Opinions on Perris?
 

How many of you have been to Perris Speedway in California? I'm thinking of going for the big races in November (Oval Nationals?)
Its a half mile, I got hooked on traditional sprint cars on bullrings.... so is the racing good on this bigger track?
Thanks in advance....

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Been there many times since I'm originally from SoCal; it's a first-class place. It's advertised as a half but Don Kazarian admitted a few years ago that you'd have to measure it around the top of the crash wall to arrive at that figure so it's more like 3/8; the racing's more like at Kokomo or Putnamville than a big, "real" 1/2 like Terre Haute. The track is wide, with sweeping banked turns and a good clay surface. It doesn't stay as heavy as Ascot once did but that may be more attributable to its' location in a desert climate, where Ascot was maybe a mile from the Pacific Ocean. The back stretch is elevated so the haulers in the infield don't obstruct your view and the sound system is one of the best around. Good concessions, big, clean restrooms, paved parking. Not much negative to say about it except maybe the noise ordinances in California make them muffle the cars so much that they don't sound like Sprint Cars do out here any more but I guess that's supposed to be a good thing. What? Did you say something? :31:

The PAS is a great track. It is on my top five of great facilities, and the racing was great also. I would recommend it.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

I was only there once many years ago, but the racing was great and the facilites are top notch. With the lower infield the sight lines are good from most all the seats.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

You pay to park.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

I never had a bad time there. Its California, so its not cheap, but I liked it.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Sounds good. Thanks everyone, probably going

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

I have attended almost all of the Bud Nats races for over 10 years and one of the spring races a few years ago. Sometimes it is excellent and sometimes it isn't. I have seen Hagen win a midget feature from last, but I have also seen more than one feature Saturday night feature won from the front row because the track was so dry and slick that passing was next to impossible. I believe at least some of that depends on the Santa Anna winds. Two or three years ago they were so strong that parents had to tie big rocks on their children to keep them from blowing away. It is so very, very hard to keep moisture in a track under those conditions. The year before it got up in the high 90s (a record). Other years it is cool. Whatever the final feature is, you will see some great racing during the three days, and perhaps some memorable non-racing action as well. I was there when the Modern Day Cowboy was dumped in turn 1 by the son of a famous racer, strode down the track looking for the kid, only to be jumped by the father on the main stretch. Memories like that, priceless. All joking aside, I would strongly encourage you to go. A couple of practical suggestions. 1. Get there as early as you can on practice day to tape down your blanket. 2. Take more money than you think you will need. That way you can try the world famous ($8) hot dogs. I think pit passes are $150 for the three days. Not sure what they cost for practice day. With the best of the midwest and west there the pit passes are certainly worth it.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by dirtnonwingfan:
I have attended almost all of the Bud Nats races for over 10 years and one of the spring races a few years ago. Sometimes it is excellent and sometimes it isn't. I have seen Hagen win a midget feature from last, but I have also seen more than one feature Saturday night feature won from the front row because the track was so dry and slick that passing was next to impossible. I believe at least some of that depends on the Santa Anna winds. Two or three years ago they were so strong that parents had to tie big rocks on their children to keep them from blowing away. It is so very, very hard to keep moisture in a track under those conditions. The year before it got up in the high 90s (a record). Other years it is cool. Whatever the final feature is, you will see some great racing during the three days, and perhaps some memorable non-racing action as well. I was there when the Modern Day Cowboy was dumped in turn 1 by the son of a famous racer, strode down the track looking for the kid, only to be jumped by the father on the main stretch. Memories like that, priceless. All joking aside, I would strongly encourage you to go. A couple of practical suggestions. 1. Get there as early as you can on practice day to tape down your blanket. 2. Take more money than you think you will need. That way you can try the world famous ($8) hot dogs. I think pit passes are $150 for the three days. Not sure what they cost for practice day. With the best of the midwest and west there the pit passes are certainly worth it.

What he said. See you there, my friend.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Also, don't forget to get as many In-n-Out burgers as you can while you are there.

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Originally Posted by Jonr:
Also, don't forget to get as many In-n-Out burgers as you can while you are there.

That will be the first place I go after leaving LAX!

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by oppweld:
That will be the first place I go after leaving LAX!

Bring me a sack of White Castle's and I will trade In N' Out's for them
:6:

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

It's a great track for non wing, and very nice facility.

True, parking and concessions are not cheap, and you are not allowed to bring in outside food or drinks.. Many tailgate before the races.

