BLACKFOOT — A fixture on South Broadway Street for the past four years, Metz R/C Raceway is now Metz R/C Raceway & Hobbies with the opening this Friday of a new hobby shop.

Dusten Metz, owner of Metz R/C Raceway & Hobbies, is hosting a grand opening celebration on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. at the new store, located at 875 S. Broadway St. in Blackfoot.

“It’s just a chance for everyone to come in and check it out,” he said. “We are going to have some raffles, free food, and just hang out and talk RC all night. We are also going to have open practice at the track during that, as long as the weather is nice.”

Metz comes from a racing family. His dad built Atomic Raceway in Atomic City in 2002, and the family all raced cars there until he sold it in 2014. Metz said he got into radio-controlled cars when he was just a kid after watching his dad and older brothers racing some upscale RC vehicles.

“I saved up and got my first RC, and it’s been my life ever since,” he said.

It wasn’t always his whole life. Metz actually raced full-sized vehicles as well. After all, it’s in his blood. His father, his brothers and even his uncles all raced cars. But there was a point a few years ago when Metz decided to focus solely on RC cars.

“A lot of guys who race cars will do that,” Metz said. “You still get that competitive race. You get the same thrills without the risk.”

It was in 2010, still a kid, when Metz went down to Utah to race his RC car for the first time, and he got hooked. He would eventually travel the Western U.S. to compete professionally racing RC cars. But he decided a few years ago to forego the circuit and settle down in Blackfoot. It wasn’t long after that that he opened the raceway at 890 S. Broadway St.

“There was nothing in this area for RC,” he said. “So I opened the tracks. We run a 1/10th scale dirt oval track, and we have a 1/8th off-road track for the off-road RC.”

The track is open for practice during the week at the rate of $5 per hour, and he also hosts a Friday night race, during which he will typically get 50 to 60 entries. He will also host some bigger races during the year and has between 120 and 140 entries for those events.

Because the raceway was getting so busy, Metz found himself also stocking some parts, especially wheels, for his track customers, so they didn’t have to leave if they needed a quick repair. As time passed, he realized the need was growing to the point that a complete shop might be a good idea.

“We have been working on the hobby shop for the past two months,” he said. “I just wanted better support for those using the tracks. I now have all the cars and parts needed for the dirt oval and off-road tracks.”

More than that, he is also stocking an ample supply for the more passive RC experience, for those who just want a radio-controlled car they can have fun with in their yard or at the park. Built for the needs of the RC race enthusiast, Metz’s hobby shop will also cater to those who just want to have fun.

Oh, and his new hobby shop will also add a third track to his offerings — a rock crawling track for those who enjoy the fun of the rock crawling RC vehicles.

“I am also running a special right now, if you buy any car, you get six hours of free practice on our tracks,” Metz said.

That’s a $30 value at his regular price. The grand opening is Friday at the new hobby shop, located at 875 S. Broadway St. The best way to keep track of what’s going on with the tracks and the shop are through his Facebook page, Metz R/C Raceway & Hobbies.