From backyard hobby to major event, RC racer hosts 250-class event in Oxford County

John Blakeley on his custom-built RC racetrack on his Otterville-area property. (Alex Hunt Photo)

Alex Hunt, Post Contributor

John Blakeley never imagined a pile of dirt on his rural Oxford County property would become a hotspot for racing enthusiasts across Canada.

“I first started hosting races in 2011, then I had to start expanding things,” Blakeley said. “Other racers got me hooked into it, and prompted me to build the track. It started as a pile of dirt, to a small little horseshoe track, and finally to where it is now.”

Located on the outskirts of Otterville, Blakeley’s private remote controlled (RC) car racing track stretches 155 feet wide, with 135 on one side and 95 on the opposite. What started from a backyard hobby in the early 2000's when Blakeley was pursuing an interest in RC planes and helicopters, has now evolved into a major undertaking.

Blakeley said he would host six to seven racing events a year but has since slowed down to focus more on his family life. Blakeley recently hosted his most successful event this past month with Otterville’s Nitro Blast drawing in 115 drivers and 250 class entries.

“This past event was a very memorable experience, the turnout exceeded my expectations,” said Blakeley. “People can enroll in the event through the Facebook page for the event and a world-wide web RC signup page”.

He explained RC racing is popular in the U.S. and Europe, but not as much in Canada

“It’s difficult to expand in Canada, it’s an expensive hobby.”

Blakeley said racers can enroll through five classes which consist of: Nitro Buggy, Electric Buggy, Nitro Truck, Electric Truck, and Four-Wheel Drive Short Course Truck.

Blakeley adds he’ll love to support future youth programs that could help introduce younger generations to RC racing, which is something that he believes is missing in Canada.

“Getting into the hobby provides a break from reality,” he said. “We’re all working really hard out there and whether you live in the big cities like Toronto, these events allow you to get away from the city. It's peaceful and relaxing, and getting the families involved is a fantastic experience.”

On the plan of expanding the track, Blakeley said he’s happy on its status and continues to provide top of the line maintenance for visiting racers.

‘It’s open to any RC hobbyist who would like to come out and experience the track,” he said. “Along with the sand topsoil, I started incorporating more clay into it to help hold it together and keep the dust down. There’s a full watering system around the track as well.”

With racers travelling from across Canada and the U.S., Blakeley hopes the track continues to bring people together. For him, it’s just a hobby, it’s a passion worth sharing.