HoseHeads.com | HoseHeads Classifieds | Racer's Auction
Home | Register | Contact | Verify Email | FAQ |
Blogs | Photo Gallery | Press Release | Results | HoseheadsClassifieds.com


Welcome Guest. Already registered? Please Login

 

Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead


Records per page
 
Topic: Williams Grove/Port Royal Advice Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
Page 1 of 3   of  51 replies
Stealth87
March 08, 2017 at 08:50:16 AM
Joined: 04/01/2012
Posts: 356
Reply

Hey everyone out in Posse land! Larryitis and myself will be making our first trip out to PA at the end of April for some racing. Neither of us have been out to PA before. We plan to hit the ASCoC shows at Williams Grove and Port Royal during our swing. The plan as of now is to fly to Philly (best priced plane tickets), and find something to do in the city that Thursday night (unless there is racing out there somewhere that we don't know about?), then hit Williams Grove Friday and Port Royal Saturday before heading back to WI to catch an IRA sprint car show Sunday evening. Any advice anyone can give us on things to see, things to do, places to eat, best places to sit and watch the races at either track etc etc etc would be greatly appreciated! We do plan to get pit passes at the Grove! Thanks in advance everyone!


Real race cars don't have fenders...


Robm20
March 08, 2017 at 09:01:44 AM
Joined: 09/26/2011
Posts: 106
Reply

make sure that you plan a trip to the eastern racing museum while your in the area ..... it isn't far from grove  The place is packed with racing history and is a worth while trip.



MidAtlanticMods
MyWebsite
March 08, 2017 at 09:13:45 AM
Joined: 10/26/2015
Posts: 17
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Stealth87 on March 08 2017 at 08:50:16 AM

Hey everyone out in Posse land! Larryitis and myself will be making our first trip out to PA at the end of April for some racing. Neither of us have been out to PA before. We plan to hit the ASCoC shows at Williams Grove and Port Royal during our swing. The plan as of now is to fly to Philly (best priced plane tickets), and find something to do in the city that Thursday night (unless there is racing out there somewhere that we don't know about?), then hit Williams Grove Friday and Port Royal Saturday before heading back to WI to catch an IRA sprint car show Sunday evening. Any advice anyone can give us on things to see, things to do, places to eat, best places to sit and watch the races at either track etc etc etc would be greatly appreciated! We do plan to get pit passes at the Grove! Thanks in advance everyone!



As for tracks running on Thursday -- I don't think anything will be running, but its possible that one of the micro sprint tracks could be running there are a few up that way. One thing this area lacks is tracks that race on Thursday -- I used to live in North Dakota and there was racing from Thurs. - Sun. every week. It was great!

 

Things to do:

The Hershey Bears might still be in the playoffs if you are into Hockey, if they are out or don't make it then Washington DC isn't too far of a drive the Caps are most likely still going to be playing. Also, The Phillies are playing at 1:00PM that Thursday in Philadelphia as well. I'm a sports guy so that is what I usually look at, but if you are not into that there is a ton of History and other stuff to do in Philly as well.

 

As far as the racing, at Williams Grove I always say the biggest thing is that most of the seats up top are reserved - I think the top several rows. If the weather is good they will probably be packed that weekend so if you do get there early get a seat as high up as you can on the front stretch (if you sit on the backstretch all of the haulers get in the way and you can't see the front stretch -- some people swear by sitting on the backstretch or in the infield and I can't figure out why. But to each their own!)

 

At Port there really is not a bad seat in the house, you can't really go wrong sitting anywhere. I love that place (even though I live super close to Lincoln and that is where I usually end up on Saturday's if I am watching Sprints). 

 

Places to eat -- I would say probably anywhere but at the track at Williams Grove. I usually stop at a place in Gettysburg when I'm on the way to WG but that is out of your way. Around the track I have not really tried any of the non-chain restaurants but I'm sure others on here can point you in the right direction there. At Port there are a lot of food options and the food is reasonably priced and good. 




BigRightRear
March 08, 2017 at 09:34:35 AM
Joined: 11/27/2004
Posts: 3751
Reply

Grove:

  • if you go to church...and like your racing experience to be like church - sit on the front stretch
  • if you go to bars...and like your racing experience to be like a bar - sit on the back stretch
  • if you like to meet race people who party...walk to the Beer Hill T Shirt Area during the Consi and ask for the Commissioner of Beer Hill
  • if you don't like hometown rivalry...cancel your trip

Port:

  • sit anywhere...you can see it all - walk toward toward turn four for general admission seats higher up
  • if you like racing and want to meet a great team of fellas who run  track - introduce yourslf as a visitor to the officials
  • if you don't like hometown rivalry...cancel your trip

