Itinerary: At the Races

The Hollywood Freeway is not the place to express your need for speed. There are drivers trying to merge into traffic, after all, not to mention those law enforcement guys on the big white motorcycles.

But if it’s racing you crave, there are plenty of ways to get it out of your system, from the genteel clubhouse where you can sip cocktails and bet on the horse races to the down-and-dirty world of off-road motorcycle races, to high-tech auto simulators.

Friday

Next time some BMW rides up your back bumper on the freeway, just lead him into the Irvine Spectrum (Alton Parkway exit off the Golden State (5) Freeway, or Irvine Center Drive exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway, where you can face off at the NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway.

A high-tech auto simulator puts you and 11 others on the Charlotte Motor Speedway in “cars” that are surrounded by video screens. They lean with turns and shake on impact, should you hit the wall--or a BMW driver (by accident, of course). A race costs $7.50, plus another $2.50 if you take a passenger, and lasts 10 laps--roughly six minutes.

Fuel up at the Speedway Cafe next door, a motor sport-themed restaurant. The walls are covered with memorabilia, and the menu is full of items like a “pit stop salad.” Seven actual race cars are in the restaurant, including a dragster hanging over the bar.

Afterward, zip over to Dave and Buster’s, ([949] 727-0555) where they’re stocked with three types of motorcycle simulators, including the Mann TT. Straddle the bike, twist the throttle and try your hand at the world-famous Isle of Mann race or something of the off-road motocross variety.

Saturday

Supercross got its start in Los Angeles 25 years ago when a rock concert promoter decided motocross could be a spectator sport. He just needed a stadium and a lot of dirt. That “Super Bowl of Motocross” in the Coliseum has turned into an enormous enterprise. Last year more than $1.7 million was paid out in race prize money, and 771,817 people came to see races in person--not to mention those who watch on ESPN2.

In short, Supercross is huge.

Round 5 of the American Motorcyclist Assn. U.S. Supercross Series comes to Edison International Field in Anaheim on Saturday. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. with first races at 7:30 p.m. Damon Huffman, 1997 world Supercross champion, and Jeff Emig, 1997 AMA champ in the 250cc category, will be among the competitors, so expect a sellout crowd. Tickets cost $10 to $100. Call (714) 634-2000.

Sunday

Not as modern, but just as popular, are the horse races at Santa Anita Park (285 W. Huntington Drive., Arcadia. $5 to $15. [626] 574-7223). Splurge for the $15 admission to the Turf Club, and maybe if you’re lucky picking the ponies you’ll win it back. Among the big races is the San Antonio Handicap, which carries a $300,000 purse and 12:30 p.m. post time Sunday. The headline horse is Malek, which won the race last year. And in the $200,000 La Canada Stakes, Manistique is the favorite after winning five of six previous races.

Even if you don’t cash in on a longshot bet, you can still drive a Ferrari. Sort of. At the Malibu Speed Zone (17871 Castleton St., off the 60 Freeway, Industry. [888] 6-MALIBU) they’ve got four scaled-down racetracks, including the Turbo Track, which has custom-made Ferrari-style cars.

They’ve also got a slick track where cars going about 20 mph slide through turns, a Grand Prix track for three-quarter-sized formula race cars, and the Top Eliminator track, which has six 300-horsepower dragsters.