The perpetual food and hotel thread for race tracks

[Steve Demeter]

Anyone know of hotels reasonably close that do not cost $90 and up ?

[dd46637]

Hotels are at a premium in July around the Lake shore area. Try the St.Joseph/Benton Harbor area 20 miles south.

[Phil Green]

You can also try the Holland area, about 20-30 miles north.

Expensive hotels in South Haven in the summer are part of the reason summer National races at Gingerman were always avoided. But, if you are willing to drive 20-30 minutes, it shouldn't be a problem.

[iamuwere]

Brainerd travel information?

There is precious little information about Brainerd in this section. Suggestions on lodging or travel?

Can you fly in to BRD or should you go through MSP?

Jim

[Purple Frog]

Just a few miles SE of the track on SR62 a highly recommended restuarant:

http://www.yanceyvillage.com/

Much better than wandering into all the neon in Danville.

[Christi's Inn, LLC]

We still have a four bedroom house and hotel rooms located 4 houses from Siebkens-- "downtown" Elkhart Lake available. We guarantee to be the least inexpensive in town.

Christi's Inn and House Rentals, LLC
www.christisinn.com
920-876-3346

[cgscgs]

Great food, reasonable prices, and they pour big drinks. Behind the McDonalds at Exit 165 of I-71.

[Rick Iverson]

Fellas;

So we're sitting on the deck overlooking the beautiful Ruth Lake, celebrating a glorious 4th with our favorite libations, when I was drawn to an article in bon appetite about the Franklin Barbecue, Austin TX. Here's their menue.

Although I have never been there, in anticipation of the F1 GP in Austin I thought I might post this. It can't be that bad if they open at 11:00am and run out very rapidly. Here's a customer's commment:

"Arrived at 10:45am, line SLOWLY started moving (and when I mean slow, I didn't get to the inside line till about 12:20pm. Oh, the "Sold Out" sign also went up at about 11:15am; they officially open doors at 11:00am. Greeted by Mr. Franklin himself, I order the brisket plate and he asked, "Would you like lean brisket or fatty mcfatty brisket?" I did half and half and let me tell you, it melted in my mouth like ice in your hand."

More reviews.

VR

Iverson

[Reddog]

WILLOWS BLACK BEAR

246 N Humboldt
Willows, CA 95988 | [SIZE=2]View Area Map[/SIZE]
(530) 934-3797
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 6:00am - 11:00pm

[SSR Engineering]

My brother and I was talk about this when we were traveling to a race track we had never been to before. Where is the best food near your home track, it could a bar and grill or restaurant, breakfast place you name it. Please put the track and what is good there and how far is it from the track.

[TimW]

Martini's on Main in Mansfield OH (yes, they serve food) http://www.martinisonmain.net/food

French Laundry near Sears Point http://www.martinisonmain.net/food factor in the price of a set of tires for dinner with your (small number of) crew into your weekends budget

Passion Fish (http://www.passionfish.net/) or Peppers (http://www.peppersmexicalicafe.com/) in Pacific Grove or Forge in the Forest (http://www.forgeintheforest.com/) in Carmel for Laguna Seca.

[Revs2-12k]

When at Roebling Road, myself (& plenty of others) recommend.

The Shell House - Savannah, GA
Website --> http://www.shellhousesav.com/

[T644HU05]

That's easy....7.49 miles from Firebird Int'l Raceway. My house. My wife knows how to cook it up! Lasagna, Steak, Chicken, Pasta dishes....

Hmmm...maybe that's why I have a "Monster Truck" body and and not a "F1" body.

Reservations required.

[TimH]

Drive past Firebird last Friday, looked like you could cook a steak on the track that day (and it was only 107, a cool July day there)

Yeah, that's why our season doesn't start until October.

There's a reputed 5-star restaurant at the casino across the road from FIR, but the menu looks very unappealing to me.

[Purple Frog]

VIR - Yancey House Restuarant, Yanceyville, NC
Roebling Road - The Pink House, Savannah GA
Cheddar's Casual Cafe, Pooler GA
Butch Kummer's favorite = Lovezzola's Pizza, Pooler GA
Watkins Glen - oh so many great choices!!!
Rand's favorite = Mr. Chicken
The Red Newt Bistro
Suzanne, Lodi NY
Seneca Lodge - just because
Blue Heron Cafe
The Stonecat Cafe
Veraisons at Glenora Winery
Road America - Swartz Supper Club, St. Anne WI
Siebkens Bar
Lake Street Cafe
NJMP - Winfields, Millville NJ
The Old Oar House, Millville NJ
The Drivers Club at the track
Road Atlanta - Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle GA
Mid-Ohio - Buck's, Lexington OH (Karts and Beer!)
Lime Rock Park - Woodlands, Lakeville CT
The Boat House, Lakeville CT
Wandering Moose, West Cornwell CT
The Falls Village Inn, Falls village CT
Heartland Park Topeka - Pats Pig BBQ, Pauline KS (DaveW's pick)
Barber Motorsports Park - Waffle House @ I20 & US411
Summit Point - Violino Ristorante Italino, Winchester VA
Mosport - haven't found anything yet

[starkejt]

Heartland Park Topeka - Pats Pig BBQ, Pauline KS

That one just torpedoed the credibility of your list.

[problemchild]

Jerlandos in downtown Watkins Glen is the best!

