Summit Point Questions ....

[McMahonRacing]

I know this is early, but have much (ie: haven't even fired the new motor in the chassis yet ) going on and would like to straighten a few things out before I get too far:

Will at track camping (ie: trailer) be allowed @ Summit Point ?
I know it says "Main Track", but which circuit is it actually .... Shenandoah, Jefferson or Summit Point ?
Fueling, any one know if it is as bad as NJ (ie: red cans, etc.) ?
Any route suggestions from those that have been before ?

Thanks Much
Pat

[dradernh]

Any route suggestions from those that have been before?

+1

Especially, routes to avoid (e.g., GW Bridge). To avoid major metro areas & parkways, I'm looking at the following route. Google Maps claims this route is 8 hours & 465 miles, starting at the Pike/290 interchange in Worcester. Anybody know if Harrisburg, PA is still a chokepoint?

[Chrispy]

I know it says "Main Track", but which circuit is it actually .... Shenandoah, Jefferson or Summit Point ?

Main = "Summit Point", i.e. also known as Summit Point Main.

Fueling, any one know if it is as bad as NJ (ie: red cans, etc.) ?

It's a self service state, there weren't any fueling restrictions that I noticed.

Any route suggestions from those that have been before ?

When we went last August we drove the 84 -> 684 -> 287 route, it was pretty good on the whole. Only downside is there aren't any highway service areas on 84 or 684 and especially on 684 it is quite hilly with small side roads and small towns with tight quarters, just have to be careful when driving a large rig. Traffic was generally ok on this route, there was some construction around the 684/287 interchange and some around Harrisburg but the delays were minimal.

Including a trailer blow out, lunch stop and traffic I think the total trip time was just under 10 hours. Driving back took even longer because if it wasn't raining it was pouring and visibility was minimal.

-Chris

[boltonite]

Summit Pt is very camper friendly, they have over 100 sites w/ elec hookups: you drive in and find a desirable spot, if you want electricity you go back to the front gate and give the guy $25 and he gives you a key to open the padlock for the AC box, on your way out you return the key+padlock and get back $15 (otherwise you just bought a $15 lock).

I always go I-84 to I-81, its an easy tow and I have been screwed too many times going the "shorter" routes.

[WillM]

As others have said, we're on the main track. "Summit Point". Some call it "Summit Point Main". Not Shenandoah, not the Jefferson circuit.

Summit Point ("main") is an awesomely fantastic track. Well worth the trip.

There is plenty of paddock space, camping areas too. There are not any garages there. There is a cafeteria that serves hot lunches and there are picnic tables outside under cover. OG Racing is headquartered there, they have been open for business every time I've been to Summit.

I do not believe there is gas available at the track, but there could be. I'm sure Sam will post about it. In any event, BYOG is not a problem.

For the record, "red cans only" at NJMP is a myth. Race jugs / gas cans of any color may be used, as long as the container is designed to hold gas. Words spoken directly to me by the chief of operations at NJMP.

[paultg]

There was gas available at the smaller Shenandoah circuit. My credit card was declined filling up on the way out for too many gas charges. Always a great way to confirm a good weekend track event!

[McMahonRacing]

NJMP --- at the track I am sure they are pretty good about things, however in town they can get pretty fussy .. some even tried painting their white race jugs red, finally they just borrowed my red ones for the remainder of the vent and the following NASA race.

Summit Point --- very good on the camping ought to save a couple bucks.

Thanks for the info .....

Now to get the car running again .....

[CP]

I did I84 to Scranton and then down through HBurg 4 years ago for my first SCCA school at SP and it took about 8 hours from Boston a 75-80mph. Not that it matters for COM, but I didn't like racing at SP due to no passing from T5 to the front straight. Maybe I wasn't just going fast enough...and had some shifting issues my first (and probably last) time there:

[WillM]

Cy, sounds like you had a bad first impression, I bet you'd really like it if you went back. When I ran a 12-hour SCCA enduro there, a lot of (most?) of the traffic and passing was between T5 - T9...and that was in the pouring rain...!

COM will have passing zones, at minimum:

T2 - T3
T3 - T4
T9 - T10
T10 - T1 (Front Straight)

Summit is not wide like WGI, and though I've never measured any of them, I'd say that Summit most reminds me of VIR, with touches of NJMP.

There are 3 points on the track that can be very intimidating: Exit of T3, entrance of T5, exit of T10.

[CP]

Correct Will. I didn't like trying to race there with limited passing zones on the back half of the track. Granted it was my first school and I wasn't all that good at setting up cars for a pass attempt back then, in the rain. For me, T4 was my pucker corner at that track. I think SP is a good HPDE track: some fast, scary corners and some slow corners with ample runoff room for catching errors. I've watched tons of in-car SM video and those guys like to play demolition derby down there.

I'm not trying to deter anyone from heading to Summit Point, just stating my impression of a track that I've been to once. The DC locals LOVE that track and race there 6-7 weekends (or more) per season.

[n1gzd]

Ok. I signed up! Now I have to finish up a lot of loose ends ASAP!! I might do a trial run with the trailer to autocross on Saturday (I have never hauled a car before and Summit is pretty far). I hope that we can form up some kind of convoy so that I can at least know that some of my friends are around if I run into trouble.

Rebecca

[6PAK72]

Go Rebecca!

If I manage to get the car together I may contact you for a convoy.

Miata is very sad right now.

[n1gzd]

What is wrong with it? Are you still in the middle of engine swap? I hope that you come.
Rebecca

[WillM]

Go Rebecca!

If I manage to get the car together I may contact you for a convoy.

Miata is very sad right now.

Jeff - Boo! What is up with that? You and Liz should (must?!) make the journey.

We're very likely to have endless track time for all participants. BRING GAS CANS.

[StephanAlfa]

I am signed up but never been there
Any hotel recommendations? What has been good and what has benn not-so-good?
Having also sold my SUV I now need to make new sleeping arrangements. I heard camping on the premises is OK but access to food nearby, how is it?