Street racing used to be a major problem in the Orlando area. On Friday and Saturday nights, streets were turned into drag strips, teens were turned into speed freaks, and occasionally, the parties were turned into accident scenes. There were seemingly weekly reports of another life lost to the dangers of illegal street racing. But all of that changed a year ago.

Born out of necessity, the Central Florida Racing Complex has, according to president Pete Madison, all but eliminated street racing fatalities in the large District 4 area of Orange County encompassing much of East Orlando, Conway and Lake Nona.  “There hasn’t been a street racing death since we’ve been open,” he says. “There used to be at least one a month, if not one a week in Orange County.”

Never having been to a race his entire life, Madison chose to open the race facility solely to help a community in need, his community. “Opening was strictly something where I saw a need and a solution,” he says. After going through the proper political channels, Madison converted near 40 acres of land he owns into a literal racer’s utopia which features areas to host events that range from the popular Friday and Saturday night drag races to a full road course for use with everything from autocross to drifting competitions. Domestics, imports, go-karts, trucks, motorcycles and even the occasional snowmobile are all welcome to the complex with open arms.

“There’s so many things the track could be used for, it’s really endless,” Madison says. “In addition to all the races we have concerts and training courses and a whole host of other events.” Still, with all of the diverse events, Madison maintains the main purpose of the facility is to let people race in a safe environment, and more importantly, keep the streets safe.

“When they race here, we have protection barriers running the length of the track to protect both drivers and spectators,” Madison says. “Keeping the spectators safe is just as important as keeping the drivers safe - several accidents before we opened killed observers standing on curbs.” Central Florida Racing Complex has also gone so far as to have paramedics on site as well as access to rescue equipment  in case of a severe accident.

Each car must pass a tech inspection process before being allowed to race, something Madison says makes the cars on the road safer as well. “It’s amazing how many four lug nut cars come in here with two lug nuts missing or the batteries not secured, just simple things that are dangerous for them driving around on the street,” he says. “They usually aren’t happy we don’t let them run that night, but they come back.”

According to Madison, racers of all different backgrounds, cultures and ages cross through the pit gate every day the track is open. “It’s a very diverse population, from Civics to Ferraris and everything in between,” he says.

The idea is to keep them all safe and let them indulge in their passion in a safe environment. Some racers, like Miguel Mansilla, have become regulars, giving up street racing entirely in favor of the Central Florida Racing Complex alternative. “I like it a lot, actually I’m there every Saturday,” he says. “It’s so much safer than being on the street; I tell all my friends every week and try to get all the people I can out there instead of racing on the streets.”

For Madison, he is just happy to help his community while hosting the racers. “It’s kind of neat to watch people from all walks of life gathered together and helping each other,” he says. “That is something I didn’t really expect when we opened and that bonding of people has been what’s kept me going on the whole thing.”

Article by Corey Gehrold