AADA Arena Watch
South Lexington "Rat Race" Arena
Lexington, Kentucky
by Tim Jacques and Dennis Lauhala
HTML conversion by Michael P. Owen, April 2000
The Rat Race is one of three arenas in the Lexington area, and
the only one to concentrate on racing events, providing an
alternative to the traditional racing oval. Its construction was
plagued by cost overruns, and some things were skimped on, but
the arena pulls in a steady profit, and repairs are planned for
the future . . .
Arena Notes
The outside walls are 30' high and 60 DP. The inner walls are 15' high and only 20 DP. The pylons (squares) at either end of each inner wall can take 50 DP before collapsing, which produces a pile of debris. If both pylons are taken out, the whole wall collapses -- and the area 1 l/2" to each side of the wall will be showered liberally with debris and obstacles. Anyone caught within 1" of the wall will take 2 dice to their top armor and an appropriate hazard. Duellists deliberately trashing a wall will be tmed to pay for its repair; this runs about $5,000, and is usually deducted from the offender's winnings.
Handling is at a premium in this arena. Spoilers and airdams
are a must. HD Shocks, antilock brakes and heavy-duty brakes
should also be considered. Metal armor and/or a ramplate can be
useful when that corner turn would be a little too tight.
Arena Events
Racing. This is the most common event, usually run with electrics and always within standard AADA Divisionals. Most feature two, three or five laps, allowing no weapons fire before at least one player completes a lap. Short races will just.follow the outer wall, but most follow the arrows. Solid and liquid dropped weapons are forbidden in racing events.
The Hard Way. This event is much like above, but the
racers must slalom through the small gateways opposite the
arrows.
