Knoxville Camping

[Palos Pete]

Anyone have any suggestions for some camping for the September race. Coming from Chicago area in an rv. We have never been to track before so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[it"s a dirt thing]

Knoxville RV Campgrounds
1714 N. Lincoln St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3055
Website

3/4 mile north of track Full Facility 30 & 50 amp service - Individual sewer - pull-thrus

[MotoMatt]

A few items to consider on this one. There are several choices of campgrounds, the track has some right next to the private campground north of the track, either are a good choice. Also, there is a state park near Pella within 15 minutes of the track and it's a really nice one too. So, where to stay?

Are you planning on drinking?
Do you want to be right in town, walking distance to the track?
Do you want some peace and quiet?

If you are drinking, no brainer, stay at one of the sites in town so you can walk. The sheriff is out in force during races to take you to the county hotel, not worth it at all!

The other big one is serenity, if you want peace and quiet the only guaranteed spot is the state park, but then you have to drive out of town.

I have done it several ways, all led to a great time!

FYI, if you stay at the private grounds north of th etrack they like to pack you in like sardines, make sure you get a good spot for your rig that is not going to leave you looking at your neighbors poop-pipe all weekend. They will let you camp about anywhere you want but if you let them they will put you in a crappy site and not care.

[CRK]

Really enjoyed Marion County Park campground last year. Quiet and decent facilities. It's on the SW side of town. You could walk but it is a little bit of a hike. Throw a bike in and you will be good if you have a few beers.

[dirt33]

We also stayed at Marion County Park last year and really enjoyed it. Nice campground with gravel sites and plenty of good grass. Electricity and water at all sites, and sewer at most sites (the county park website has a list showing which sites have sewer). The park was not loud or overly rowdy by any means. I didn't use the restroom/shower building, but others in the group said it was clean and pretty nice. As mentioned above, it is just a bit too far to walk to the track, although it could be done if needed.

[Bubstr]

Been camping at the north campgrounds for 5 or so years. They run a shuttle to and from the track. Saves on parking and DUIs. Just reserved my usual spot about 3 weeks ago. Phone 641-842-5431. I have met some good people there. Some rowdy and some very reserved. A little noise from a after party, doesn't seem to disturb them much. I've been thinking about this trip and degrubbing the Fairbury dirt off my camper, while the weather was mild.

[Palos Pete]

Yes we will be drinking and a couple guys feel that any walking is to much so have to be close. So I suppose closer is better. guess I'll look into one of those

[37mod]

bring a golf cart or xuv for trips to and from track. I heard they are putting a trail from the track to the north campgrounds. Anyone know about this?

[formercrewguy]

"Yes we will be drinking and a couple guys feel that any walking is to much so have to be close. So I suppose closer is better. guess I'll look into one of those"


Hahahahahaha.... a couple guys feel that any walking is to much..............................smh.

[ILL-DIRTDOG]

"Yes we will be drinking and a couple guys feel that any walking is to much so have to be close. So I suppose closer is better. guess I'll look into one of those"


Hahahahahaha.... a couple guys feel that any walking is to much..............................smh.

They can stop by wallymart and get a couple them scooters with
the baskets to haul their beer in.

[Palos Pete]

One of them already has a golf cart but can't use anymore at most NASCAR tracks we go to. Went to Eldora two years ago and got hooked on dirt. Been trying to hit a great race somewhat close to to Chicagoland but SOL. Been mostly to Kankakee and maybe hitting Plymouth Indiana in October for the Woo sprints. Posted in Sprint forum about track and nothing. Any help is appreciated and ill buy the first beer at Knoxville . AMF

[Bubstr]

You guys will like the racing at Kville. I don't think, there is a bad seat in the stands. Fri night is a good night to hit Dingus after the races. Usually a few drivers and crew there. It's not as wild as it was in the 70s 80s but they have a good time. If you get bored during the day, TJ slideways and race go karts. I believe the pits are open till 3 pm each day, to see cars and drivers. Autograph session on Sat afternoon, in building behind stands. Hall of fame museum off turn two is worth seeing. If your using a golf cart, you need proof of insurance, a slow vehicle sign and a flag and register at the Cop Shop, to use city streets.

