Roarning Knob Raceway expands tracks to include motocross racing
Despite the fact she and her husband own and operate Fayette County’s only speedway, Janet Merschat won’t let any of her family race. Not because she thinks it isn’t safe.
“I don’t want anyone to think that members of our family are being given an advantage or that things are rigged to give them a better starting position. I don’t want them to say that we can practice on the track all week long when other drivers can’t. I don’t want anyone to think family members get favoritism,’ she said.
Which is likely one reason why Jim and Janet Merschat’s Roaring Knob Raceway Park near Markleysburg draws professional drivers from all over the country.
But more important to drivers is the facility itself.
The hard-packed clay track for stock and other class cars is a three-eighths mile high-banked oval dug into a pocket of the Merschat’s 90-acre plot that overlooks three states.
The track sits a mile or more off Route 40 (The official address is 380 Fearer Road) in pasture and forest that whitetail deer freely roam when races aren’t in progress.
The facility features a full concession stand (“The food is great,’ Janet said), bleacher and blanket seating, sky boxes, reserved parking and a gift shop.
Recently, the raceway expanded its course to include a one-mile motocross raceway, a dirt track salted with hills and turns for motorcycles and four-wheelers. It features a concrete starting pad that can accommodate 40 riders at its gate.
“We have jumps on the track that are from 15 to 100 feet long,’ Jim Merschat said.
Classes will include Pee Wee’s bikes and quads, beginner classes and instruction, Mini 7-11 and 12-15 Schoolboy, A, B, C; 125 A, B, C; 250 Open Pro, 80cc, 65cc and 50cc, Quad 4-stroke A, B, C and utility and Quad 2-stroke, A, B, and C.
Billing Roaring Knob as “Fayette County’s best kept secret,’ Merschat started the raceway about four and a half years ago, first dedicating about 30 acres to the track, parking area, concession stands and other buildings necessary to running a speedway. It will cover about 50 acres with the new track.
“We started this because we felt there was a need for it. Somerset Speedway shut down and there were no tracks in our area,’ Jim said.
Crowds of 1,200 to 1,300 people on average agree.
“We used to have races on Sunday nights but then we switched to Saturday. We get people from all over. We get competitors from all over, too,’ some coming from as far south as Georgia and others coming from as near as Hopwood and Uniontown.
Teammates Jason Raines of Washington, a Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) number-one ranked biker, and Barry Hawk Jr. of Smithfield, who has won several quad GNCC competitions, both use the track for practice.
Races are held one night each week during the season, which begins in May and ends in September. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the track opens at 7 p.m. for “hot laps,’ a term describing warm up runs for racers. At 7:30 p.m. things get serious.
“The races go until about 11 to 11:30 p.m.,’ Janet said.
“We try to make each race a family affair. We always have something for the kids,’ for example, a special Gold Rush prior to races where pennies are tossed onto the track and kids scoop them up.
There is also a “Jr. Pit Crew’ for kids. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Several race divisions are held with local businesses serving as sponsors. Fayette Tire sponsors the late model division; Caney Valley Sport Shop and Marine, hot stocks; Vitalink and Qcol.net classic lites (dwarf cars), and Fort Necessity Garage, four-cylinders.
The new motocross track will be open twice a month at first. It has already drawn interest from outside.
“We will host the MAMA (Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Association) race June 22 and 23,’ Jim said.
“They approached us when they heard we had a track here,’ he added.
“Each race is like a family picnic,’ she added.
Family also operates other aspects of the facility. Tam Squib, a sister-in-law, takes care of the concession stand and its menu. The Merschat’s boys, Josh, 16, and Seth, 14, help on race nights and were instrumental in building the new track.
“We hire all local people. And Uniontown’s band helps. We have about 35 people on race nights,’ Janet said.
In addition, vendors attend the races, more when there is a national event held at the raceway.
“We also stress safety. We have an ambulance on site. We have firemen here. Everything needed to run safe races,’ Janet said.
Drivers are required to wear fire-resistant suits and so far, there have been two mishaps. One driver managed to go off the track by passing under a safety barrier.
“This is fun. I love stock car racing. I do the books, lawn care (with Seth’s assistance) and publicity,’ she said.
For schedules, race rules and other information, visit the Roaring Knob Web site at www.roaringknob.com or call 724-329-0306.