The perpetual food and hotel thread for race tracks

[Keith Carter]

Sometimes when we get to the track late, the last thing we want to do is set up the grill in order to eat (especially when it's raining). Anyone have any phone numbers for good places to eat that will deliver to the various tracks? So far, I've only got two numbers of places that will deliver. I wanted to see if anyone else has a list of numbers they call when out at the track. Is this a weird post? Does everyone else just brown bag it to the track?
ORDER CALL: "My address? Um yeah, Mr. Pizza guy? We're at the 3rd black trailer on the right with a car that has funny wings and stuff on it."


====For Delivery To The Track=====

Blackhawk Farms
Palermo's Pizza: 1(815)623-2112
Poppa John's Pizza: 1(815) 389-7272


===== Restaurants =====

Blackhawk Farms
Rockton Inn
Avery's
Anna Maria's

Mid-Ohio
The Brown Derby Roadhouse (on Park)





===== Hotels =====

Barber Park
(Thanks to Mark H)
We stayed in Leeds, the exit just east of the Barber exit. It was a quick drive apx. 5 min. from the track, new and clean.
And there is an Inn at the Barber exit 1 min. from the track, but when we were there for the regional it was booked.


Limerock Raceway Park
Willows Motel in Amenia, NY. (845)-373-8090. Rooms are small but clean and the rates better than CT. It is approximately 11 miles from the track. Cash only

[mark defer]

wow, you could start a whole new resource on the site with a place for forum members to post suggested motels and eateries that are racer friendly.

mark d

[Keith Carter]

Yeah, when we were at the ICP seminar and looking for something to eat, we were kinda lost. So have at it guys. Put down your phone numbers and locations of hotels and restaurants located around the tracks as well. Make a note if they deliver or not.

[EYERACE]

Remember the Kenilworth in Sebring has a fourth floor they don't usually open. it's been done in a dire straight circumstance, no A/C and bring your rat repellant.

[Rob Klein]

Keith, while at Blackhawk if you want to travel into the mighty metropolis of Rocton, Avery's and Rocton Inn have great food and spirits. About 4 miles from the track. I'll look for more place that will deliver to the track tomarrow and post them.

Rob

[Racer Bill]

I'll second the vote on the Rockton Inn. Excellent food. Sorry you will have to drive.
It's worth it.
Bill

[Keith Carter]

What's the name of that biker bar looking place by Mid-Ohio? I remember it was Roadhouse or The Double Deuce. Something having to do with that movie.... I heard that was the place to be during the Runoffs.

[Rob Klein]

I second the vote for the Road House at Mid Ohio.

5 Stars and nice scenery.

Rob

Edit* 4 1/2 Stars, they sing Happy Birthday to much.

[formulasuper]

Just a little trivia about Buck's Roadhouse Grill at Mid Ohio.
At the 96 Runoffs, I think it was Thursday night, a large group of us F500 racers were the very last customers to leave Bucks. I believe we had the next day off, being scheduled to race on Saturday. I also remember one of the guys smoking a very large cigar in one of the booths after dinner.
The next morning as I was returning thru downtown on the way back to the track I came upon the block where Bucks was located only to find it burned to the ground in smoldering ashes with orange cones and police cars around the area. I always wondered if that large cigar ever made it into an ashtray!

[formulasuper]

Actually, I started out as a F440 racer way back 88 and won the SARRC championship in 95. Then converted it to the AMW 500cc (F500) and was the 96 SEDIV national points champion. They are alot like a racing cart on steroids! A great way to learn to drive. Some great drivers started in carts, I think!

[Drivers Services]

I believe you guys are talking about 2 different places. The Brown Derby Roadhouse on Park has the peanuts and has been the site of numerous fake "Birthday" pesentations as well as the annual Toyota reception. Bucks burnt down in 96, was little more than a tent in 97, moved across the street temporarily in 98 and now is housed under the game room of the go kart track and quite different than it was in 96.

Jim

[formulasuper]

Jim, Thanks for the update. I remember the tent in 97 but have been racing regionals down here since and have not been back.

[HazelNut]

the roadhouse is the bar/restuarant downeth road from mid-o. Food is pretty good waitresses are cute and you are supplied with and allowed to throw peanuts at your racing compatriots at other tables.

[Rick Iverson]

Fellas;

If you recall last year's Kettle Moraine billeting problems due to the PGA monkey business, my wife and I considered ourselves lucky to locate quarters in Fond du Lac. When we asked for the name of a good steak house, we were directed to "Sebastian’s". Superb in every respect. HUGE 12 oz. fillet, tatties, salad 2 wines for me, shrimp/pasta salad and 2 wines for Denise - $40.00 with tip. You won't be disappointed, but get there early.

