Nestled among the pines along a township dirt road is one of the best kept racing secrets around our area. Pine Hill Speedway located in Shippenville, PA is one of the nicest go-kart facilities that you might find. Nestled amongst the pine trees, Don Schimp owner of Pine Hill Speedway carved out the 1/4 mile track that is always smooth and has a beautiful blue groove to it. Run by the Schimp family, the track was closed last season due to some personal family problems. That did not stop those who had competed at the track in the past, from asking Don to reopen the track. After receiving 450 post cards and letters asking them to reopen the facility, the Schimp family will once again begin the 2004 racing season on April 24th. The track will run every other Saturday throughout the summer until September. Their awards banquet will finish the season, and folks let me tell you that I have attended this banquet and the food is all made by the Schimp family and friends and the prizes awarded to the competitors are nothing but first rate.
Some things that are unique about this track include the fact that it is a bring your own chair, blanket, cot, etc. place. There are no bleacher seats and that is okay, as there is not a bad seat in the house from your own chair. The place a wonderful concession stand with some of the best race track food around. They even have an ice cream machine that serves either cones or milkshakes. The track has their own fuel and they also make sure to tech qualified drivers in each division. Pine Hill Speedway is located off Exit 60, Interstate 80. Follow Route 66 North to Route 322. Take Route 322 west approximately 3-4 miles to Route 208 North. Once you are on Route 208 North, take the first road to the right, Allaman Road and follow that to Schimp Road. The track sits on the left side of the highway approximately 1-1/2 miles back Schimp Road. If you get a chance this summer, please check out the best kept secret in go-kart racing.
After taking part is a few mall shows and having the sun shine for more than a day, I am sure getting that racing fever. Mall shows are great and a terrific way to show off new sponsors, car colors, team members, etc., but there is nothing quite like racing. We are getting close to opening day in our local area with Lernerville Speedway possibly the first one to get open since Challenger has not been able to get their first race in the books. The new management at Lernerville Speedway have quite a full schedule on tap with two World of Outlaw Late Model shows, April 23rd and August 13th. Since they will be dropping the Modifieds from the schedule on April 23rd, they are hosting a twin 20 show for the Modifieds on July 9th. They also have two World of Outlaw Sprint Car shows on the schedule on May 25th and July 20th. There will also be two All Star Sprint specials, May 7th and September 3rd. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with the new promoters this season and they have a fantastic first year at the helm.
The BRP Modified Tour has something new happening this season. Lake Erie Speed Specialties, owned by Josh Skarzenski has come on board as the "Rookie of the Year" sponsor. Any one entering their first full season in a big block modified will be qualified for this award. The award winner will be chosen from the final point standings at the end of the Modified Tour season. S & W Auto Body will be back once again as the sponsor of the "Hard Charger Award". This award is given in memory of Eric Wolbert who lost his life in an automobile accident two years ago on December 5th. Dana Wolbert of S & W Auto Body wanted to keep his memory alive by sponsoring this award which will give the winner of the award, $500 cash. Ron Smoker was the winner for 2003. This award is calculated on the number of positions a driver passes in each point race. So if a driver starts 12th in the feature and wins, he gets 11 passing points for that race. The points are kept after each week and the winner will take home the cash prize.
The last column I talked about some drivers with different paint schemes. Well the one that has taken a lot of people by surprise is Ralph Spithaler. The familiar blue and yellow cars of Ralphie's have been changed to red and gold. Terry Bowser who has been a sponsor of Ralph's for several years will remain as a sponsor, but will also be pitting beside Ralph every weekend with his own brand new sprint car. This will be Terry's first attempt at racing and only the best equipment will be sitting under him. We wish him all the best with his racing career. Two modified drivers that have made some changes are Gary Risch, Sr., and Gary Risch, Jr. Gary Risch, Sr. purchased a new 2004X Bicknell from Josh Skarzenski over the winter and will use the familiar red and white paint scheme on his #8G. Gary Risch, Jr., has changed his paint scheme somewhat going with white and black this season on his #3G. Gary has already competed at Hagerstown Speedway, but some setup problems kept him from making the final show. Also, Gary will be having a new addition to his race team this season, as he and his wife are expecting a baby. Congratulations to the Risch's.
Did you ever wonder what happened to Brian Fink, driver of the #66F modified? Well, Brian sold his car to Richard Whitney who is competing in the Sportsman Modified division at Mercer Raceway Park. Brian purchased go-karts for both himself and his son Kyle and they have been having a lot of fun doing their racing together. Brian and Kyle plan on competing at Pine Hill Speedway this summer as well as at Blanket Hill Speedway. Anyone looking for a new Modified body should give Joe Crawford a call. Joe is now building modified bodies and will fix you up with anything that you might need throughout the summer. Give Joe a call at (814) 432-7295. Joe will also be running his #25 modified this season with the BRP Modified Tour, and at Tri City Speedway.
Before closing, I would like to invite all women involved in racing to summit their favorite race track recipe to me. I am going to compile a selection of recipes that you make to take to the track for your hungry crews and througout the summer I will be running them here and also in my column in Motorsports World. If you have something that you make to take the track that is irresistible and a big hit with the troops, please drop me a line with your recipe to Pam Baker at Baker@usachoice.net or you can mail them to me at 384 Hemlock Drive, Marble, PA 16334. The next column will feature a couple of mine that seem to top the Baker Racing charts. Until next time, be safe, be good and have fun................Pam
