Loring Land Speed:
‘They’ll race just ‘bout anything’
Breaking Trail
It’s a Sunday morning in mid-July. I’ve got my water bottle, fresh fruit, and a beach towel placed just right. With sunshine and the cool breeze, it’s just a matter of leaning back and, ahhh, relaxing. That’s right, just breathe deep and let the sweet smell of donut-tinged biodiesel exhaust take you away.
By Dianna Leighton 
Okay, sure, I could pack up and ship out for a weekend on the coast, but, instead, I took the 30-minute jaunt to the East Coast’s finest racing spectacles: the Maine Event land speed race at the Loring Timing Association race track, found at the runway of the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. The event, now in its third year, attracts up to 150 racers from across the country as they attempt to break class records in a surprising range of vehicles, including everything from dirt bikes to roadsters to electric vehicles.
But a common question among locals remains one of curiosity: “Why are you here? Why would one tackle the challenging logistics of bringing specialized equipment from as far away as California to race in northern Maine?” While the idea of racing on an abandoned Air Force base might invoke some serious Road Warrior-esque mental imagery, I also learned from the Loring Timing Association’s president (and serious motorcycle enthusiast), Mark Sotomayor of Easton, that the base’s 2 5/8 mile-long track makes an ideal racing environment.
Although the Bonneville Salt Flats will likely remain one of the United States’ most revered land speed venues, its salt-packed surface can create an undesirable spin to tires that affects overall traction, resulting in a 20 percent loss of speed that racers must work around. In comparison, Loring’s asphalt surface offers greater grip and more speed “bang for your buck.” In addition, the overall length of the track provides ample space for vehicles to reach over 300 mph (such as Bill Warner’s world record pass of 311.945 mph on a Suzuki motorcycle performed last summer), while also allowing racers to slow down safely to a stop. Finally, with the recent loss of North Carolina’s Laurinburg/Maxton Army Airbase as a racing location, many East Coast racers have set their sights to Loring as a desired alternative.
Beyond the technical elements though, many racers find that they are drawn to Loring for personal reasons as well. Sweden’s Eva Hakansson, driver of the KillaJoule electric motorcycle, remarked in a recent blog post: “Loring is definitely the best land speed event in the U.S. Great track … fantastic people and great weather (not at all as hot as Bonneville).” Sotomayor mentions that many drivers feel incredibly welcomed in The County, often “like celebrities.” In turn, Hakansson was able to return the warm sentiment given by the community by visiting 95 female campers from across the state at this year’s Maine School of Science and Mathematics Summer Camp to support their aspirations in fields of science and engineering.
So while the roar of engines may keep my pulse afloat, I’m also energized by the culture of knowledge sharing that events like the land speed races can bring. Although there is certainly a competitive spirit to the sport, racers are eager to exchange bits of technical expertise with one another as a means to push the field farther. In a sport where small changes can bring big speed, a suggestion from one’s peers can make all the difference.
In the case of Bangor racer Dave Sleeper, it was a matter of switching out a gear box that eventually brought his Kawasaki ZX motorcycle to a personal best speed of 200.540, landing him a spot in the venue’s exclusive 200 mph Club. This type of sharing and networking is sure to grow in the future as the association considers offering a street class next year to open the field to a greater variety of racers, especially locals seeking an accessible means to enter the sport and join in on the fun.
I’m sure that the County Federal Credit Union will be glad to hear that my fastest pass will likely be posted after the final payment has been made on my Corolla. In the meantime, I’ll continue to join 1,000 other spectators at Loring’s second summer speed event: Race at the Base, being held Aug. 31st through Sept. 2nd. It’s a unique experience to witness passionate racers at their best in one of the most awe-inspiring events in motorsports … right in your backyard.
