On a visit to the Charlotte/Kannapolis/Concord area to visit all of the NASCAR Team…read moreGarages/Headquarters, Spire Motorsports was our fourth stop of day two, and our seventh team overall. We visited Spire this past summer, on a Friday afternoon in July. We were actually the only group in the facility during our visit. When we originally planned our route, we based the order off of location of the facilities/relation to others, and did not necessarily check specific hours for each team. We first arrived here around 12:30 PM, and the sign on the door stated they were only open until 12. Since there were no other groups there, and the sign indicated they were closed, we thought we were out of luck. However, the store and facility were unlocked and still open. Of course, happy that we got to go inside and look around, but something to note that they might close early on Fridays. Not sure if the hours were entirely incorrect on the door, or we just got lucky on this particular day. Spire is located on the corner of Mazeppa and Thunder Roads in Mooresville, among several other industrial-type buildings (in the old Kyle Busch Motorsports building). It is fairly easy to navigate to, and there is plenty of private parking around the building. It is not marked the best, as the only signage was a decal on the door. We even had to circle the building a few times to figure out exactly where to go. Just make sure that you have their new address in your GPS, as this team used to have its facility in Concord up until 2023 (we may have accidentally went there first!). Everything to see here is located on the floor in which you enter the building. This includes the trophies, historical items, viewing window into the garage, and the team store. The review is further broken down into categories below: Displays/Museums/Historical Items - 4/5 Rating They have a good number of cars and trucks that you can look at, and close enough where you can see inside. In fact, it is probably one of the most out of all the different teams we visited. Since Spire is a newer team, they do not have an excess of trophies, but there are some on display around the facility behind glass. There were also racing suits hung up around the perimeter. With there being so many cars and parts of cars, it was neat to get up close and really take good looks at all that was on display. Team Store - 3/5 Rating The team store is located in the back of the showroom, where all of the displays are. They did not have the most selection when comparing it to other teams, simply just because they are newer. Despite this, they had a great selection for a smaller team. The hat selection left some to be desired. There was only one Chili's item that was a t-shirt. There were 1:24 die casts, some smaller less expensive items, and some race-used bumpers for sale. It did not appear that there was a sale rack. The majority of the store was t-shirts, but overall it was not bad for a smaller, newer team. Garage Access - 2/5 Rating When you enter into the showroom, there is a large window on the right to look into the team garage. Though you are unable to physically enter the space, there was full visibility into the entire area. It would be a better fan experience to visit when the teams are not away for a race, as you will be able to actually see them working on the cars. As stated, we visited on a Friday afternoon going into a race weekend, so there was no one working on cars at the time of our visit. Overall Access - 3/5 Rating The overall access here at Spire is solid. Though you cannot go into the garage, there is full visibility through a large viewing window. Additionally, getting to see so many cars, parts of cars, and having the ability to look up close at them is something rather neat about Spire. Comparing this to other team's facilities, it is pretty standard access. Extras - 5/5 Rating The extras at Spire really blew us away, especially for a smaller team! Out of every garage, they had by far the most Hero Cards. They are on two magazine-type racks within the team store, but are free to take. There was a coffee machine in the team store that you could use, provided by one of their sponsors. Not sure if this is all the time, but during our visit there was a table full of stickers and activities for smaller children that were free of charge. Also loved the photo opps just outside of the team store! We enjoyed our visit to Spire Motorsports. Considering the ability to see into the garage, look at many different cars, and all of the extras available to the fans, this is one of the best smaller team facilities that we visited. It is not too overwhelming though, as a visit will likely run you 30-minutes to see and look at everything. For a younger team that is gaining popularity, they have a very positive fan experience. In the future, if they keep developing, they have the potential to have an elite fan experience.

On a visit to the Charlotte/Kannapolis/Concord area to visit all of the NASCAR Team…read moreGarages/Headquarters, Jr Motorsports was our third stop of day two, and our sixth team overall. We visited Jr Motorsports this past summer, on a Friday afternoon in July. It was not too crowded, but there were other groups looking around the place when we were there. The building is located in the back of an industrial park in Mooresville, and there is plenty of private parking located right near the front doors. The entrance is clearly marked where you will not miss it. Everything to see here is located on the floor in which you enter the building. This includes the historical items, viewing area for the garage, and the team store. The review is further broken down into categories below: Displays/Museums/Historical Items - 2/5 Rating In terms of access to the different items to look at here, they are all located within the team's garage. You are able to look at them in a small viewing area in one corner, but you cannot really browse them like you can at other racing team's headquarters. Most of what the display is includes flags from various race wins of the team. Other than that, there is not a lot to see regarding this category. If they were to improve this, they would likely have to add another area where fans can walk through and browse. Team Store - 5/5 Rating When you arrive at Jr Motorsports, the team store is the first area you enter, and the selection here is great. There are a variety of items, some of which we did not see at any other of the team stores. Plenty of variety in terms of t-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, and other novelty items. Additionally, there was a small sale rack. There were also die casts for sale in both 1:24 and 1:64 sizes. One aspect of the selection here that is favorable is that there are items that are less in terms of price. For example, they sell used lug nuts for less than $1, have a penny press machine, and sell smaller pieces of sheet metal for less than $20. This is a good team store to visit if you are looking for smaller trinkets that will not break the bank. There are some more expensive items, but there is still the option of the less expensive items as well. Garage Access - 4/5 Rating Located in the rear of the team store is the access into the garage. You are quite literally able to walk right onto the floor, within the confines of a viewing area that is clearly marked. It is neat to be able to see right into the floor and all that goes on in the space. Unfortunately, they do not permit photography in the garage area, so I have no pictures to include. There is also the option to take a tour of this space, and that can be purchased in the team store. We did not do the tour during this visit, but still enjoyed the "free" access that all are able to view. Overall Access - 3/5 Rating Overall, the access at Jr Motorsports is not bad. As stated, you are able to see right onto the floor of the team garage. You can gain additional access if you purchase a tour, but there is still not bad access if you choose not to do so. One of the Dirty Mo Media podcasting studio is located right off of the team store. We were able to see into it, and I have included a few photos of this area in my review. However, during our visit it seemed to be roped off from entering. Supposedly, at certain times this is open to look in and get closer, but it was not during our visit. Extras - 4/5 Rating Being able to get pieces of the cars in the form of the lug nuts and smaller pieces of sheet metal is something unique to Jr Motorsports. It allows for all kinds of fans to take home real pieces of the races without completely emptying their wallets. Beyond this, and what was already outlined throughout this review, there is not much else extra going on here. To our knowledge, there were no Hero Cards for the taking here, either. There are several aspects of Jr Motorsports that make it unique, especially compared to other racing teams. The access to the garage, and the first-hand look into one of the Dirty Mo Media podcasting studios are included in that. Along with the ability to take home pieces of the cars for not that much money, this is an interesting stop to make on the tour of all of the team garages. This team is also a quicker stop, as it should take no more than 30 minutes to see everything there is to offer (unless you are taking a tour!). The fan experience at Jr Motorsports is a positive one overall.