[vande07]

You guys will like the racing at Kville. I don't think, there is a bad seat in the stands. Fri night is a good night to hit Dingus after the races. Usually a few drivers and crew there. It's not as wild as it was in the 70s 80s but they have a good time. If you get bored during the day, TJ slideways and race go karts. I believe the pits are open till 3 pm each day, to see cars and drivers. Autograph session on Sat afternoon, in building behind stands. Hall of fame museum off turn two is worth seeing. If your using a golf cart, you need proof of insurance, a slow vehicle sign and a flag and register at the Cop Shop, to use city streets.

You don't have to register at the cop shop though. Golf Carts are legal with proof of insurance, slow vehicle sign and flag per Iowa Code.

However, you can't have more people on the cart than there are seats and if it came equipped with seatbelts you have to wear them (thank a local family for that one, divorced and one complained about the other having their 2 year old on the golf cart all the time. New ordinance clarifies that everyone must be in a seat on the cart (kids and adults can't ride on someone's lap) and no more people than there are seats).

[Bubstr]

You don't have to register at the cop shop though. Golf Carts are legal with proof of insurance, slow vehicle sign and flag per Iowa Code.

However, you can't have more people on the cart than there are seats and if it came equipped with seatbelts you have to wear them (thank a local family for that one, divorced and one complained about the other having their 2 year old on the golf cart all the time. New ordinance clarifies that everyone must be in a seat on the cart (kids and adults can't ride on someone's lap) and no more people than there are seats).

Thanks for clearing that up. Was that last years rules? Is there any truth to the path, from north campgrounds to track? That really sounds like a great idea.

[vande07]

Thanks for clearing that up. Was that last years rules? Is there any truth to the path, from north campgrounds to track? That really sounds like a great idea.

Only UTV's and ATV's have to register at the cop shop (they aren't covered under Iowa Code as road worthy, so they have to be inspected and you have to purchase a use permit from the city)

Not sure on the cart path, I didn't see one during the Sprint Nationals this year, but I never made my way out toward the North Campgrounds either. However, there were a lot less of them than in years past (a lot of people have figured out it's quicker to walk than it is to drive as you have to stay on the city street (can't drive on sidewalks or yards/public right of way), cannot drive down the state highway (Highway 14 runs north/south through town (just outside turns 1 and 2), you can only drive across it, you have to use the city streets on a golf cart) and with the amount of parking on the streets and traffic, the golf carts actually took longer than walking.

Also, state law prohibits use of golf carts on city streets after dusk, they can only be operated between dawn and dusk (only exceptions are those that are licensed as a motor vehicle (must have headlights, taillights, brake lights, and a license plate) -- only saw one or two of those during the Sprint Nationals. Too much traffic after the races, golf carts are sitting ducks when a truck is barreling down the road and not paying attention.

State Troopers generally write tickets for any and all infractions, the local city police and Sherriff's office usually will give you a warning (or explain the law to you), their only exception to that rule of thumb is DUI, if you are drinking, don't drive your golf cart or any type of motor vehicle, you will get arrested for that if you are above legal limit, and they usually will write an open container ticket if the driver of the cart is drinking but not above legal limit (as a parent, it worries me that anyone is driving any type of motor vehicle while driving, and since my daughter turns 16 just 2 weeks before this event, it doesn't hurt my feelings that the cops do this to those who are drinking and driving).

Having said that, I witnessed a city police officer stop a guy on a street who was walking with an open container and stated the following "You will have to pour that out sir, it' is illegal to have an open container on public right of way. If you had had it in a coozie, I wouldn't have noticed it." The guy started to argue but his buddies slapped him on the back of his head and said "pour it out". As the cop got in his car to drive away they turned to their buddy and said "didn't you hear him tell you that if you'd had a coozie on it he wouldn't have noticed, he probably would have just driven by us. Don't be stupid and get us in trouble." For the record, the other guys in the group all had beers in coozies in their hands and didn't have to pour them out.

The local police and Sherriff's Office had a total of 21 arrests the week of the Sprint Nationals (about 10 more than any other week during the year), and of those, 16 were locals or people who live in Marion County (DUI's were the majority). Out of 20,000 people here for the races (most from out of state), only 5 were doing something dumb enough to get arrested for (DUI I think they all were).