Feb 22, 2008 By Steve Barrett For The 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners approved a contract Thursday with a company that once again will bring an unusual form of street drag racing to the county airport this summer. The contract will enable Altered Gas Performance Events, LLC of Bradford Woods to bring legal street racing on four separate dates starting in July. The company will coordinate the event, titled “Flashlight Drags,” with the county department of recreation.

Michael Schindel, one of the company’s partners, told commissioners Thursday that the company was looking forward to bringing the races back to Greene County.

Schindel said the events would be open to all nostalgic, custom hot rod, street rod, muscle car, antique car, tuner car or related vehicles. The races will take place on a one-eighth-mile stretch of the airport runway, which is 660 feet in length.

“This is drag racing at its core, the way it used to be,” Schindel said. “That’s why the company’s slogan is ‘Street racing without the jail time.'”

The races will be open to any interested participants, and no experience is required. The vehicles must be registered and street legal with current inspection. Drivers must show proof of insurance and must have a valid driver’s license. Mufflers will be mandatory, and vehicles must be driven into the event and not by trailer.

Jake Blaker, director of the department of recreation, said the events are returning because of the “overwhelming response” to last year’s races. More than 3,100 spectators attended the first two events to watch about 240 total participants compete.

“Last year’s events were very exciting and they attracted a lot of people,” Blaker told the commissioners. “And as popular as the races were, we’re expecting them to be even better this time around.”

The races will be held May 18, June 15, July 20 and Sept. 28. Gates will open at noon and races will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Alcohol will not be permitted at the events.

Schindel said the races would be cancelled for rain and not rescheduled. The airport will close during the events.

There will be a $30 fee for participants and a $6 fee for spectators at each event. Children younger than age 10 will be admitted free.

County Chief Clerk Gene Lee said the county will need to get official approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before the events can be held. The commissioners and county solicitor are addressing all legal and insurance concerns, he added.

Commission Chairwoman Pam Snyder said the contract would not cost the county any revenue; rather, the county will collect 20 percent of the revenue collected at the gate and 10 percent of the drivers’ registration fees.

Revenue raised from the event will be used to help the county pay for general operating costs at the airport, Lee said.

Nonprofit agencies will also be permitted to set up fund-raising booths on the airport grounds during the events.

Although no monetary prizes will be awarded at the races, Schindel said some trophies will be awarded and the competitors will be battling for “bragging rights.”

There also will be a new attraction this year, “The Race for the Commissioners’ Cup,” in which drivers who participate in the first three races will be able to compete in a special race during the fourth event.

Schindel said because the company is making safety its top priority, motorcycles will not be permitted to race at any of the “Flashlight Drags” events. However, he said motorcyclists would be able to compete in a motorcycle-only race that will be held at the Clarion County Airport. The event, titled “Thunder on the Strip,” will be held in August.

For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.flashlightdrags.com.