I think the track offers pretty fair ticket prices especially if you buy all 3 nights. I would think its the most competitive non wing race of the year with the best of Midwest meeting the best of the west (and few Norcal and AZ) racers... 3 days of 410 non wing at Perris

Although we hardly get rain, if in the rare chance we do, PAS will do all it can to get all the events in (which might mean two shows in one day or a Sunday Night race. I would stay an extra day and spend it in San Diego on Sunday (Just in case u bring the wet stuff out west ;) Whenever I go back East, i always fear rainouts with no make up date

Bottom line, if you got the time and $, its a no brainer and bucket list for all non wing fans. (But just remember traffic is a ***** around so cal and plan accordingly. If only attending races, Ontario is probably the best place to fly into.

the fun thing about multi night events, you make new friends with all the people sitting around you. Hope u can make it.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

We've flown out to SoCal for the Ovals at The PAS 3 times and Turkey Night once and we've never been disappointed. As has been said earlier, the facilities are second to none and the sound system is by far the best we've ever heard at a racetrack. The PAS also has the best PA race announcer in the business behind the microphone.

I'm sure the track periodically dries out but we've never seen that happen for the prelim nights nor the Saturday night finale' the 3 times we've gone to the Ovals. The one time we've been to Turkey Night (the year Kyle Larson won it) the track got dry slick and the cushion worked it's way all the way to the wall but the racing didn't seem to suffer as a result.

As also mentioned above and I will reiterate, there is a charge to park and concessions are pricey by small town Midwestern standards but one must realize this place is very near the 2nd largest metro area in the country and it is, after all, Southern California.

I would recommend going to the Ovals, the track setting, the facilities and the racing are all worth the effort and expense.

I would also add that if you're going to all 3 nights you might want to consider spending the hours before the racing begins at some of the winery's near Temcula and also the Old Town district of Temecula. In our opinion it is well worth the effort and Temecula is only about 1/2 hour from Perris.

Have fun!!!

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by Jonr:
Also, don't forget to get as many In-n-Out burgers as you can while you are there.

I had heard of In-And-Out burgers for years. I always thought that they couldn't be that much better than other chains. I wouldn't say that my first one was a revelation, but it was certainly really, really good! Their reputation is well-deserved.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Go at least once.

As a retirement gift to myself, I went in 2011 to the Oval Nationals. Marv was going to go with me but he had family obligations. So I went by myself riding the train to Riverside. Stayed in Moreno Valley.

I brought rain with me and the last day was a two show in one day event. The track is noticeably smaller than Terre Haute, but it was in good shape that year. It can get cold there, even in November.

First track I ever visited that sold wine. And had a no smoking section. Concessions were high but Ken Wagner warned me about that. I did go to In-and-Out once. It was okay.

Yes, if I can, I aim to go back someday.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

I never had a commercial hamburger as good as my home made ones till I tried Smashburger. Is that just a Colorado thing or is it elsewhere?
Come try one as well as other cool legal stuff... but fuhgetabout any sprint car racing....

We have smashburger in Springfield Illinois, in n out burgers are awesome but I think 5 guys burgers beat them all

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by dirtnonwingfan:
I have attended almost all of the Bud Nats races for over 10 years and one of the spring races a few years ago. Sometimes it is excellent and sometimes it isn't. I have seen Hagen win a midget feature from last, but I have also seen more than one feature Saturday night feature won from the front row because the track was so dry and slick that passing was next to impossible. I believe at least some of that depends on the Santa Anna winds. Two or three years ago they were so strong that parents had to tie big rocks on their children to keep them from blowing away. It is so very, very hard to keep moisture in a track under those conditions. The year before it got up in the high 90s (a record). Other years it is cool. Whatever the final feature is, you will see some great racing during the three days, and perhaps some memorable non-racing action as well. I was there when the Modern Day Cowboy was dumped in turn 1 by the son of a famous racer, strode down the track looking for the kid, only to be jumped by the father on the main stretch. Memories like that, priceless. All joking aside, I would strongly encourage you to go. A couple of practical suggestions. 1. Get there as early as you can on practice day to tape down your blanket. 2. Take more money than you think you will need. That way you can try the world famous ($8) hot dogs. I think pit passes are $150 for the three days. Not sure what they cost for practice day. With the best of the midwest and west there the pit passes are certainly worth it.

