I know there's only three races remaining in our regular season. And I know that you might think that you're out of the points chase, or that East Texas is quite a drive, but wait 'till you see this place!  You should come race it just for the ride!

  I live in Lewisville, & couldn't decide on a really great route to take to Gilmer when I went out to the track inspection a few weeks ago, but I'll tell you how I went, & where it is, & I'll even show ya a map...you pick your own path.

  Anyway, the track is about 6 miles north of Gilmer Tx. on the east side of Hwy 155. There's a rest area there that you really can't see from the road. Only the standard Texas stats hwy dept. blue road sign. Turn into the rest area, and as you go up a little rise you'll see the gate in the back or the rest area that says "Barnwell Mountain" .  Now then. Don't go past the gate, and think you can turn around ( especially if you have a big rig ) and when you come back out don't turn to the left thinking you can get out that way, you can't...it's a dead end into the rest area, & you'll be stuck unable to turn your motorhome around.

 So. I went out I-30 on the way out in the morning, & came back I-20 that night, & the I-20 route is much faster, even though I live in north Dallas. So take I-20 east for a while 'till you get to Hwy 271.  You'll see Hwy 155 first, but it's kind of a small road, 271 is better. Head north towards Gilmer. In Gilmer head on into town, & be looking for the Golden Coral resturant on the right. Hwy 155 is the next light I think. Go to the right ( the only way you can go, if I recall ). After a couple of miles you'll have to cross abridge that's under construction, with only one lane getting through at a time, pay attention. A couple of miles farther it the entrance to the rest area, on the right.      See map.  Remember you can zoom in, and print,  or whatever to take yourself there. 

 I was VERY impressed with this track, & the riding area that it's on.  It's in the same part of the country as Alto, ( only more to the north ) and the terrain is kinda the same. With lots of ups & downs, and an off camber here & there for good measure.  Remember the big uphills at Alto? Same. Maybe a few more rocks in the soil than Alto, so use your skid plate. There seems to be a great mix of hills ( up, and down of course ), twisties ( though not too tight as to not be able to get fat guys like me through ) and some straights, that will let you breath in between the tighter areas. In fact, there's almost an equal mix of all. Like I said, you'll probably wanna make this race, even if you hadn't planned on it before. 

 The soil is mostly sandy, with some white powder sand, & lots of that red sand, with little rocks ( Iron ore pebbles ) in it. Almost exactly like Alto. Don't forget to pick up your e-score tag at the front gate for a twenty spot, if you don't already have one.

 For this one I'll just refer you to the web site of the actual riding area. Yes it's a regular riding area, and it's nice check it out at

http://www.texasmotorizedtrails.com/ohvareas/barnwell/index.html