With the wealth of knowledge to be found on GRM its always worth asking what people know. I'm settling in to a new job in the Hagerstown area and looking for anything you guys can tell me about the area. I'll be living up in Chambersburg, PA. What is there to do in the area? Where to go for a hike or go out to eat? What kind of car events can I find? Any local GRMers?
Thanks in advance!
I'm 12 miles east of Chambersburg. There are autocrosses in Harrisburg and Frederick. HPDE and racing at Summit Point, 1 hour away. The Appallacian Trail is 8 or 9 miles east and there are several State parks nearby. Asisde from the usual chain restaurants there are some good local places in Chambersburg, Hagerstown, Frederick and Gettysburg. There is also rallycross in Harrisburg. In addition, if your into circle track there are a number of dirt tracks nearby.
When are you moving ? There are also a number of GRMers in the area.
You aren’t far from two of the most significant battles of the Civil War, both fought in the north. I went to Gettysburg several years ago. Standing at both the northern lines and southern lines where Picketts charge took place was very sobering. I am supposed to have a relative that was present at the battle. My great great grandfather is supposed to have died at Antietam. .
I'm an organizer with http://www.capitaldrivingclub.com/ which will have some of the closest auto-x to you. ( We tend to be good folk, even smoke ribs at events) The lots close to you would be Frederick and Winchester
Carlisile isnt too far up 81 from you, if you are into car shows. http://www.carlisleevents.com/ (i suggest the import performance one, go early on Saturday)
Wife grew up in Frederick, theres good food and an awesome downtown there. I suggest JoJo's taphouse in Frederick. If you go up to Gettysburg, I suggest the Garryowen Irish Pub http://garryowenirishpub.net/
Mother In Law loves antique shopping up in chambersburg (if thats your thing...)
I used to live in Gaithersburg, but moved south of DC.
Hagerstown speedway is about the best thing in the city. The civil war history and a few friends are the only reason i go back.
RallyX! You're in a good spot to hit up three different "regions", Susquehanna Valley in Harrisburg, AHR in Cumberland, and WDCR in Catlett, VA.
I'm about 15 minutes southeast of you in Quincy.
AWSX1686 is local in Waynesboro.
Plenty of parkland for hiking / biking. Check out the Apandoned PA turnpike for a neat 12-miler including a 1.25 mile tunnel under Sideling Hill. VERY cool. Literally and figuratively.
Yup, I'm Waynesboro.
+1 on the Import and Performance event at Carlisle, I go every year.
There are quite a few autocrosses within 2 hours. I just went to a PCA autocross at a BWI parking lot, there are frequently some at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, and also the MBCA does one at James Wood High School in Winchester. I only made it to Carlisle and the PCA on this season, but I plan to do a lot more next season.
I'm about an hour north of C-burg in Harrisburg. Grew up in Carlisle.
Lots to do around here if you're into the wholesome thing. I like things a little edgier than central PA has to offer, but I have a good job, a great lady, and a cheap house, so that makes up for a lot of sins... or rather I should say it makes up for not having the opportunity to sin as much as I'd like. I'm more of an Austin/LA/New Orleans kind of guy.
Chambersburg has a lot of good dining. It's experiencing a bit of a reformative expansion, so much of the dining will be newer commercial/chain stuff, but good. Go a bit outside of town and you'll find a lot of good BBQ and Amish fare.
One thing you'll never run out of is places to fish, hike, explore, kayak, or hunt.
oh, and FYI - if you enjoy Mexican food, Montezuma's is quite good.
I'm in Carlisle, about a half hour up 81. Grew up here, went away for college, and then ended up back here more or less by accident. I like it well enough.
Definitely a good area if you're into the outdoors. Probably 10 miles east of you is Caledonia State Park and the southern end of Michaux State Forest. Tons of hiking, mountain biking, dirt roads, and ATV trails to explore. PA233 runs up through Michaux and is one of my favorite local drives. Further up my way there's Kings Gap state Park, which has a nice network of trails. Flat Rock trail, in Colonial denning State Forest on the opposite side of the valley is another one of my favorites, bit steeper and more strenuous with a fantastic view at the top.
I think others have covered the car culture well enough, definitely plenty to do within reasonable distance.
As Curtis mentions, Chambersburg has expanded quite a bit in the past few years and you'll be hard pressed to find a chain restaurant missing. I'm not terribly familiar with the local options there, but Gettysburg, Carlisle, and further on up towards Harrisburg I could recommend plenty of good eats.
