USAC Racing Forum

General Chat => HPD Midgets => Topic started by: m.mcc on May 10, 2009, 09:16:42 PM



Title: Directions to Watsonville
Post by: m.mcc on May 10, 2009, 09:16:42 PM
A word of caution for first time travelers to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville this coming weekend:

Map Quest, Yahoo Maps, and other on-line mapping services will often suggest taking SR 152 from Gilroy over the mountains to Watsonville. This IS NOT the preferred route if you are towing. It's a steep and narrow mountain road and big rigs aren't allowed on it.

I recommend the following alternative routes:

1) If you are traveling on I-5, exit at Santa Nella onto SR 152 westbound. Exit 152 onto SR 156 following the signs to Hollister. Continue on 156 past Hollister and San Juan Bautista to Highway 101. Then bear right (north) on 101 toward San Jose. Take the next exit, SR 129, heading west to Watsonville. As you approach the outskirts of town the highway makes a broad sweeping left. Carlton Road intersects at this point. Follow Carlton as it zigzags through the strawberry fields back to SR 152 (East Lake Ave). Turn left on East Lake. The pit entrance to the speedway is less than ΒΌ mile on your right. The main entrance to the fairgrounds is only a few hundred yards further down the road.
2) If you are traveling on highway 101 (either north or south) you can exit at SR 129 and then follow the above directions to Carlton Road. If you are coming from the south on 101, you can exit in Salinas and follow 183 north through Castroville to Highway 1 and then into Watsonville.

Here's a link to a Google map so you can see what I'm talking about.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=watsonville,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.215051,79.101563&ie=UTF8&ll=36.915862,-121.651268&spn=0.187478,0.30899&z=12

I'm looking forward to a great weekend of dirt racin'. See you all on Friday.

Mike McCluney
USAC Western Developmental Series Coordinator
mike@usacracing.com


Title: Re: Directions to Watsonville
Post by: Brett Roa on May 12, 2009, 12:14:18 PM
Thanks Mike.

Hey Kevin, you need to give this guy a raise. He is doing a great job out here on the west coast. He is very open-minded and willing to discuss issues. It is also rumored that he is hosting a beer and pizza party at his place after Watsonville...just kidding everyone!

See you Friday.
Brett


Title: Re: Directions to Watsonville
Post by: KMS2683 on May 12, 2009, 02:42:18 PM
I second Brett's comments about Mike.  In fact, I have called Kevin to let him know how well Mike is doing.

On a somewhat related note, what gear would one recommend for Hanford?


Title: Re: Directions to Watsonville
Post by: m.mcc on May 13, 2009, 01:12:28 PM
Thanks for the kudos, guys. It's a nice way to start the day! I really do appreciate the kind words.

And likewise, I have a great deal of respect for all of you who put so darn much time, effort, and money into making the California and Utah Ford Focus series work. You are a great group of people to work with because you all seem to understand that we are in this together trying to achieve the same things. When we've disagreed, it's been with respect and an understanding of the Ronald Reagan principle that "we can disagree without being disagreeable". You are a great group, fun to be around, and I look forward to every single race.

Funny you should bring up the beer and pizza, Brett. Dave and I had actually talked about doing something along those lines. It would have been a lot of fun. Here's the problem, Pat and Gary are not coming up this weekend! Dave and I will be the only USAC officials at Watsonville and we've got 3 confirmed engine re-seals on top of everything else. We will have a couple of more people at Kings with the Midgets but we'll still be short staffed there as well AND I've got at least two re-seals scheduled there on Saturday morning. I may not even stay at home Friday night.

Coffee at Harris Ranch maybe?  :)

See ya' Friday

Mike