Iverson

[fv31]

savannah-

the shell house out on the interstate, and cafe loco out on tybee island. both seafood. both good.


kershaw-

don't eat in kershaw. ever. not even slim jims. go to camden. when in camden, eat at Lucy's. right downtown in an old converted store. gourmet. very good.


VIR-

short sugar's BBQ in danville. on riverside drive. cheap and very good.



sebring-

yeah, i know it's a chain, but woody's BBQ on the bypass is good.


moroso-

don ramon's in west palm. 3 locations last time i was there. cuban. and it's good cuban too. personal choice is plantains, cuban sandwich.

daytona-

sonny's BBQ on speedway Blvd. a chain as well. good, inexpensive.

bill
fv31

[TimW]

Laguna Seca:


Forge in the Forest. There will be a wait most any race weekend. 5th & Junipero. 831/624-2233

One partner is an ex Carmel fireman and former tire guy for many CART teams.

[RoadHazard]

Quite close to the track is Tarpy's Roadhouse. Despite the name it's a pretty nice place; don't go in your torn blue jeans.

In the same location are some fast food places in case you *are* in your torn blue jeans.

About the same distance away but in the other direction is the Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Road. It's a noisy, boistrous, car-nut place.

Also terrific is Fandango's in Pacific Grove. Great food, lots of wine, and close to the ocean and downtown PG.

[Dave Hopple]

About the same distance away but in the other direction is the Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Road. It's a noisy, boistrous, car-nut place

I'll make the Baja my pick for Laguna Seca also!

BlackHawk:
Gun Club Restaurant, Beloit Wisc

Road America:
Schwarz's Supperclub, St.Anna Wisc
Ward's Supper Club, Elkhart Lake (Friday fish fry)

Mid-O:
Mike's Pizza
Mansfield "Steak and Shake"

Brainerd: (if we ever race there again)
Black Bear Lodge

-Dave

[Gregg Baker]

Daytona:

Racing's North Turn in Ponce Inlet, about 10 miles south of the track on A1A. Located at the north turn of the original beach course, and they have the photos to prove it.

[Ron B.]

Mid-O:
Mike's Pizza
Mansfield "Steak and Shake"

Thanks for the Mike's Pizza reference, Dave.......

[John Nesbitt]

Can listers offer any restaurant recommendations in the VIR/Danville area?

Thanks.

[Zink CF 61]

John,
We always try to make Mary's Dinner (1203 Piney Forest Rd., Danville, Va
US Highway 29 Business). The rib place (Shorty's or something like that) is also good. Had bad luck at the steak place. We also have been intending to try one of the places in Milville just to support the local business.

How about joining us Saturday evening? See you there.
Chuck

[R John Lye]

Its been over a year since I've been there, but there was a pretty good
Mexican place on the main drag in Danville - the name had something to
do with cactus...

John

[Purple Frog]

Mid-Ohio: I know its a chain, but a pro team recommended it. Olive Garden across from Wal-Mart in Ontario (just SW of Mansfield). I have been to a lot of Olive Gardens, this one did seem better.
I also noticed that DaveW was eating at a small Mexican restuarant in Lexington after the race. Special speed secret?

[John Nesbitt]

Any recommendations for hotels at M-O? We are looking for quiet (recently spent 4 sleepless nights at Stratford Inn for VIR - never again), convenient to track, and (preferably) on-site restaurant. Thanks for any pointers. Did I mention quiet?

[Scott Gesford]

I stayed at the Quality Inn a few weeks ago. It was about 10 minutes from the track. There were a few resturants within a 1/2 mile and more close. It was about 112 a night with all taxes. 419-886-7000 is the number.

[RoadHazard]

A fun place to go near Laguna Seca is Baja Cantina. It's about 20 minutes away but it's cluttered with automobilia and the drive is over a nice, twisty mountain road. Coincidentally, there's a photo of Baja Cantina on page 112 of the August 2005 issue of Road & Track.

Baja Cantina
7166 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA
(831) 625-2252

To get there, turn left out of Laguna's main gate (onto Highway 68 east).
Turn right onto Laurales Grade Road. Drive up and over the hill.
When your road dead-ends, turn right onto Carmel Valley Road.
Baja Cantina is a few miles ahead on your left, in a small strip mall. Cross street is Valley Greens Drive. If you pass the Quail Lodge golf course you've gone slightly too far. If you get to the ocean, you've gone about a mile too far!

[Mike Ahrens]

I stumbled on a place near Pocono recently called Hannah's Ugly Mug. The thread about posting your picture must have jogged my memory. It's on Main St. in the town of White Haven, a little west of the track. A better menu than you'd expect to find from the looks of the place from the outside...Ribs, steaks, seafood, cold beer.

[reisertracing]

Greetings,
Any suggestions on lodgings near RA. Plan to take Reynard and compete end of February.

