The FIRM is currently the venue that holds our record for both longest and shortest name. Our events take place on their limestone skid pad, which makes this a fantastic venue for stock, street, and even lowered cars. Courses are usually more technical, with lots of opportunities to get sideways. The surface can be slick or grippy, depending on weather, and on dry days there is a lot of limestone dust.
Onsite Amenities
- Air Conditioned Bathroom and Portable Restrooms
- Water (hose) in the far corner of the paddock
Address and Directions
- From the north
- Try to avoid Gainesville. Traffic is bad and occasionally backs up onto the interstate
- FL 100 or US 301 through Starke are both reasonable options
- Do not speed in Waldo or Starke. Go exactly the speed limit.
- From the South
- Rich people take the Turnpike to I75. It is expensive with a trailer
- People without a trailer take FL 19 through the Ocala forest. It is a fast road in the morning and a slower road on the way home.
- If you take US 17 through Palatka, you can stop at the most crowded place on earth (Bucee’s). There is a great ice cream place in Palatka called Hoot Owl Farmhouse.
- Last Mile Instructions
- The “Keystone Heights Airport 42J” sign is the landmark for SE 82nd st.
- Take a left off of SE 82nd st onto the gravel slip at the GPS location.
- If the gate is closed, press the button on the black call box to phone the track. The person at the guard shack will remotely open the gate. Sometimes it takes a minute or two if a car is going through waivers. The gate has a proximity sensor and will not close on your car or trailer.
- Follow the gravel road around to the left and dodge all the potholes. Drive past the cool old planes, the RC flying club, and the brand new road to the left.
- Stop at the guard shack and sign paperwork for The FIRM
Additional Important Information:
- You will need to sign waivers twice, once at the guard shack, and a second time at the SCCA trailer. You will end up with two arm bands. Or more.
- If the paddock is busy, please park your trailer and tow vehicle to the trailer parking before the guard shack
- There are a few port-a-potties under the tree on the north west corner of the paddock. There is an indoor bathroom in the small building just north of paddock.
- Do not use a jack on asphalt unless you have a jack pad. There is concrete in front of the garages on the west side of paddock.
- The main road in and out of the venue is the escape road for track cars that have lost their brakes going into turn 1. They have the right of way. Look before crossing, do not loiter in this area.
- There is a cool Space Shuttle era NASA bus/building/decontamination area that you can go in to spectate the track. It is pretty cool.
Nearby Food
- Keystone Heights has normal fast food.
- Johnny’s Bar-BQ is ok
- I have never been to Orange Blossoms or Stone’s.
- Firepower Coffee Roaster has potential
- Starke has a historic downtown with options
- Gainesville has all the food you could want but is a bit of a drive – you will not be able to get there and back during lunch break.
Nearby Lodging
- Camping at The FIRM is not allowed. There is a KOA on the south end of town.
- The Best Western in Waldo is the closest hotel and is ok.
- Starke has several hotel options.
- Gainesville has a ton of options but is about 15 minutes further than Waldo or Starke.