Oh, forgot to mention the most important thing; Chambersburg has a Harbor Freight now 
If you're interested bin getting involved in rallycross, and don't mind FWD, we may need to talk.
I live in Frederick. CDC as mentioned runs Auto-X at Grove Stadium. Otherwise I go to Summit Point for my racing fix.
The biggest attractions in Frederick are the history and the food. No actual Revolutionary War battles but lots of related stuff in the area. Frederick was in the middle of numerous Civil War battles (including one just outside of the city) and was used as a hospital area numerous times (National Museum of Civil War Medicine is here).
Food is an even bigger attraction. The main street (Market Street) has ~5 blocks of restaurants on both sides. Any cuisine you might want, Frederick has at least 2 restaurants with it.
First off, thanks for all of the great suggestions! Once I get through the fun of moving (which is how I'm spending the next two weeks) I'll be itching to check out new things in the area and get the lay of the land. Compared to the North Western part of the state, its nice to have roads with curves so even a nice Sunday cruise on backroads will be fun again. Second, I can't seem to figure out how to do a post with multiple quotes, so I'm going to make a few different replies.
I see there is plenty of racing to do around here, autocross, track, and rallycross. Too bad I'm showing up at the wrong time of year - or do the rallycross guys continue to run into winter?
If anybody wants a hand working on their projects or just likes to hang out in the garage let me know!
Don49 said:I'm 12 miles east of Chambersburg. There are autocrosses in Harrisburg and Frederick. HPDE and racing at Summit Point, 1 hour away. The Appallacian Trail is 8 or 9 miles east and there are several State parks nearby. Asisde from the usual chain restaurants there are some good local places in Chambersburg, Hagerstown, Frederick and Gettysburg. There is also rallycross in Harrisburg. In addition, if your into circle track there are a number of dirt tracks nearby.
When are you moving ? There are also a number of GRMers in the area.
Don, what are the names of some local dirt tracks? A friend of mine is into dirt track racing, but I don't know where the tracks are. Same with the restaurants, can you give a couple names? I found all the good local ones back home and kept away from the chains as often as I could.
Apexcarver said:I'm an organizer with http://www.capitaldrivingclub.com/ which will have some of the closest auto-x to you. ( We tend to be good folk, even smoke ribs at events) The lots close to you would be Frederick and Winchester
Carlisile isnt too far up 81 from you, if you are into car shows. http://www.carlisleevents.com/ (i suggest the import performance one, go early on Saturday)
Wife grew up in Frederick, theres good food and an awesome downtown there. I suggest JoJo's taphouse in Frederick. If you go up to Gettysburg, I suggest the Garryowen Irish Pub http://garryowenirishpub.net/
Mother In Law loves antique shopping up in chambersburg (if thats your thing...)
I used to live in Gaithersburg, but moved south of DC.
What kind of lots do you guys run in Frederick and Winchester? Erie had a good autocross group, but we were stuck with only one place to run. It'll be nice to have some variety again.
I'll definitely make a trip to Carlisle now that I'm this close. I didn't know the import one would be the one to see though.
My parents live in Chambersburg. I bought a car from Sky_Render who lives in Hagerstown.
Volvo.
Nitro,
Trailways Speedway, Lincoln Speedway, Williams Grove Speedway, Susquehanna Speedway, Selinsgrove Speedway, Hagerstown Speedway.
The Orchards Restaurant, Roy Pitz Brewing Company, Mario's Italian Restaurant, Bistro 71.
Harry Grove is in Frederick, its CDC's smallest lot. While it is small and courses have to cross over themselves by necessity, we make up for it with a good social vibe.
Below is Winchester, this lot is larger, but not our largest. Again, good events.
Finally, if you are willing to take a good drive from your location, CDC's best lot, Waldorf...
All events have Smoked Porkchops and Ribs available...
Down DC way, you also have DCR SCCA at FedEx Field
Nitroracer said:I see there is plenty of racing to do around here, autocross, track, and rallycross. Too bad I'm showing up at the wrong time of year - or do the rallycross guys continue to run into winter?
I think AHR has a rallyx next weekend and I think it's the closest to you. You can find info on Facebook. Could just go by to check it out and say hello.
WDCR has the final event of the season in a few weeks, then next season starts up mid March.
Not sure about Susquehanna.
In reply to bluej :
I just hopped on motorsportsreg, and it appears AHR moved the rallycross to Somerset,PA this time.
We're getting enough Mason-Dixon area people that we should all meet sometime.
Carlisle, Chambersburg, Harrisburg, central MD, Lititz... We need to have a beverage or three.
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