Some of you may remember my post a week ago called "story time". I hit the track for the first time ever and got in two runs. The first was ok and the second was a nightmare.

So I decided to go back to route 66 speedway in Joliet, Illinois and try for a better time yesterday. Now last week I found out it costs $35.00 to run test n tune. They charge $10 to get in the parking lot and another $25 at the tech. I got there at 6:30 P.M. and they closed at ten but the lines were so long that I only got two runs in.

So at $17.50 a run I felt I was ripped off. This time I was gonna get my moneys worth so I decided to use half a days vaction and leave work at 1 P.M. I pulled up to the gate at 1:15 and found the gate chained and the lot empty. I found a security guy at another gate who told me they don't open till 4 P.M.

So I wasted half a vacation day as I was forced to go home. Then my 3 year old would not let me leave without him which meant I could not go at all. Since they only have test n tune on Tuesday nights I have to wait a full week to try again.

I say that is B.S. $35 is too much. One night a week is too little and then they don't even open during the day. what about the folks that work nights? I say Route 66 raceway sucks but the next closest I know of is byron and that is a two hour drive. At 80 MPH It'll eat almost a full tank of gas to go there and back so it would cost me $25 just in traveling expenses.

Oh well, I had to vent a little as I am very disappointed and have 6 days to wait till I can try again.

 

And now to add insult to injury or pour salt in an open wound I just discovered via route 66 raceways websight that last night was the last test n tune for the year.

I guess my 6 day wait got pushed to 6 months

 

Yeah, $35 for test & tune is a bit high. And I thought Rockingham was too high at $25 ($10 to get in, $15 to run your car)

Most tracks only have T&T once a week. But then usually have a money race on the weekend, which gives you the chance to do a few time trials - essentially the same thing as T&T.

Most T&T nights are 4-5 hours. If they do 6 hrs. that's good.

I'm surprised they close quite this early in the year. But then again it might start snowing at any minute in your area Down here they usually go until the end of November and start up again in February.

As far as a 2 hr. drive, I used to drive 2 hrs. 15 min. one way to Rockingham almost every weekend. I guess it all depends on how bad you want to race If you decide to try the other track, find out if and when they'll be open before you go.

 

Route 66 raceway is one of the best tracks I have ever ran at!

$35.00 in my opion is a fair fee considering the facilitys you get to run at not to mention the fee will deter most unless they are really looking to test and are more serious about racing. Ever time I have ever ran there the track was hooking maybe consider the fact that the $35.00 helps cover exspense to just turn the power on the big place and prep the track.

I have also ran at $5.00 and $10.00 test and tune tracks and it really showed! Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon MI, they actually use a 1970 Nova to clear the dust and or dirt from the track and how they do it is by running the car don the track as fast they can a few times.

Compared to some of the tracks out there I wish I had a track of that stature and size with that much shut down to race at. The $35.00 would be worth every cent.

 

I suppose once a week is normal from what I see but twice a week has a much better ring to it. And eight hours would be a bit better then six.

As for price, I think $25 is fair but $35 is a bit steep. If you only run once a month during the season then it does not sound too bad. But if you ran once a week then it would cost you $140 a month. Seems just a bit steep to me. Why not charge the $10 to get in if you are not running but wave that fee for a $25 dollar one if you are?

Oh well, nothing I can do about that except not go as often as I would like. You can argue as some have that the facility is worth the extra $$ but closing the season in early September is cruel and unusal punishment.

I have lived in chicago all my life and I can tell you this about the weather. It's rare to see a white Christmas. Snow in October is extremly rare. Snow in November is highly unlikely. Snow in December is probable but not too much and usually does not stick to the ground. January & February are the big snow months.

I have never in my 34 years seen snow in September. If it happened it was a freak and light dusting that I can not recall. I checked Byron's IRHA track and they have T & T in september and October. They even say November if weather permits. This seems more in line with chicago weather. It just sucks major a$$ to have to drive 2 hours when a track is ten minutes away.

I like the facility but a big thumbs down to Rt. 66 raceway for there poor choice of season ending T & T date of September 16.

BTW even though I missed out last night, I find it funny that the weather was low eighties and humid for the last run of the season for T & T. Yeah guys, you beat the snow by a whole bunch but you also shutdown before any cooler temperatures hit. You know the ones that we actually want to race in.

Sorry for being so sarcastic. I'm still mad that I missed the last shot of the year.

 

$35 is real high, Moroso is $15 to race...and it used to be $10 a couple years ago.

One T&T a week kinda sucks too, we have T&T on Wed. and Fri. and the occasional Sat. (once a month).

 

KCIR does T&T twice a week and its 20 bucks to race, 10 to watch.
They have decent equipment but track prep is always hit or miss.
The low cost of running here has the strip way crowded on a good friday nite. Staging lanes can get 20 to 25 cars deep.

 

You'll have to forgive me Darren. I grew up around the Buffalo, NY area. Actually 70 miles South in Jamestown, which got even worse weather. I just assumed...well, never mind. Lets just say I've seen snow flakes in July and there was more than once we had to wear our snow boots to go Trick-or-treating

 

That's cool. I was just explaining why I felt it was unnecassary for rt 66 to close this early. I have some business associates in Rochester, NY and to hear them talk it seems you guys definately get harsher winters then we do.

Don't get me wrong, we do get hammered but not usually till January. I'd say our worst month is usually February. But September and October here would be perfect for drag racing. Cold but not snowing yet. I don't think I have ever seen snow on Holoween but we have had a few white thanksgivings.

But the bright side is you can snow mobile to the Buffalo Bills games They are looking pretty good this year so far too. But they got thier work cut out for them this week with the Dolphins



Time for a long drive to Byron I guess

 

$35 .....I guess the tracks I go to are bargains. Steele,Ala...$10 to run ....no tech
Dallas ,Ga....$10 to run....no tech to speak of
Commerce,Ga $15 to run....tech

 

Damn dude, ours was $6 and went up to $8 because of insurance.

People were complaining about the $2


The only things the don't prep the track at all on these nights

But on average I make 10-12 runs a night, I also pay an extra $50 for the year to run in the Pro Gas lanes (they go a lot faster)

Got tired of doing what you did

 

Darren, all the more reason to come to MI for the M8 event.
It's kind of wierd that they would close so soon. My home track in upper central MI is open for all of October.
Our local rates are:
Milan Wed and Fri. $20
Martin Wed and Fri $20
Stanton Wed and Fri $15
Irregardless of how good the track was I would feel bent over to have to pay $35 to T&T. Spoiled I guess.

 

When is the M8 event being held and at what track?

 

Wow, I wouldn't run more than a couple times a year at that price.

For comparison, Dragway 42 charges $10 to race $5 to spectate

I'm sure that there may be differences in track condition and other amenities but I like 42 cause the people that go there are usually cool and it's a nice hang out spot. Got swings and other jungle jim equipment for my kids and a nice small concession stand. You get a ton of runs in and there's hardly any problems ever.

 

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