First Time at Dirt Track tonight

Our young men’s ministry at church went to the local dirt track tonight in Amarillo. My boys are a few years away from being a part of it, but were able to join in the fun. Never been to a dirt track race in my life, and it was pretty darn awesome. Fan appreciation night, so at intermission we got to go on the track to check out the cars. My boys are 6 & 8, and really loved it. They’ve got a no alcohol section, which was even cooler. Just thought I’d share a new experience with my friends here.

 

Gone but not forgotten. So many circle tracks in SoCal. went the way of high button shoes. I LOVED seeing grass roots dirt track and later, pavement, racing at local venues.
My last visit to Ascot Park to see the sprint cars took place within the last year of their operations.
Lots of good memories of various venues from the olden days of SoCal. when property wasn't so valuable and the venue was far enough out of town the noise they generated wasn't an issue.

 

Yeah, on the way home my boys were asking why it was so far out of town, and were amazed how the dirt looked and somewhat felt like asphalt after the cars had been running on it. It certainly won’t be our last trip there.

 

Been years since I went to a dirt track race. They are totally awesome and I miss it. The last 20 years my work/living area has not been in places that have them close enough. Short paved tracks are just OK, but they generally don't produce as good a race as dirt.

HOWEVER... the last paved short track we frequented regularly (Anderson, IN) had figure-8 trailer races a couple time a year. Those were a hoot to watch! Well, assumimg you also enjoy demolition derbies (which I do).

On edit: If you ever get a chance, take the boys to an NHRA event (and make sure everyone has/wears hearing protection!) Fans can get pretty close to the action in the "garage" area while teams are tearing down/rebuilding between runs. I don't get too excited about straight line racing (even though 300+ mph in a 1/4 mile sprint is mind-boggling), and when the big boys run the engines are so loud you can literally feel it through your whole body, but the action in the garage is really cool to see.

 

I will say it certainly looked like the Sprint cars were doing well over 150....lol....but were just limited to 90.

 

Ah nice! The town I live in shut the dirt track down about 10 years ago and nobody is willing to inject capital back into it. We used to sneak into the gates with our race quads and run it sideways in 6th gear haha. Good times.

 

Demo derbies are a blast. I miss watching them in the small town I grew up in. Truck pulls, mud bogs no mufflers in site haha.

 

I could hear the cars run ever Friday and Saturday night all summer long from our house in Mesquite. Great fun and LOT of memories from that track!! Its a 1/2 mile round too. Haven't been in ages as we don't live close any longer! Wish the local 1/8 mile drag track would open back up!

 

My son in law started racing stock fours, this is his third season. He teaches automotive mechanics at the local votech. His students helped build a new car for this year and a couple are part of his pit crew, two races, two wins this year. Pretty fun stuff. We go most Friday's in the summer. Six year old grandson started racing carts last year.

 

Dirt tracks are so fun! We used to watch the sprint cars at Manazanita in Arizona, which sadly close probably a decade ago. I bet it left an impression on your little ones, it's a great sport to get into!