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

MSPN
March 08, 2017 at 10:33:53 AM
Joined: 11/23/2004
Posts: 3943
Reply

Get hooked up in advance with BRR or the Beer House Gang, you won't go wrong there.  In front of the back Pit Gate generally on the left side you will find some hard core fans who love their racing and that would be a good stop as well, a few laughs and lots of good stories, do it!  Many of them haven't been to your area so you can likely swap a few tales and it will be much appreciated, enjoy.....



wolfie2985
March 08, 2017 at 11:56:09 AM
Joined: 07/29/2010
Posts: 759
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Robm20 on March 08 2017 at 09:01:44 AM

make sure that you plan a trip to the eastern racing museum while your in the area ..... it isn't far from grove  The place is packed with racing history and is a worth while trip.



Rob is absolutely correct. Do not leave without stopping at EMMR!




21maniac
March 08, 2017 at 12:27:56 PM
Joined: 04/03/2015
Posts: 66
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Stealth87 on March 08 2017 at 08:50:16 AM

Hey everyone out in Posse land! Larryitis and myself will be making our first trip out to PA at the end of April for some racing. Neither of us have been out to PA before. We plan to hit the ASCoC shows at Williams Grove and Port Royal during our swing. The plan as of now is to fly to Philly (best priced plane tickets), and find something to do in the city that Thursday night (unless there is racing out there somewhere that we don't know about?), then hit Williams Grove Friday and Port Royal Saturday before heading back to WI to catch an IRA sprint car show Sunday evening. Any advice anyone can give us on things to see, things to do, places to eat, best places to sit and watch the races at either track etc etc etc would be greatly appreciated! We do plan to get pit passes at the Grove! Thanks in advance everyone!



I agree that the food at Williams Grove could be better.  We have gone to T J Rockwell's American Grill and Tavern when in the area.  It is less than a mile from the treack.  The food at Port is better but we occassionally go to the Clubhouse which is right off the next exit north on 322.  As for seating I prefer the frontstretch at the Grove and anywhere at Port.  As perviously stated - get there early if you want good seats high up in the stands.  Gates typically open two hours before the racing starts.  If you like winding back country roads (for the most part) take 74 from the Grove to the Port Royal area.  Not much to do in the Port Royal area as it is mostly rural but quite scenic.  There are numerous hotels along 15 not too far from the Grove but very few hotel choices anywhere near Port Royal.         



turn4guy
March 08, 2017 at 05:52:03 PM
Joined: 04/23/2015
Posts: 881
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: BigRightRear on March 08 2017 at 09:34:35 AM

Grove:

  • if you go to church...and like your racing experience to be like church - sit on the front stretch
  • if you go to bars...and like your racing experience to be like a bar - sit on the back stretch
  • if you like to meet race people who party...walk to the Beer Hill T Shirt Area during the Consi and ask for the Commissioner of Beer Hill
  • if you don't like hometown rivalry...cancel your trip

Port:

  • sit anywhere...you can see it all - walk toward toward turn four for general admission seats higher up
  • if you like racing and want to meet a great team of fellas who run  track - introduce yourslf as a visitor to the officials
  • if you don't like hometown rivalry...cancel your trip


Those points about Williams Grove are spot on man. Lol good post. 



cheroger
March 08, 2017 at 08:39:12 PM
Joined: 11/30/2004
Posts: 1022
Reply

For daytime weekend events around the Harrisburg area?  If your into car parts and memorabilia swapmeets check out the world famous, both Carlisle Events and Hershy Events.  Almost every weekend they have something going on.  Years ago I attended the Chevy swap meet at Carlisle and needed another day to see everything.  And pretty good food vendors too. 

 

The one food item Williams Grove use to have was the fresh cut french fries that were out of this world.  I don't know if they still offer them or not.

Over in the Lancaster area the home cooked Amish restaurants are great, especially the Shoo-Fly pie.




Stealth87
March 09, 2017 at 09:25:01 AM
Joined: 04/01/2012
Posts: 356
Reply

Thanks for all the posts thus far guys! Definetely have some excellent info, and a few chuckles. We will be taking all the suggestions into consideration. It would be great to meet some of you fellow Hoseheaders while we are out there as well! Really REALLY looking forward to the trip with all the help and suggestions!

Also.... we LOVE hometown rivalry!


Real race cars don't have fenders...

longtimefan
March 09, 2017 at 10:29:25 AM
Joined: 12/02/2004
Posts: 846
Reply

Your first order of business should be to get the hell out of that cesspool in the Southeast corner of the state that you are flying into. Use the EMMR and Gettysburg for your history lessons. They will be much safer. Then enjoy the races.



rolldog
MyWebsite
March 09, 2017 at 10:30:27 AM
Joined: 08/01/2013
Posts: 431
Reply

And if you like cold refreshments at the track, be sure to stop at the ABC before going to WG as they don't have a liquor license.  I don't know about Port Royal but I was a visitor to WG a couple of years ago and was shocked to find no beer at the concession stand.




