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!

Dirt Track Auto Racing - How to Find A Dirt Track Near You

Ever been to a dirt track car race?  If not, you are missing out on lots of summer fun and excitement if you like to watch fast cars racing around unpredictable dirt tracks. 

We've been attending dirt track races for over six years now and are completely hooked.  This is a family friendly sport that draws in crowds of loyal fans year after year.  The best time of the year for dirt track auto racing is during the summer and the fall seasons.  Since the drivers roar around dirt clay tracks, the spring season can cause a bit of a problem.  When the dirt and clay gets wet, the tracks become much more dangerous and unpredictable.  That's why most tracks call off the race as soon as a sprinkle turns into a down pour.

First, you have to find a dirt track in your area.  That may be a bit harder then it seems, but most states have dirt tracks that are within an hour or two driving distance from where you live.  To find one, you simply go to Bing or Google and type in "dirt track racing (then put in the name of your city and state).  See what comes up.  If nothing, then expand the search to a larger city near you and do the same search over again or just use your state abbreviation, ie. dirt track racing Western PA, or dirt track auto racing Pennsylvania.  You will typically get your state and any close surrounding states.

Once you've found the dirt track, visit that track's website for detailed information.  You will typically find directions to their track, a racing schedule, information about who won or lost on their track recently, a brief history of the track itself, and maybe even a video or two showing you a bit about their place overall.

Here's just a sample video of what a dirt track race looks like on the track to wet your appetite.  The cars take one or two laps to line up correctly and then, they take off.  These are the Fastrak Late Models you are seeing in this video during a Feature race at Roaring Knob in Pennsylvania.  You can click on the video to enlarge it and watch it here or on You Tube. 

In our next blog, we will talk more about what you can expect when you go to your first dirt track auto race.