Summit Point Raceway

     One of the great benefits of living in Western Maryland for a motorcycle enthusiast is West Virginia, well that is the great rural roads and one of my favorite places to kill an sunny afternoon, “Summit Point Raceway.”  Summit Point is really comprised of three race courses, the Summit Point Circuit, the Shenandoah Circuit, and the Jefferson Circuit.  The only two circuits that I have experience with are the Summit Point and Shenandoah courses, which are where the “Motorcycle Excitement Program” is held.  Motorcycle Excitement is a track day event held for novices, intermediates, and expert riders of sport bikes to practice at the track facilities.  It normally lasts two days and is a great way for riders of varying abilities to hone their skills or just have the fun of riding your motorcycle at high speed without the fear of losing their license.  FYI, if you intend to take part in the event remember your bike must pass a safety check, you must have the proper riding gear for racing, and it’s not exactly cheap with prices starting at around $200 and going up depending on your needs.
     For old farts like me, it’s just a great excuse to be around the racing experience without having to risk my old and slow healing bones out on the track.  Best of all admission is free for spectators and the atmosphere is relaxed.  Rider safety is the primary goal at these events and track officials who stay in constant contact with each other and the race coordinator are posted at frequent intervals along the course.  Ambulances and attendants are on hand in case of injury, which regrettably does happen from time to time, and racing is suspended if there is no ambulance available.
     The novice class is restricted to what they can and cannot do for safety’s sake and they are accompanied by one of the instructors while on the course who limits their speed and oversees their safety.  The intermediate class riders are given quite a bit more freedom with only minor restrictions placed on them, again to ensure their safety.  The expert class (where you get to see some pretty good riding) has very little restriction and many of these riders are there to practice for upcoming sanctioned races that they will be competing in.  There is also a very cool orientation lap where everyone even the non-participants are invited to be led through the course at a moderate speed (apparently the instructors consider 80 mph a moderate speed) to become familiar with the track.
     Summit point is also home to BSR incorporated which offers training for Police Forces, The US Military, United States Government Agencies, and over 40 foreign government law enforcement services.  The courses include anti-terrorism driving
techniques, accident avoidance, driver proficiency, and firearms instructions which all takes place on their 755 acre complex.  They even recently hosted the Dodge Corporation for a filming of a
commercial featuring Dodge’s new docile family sedan otherwise known as the “Hellcat.”
     Summit Point Raceway is located 7.7 miles from the heart of Charles Town, WV on Route 13 west, near the Village of Summit Point, and just 7.6 miles east of Clearbrook, Virginia which is located at exit 321 off Interstate 81.  If you like motorcycle or sports car racing then Summit Point is a great place for you to visit, they are easy to get to via  scenic rural back roads.  And who knows maybe you can learn to outdrive terrorists, avoid accidents, or fire an automatic weapon if you have the inclination.