JCWRacing
MyWebsite
March 09, 2017 at 10:39:20 AM
Joined: 11/06/2013
Posts: 29
Reply

The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum in Hershey is a nice little stop you can make too.  There are alot of cool vehicles there to check out  http://www.aacamuseum.org/  Of course there is also Hershey itself.

There are not many attractions near Port Royal except the race track.

 



STP
March 09, 2017 at 10:47:30 AM
Joined: 11/14/2006
Posts: 36
Reply

Make sure you get to EMMR.  It is off Route 15 south heading towards Gettysburg on the left side about 10 minutes from the "Grove". As far as food, I usually stop at Brothers Resturant which is right near the exit for the track on 15 South if you are coming from PA Turnpike.  You will see it on your right from 15 just before the exit, when you exit make a right and it is right up the hill.  You might go to Gettysburg and visit the Parks Visitors Center if you have time and are a history buff.  Being you are from WI, lots of info on the "Iron Brigade" there.  As for eats at Port Royal.  there is na good Italian resturant just as you come into the area off of 322 on the right at the top of the hill.  Living in the Philadelphia area I love good Italian food, and this is one of the best resturants outside of Philly.  You also can get hogies (subs) and stuff like that if you do not want a full meal.  I plan to be at both tracks for those shows. Good luck



NYJJared
March 09, 2017 at 11:46:55 AM
Joined: 04/04/2013
Posts: 4
Reply

Even if you sit on the front stretch, I highly recommend walking around and checking out hot laps and time trials from a few different places to get the full experience. You can take the tunnel from the front stretch into the infield and watch hot laps from turn 1. Then after hot laps take the bridge across the backstretch. There are bleachers in turn 3 that give you a really cool perspective of the cars coming right at you before they pitch them into the corner. Bring goggles though.




fiXXXer
March 09, 2017 at 04:57:47 PM
Joined: 10/26/2014
Posts: 2475
Reply

I would recommend standing on the inside of turn 3 at Williams Grove during time trials. Watching them haul ass down that long back stretch and then tossing it into 3 will give you chills. It never gets old.



railfan33
March 09, 2017 at 06:45:48 PM
Joined: 07/24/2010
Posts: 637
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: fiXXXer on March 09 2017 at 04:57:47 PM

I would recommend standing on the inside of turn 3 at Williams Grove during time trials. Watching them haul ass down that long back stretch and then tossing it into 3 will give you chills. It never gets old.



+1 on the turn 3 suggestion. If you like seafood, there's a Bonefish Grill off 15 about 5 miles north of the Grove.



Johnny Utah
March 10, 2017 at 06:46:55 AM
Joined: 07/15/2014
Posts: 1221
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: rolldog on March 09 2017 at 10:30:27 AM

And if you like cold refreshments at the track, be sure to stop at the ABC before going to WG as they don't have a liquor license.  I don't know about Port Royal but I was a visitor to WG a couple of years ago and was shocked to find no beer at the concession stand.



Yup.  As long as your cooler is the proper size you always BYOB.  That's all I ever knew growing up.  Needless to say I was quite stuned when I rolled into a couple of tracks with my cooler, years later, and was told, "No outside alcohol." 

As far as Williams Grove goes, I almost always sit in turn 3.  Its a different perspective than just your traditional frontstretch viewing of 410's.  Great view of Dietrich juuuust barely missing the inside wall lap after lap on his way to a Natty Open victory.




redhanded
March 10, 2017 at 10:48:43 PM
Joined: 03/10/2017
Posts: 2
Reply

Since you will be in South Philly you  should enjoy a world famous cheese steak. Pat's is the best, Tony Lukes is good as well and has multiple locations so you dont have to travel into the city proper.

Also suggest the infield fence in turn 3 hot laps, but not the racing it has limted sight lines

Bring some of those fresh cheese curds with you, love them skweakers.



HoldenCaulfield
March 11, 2017 at 04:12:50 PM
Joined: 03/22/2008
Posts: 2434
Reply

Gotta sit at least 5-6 rows up at either track, Grove- to see over the haulers, Port- to see over all the fencing and handrails. Frontstretch view is better than back stretch at the Grove, but beer hill is a nice view too(but can get dusty). Enjoy your trip!


A



Post Reply
You must be logged in to Post a Message.
Not a member register Here.
Already registered? Please Login





If you have a website and would like to set up a forum here at HoseHeadForums.com
please contact us by using the contact link at the top of the page.

© 2024 HoseHeadForums.com Privacy Policy