The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas • 9

CI mm, Bond company approved, Page 2 Q) Meraer nlanned. Paae 6 I Threatening birds, Page 8 Monday, June 3, 1 985 THE ODESSA AMERICAN if i ii Iff 'S G' Four slot cars cruise down the track at the Grand Prix Raceway 1 ''Y'" i -i- ii mini i mm uiy jpu i i I 1 x3 ft -wkMs, 7- ii nil ii 1 -T said she would rather have a real car than the rented slot car. Cammie York, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy York, 8803 Andrews Highway, Tiny cars provide race track thrills From Staff Reports Life in the fast slot lures patrons to Grand Prix Raceway.

Two large slot car tracks appeal to those who are bent on racing zooming down the straights and maneuvering through hairpin turns, all without risking bodily harm. Racers who apparently are looking for something different in the way of entertainment can rent miniature slot cars and controls at the 404 W. University Blvd. site on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings and on weekends. Odessa chiropractor Donald G.

Gibbs, the owner, said most racers bring their own slot cars and controls. Gibbs, 59, became interested in the hobby about 20 years ago. He said hobbyists can expect to lay out about $26 to buy the simplest car, replete with a control device, and as much as hundreds of dollars for more elaborate equipment. "The faster you want to go, the more you have to spend," he said. Cars range from 2- to 7-inches long, with a maximum width of 3 inches.

The speedsters are divided into classes, depending on chassis and engine design. Slot cars with names like Womp-Womps and Whisper Jets can be purchased already built and require little modification. They are among the more popular offerings, Gibbs indicated. Before the race starts, a driver places his car in a groove in the track. A metal pickup on the front of the tiny vehicle makes contract with copper strips on the track and a current activates the car's electric motor.

The driver works a hand control to regulate the speed of the car. Russell H. Johnson III, 23, 926 E. 11th race their slot cars around one of two tracks. Mrs.

Jan Lessard, 903 W. 31st Greg Palmer, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer, 3634 N. Adams and Joe Mollinary, 16, right, son of Mr.

and Mrs. Joe Mollinary, 2727 Alleghaney Russ Lessard, 15, son of Mr. and 3 Vi f- i Photos by Curt Wilcott I II ii in I -I ,1 1 1 now own three cars apiece. He is holding Womp-Womp. James Hanson, 16, son of Mr.

and Mrs. James Quemby, P.O. Box 2264, adjusts his Womp-Womp after it shopped running. Quemby, 28, works on one of three cars he owns. He and stepson James have been coming to the races for two months.

They.