An Arms race

SUMTER, S.C. -- Senior Airman Tommy Dailey, 20th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor helps Staff Sgt. Travis Lincoln, 20th SFS combat arms scheduler, prepare for his first race at the Sumter Speedway. Sergeant Lincoln and Tech. Sgt. Corey Becker, 20th Security Forces combat arms assistant NCOIC, recently invested $325 in a car to race in the new "Bomber Class" at the speedway each Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy photo)

Shaw team takes on speedway

Published June 12, 2007
By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C -- After five years of watching from the stands, two of Shaw's Airmen are getting behind the wheel for this season's races at the Sumter Speedway each Saturday.

Tech. Sgt. Corey Becker, 20th Security Forces combat arms assistant NCOIC, and Staff Sgt. Travis Lincoln, 20th SFS combat arms scheduler, recently invested in a $325 car to race in the new "Bomber Class" at the speedway.

"The Bomber Class races began three or four weeks ago, last Saturday was our first race," Sergeant Becker said.

There are a few other racing classes at the speedway, but they enjoy the Bomber Class because it is cost efficient .

The Bomber Class is mostly "beater cars," Sergeant Lincoln said, so people don't have to put a lot of money into the cars.

"The speedway tries to keep it low-cost so anyone can race," he said.

The new racers only had to make a few adjustments to the car such as a window net, safety bars and welding the door closed.

Each car is inspected for safety before the race, he said.

Sergeant Lincoln drove the first race, placing sixth despite transmission obstacles. He and Sergeant Becker will switch off driving races from now until October.

"We are the first military team to race this year, but we are hoping some other military members get involved," Sergeant Becker said.

The speedway has a family section and an adult section. Military members get in free with identification, children's admission is $3 and adult admission is $10.