Also my children will be going any places they can go to have fun? Besides waxing car and changing tires.
Has anybody been to the Andretti Go-Kart track and facility near there?
Saw the Andretti place advertised in the Atlanta visitors mags when I was in Atlanta last April.
Also anyone recommend a good Brazilian restaurant in the Atlanta area?

Thanks in advance

[RussMcB]

Great. We'll try to make sure you have a fun time. Can't promise good weather, but we can all cross our fingers. It has been cold & wet occasionally in the past.

I can't remember any brand names, but there a a few motels on highway 52 near I-985.

Andretti's is about 45 minutes from the track, IIRC. A good time can be had. It's a little expensive for me, but maybe not for everyone. It has a Fudpucker's hamburger restaurant, video games, etc.

There's isn't much to do at the track, unless you have a way to let your spectators travel to other parts of the track (ATV, car/truck). Other sections of the track are more interesting than the front straight for spectating.

Oh, I forgot. There's Jim Fitzgerald Memorial Park. There may be monkey bars there.

[Mark H]

http://www.evite.com/pages/venue/ven...LCPHD&mnr=true This IS the Brazillian restaurant to do if you want to go to uptown Atlanta, apx. 45 min from the track.
Now are you going to come down and play this time? We missed you at the ARRC???

If the weather holds out (60-65 deg.) we should have a nice weekend and this time of the year is when the track is the fastest too!!

Looking foward to racing with anouther Reynard, we could have 4 or 5 CFC's if everyone gets out and races!
Hope you can make it this time.

[Eric Cruz]

Hi Johnny,

We stayed here during the ARRC:

Country Inn & Suites
4535 OAKWOOD ROAD
OAKWOOD, GA 30566
(770) 535-8080

Very nice property, extremely nice people, Road Atlanta staff friend recommended it as best place to stay. Tell them you're racing at Road Atlanta and they should give you a discounted rate ($75 or so). Just be careful if you go to the Mexican place in the shopping center between there and the track....those pitchers of margaritas can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention!

Best regards,
Eric

[rickjohnson356]

if Mom & the Kids are coming with you, and there is an extra car, there are plenty of things to do around ATL. Depending on the age of the kids-Stone Mountain Park- largest granite outcrop in the world (Ayers rock is not granite) - has Civil War carvings & history center for battle of Atlanta, new aquarium in downtown ATL, art musem in same area etc etc. Chateau Elan-winery-near the track may have tours.

Lanier Raceway is across the track- 3/8 or 1/2 mile oval- good for Sat nite racing--don't know if they have races this early or not.

give us a little more info and we can point them in some more directions. Andretti speed lab is in Roswell. Kennesaw Mountain state park- another Civil War site is located north of Marietta on west side of ATL

[Purple Frog]

The wife likes Chateau Elan, I like the prices at Jameson Inn (Oakwood). February is still a bit early to see the great State Parks just to the north. The biggest attraction is usually the scene down on the lower skidpad where all the formula guys and one enormous tin-top try to paddock.

Camping at the track has some advantages. Driving after the worker's party could be illegal.

To understand some of the natives...remember...
"The War" they may refer to was actively fought in the 1860s, outcome yet to be determined.

[Westroc]

[size=2]Oh yeah- that Mexican place is great. Especially after a very hot Saturday. The Margaritis are excellent and the food is authentic, I think.[/size]

[reisertracing]

Greetings!

Any info on lodgings and eateries around Carolina MS Park for Feb 17,18,19, and Road Atlanta Feb 23-26?

Any suggestions appreciated. Need space/rooms for crew and children (1or2)
Cheers,
Johhny R.

[chuck cecil]

rooms for CMP colony inn 803-432-5508 in camden is where most stay. 15 mi from track. Cmp is in the middle of no where.

[Marshall Mauney]

Any info on lodgings and eateries around Carolina MS Park for Feb 17,18,19, and Road Atlanta Feb 23-26?

Whatever you do, DO NOT stay at the Executive Inn in Kershaw. This place is the worst roach-trap I've ever stayed in, and I travel a lot.

I have had good experiences at the Best Western in Lugoff - prices are decent, the rooms are large and you can get a regrigerator & microwave (you may have to ask for it).

[Joe911]

Ditto the Executive Inn in Camden SC. The room I was in was using the same towels and sheets they opened with. The carpet had a path worn from the bed to the bathroom.

[EYERACE]

thanks for the post Reisert...it made me think......try to make reservations today for the end of march event at CMP. wow. the colony inn said they were full, the fairfield inn said they were full, the best western said they were full......oops, i waited too long for an event over two months away.......then the colony called me back to say - we're not when we checked more closely, very nice of them....but now they've only got maybe one more room.