Tape down blanket? So does that mean no reserved seats? Are there seats backs, or is it advisable to bring a stadium chair?

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by oppweld:
That will be the first place I go after leaving LAX!

Get a double as the burgers are thin like everywhere else.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Tape down blanket? So does that mean no reserved seats? Are there seats backs, or is it advisable to bring a stadium chair?

Reserve seating is available for the Oval's in the form of a 3 day reserve pass. The reserve seating has seat backs.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Been there many many times always for the Ovals and Turkey night. Great sound system Great lighting Great concessions{expensive}Great racing Great track announcer What more could you want ?

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by ISF:
Reserve seating is available for the Oval's in the form of a 3 day reserve pass. The reserve seating has seat backs.

Thanks. From all the positive replies, I think I'm going...

Originally Posted by Scott Daloisio:
Bring me a sack of White Castle's and I will trade In N' Out's for them
:6:

There is something terribly wrong with this :42::

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by flatout:
There is something terribly wrong with this :42::

LOL! Kind of agree, but I grew up in Michigan and loved White Castles! Can get a fresh In N' Out within 5 minutes, but it is a couple thousand miles to get a fresh White Castle!

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Be advised, once a person reaches a certain age, (around 30 in my case) their digestive system can no longer withstand the explosive pressures generated by those lethal little "sliders".

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Major thread drift! But I guess my original question was answered, Perris is cool, I'm gonna try to go...
Have at it on hamburgers...
Know what I miss? Howard Johnson hot dogs & fried clams!

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Major thread drift! But I guess my original question was answered, Perris is cool, I'm gonna try to go...
Have at it on hamburgers...
Know what I miss? Howard Johnson hot dogs & fried clams!

No Ho Jo's out here in Cali, but there are some great fried clams at the beaches. As a kid, I loved those fried clams in the Ho Jo's in Michigan. Will trade some In N' Out for a bag of those, too!!! :5:

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Scott's allowed Rev; he's the PR guy at Perris and it's his dulcet tones you'll hear over the P.A. if you go.
A little too much steamed onion may adversely affect the vocal cords Scott; better think twice on the sliders. At least keep the consumption rate under a crate...

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Re: Hamburgers on the way to the Oval Nationals.
In-n-Out is OK at best. Five Guys will kick their ass all day long. Farmer Boys is only about a mile from the track and serves up a decent burger if you didn't have time to stop anywhere else. It's a lot cheaper than eating at the track.
But, if you're travelling through San Diego, the single greatest hamburger ever devised is found at Hodad's in Ocean Beach. Just head down Newport Avenue and look for the hungry people standing in line. Absolutely worth the drive and the wait. A behemoth of a burger that requires 5 napkins, minimum.
Honorable mention goes to Slater's 50/50, also in San Diego. Close to the airport, their burgers are made of 50% beef, 50% bacon. Expect to wait here also.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by CALandSurveyor8759:
Re: Hamburgers on the way to the Oval Nationals.
In-n-Out is OK at best. Five Guys will kick their ass all day long. Farmer Boys is only about a mile from the track and serves up a decent burger if you didn't have time to stop anywhere else. It's a lot cheaper than eating at the track.
But, if you're travelling through San Diego, the single greatest hamburger ever devised is found at Hodad's in Ocean Beach. Just head down Newport Avenue and look for the hungry people standing in line. Absolutely worth the drive and the wait. A behemoth of a burger that requires 5 napkins, minimum.
Honorable mention goes to Slater's 50/50, also in San Diego. Close to the airport, their burgers are made of 50% beef, 50% bacon. Expect to wait here also.

In reality, I only touch red meat a handful of times a year now. Have always wanted to try Hodads and Slaters and will someday. Everybody I know who goes to Hodads says the same thing. The best! By the way, there is now a Slaters in Rancho Cucamonga. About 20 minutes from the track.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

I am sorry that I took this thread on a major tangent. Who knew that we could talk as much about hamburgers as we do racing.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

What else is there to talk about? Well, I guess there is one other thing...
I'd forgotten about Farmer Boys; there aren't any in Ventura County, or weren't before I came out here. Truthfully, there are several good burger joints in SoCal, like Fatburger and Tommy's (the original) that may be better than In 'n' Out but haven't gotten the word out. The one thing In 'n' Out does have is a connection to racing that goes back to the OCIR dragstrip days, and that always rates high in my product loyalty scorecard.

