Call it a newer version of Chuck E. Cheese.
That’s what Shannon Marino, co-owner of Low Country RC, said about Savannah’s newest radio/remote control racetrack.
“These raceways are few and far between,” said Marino. “It’s definitely a different concept.”
But, the company is not limited to just RC racing.
Since there are only about 100 racers in the area, according to Marino, his goal is to target the birthday party market.
“Once kids turn about 10, 11, 12, there aren’t many places left to have a birthday party,” said Marino. “We want to be that place.”
On Thursday, one of Low Country’s two race nights, people from the ages of 7 to 75 had cars on the track.
Savannah is home to one of the nation’s oldest RC raceways, Phil Hurd Raceway, located in Lake Mayer Park, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroad, but Low Country is breaking into the market, said Marino, and is one of the few places in the country with an indoor racetrack.
The objective of his company is to make the sport affordable and accessible.
Racers will put thousands of dollars into their cars, said Marino, but people can start the hobby with only a couple hundred.
He said Low Country offers layaway services, allowing people to race and play with their cars without having to pay right away, with hopes these services will spur more involvement.
“It certainly is a unique environment,” said Marino, “and a family-friendly sport that doesn’t get enough recognition.”
The racetrack opened in May after it was converted from the office of Bluewater Marine, a fiberglass company that Marino and his wife, Sundi, owned and operated.
Marino said he and his wife no longer wanted to work in the fiberglass business, so they converted the office into an arcade and RC racetrack.
So far, he said, he’s received positive reviews from his customers and has high goals for the company’s future.
“We’re the new kids on the block,” said Marino, “but maybe with a little luck, we hope we can make a winning formula and turn this into a franchise.”
Low Country RC
Where: 3101 River Drive, Thunderbolt.
Phone: 912-349-3383.
On the Web:
lowcountryrc.com.