Keith Reimink owns and operates DALIBORKAfilms, a small Pittsburgh-based film production company. His most recent documentary idea is the story of Homewood resident Marty McDaniels whose hobby is building and racing remote control cars (RC racing),. Marty’s project earned a recent Awesome Pittsburgh $1,000 grant.

For the past several summers, Marty has been creating a “bashing” track -a backyard, homemade racing track built from found materials – on an abandoned lot near his home. Marty hopes to repudiate Homewood’s reputation for violence by turning his hobby into a racetrack where kids and adults can race in a place free from fear and intolerance.

Mr. McDaniels spends every spare dollar he earns on car parts, limestone dirt for the track, and tools to make repairs on his growing collection of cars. Marty will collaborate with DALIBORKAfilms to showcase his unique hobby. Together, Keith and Marty will visit existing RC tracks in the greater Western PA area, talk to promoting organizations, and research various RC cars, all while building  their own track in Homewood. The film will be shot and produced entirely in Pittsburgh, utilizing post production facilities in the city as well.

Marty believes that:

“The vision is big, but we have to start small. By creating a fun, positive, racing environment that is accessible to everyone, we can raise awareness for the sport of RC racing and the positive effects it can have on urban youth and adults. Many people want to race but there simply isn’t a place within the city limits.  My goal is community awareness and involvement by creating a Pittsburgh RC track that everyone can be proud of.”

The grant money will be used to clean up the lot, add some professional touches–such as installing professional track tubing and buying professional grade dirt to give the track a smooth surface–and investing in landscaping tools. Mr. Remink’s additional plans include collaboration with like-minded Pittsburgh organizations in an attempt to draw awareness to as many positive aspects of Pittsburgh as possible.

You can follow the progress of the film and/or find out how you can help with Marty’s project by contacting Keith through his website or Facebook page.