Lucas going to Port Royal

[Josh Bayko]

from the map it kinda looks like Florence speedway shape...what size is port royal?

True half mile.

[flash49]

It's bigger than Florence, and since recent updates, is a first-class facility.

[bighalfmile]

More upgrades are already started for the 2017 season.

[ironboss]

Williams Grove could have successful shows if they actually tried a little harder. The shows they do have are hardly promoted, have small purses, and are treated like a grocery getter class instead of a co-headlining main attraction. Back in the 80's and 90's, they always had the STARS series come in for 1 or 2 races every year as a double bill with the 410 sprints and they were awesome shows that are still talked about today. The Stacker2 series race didn't work as it was held on a rainy weekend in 2004 (scheduled for Sat against all the other area Super late model tracks ..rained out and ran sunday night). They had 3-4 Appalachian Speedweek shows that were good but were ran on a weekday and didn't draw a ton of fans. If they scheduled super lates and ran them on their normal Friday night show and paid at least equal to or more (if a sanctioned series race) what they pay the 410 sprint car class, the place would be packed.

[ironboss]

Lincoln Speedway (PA) is an awesome track for late model racing and needs to have a couple big shows. They did have the Outlaws in for a show in 2005 won by Tim Mccreadie and 2-3 of the early Appalachian Speedweek shows but nothing recently. Since they already run WOO Sprints, don't think it would be hard to get at least one WOO late model series race a year. Also, I would love to see a Lucas Oil series show there too!

[flash49]

The problem at Lincoln and Williams Grove is that the Sprint Car fans in large part are not interested in Super Late Models.

[ironboss]

I do agree that there are some "diehards" that only want Sprint Cars but I think the majority of today's fans just want more bang for their buck and enjoy both the super late models and sprint cars. Look at Lincoln Speedway back throughout the 70's and 80's, Hagerstowns Octoberfest, the World Finals at Charlotte, and the success of the shows that Lernerville, Selinsgrove and Port Royal put on every week. I think with a little effort it could work well. And I would think the national series would be all for coming in here and establishing a stronger presence in the Mid Atlantic area.

[PennDirt]

No surprise here. I posted a thread a few years back where Port Royal was the best track in Pa. and nothing has changed since. If anything, 'The Port' has gone full steam ahead to preserve the title.

I can't really throw shade at Lincoln or Williams Grove for being buggy snobs. It's just too multi-generational. It's how they pay the bills. However, Williams Grove has promised surprises for 2017. Maybe wait and see. Williams Grove has had a tough existence the last decade, at least by Williams Grove standards, not so much by most weekly track standards. But that said, WG is feeling the pressure of economic stagnation and a lessening crowd base.


WG cut back a 50-show schedule in 2015 to 35 events in '16. Central Pa. racing is pretty brutal. It's a very long season generally starting in February and ending late October. WG plans on trimming the 2017 schedule by a show or two, as well. And as a matter of perspective, Port looks stuffed to the gills, give WG the same crowd number and the place looks empty. The difference being how does WG staff for a night like that? It's the little things that can make a race profitable.

I'm just happy Port Royal is doing what they do. 7-8 years ago, I saw some of the most boring WooLM races in history there but the place was SRO and gave the track the extra income to make improvements that have paid off in spades. The track is fast and passing has become commonplace. What more could you want?

[06Tireman]

http://lucasdirt.com/home/1798-lucas...nical-bulletin And these rule changes just pretty much eliminated 3/4 of the locals that race weekly at Port.. Plus add the fact you need to buy their RR tires..

[GEAR_HEAD]

http://lucasdirt.com/home/1798-lucas...nical-bulletin And these rule changes just pretty much eliminated 3/4 of the locals that race weekly at Port.. Plus add the fact you need to buy their RR tires..

Any of the locals that don't enter because they can't afford to meet safety standards probably don't have a shot in hell of winning anyway. The good local teams will all still be there.

[06Tireman]

Thats the attitude to have.. gzzz

[GEAR_HEAD]

Thats the attitude to have.. gzzz

No, it's the truth. Anybody who skimps on safety in order to be able to afford to race obviously doesn't have the equipment to even have a chance of making the show, which means probably 2 less backmarkers will show up.

[manwplan]

No, it's the truth. Anybody who skimps on safety in order to be able to afford to race obviously doesn't have the equipment to even have a chance of making the show, which means probably 2 less backmarkers will show up.

You must be an idiot that sits in the stands, drinks his beer, and has no clue what it takes to operate a race team. Most of the rules are correct and not expensive however the seat rule is way out of line. SFI certification is not necessary to produce a safe seat and more than doubles the cost of the seat. Do you think a small team like Covert's is going to drop a few grand to get SFI approved seats when they have perfectly safe full containment seats sitting there? Understand what things cost and how things actually work before opening your mouth.

[GEAR_HEAD]

You must be an idiot that sits in the stands, drinks his beer, and has no clue what it takes to operate a race team. Most of the rules are correct and not expensive however the seat rule is way out of line. SFI certification is not necessary to produce a safe seat and more than doubles the cost of the seat. Do you think a small team like Covert's is going to drop a few grand to get SFI approved seats when they have perfectly safe full containment seats sitting there? Understand what things cost and how things actually work before opening your mouth.

Yes, they are. They're not going to skip all sanctioned shows so that they can skimp on safety. You should use common sense before opening your mouth.

[06Tireman]

Gotta remember.. EVERY race at Port Royal is considers a points race.. So if you want to do good in the points you have to show up to the race.. I would be surprised if they exclude the Lucas Oil race.. They haven't for any other..