Roaring Knob Dirt Track in Pennsylvania - What You Will See On Your First Visit- Part Two

If you've read Part One of What's It Like at the Dirt Track, then this is a continuation of that post.  We gave you an overall picture of what it's like outside the entrance to the Roaring Knob Speedway dirt track, and now we are entering the actual oval track racing area where you will see all of the dirt track car racing action!

For Roaring Knob you need to have good knees to walk down the steep slopes to get to the stands.  There is a great concrete pathway that will get you there.  As you walk down, off to the left, you will see some of the cars and trucks that have paid to park inside the facility.  You will also see the actual oval dirt track to your left and probably hear the cars warming up their engines to prepare for the heat races.  As you walk down the concrete pathway, you will see kids playing in the grassy areas.  Immediately to your left you will see a brown cabin looking structure that houses the concession stand area and the race track announcers.  To the left of that are the stands where you will see the race fans.

If you keep walking straight down the hill, you will see the restrooms directly in front of your right side.  You will see another wooden structure up on the next hill and more cars and trucks parked in spaces inside the facility.  These are still the paid parking areas and they really do have great views. It's so much fun to park and stay with your family and still have all the supplies you need to get through the hours of dirt track racing.  It's especially great to have a place to put your kids when they fall asleep because racing can go on through midnight at times.

As you approach the bottom of the hill, you will take the path to the left to get to the stadium seating.  You may want to bring a cushion to sit on, or, you can bring your own chairs and sit where ever you see a grassy area.  As far as smoking goes, there are designated areas for non-smoking at least, so please check that out before you sit down.

Roaring Knob added a new feature for the kids.  They do have a mini race track.  At last glance, it was $5 to ride around the track for about 5 minutes.  The kids do seem to enjoy it.  Little kids shouldn't ride it though.  It can get rough in there.  They also had a race car simulator set up where you could pay and it's almost like riding on the dirt track.  It may or may not be a permanent fixture at the track.

More to come on Roaring Knob.  Hope the first two posts have given you a good overview of the Roaring Knob dirt track auto racing facility. 

What's It Like At The Dirt Track? Part One

Not so sure about how much fun dirt track auto racing is?  The only way to see what dirt track racing is really like is to actually go to the track and experience it first hand.  Prior to even knowing about dirt track auto racing, I had been to many dirt bike races.  It was fun to watch the various events, especially if you knew a rider or two.  However, when I met someone who told me about auto racing on a dirt oval track, it sounded interesting and I thought it would be fun to go. Until I actually went to a race, I had no idea just how much fun and intense it would be.

Fergus Falls, Minnesota I-94 Speedways CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO   Now, this is a nice looking dirt track with normal roads leading up to the parking areas.  Photo taken from their website, link provided.  This is what I would think going to a dirt track to watch a race would look like.  Not so for the ones I've been too. 

I-94 Speedway Fergus Falls Minnesota

OUR FIRST VISIT TO A DIRT TRACK - ROARING KNOB in Markleysburg, Pennsylvania

My first impression when we drove up to our first dirt track was - "Wow, we are out in the boonies!"  The dirt track was off the beaten path of any major road and the road leading to the track was filled with dirt, dust, and ruts.  I wasn't sure if our car was going to make it without getting a flat tire!  We drove very slowly and maneuvered through the grooves and ruts in the road until we saw a large, grassy field in front of us.  There were parked cars as far as the eye could see.  Our windshield and car were already covered in a fine layer of dust but we didn't dare turn on the wipers or we would have had a muddy mess.  The farther we drove though, the more the dust settled and the dirt road calmed down a bit.

Sun Setting at Roaring Knob

The cars were all parked in self-made rows in this large, grassy field.  You could see the oval dirt track off to the right of this particular location and hear drivers starting their engines even through the closed windows.  Once we parked, we followed people carrying blankets and coolers, chairs, and pushing stollers, to a main entrance where there was a wooden enclosure to purchase tickets to get in.  We saw many families, couples young and old, groups of friends with t-shirts bearing the likenesses of their favorite dirt track auto racer, young kids running through the grass, and cars driving through the main gates.

We learned that at this particular dirt track, Roaring Knob, you can pay to drive your car or truck inside the entrance and park you and your family and all of your stuff for about $20 for the night.  The normal entrance fee was around $10 for adults and kids 10 and under got in free.

 Stay tuned for part two!