Hearts, engines racing

July 16, 2006|SHORT HOPS, Tim Lehnert, Globe Correspondent

SEEKONK -- Cars fly around the track. Engines roar. The smell of burnt rubber lingers. Welcome to Seekonk Speedway, no place for quiet contemplation.

Races are held every Saturday night from April to October , with Sunday programs on holiday weekends . Once a month there's a Thrill Show , when families and casual fans join hard-core enthusiasts in the stands. The Thrill Show includes several rounds of Demo Derby, Figure 8, and Enduro races in which brightly colored clunkers hurtle around the track, often colliding with one another. The vehicles are spray painted with slogans such as ``Donut King," ``Hi Mom," ``OU812," and the scrawled names of sponsors, usually local businesses. Some of the demo derby cars have items affixed to their roofs, including antlers, rocking chairs, and cartoon characters. By the end of the evening, the infield is littered with trashed cars.

Seekonk Speedway is a local affair, with drivers coming from the southeastern part of the state and northern Rhode Island. There's no reserved seating, so arrive early with a deck chair, or a cushion if you choose to sit on the bleacher seats. You can also bring food and drink. Don't forget the earplugs if you plan on attending a monster truck event.

On Saturday at 6 p.m., five divisions of stock cars will race. Admission is $12 for adults and free for children 12 and under. The next Thrill Show, with the Monster Truck Special, is Sunday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $5 12 and under.

Seekonk Speedway, 1710 Fall River Ave. (Route 6), Seekonk. 508-336-9959. www.seekonkspeedway.com. Seekonk is 37 miles or about 45 minutes from Boston. Take Interstate 93 south to Route 24 south to Interstate 195 west to exit 2 (Warren/Newport). Go left off exit, right at the light. Go 1 1/2 miles on Route 6 west. The speedway will be on your right.

TIM LEHNERT