a dull moment.So scary that People in the stands have actually cried in fear for the drivers,but in 30 or so races nobody has been seriously injured due to a wreck.All cars are safe and the drivers are amazing.






    iowaboy




    iowaboy says on 2007-06-21 11:28:48 about future of figure 8
    Some figure 8 races in Iowa are webcast. Starting in a few weeks there will be live webcasts available. The company is bringingitlive(dot)com






    kp




    kp says on 2006-08-02 13:33:06 about figure 8
    The best race you will ever see, without a doubt. Been going since '86 and wouldn't miss it. These aren't bombers racing these are $50,000 monsters.






    kp




    kp says on 2006-08-02 13:32:29 about figure 8
    The best race you will ever see, without a doubt. Been going since '86 and wouldn't miss it. These aren't bombers racing these are $50,000 dollar monsters.






    John Stark




    John Stark says on 2004-10-03 17:13:27 about Extreme Racing: Figure 8
    Yes, there are some tracks that run school bus figure 8 races. They are crazy. I will post some photos this coming week of a school bus figure 8.
    as for the money, on occasiion such as the 25th anniversary of the 3 Hour Figure 8 World Championship they paid the winner (Bobby Douthitt $25,000 out of a total purse of $75,000, the richest ever figure 8 race. That record will be broken in rhe 30 anniversary race where the wiinner will earn $30,000!! So build a car and come to Indy and learn to race with these guys!






    Greybeard




    Greybeard says on 2004-10-03 05:07:47 about Racing
    A very interesting description of an almost insane form of racing. I hear it is done is some places with school buses (but not with kids in them), which seems even crazier. It is hard to believe so much money can be made at such a race.

    Excellent pictures of the race.









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