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

      While watching Tuscarora highlights on the net, I noticed an odd perspective of cars coming out of turn 4 and down the front chute. There is an opening in the wall coming out of turn 4. On Google maps this appears to be maybe a secondary route from the pits to the track? From the aerial view, it looks like a car could get thunked coming out of 4 and centrifugal force could make it go almost straight on into a concrete wall. Is that just an oprical illusion?

Not sure how old the aerial maps are on Google maps and IOS Apps, but the big opening in turn 4 is where cars leave the track surface.  Cars pit along the inside of the backstretch, go to the scales inside of turn 3, then exit the infield at the bottom of turn 4 and shoot straight up across the track out of turn 4.  The opening outside of turn 4 is offset that there is no danger.  (I know there will never be NO danger, but that opening is safe).

The opening you are referring to is a short chute where all cars enter the speedway.  Again, the opening is offset such that it is as safe as possible.  Only one time has a car got in there, and ironically, it was Lance Dewease.  He did go over if I remember correctly, but it's angled such and offset that it is as safe as can be.  Port Royal also put a layer of soft material over that short portion to assist if needed.  It is no way anything close to a NASCAR S.A.F.E.R. barrier but it does help cushion the blow somewhat should anyone get sucked in there.

I also would like to know why the home owners on 4th street do not offer roof top seating like Wrigley Field in Chicago? 

I definitely would have built a nice deck on one of them if I owned one! 

There used to be people sit over there. I believe the track gives or used to give them passes. There is not a lot of interest from those residents anymore. I could tell you why and it would be the truth but it would start a shitstorm on here so I won't.

I sat on one of those roofs many times. The veiw is not as great as what you'd think.

Yea and that was likely before the higher fence was put up.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall that years ago, those neighbors and others in the town attempted to shut the track down because of the noise and dust.  Wasn't an agreement made to charge a town tax of around $1 a ticket per person.  If so, the town is making out like a bandit in revenue to provide services to the residence.  At $1 a head X 30 events a year X an average of say 5,000 fans = great revenue for a town that size.

Strawser should buy one of those houses.

Neat little feature on Flo with Port Royal native Dylan Cisney. In it, he talks about growing up in one of those houses mentioned above. Worth watching. Very nice guy.

That was a great piece by Flo.   Dylan grew up in town and used to watch races out his bedroom window when he was a kid.    Last Saturday night some other kid got to look out their bedroom window and watch Dylan Cisney throwing slide jobs and eventually scoring a podium finish at the Tuscarora 50.     The video has a bunch of other cool and comical facts and details about the town, the shop, and the racer.   

Dylan is a typical blue collar PA sprint car driver.     He works construction during the week and races when he can.     

Good Luck racing against the pros Dylan !

Unless there is something in concrete , legal writing lets see what happens whe all those old time residents leave the town and its overun with the new me generation that doesnt want noise and dirt. I have seen it happen at Allentown Fairgrounds, to some extend Nazareth Speedway ( both 1/2 and 1 1/8 mile tracks} , they tried several times to reopen 1mile trace several times, town vetoed .Happened at Dorney park Speedway, area residents hated the noise and all the traffic so it became a log flume. Better get stuff in writing because fair boards and supporters change over time.

Speaking as someone who was born and raised in Port Royal, a block from the track, I can tell you this.  The residents on that street have changed numerous times over the years. Those houses aren't going to shut down the track, trust me on this.  I witnessed the worst years when the residents that were there fought really hard against the track. It's not anything like that now.  Port Royal benefits from the speedway being there.

That opening is where the cars enter the track from the pits. It would be hard to hit head on. Not impossable but hard to do.