I have been going to Bucks for years, but based on last weeks visits, OK for lunch or a beer with buddies, but very limited menu and mediocre food.

[glenn cooper]

The last time I was at Mid O, R/O's in '05, I was dragged to Bucks.
Alas it was as hideous as I thought it would be - totally underwhelmed.
However there is an amazing place in Mansfield (?) called Rocky's Pub, which is basically fine diniing in the middle of middle 'Murica. It definitely does not look like much, especially upon initial entry to the establishment, but I tell ya they even got's real china! I teared up w/ the first spoonful of Lobster bisque...

Now as for my fave place in Sheboygan - ain't no way I'm telling what/where that is - I don't want any of you cretins stinking the place up!

PS Holy crap, Frog knows of a place in Social Circle, and I've lived here for 30+ years and never heard of it! GO Frog!!

[Tom Valet]

*EDIT* Ooops.

This is Dennis on my parents' computer, forgot to log out the old man!




Last time we were at Lime Rock and went to the Boat House, some guy on the front porch called us rednecks and white trash


We looked at him like:

[Beartrax]

At the last F2000/F1600 race at Lime Rock we went to The Black Goose Grill in Sharon, at the invitation of Mr. Rand. Good food and friendly waitresses. I even went back for breakfast the next morning.

[KevinFirlein]

Watkins Glen = Glen Motor Inn hands down.

[Purple Frog]

Need help with dining at Summit Point.
A few years ago the F2kCS staff went to a nice place downtown someplace. But, riding in the back seat, i draw a complete blank as to what or where it was.

Suggestions? (Not about the back seat, but good dining.)

[starkejt]

Excessive food consumption in the Summit Point/Winchester area is the one thing aside from maybe airplane engines where Schwietz is the expert. Ask him.

[KevinFirlein]

texas steak house or maybe its a texas road house right off the I81 exit for Winchester is a good place for steaks. You cant miss the place when you are at the end off the exit ramp. Leaving from the track its the second exit not the 1st for Winchester if getting on 81 from the usual route 7.

[Purple Frog]

Memory came back...

We ate at Violino Ristorante Italino on Indian Alley in downtown Winchester.

[wake74]

Speaking of memories - PF, from what I remember the food was very good at the Pink House in Savannah you recommended above. I don't remember too much about the food, too nervous about having to get down on one knee to propose to Alison in the park just outside the restaurant after dinner

[steve zemke]

Looking for recommendations for hotels/motels for the Runoffs. 30 minute drive is acceptable. Thanks in advance for your help.
Steve

[DanW]

Looking for recommendations for hotels/motels for the Runoffs. 30 minute drive is acceptable. Thanks in advance for your help.
Steve

Price range?

Laurel Inn is an independent motel in Salinas, right off 101. SCCA discount. Rates are $84/night for room with one king bed. I would call them direct with your reservation and let them know you are an SCCA member. About 20 minutes to the track. Black Bear Diner on property.

http://www.laurelinnmotel.com/home.htm

Lower than the above and the quality falls fast. At the upper end in Monterey and Carmel, the sky is the limit.

[steve zemke]

Thanks, will do. Steve.

[f500racer96]

Price range?

Laurel Inn is an independent motel in Salinas, right off 101. SCCA discount. Rates are $84/night for room with one king bed. I would call them direct with your reservation and let them know you are an SCCA member. About 20 minutes to the track. Black Bear Diner on property.

http://www.laurelinnmotel.com/home.htm

Lower than the above and the quality falls fast. At the upper end in Monterey and Carmel, the sky is the limit.

If anyone needs a room(s) for the Runoffs, I just canceled reservations for 5 rooms at Inns of California - Salinas 1215 De la Torre St Salinas, CA 93905. (831) 424-1741. The room rate was $90 per night. I made the original reservation through booking.com

[Fmracerbob]

A heads up for those who plan or hope to make the runoffs at Sonoma Raceway (that's Sears Point to us locals) keep in mind you can't make reservations too soon. With the firses many locals are scrambling for some place to stay, long term.

Not that many hotel rooms were lost but over 5000 homes has an effect with many rooms becoming long term. Plus the usual tourists for wine country. Airbnd is also allowing conversion to long term rental. An RV that can stay at the track is a very viable alternative.

[Steve Demeter]

Does any one know of a decent (think Travelodge) near MO that is not booked solid that weekend/

Have tried every place I would want to stay and a couple that I would not want to stay at of the ones that I am aware of.

[Steve Demeter]

shameless bump

[Dave Harmison]

Anyone want to recommend a good place to stay for Pitt Race in June?

The latest posting in the "Perpetual" thread was over 4 years ago.

The Ramada and Super 8 are super close, but I'd call them shabby.

Is Cranberry really the closest with good places? It seems that Beaver Falls might have some, but I'm not finding much.

[RA1713]

For the VRG race last year, we stayed at the Microtel in Beaver Falls. Nothing special but adequate and reasonably priced.

There is however, a good Italian restaurant across the street.

[Chris Livengood]

I live in Pittsburgh and head home each night (so I don't actually stay in hotels in the area), but the consensus seems to be that Cranberry is best place to go. Monaca is about a half hour from the track, and it has options too. I hear different things about the nearby hotels, the ratings seem to be extremely based on people's tolerance to hotel quality. As I recall, there is a hotel in Chippewa as well, might be worth a look.