Naples Has Swamp Buggy Fever
How's that again?
Naples has swamp buggy fever.
Oh, sure.
We've all heard of rheumatic fever, thyroid fever, scarlet fever and Scarlet O'hara too but swamp buggy fever?
You're going to have to expand on this because the dogs aren't eating the dog food.
OK, here goes..............................................................................................
Back in the day, say the 1930's & 1940's there emerged some strange looking vehicles.
These vehicles were born out of necessity.
They had huge balloon tires, gun racks and took on the name of buggy's. Hunters invented them because they wanted to hunt game in eastern Collier County, FL. It so happens that is where the Everglades begins. And where there are Everglades there is wet, boggy swamp, impenetrable by normal cars and trucks.
To hunt in the Everglades the hunters went to work and created the Swamp Buggy! These unusual vehicles successfully took their owners deep into the swamp allowing them to hunt in Eastern Collier County.
What were they hunting in the Everglades?
Their swamp buggy's were loud, unconventional and not very pretty (Except to their owners).
Put hunters and loud motorized vehicles together and possibly some adult beverages and soon an alternative use for the buggy's was born.
Swamp Buggy racing has been going on in Naples for approximately 60+ years.
Who remembers ABC Wide World of Sports that ran on TV from 1961 to 1998? Who was its host? If you answered Jim McKay you would be correct.
Each year for many years Jim McKay and ABC's Wide World of Sports would travel to Naples, FL. and broadcast the Swamp Buggy races.
This Saturday and Sunday at The Florida Sports Park it's going to happen again!
The Schedule:
- Saturday, October 30th is Swamp Buggy Parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Coastland Center Mall
- Saturday, October 30th-Qualifying at 12:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 31st-Races Begin at 12:30 p.m.
There are 7 race classes:
- Jeep-Must be 4 cylinder American Jeep
- Air Cooled-Must be air-cooled. Usually powered by motorcycle or VW engine
- 4 Cylinder-Must be 4 cylinders
- 6 Cylinder-Must be 6 cylinders either V6 or straight 6
- V8 Sportsman-Must be stock V8 engine block according to manufacturers specifications
- Modified 4WD-Must be driven by all 4 wheels. Engine of choice; big block Chevrolet modified with high performance parts
- Pro Modified-Same as above, except 2 wheel drive. These engines can develop nearly 1,000 horsepower
Would You Like To See Them In Action?
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