FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Rory428 on March 02, 2018, 02:39:43 PM
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Well I have the holiday time from work booked off from April 20th thru May 6th, so I am trying to make plans to attend the FE Reunion at Beaver Springs Dragstrip. Although I would love to either haul my Fairmont, or drive my 59 to the event, that is not realistic, at least for this years event. I live near Vancouver BC Canada, which according to a travel site, is "only" 2826 miles ONE WAY, or about 50 hours driving, each way. So I would be looking at taking a flight from either Vancouver or Seattle Wa, I am curious which Pa airport would be the best to arrive at. It looks like both the Williamsport and Harrisburg airports are about 50 miles from Beaver Springs, but not sure how large these airports are, or if maybe flying into Pittsburgh, which I assume is a major airport, and renting a car, to make the drive to Beaver Springs, which looks like a bit under 200 miles. Any thoughts? I have even looked at flying to Toronto Ontario, and renting a car, but that looks like about 7 1/2 hour drive each way. How about hotels/motels near the track? Since I will have a few days available before and after the races, any ideas for points of interest? Anybody know how far Detroit or Dearborn are from Pittsburg? I have always wanted to visit the Henry Ford Museum, and take a tour of the Ford assembly line, if they still offer them. How far is Beaver Springs from Altoona , or the G Force transmission shop? Any other cool Ford or drag racing related things I should consider? If my wife decided to come with me, how far from the Amish area, or other historical locations in central PA? Lots of details to look into in the next month and a half.
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Realistically, its about a 5 hour drive from the Pittsburgh International airport, not including rest stops.
At least a 8 hour drive to Detroit, ~470 miles. (From Beaver Springs to Detroit).
State College has a small airport, think its a little closer than Williamsport.
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Rory, it would be great to see you there. After my trip last year I think it is an event not to be missed!
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Jay, this event has been on my "Bucket List" since I first heard about it. I would really like to be able to bring my Fairmont and my 59 (when I get around to finishing it!) there someday, but logistcally, with the distance involved, thats a big commitment. I am sure there are several West Coast FE guys that would like to bring their cars to Beaver Springs, if we could come up with a plan to get 3,4,or 5 cars to Pennsylvania in a single rig, like those specialized classic car hauler companies. Even still, we are kinda spread out by hundreds of miles. But at least for this years event, I am currently looking at flights so I can at least show up as a spectator. There does not seem to be any direct flights from Vancouver to Pittsburgh, looks like a layover in Chicago is pretty common.
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If I get it finished I would let you drive mine. You are doubtless a better stick driver than I am - - pretty much everybody is...
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If I get it finished I would let you drive mine. You are doubtless a better stick driver than I am - - pretty much everybody is...
I once got my boot caught between the brake and clutch while driving a large torquey diesel.
So basically the brake was applied while in gear and the engine wouldn't stall, instead it just belched black smoke and shuddered for what seemed like hours, until I finally shut the engine off and unwedged my foot.
This was in a Walmart parking lot with a bunch of people watching and trying to figure out what the heck I was doing. (feel better?)
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I believe you can fly into Harrisburg Pa the state capitol and beaver springs is about 1 hour from there.
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Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY might be another possibility. Not a really well-known place but there might be options.
I would guess a 4 hour or a little less drive from Newburgh.
I go through Newburgh on 84 when I go.
Bill
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I would fly into Scranton Wilkes-Barre airport. You can get a flight almost any day to Detroit from there and see the Henry Ford. A little over an hour to Beaver​.
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Another thought Rory, Fly into Detroit rent a car, leave Thurs. morning for PA, travel the road through Mountain(slow curves, small Amish towns and end up in Beaver Springs past track into Selinsgrove for room and travel back same route Sunday and see more Amish out and about for church, and have Monday Tuesday in Detroit for Henry Ford Museum, Barrys shop, maybe even contact John Vermeesch for a tour of Total Performance! The trip has great views as I've made it 3 times now from a couple hrs. north of Detroit............Al
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You mention Altoona, so your probably thinking of Tony Branda's shop. The week before the FE Reunion is Spring Carlisle and I think Branda goes to that so you would want to check with Branda to see if he's around. Folks have mentioned to Branda about going to the FE Reunion. There are quite a few swap meets in MI, OH, and PA during those weeks.
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babybolt, yes, you are right about me being interested in going to Brandas, I recently recieved my first order from them, and was quite happy with how good they were to deal with. Looking at a map, it looks like if I fly into Pittsburgh, Altoona is almost right on the way to Beaver Springs. I have not yet made any airline reservations, so I have been considering several different airports to land at. Detroit looks intesresting, as I really would like to tour the Henry Ford Museum and the Rouge plant. If time allows, I might even consider a trip to North Carolina to tour Dennis Carpenter and Jerico. I do have 2 weeks, but not sure if I will be spending that whole time away from home, as the following weekend is our first Super Shifter race, and the Fairmonts been sitting inside the trailer since the last race in September. I appreciate all the suggestions, keep em coming!
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If you drop into Detroit I might make you drive the trailer on the way there - or back...
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I know the scenic way to Beaver.......lol. over the mountains and through the dale........doh!
Hope you can make the trip Rory.
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You could fly into Dulles International (probably more direct flights, maybe cheaper) and drive up Rt-15 which is
the straightest and most level drive to the Beaver. Plenty of neat stuff all over the area. Come a week early and you can see Spring Carlisle too.
Have fun,
Ron.
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Is there a level road in PA??? :o
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nope. even the track is up hill.
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nope. even the track is up hill.
I can vouch for that. Driving from Erie in the northwest corner I can safely state that there are only a few flat spots between there and Beaver. That's only because they blasted the mountain tops out of the way to make passable grades in some areas. The rest of the flat spots come from long flat bridges over swamps like on I-79 between Erie and Pittsburgh.
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nope. even the track is up hill.
Yes, if you don't have a line lok(for a stick car), you will roll out of the lights.............and into the car behind you...... :-[
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Any thoughts on motels or hotels somewhat close to the dragstrip? It seems Beaver Springs is quite small, so not likely many rooms available in BS. But not being at all familiar with the area, I certainly don`t want to book a room hours away.
I need to make travel arrangements soon, still not sure whether to land in Detroit , Pittsburgh, or ??? I am looking at arriving a few days before the FE race, so if I do land in Detroit, it would be nice to do the Ford plant and museum visits before heading to PA. What is typical weather like in central PA in late April, hopefully not too cold and wet.
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Pennsylvania is only reasonably level around the South towards Carlisle and Amish country. The weather can be anything. Last year was probably the nicest weather yet. Typically in the 60's temperature and a bit wet for April. End of April is really "pot luck".
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Any thoughts on motels or hotels somewhat close to the dragstrip? It seems Beaver Springs is quite small, so not likely many rooms available in BS. But not being at all familiar with the area, I certainly don`t want to book a room hours away...
I think it was Selinsgrove, PA. where we stayed last year.
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Drove over in a blizzard a few years back! Once I was over Snowshoe the weather cleared and was sunny. Not real warm though. Yes, last year was PERFECT!! We can hope for a repeat. If not, it is in the 40's and pretty stiff breeze to contend with off the mountain.
Now, the race has always been completed. Never rained out, yet. Just not real warm and comfortable most years.
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I've stayed on either side of the track, the first time over near Lewistown and the second time at Selinsgrove. As I recall distance to the track was pretty even as both hook up with 522, but I think the Lewistown approach was a lot more "entertaining" from a travel perspective. Selinsgrove is the best bet for hotel and access in my view.