Definitely have to stop at Pinks Hot Dogs in Hollywood if you are out site seeing.

Todd Kimmel

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by Scott Daloisio:
No Ho Jo's out here in Cali, but there are some great fried clams at the beaches. As a kid, I loved those fried clams in the Ho Jo's in Michigan. Will trade some In N' Out for a bag of those, too!!! :5:

No HoJo's restaurants anywhere, as far as I can tell.... just motels. Big loss

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by Jonr:
I am sorry that I took this thread on a major tangent. Who knew that we could talk as much about hamburgers as we do racing.

I've been told by certain Hoosiers that the best way to eat burgers is to get as close as you can to Turn 4 on a hot dry day, open the burger & eat it after B-Main....mmm, track & rubber dust are the BEST condiments! ;)

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

If you are out messing around and get around downtown Los Angeles, here are three non miss spots. All cheap, iconic and close to Union Station if you take the train in. Philippe's French Dips and Cielito Lindo are right across the street from Union Station. Philippes French Dips name lets you know what it is all about. Cielito Lindo looks kind of dumpy, but it has been there for more than 75-years and serves the best taquitos around and at three for $1.50, you cannot beat it. The Nickel Diner, which was on "Diner's, Drive In's and Dives," is less than a mile away and serves some great stuff. Both meals and incredible tasting, unique desserts.

Another place we like in L.A. is "Bottega Louie." Italian. Kind of pricey on some things, but the food is very, very good. And, they have a pastry portion area that you can just walk into and buy from that will amaze you. Try some of the macaroons.

In Hollywood, a place to find a lot of good food is the famous "Farmer's Market." Has been around for over 100-years and is built adjacent to where Gilmore Field was which was home to weekly Midget races in the 1940's and 50's until CBS brought the property and built their studios on it. There is actually a display at that shows some of the stuff from Gilmore Field including midget racing. Inside the "Farmer's Market" are a bunch of small restaurants of all different types. Mostly pay for the food and get it at the counter and then go sit down. Next to "Farmer's Market" is "The Grove." Lots of high end places there. Most nothing special, but stop by the little bar called, "The Whisper Lounge." Pricey for what you get, but great tasting food.

If you get down to the Santa Monica area, great food all around. Especially near the 3rd Street Prominade near the pier. All kinds of restaurants from fine dining to diner style places.

One cannot - and I mean cannot miss place - is a small donut shop in Westwood by the UCLA campus. It is named, "Stan's Donuts." Just go in and order a "Huell." It will hook you immediately. Get your exercise after as "Huell's" are incredible, but they are literally "calorie bombs."

If you like fish and get down to Orange County, there is a place in Newport Beach across the street from the ocean called the "Crab Cooker." Absolutely fantastic. Famous and has been there a long, long time. You never know who you may see there. However, the wait can be long. Good deal is, they have another location in Tustin that has the same great food, is bigger and never a wait yet.

Closer to the racetrack if you have a chance to be in Corona, try the "Silver Dollar Pancake House." Has been in the same location for more than 100-years. Nothing pretty to look at, but the food is awesome and they have customer friendly portions to say the least.

Another place to try that has been around for more than 70-years is "Delia's Grinders" on University Avenue in Riverside. It is only about 15 minutes from the track. One of the more famous places to eat in Riverside County. Best sandwiches around. The bread is just amazing.

Real close to the track (2 miles away) is one of our sponsors, "Harry's Diner." Good food with customer friendly portions and prices. After you get off the 215 on your way to the track, it is on your left side about a 1/2 mile down.

Best steaks in So Cal is at "Flemming's Prime Steak House." Flemmings is about 25 minutes from the track in Rancho Cucamonga. Pretty expensive.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Originally Posted by TKRacing:
Definitely have to stop at Pinks Hot Dogs in Hollywood if you are out site seeing.

Todd Kimmel

Pinks will be available at the Oval Nationals.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

One fun place to watch the sun go down and eat is Gladstone's on the beach in Malibu.

All this talk of food and racing in southern California makes me remember all the great places we would find when at Ascot.

One thing for sure, over the years I have received a lot of good restaurant advice on Indiana Open Wheel.
Especially when it comes to Breaded Tenderloin places in Indiana. Last one I had was about the size of a man hole cover.

Re: Opinions on Perris?
 

Thanks for all of these food suggestions guys. Making my first trip to Cali for the Oval Nationals so non-food chains will definitely be a must while out there.