Malcolm Lightner grew up in a trailer park down the street from the original “Mile O'Mud” swamp buggy track, a DAYTONA-inspired race course in the everglades. Drivers reach 75mph in their half boat, half-dragster hybrids, splashing spectators with abandon. Lightner photographed the races for nearly a decade, documenting the beauty contests, Confederate Flags, fried food, and revelry with the affection of a native Floridian. But Lightner wasn't always drawn to the competition; his childhood encounters with the track consisted of searching for his father, who would go missing for days. Returning as an adult to witness the wild weekend-long events at Florida Sports Park allowed Lightner to explore his own heritage (his great-uncle was one of the original racers) as well as preserve the Frontier sport. “I unveiled family connections that I did not know existed and heard numerous stories about my father,” Lightner said. “The races demonstrated to me the All-American desire to compete to win—as well as the power of family and community.” The resulting images have been published by PowerHouse Books and a selection can be found below.
Off to the Swamp Buggy Races
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Bonnie Walsh began her racing career in 1976 when the Mile O’ Mud was located off of Radio Road and competed in unofficial “powder puff” races for female drivers. In 2005, Bonnie became the first woman swamp buggy driver to claim the Budweiser Cup Championship. #
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First opened in 1969, Everglades Parkway extends from Naples on the west coast of Florida to Broward County on the east. The American Automobile Association nicknamed it “Alligator Alley” because of the large number of alligators in the waterways on either side of the road, which the AAA believed would render it useless to cars. #
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Naples high school students compete for the crown in the annual Swamp Buggy Queen Pageant. The chosen Queen presents awards to winners at the Swamp Buggy Races and speaks at public events during race weekends. The Court consists of the Queen and the first, second and third runners-up. #
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Lauren Bohnen and Patrick Silva are seen intertwined in front of “Kamp Feltersnatch” at the Florida Sports Park during the Swamp Buggy Races. “I enjoy swamp buggy races because it's like having a whole weekend with extended family to relax, throw back some beers, and watch some good ol' racing!” Lauren Bohnen said to Lightner. “There were many beers involved so I don't remember the particular day.” #
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Spectators sit atop “Redneck Stadium,” the creation of Daniel Patrick Hoolihan IV, who defines rednecks as “people who would probably be having more fun than others.” He and his wife Dawn have been attending the races for 25 years. #
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Leonard Chesser’s orange, pro-modified two-wheel-drive “Dat’s Da One" outmuscles Tyler Johns’ V-8 super stock "Patriot" and the modified four-wheel drive buggy "Dat’s It," driven by Leonard’s 21-year-old daughter Amy. #
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