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Track
length: 9 Miles for the big course, & 1.2 miles
for the Pee-Wees.
I
wasn't able to actually go out to this place last week, as
I was called away on bussiness at 4 am last Sunday
morning. Bet, some info is here.
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| Directions |
The track is about 6 miles north of Gilmer Tx. on
the east side of Hwy 155. There's a rest area there that
you really can't see from the road. Only the standard
Texas stats hwy dept. blue road sign. Turn into the rest
area, and as you go up a little rise you'll see the gate
in the back of the rest area that says "Barnwell
Mountain" . Now then. Don't go past the gate,
and think you can turn around ( especially if you have a
big rig ) and when you come back out don't turn to the
left thinking you can get out that way, you can't...it's a
dead end into the rest area, & you'll be stuck, unable
to turn your motorhome around.
So take I-20 east for
a while 'till you get to Hwy 271. You'll see Hwy 155
first, but it's kind of a small road, 271 is better. Head
north towards Gilmer. In Gilmer head on into town, &
be looking for the Golden Coral restaurant on the right.
Hwy 155 is the next light I think. Go to the right ( the
only way you can go, if I recall ). After a couple of
miles you'll have to cross a bridge that's under
construction, with only one lane getting through at a
time, pay attention. A couple of miles farther it the
entrance to the rest area, on the
right. See map.
Remember you can zoom in, and print, or whatever to
take yourself there.
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| Description |
I
was VERY impressed with this track last year, and this
year they've removed one or two of the nastier hills,
lengthened the track just a tad, and added a little more
non race areas ( single file stuff ). It's in the same part of the country as Alto,
( only more to the north ) and the terrain is kinda the same. With
lots of ups & downs, and an off camber here &
there for good measure. Maybe a few more rocks in the soil than Alto,
so use your skid plate. There seems to be a great mix of
hills ( up, and down of course ), twisties ( though not
too tight as to not be able to get fat guys like me
through ) and some straights, that will let you breath in
between the tighter areas. In fact, there's almost an
equal mix of all. They have added some easier
sections ( jeep trails ) this year to accommodate the vast
numbers of racers. One of the promoters said that they
were taking measures to make sure that this wasn't a
"mud race". The soil is mostly sandy, with some white powder
sand, & lots of that red sand, with little rocks (
Iron ore pebbles ) in it. Almost exactly like Alto. Don't
forget to pick up your e-score tag at the front gate for a
twenty spot, if you don't already have one.
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| Camping |
As you pull in the gate we will have the
area directly in front of you about 1/2 mile in. We'll be
on top of a small mountain, & the view isn't bad. The
area seems flat enough for your big rig, though you gotta
get up a couple of small hills to make it to the race /
camp site. The have electricity, in boxes, lined up
like the old fashioned drive-in theater used to put up the
speaker boxes. And best of all is the on-site BBQ-Stand
operated by "Big Dave" Witt. I stopped &
talked with Dave for a few minutes, & his plans are to
not only operate the BBQ stand, but to also try to have a
'mobile stand' out of the back of his Kawasaki Mule, where
he'll be sellin' his sack lunch for around a five
spot. There's a fixed building there, where he hopes
to have a small covered eating area, and ice will be
available at the front gate. I wish the camping area had a
few more trees is all. |
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| Spectator
Rating |
There
are Jeep trails everywhere. While out on the track
inspection, I met with the track builders at several
locations indicating that they could get anywhere on the
track. So you should easily be able to go out & wave
your shirts over your head...er, I mean cheer for your
favorite racer. |
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| Hotels |
Gilmer
Inn 903.843.3033
Ramada Inn 903.843.6099 |
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| Hours of
Operation |
For
this one I'll just refer you to the web site of the actual
riding area. Yes it's a regular riding area, and it's nice
check it out at
http://www.texasmotorizedtrails.com/ohvareas/barnwell/index.html |
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