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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
By Tony Aiello
It’s not often La Mirada gets to boast about having the largest anything, but that’s not the case in the world of R/C (remote control) racing.
The industrial building on the corner of Alondra Boulevard and Canary Avenue at 32,000 square feet, houses the largest R/C raceway in the U.S.
There are two main tracks, off-road (6900 sq. feet), and on-road (7500 sq. feet). Parts and accessories for the R/C enthusiast line the long walls when you walk in the door of the facility-a selection that is one of the hobbies largest in all of Southern California.
Danny Stojakovic, along with his mother Irenka, own and operate West Coast R/C Raceway and Hobby Garage at 15905 Canary Avenue in La Mirada.
“Danny has been racing since he was very young. He has wanted to open his own raceway for a long time, so he did. He does it all around here. I am here to make sure everything is nice and clean,” said Mom Irenka.
West Coast is open to the public seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with practice sessions two days a week, off-road racing three days a week, and on-road racing two days. The cost is $10.00 for unlimited practice and $15.00 for entry into races on racing days.
It also features five restrooms and a family area for kids that includes a TV, toys, and classic arcade games. There is a free BBQ on weekends and membership cards are also available.
The operation makes a great effort to create a family atmosphere mixed amongst competitive racing.
“We opened two years ago, and started with nothing,” says Danny, “and last year we hosted an event that hadn’t been held in the U.S. in 12 years, and it was here in La Mirada. We love La Mirada and enjoy doing business here.”
Stojakovic is referring to the International Off-Road Race of Champions which was hosted by West Coast last year. Drivers from around the world, including Germany and Japan, descended on La Mirada to compete.
“They want us to host the event again in the future,” he said. Danny also races competitively at West Coast and other venues.
The raceway also gets involved with the community. Last year, they hosted a fundraiser race for the Los Angeles School Police Department Honor Guard in which participants competed for donated prizes, with entry fees going to the organization and the Jones Cancer Foundation.
“I want to make some improvements,” said Stojakovic, “such as putting up a nice sign, but really, we don’t make any money-this is more like a community center.”
For more information and race schedule, visit their website at www.westcoastrcraceway.com, or their Facebook page at http://tinyurl.com/7h7jsmm or call (714) 739-4298, or better yet, stop on by, it doesn’t cost anything to watch!
