On any given Sunday at Knuckey Speedway in rural Illinois, you’re sure to find people of all ages lining up for a wacky race that often ends in a violent crash to end the excitement and carnage for the day. It’s become a bit of a legend at the 100-year-old track. What was once a small town event has now spread around the world through YouTube and Facebook.
The videos often feature cars going completely sideways with drivers hanging off rooftops or hanging off the tailgate of their trucks. It’s not entirely safe, but it’s such an iconic image: two cars flying off the road and into the woods in a beautiful explosion of color.
The legend of Knuckey Speedway lives on thanks to its unique format, which pits similar-sized cars against each other on a flat stretch of dirt track. This is in stark contrast to other racetracks, which often feature large, heavyweight vehicles that are perfect for crushing other cars.
Futurism Vs. Ageless Cool
The cars that take part in Knuckey Speedway aren’t your usual, everyday machines. Take the 2018 Camper Cannon, for instance. This is a radical departure from the traditional fast car, looking instead like something out of Mad Max – or perhaps even Batman v Superman. The sleek curves and muscular stance make it look like a thoroughly modern interpretation of classic cars from the ‘40s and ‘50s. It even has a cool LED light bar on the roof that projects its true nature like a beacon in the night.
This is one of many unique cars that took part in the one-of-a-kind race last year. There’s also the DeLorean from Back to the Future, which was parked in the same spot where the DeLorean is always parked – in front of the Ferris wheel. This year, the iconic time machine will be joined by its twin brother from the future, the Hoverboard.
The fact that these are some of the most recognizable vehicles in pop culture makes them perfect for Knuckey. People will flock to see what vintage car or motorbike is being driven, not to mention what strange new machines are taking part in this year’s edition.
Campers Aren’t Just For Vets Anymore
You might think that the only people who would camp out at a racetrack would be Vietnam War veterans or car enthusiasts. But the number of people who are using campers at racetracks around the country is on the rise. The cost of gas is creeping up, and people are looking for ways to save money while still having fun. Campers allow you to do that. After all, who needs an RV when you’ve got a 4WD tow vehicle and you can go off-road if the racecourse gets too congested on the road?
This trend was first spotted at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Ohio, where an all-camper race was added this year. The extra money from the campers allows tracks to add more activities, such as golf, tennis, and swimming pools. It also helps them stay open during the off-season, when normal race cars aren’t much use on a dirt track. Having something as flexible as a camper also means that tracks can move the venue around if necessary – like if it rains heavily on the day of a race and the track is flooded, they can simply move the event to another location. It also means they can stage activities at the grounds during the offseason, such as concerts and festivals.
But it’s not just about the money. It’s about the freedom. When you’ve got a camper, you’re free to go where you want, when you want. You don’t have to worry about parking or finding a place to stay overnight. The only requirement is to be back in time for the next day’s race session. This is attractive to people who love the freedom that motor camping offers. It’s no wonder why so many people are finding temporary home in a camper at the moment.
Campers Aren’t Just For Motorcycles Anymore
You might assume that it’s only motorcyclists who would want to camp out at a race track, but this isn’t the case either. Campers have become so popular that some tracks have added activities for people who want to camp out there. Take the New England Motorplex in Brockton, Massachusetts, for instance. This is the place where you’ll find the X-Games, and it features a “mountain” – which is actually just a huge pile of dirt that drivers climb while spinning their wheels. But they don’t just spin their wheels. They do all kinds of tricks too, like flipping upside-down while on two wheels and other dangerous stunts. For those who want to live on the edge, this is the place to be.
The fact that this is a motorsport venue doesn’t hurt either. It means that the riders are an important part of the history there, and the patrons want to see them perform. It’s like attending a concert and being able to see the band because they’re your favorite singers. It’s not often you get to see something like this, especially since the venue is also a museum, which houses the Max Bellingworth Memorial Art Gallery as well as the Richard Petty Motorsports Inc Museum. This is where you’ll find the cars and other mechanical marvels that belong to the late, great Richard Petty – founder of Richard Petty Motorsports Inc and owner of the Petty Enterprises race team. So in addition to seeing some awesome dirt bike stunts, you’ll be able to see the cars that made Petty’s career, which ultimately led to his death in 2018 at the age of 77.
It’s amazing how much a camper can save you on the road. Not only does it get you where you want to go, but it also takes care of the accommodation and transportation when you’re there. All you need to do is set up camp and hit the road. No worrying about parking or finding places to stay – everything will be taken care of by the camper. It’s an alternative lifestyle that provides plenty of thrills and spills, as well as giving you a memorable travel experience that you’ll never forget.