The New England Race Chasers

By Cherie Ilg Haas
Production Assistant

Motorhome enthusiasts and NASCAR fans can now combine the excitement of RVing and stock car racing by joining the New England Race Chasers, FMCA's first and only chapter devoted to auto racing.

"It's just like any other chapter, except it's all about the races," said Bill Gavigan, F63181, chapter president. Currently the chapter has 39 member families, who live in New England.

FMCA waved the green flag for the chapter last year, and it was chartered during the biggest weekend in racing, Memorial Day weekend -- which racing fans know is the time when NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 and the Indy Racing League’s Indianapolis 500 take place. The New England Race Chasers have enjoyed everything from short-track modified racing to the Daytona 500. And even if chapter members can't actually attend certain races, they still enjoy watching them together in front of a television at a lodge or at someone's house, just the same.

All NERC rallies are held at racetracks, where "everyone goes in to the track together, parks together, and sits at the races together in reserved seats," Bill said. By attending the races as a formal group, the chapter has made it possible for approximately 60 coaches to camp together close to the action.

The atmosphere at a New England Race Chasers rally is always "extremely friendly and sociable," said Kevin Corbett, F289703, first vice president. "Everybody mingles, and we have a good time."

This chapter has inspired more women to become involved in racing, too, as other activities are offered as well. "Going to the racetrack used to be the guys' weekend event, but now that it's a group, more women are showing up, because they know other women will be there," Bill said. The chapter also makes "pit stops" at local sites of interest, such as antique shops. A cribbage club and a walking club also are forming within the group.

Although camping revolves around the events at racetracks, Bill said the members also enjoy gathering to socialize and "tell our war stories." But at some rallies, there's little extra time for mingling, such as at the Thompson 300 in Thompson, Connecticut, where racing action continues all weekend. But as busy as this chapter is, Bill said, they take care of their campsite by picking up their garbage and leaving the area clean; thus, racetrack operators are glad to have them there.

In addition to being considerate, chapter members also are generous. When one member needed a lung transplant in the summer of 2001, the chapter held a successful fundraiser during a New England Race Chasers rally to raise money for her medical bills.

NERC rallies are held from April through October, about two or three times a month, depending on the racing schedule. All FMCA members are invited to join chapter members at the track, even those just on vacation in the New England area, Bill said. The New England Race Chasers chapter signs up at least one new member at every race, Kevin said, and they'd like to see the chapter continue to grow with even more FMCA members who are NASCAR fans.

This year looks to be a busy one for the chapter, with rallies scheduled for the short-track modifieds at Riverhead Raceway in Long Island, New York; the Busch North race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine; and the Fall Final modifieds at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford, Connecticut, just to name a few. Reservations must be made at least one week in advance for these racing-related rallies. For more specific rally information, please check the Association Calendar in Family Motor Coaching magazine or the Events Calendar online at www.fmca.com.

For more information about the New England Race Chasers chapter, call FMCA's Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622.