Some places are simply bucket list items. They just are. The JR Motorsports shop is one such place…read morefor me. I had the opportunity to take a tour recently. My mom and I arrived about a half hour early for our scheduled tour. We took that time to check out the gift shop and get checked in for the tour. By 11:00, it began with about 12 of us going into the Dirty Mo studio where Dale Earnhardt Jr. films his podcast. Having watched the show on TV, that was very cool. He has so much interesting memorabilia in there. This is where the most pictures were taken as pictures are not allowed on the shop floor where we headed next. In the shop, we saw cars in all phases of a build. From rear end to chasis. From body to vinyl wrap. Fascinating to see the work that goes into these cars which will soon be racing around tracks all over the country and ridiculous speeds with a very real possibility of coming back in pieces. The hard work begins all over again. Towards the end of the tour something wholly unexpected and shocking happened. Dale Jr. walked in! The man himself. It almost looked like we surprised him as much as he surprised us. But he came over to the group, asked where we were all from and was gracious enough to take some pictures with everyone. OMGoodness, did that really just happen? If you are a NASCAR fan in general, you should come here for a tour. You'll appreciate it more if you are a fan of the team, though. Regardless of your team allegience, you'll see some cool cars, hear a bit of the technical side of what goes into building those cars and pay nothing for it. Unless, of course, you choose to buy some souvenirs. Let's be honest, of course you will. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect to see Dale Jr. From what we were told that is exceedingly rare. This was a one off unplanned chance meeting that those of us on this specific tour were lucky enough to experience. And I thought the Dirty Mo Studio was surreal.

We were supposed to be in Phoenix this week, but given the state of our country right now, that…read morewasn't possible. When we heard the Outlaws would be in Charlotte, we decided to hit that up and get some much needed time away. Describing our experience in one word - HORRIBLE! The dust was so bad that you couldn't see anything. We thought maybe after Friday night, they would do something to make things better for Saturday. No such luck. It was worse, and it was hard to get worse than Friday. The dust was so bad that you couldn't see the person standing beside you. You couldn't see one car on the track. As a matter of fact, you couldn't even see the race on the big screens either because the dust drowned out the lens on the camera....all you could see were shadows and dust. Absolutely the worst place I've ever been to watch a dirt track race. I don't know how the drivers were even able to see where they were going! Needless to say, I don't think we will be going back to this track any time soon. The NASCAR track is awesome....dirt track...no comparison! Two stars was pushing it...only gave that because we like the area. Very disappointed.

Honestly I am not a nascar fan at all. Really I don't watch any sports. But put me at the game or…read morerace and it's a different story. This dirt track is actually the big times. And this event was the championships. Stock car racing is something everyone should experience, if you like anything that goes fast. Here it's byob which is awesome. Saves money so you don't have to pay vending prices. Bring snacks, drinks, beer, blankets to sit on (bc it is a dirt track and the seats are, well dirty lol). Usually I don't wear anything nice to a dirt track but here it wasn't so bad. Also it's quick, meaning if you have ever been to Carolina speedway it's a lot different. Organized and quick to start each race. This time I had a giant corn dog and it was awesome. I will be back here for sure.

I did the "The Shootout" Racing Experience on April 14, 2013. The experience was great and the…read moreinstructors/spotter were very knowledgeable. I had a great experience at the track. However, the customer service (before and after) is terrible. Like the previous review by K.S. states, calls and emails go unanswered and unreturned. I purchased the video of my experience and was told, in person and writing, that it would be sent in 2-3 weeks. After 6 weeks and no video or phone call from RWR, I called was informed it would be another 3-4 weeks. This is a poor way to run a business. If I showed up to the racing experience 8 weeks late, I would be turned away. Why should a business be any different?

So, the 5 minutes of the ride along was good, but everything else was horrible. Scheduled for 2:30…read moreon Friday. Wound up staying for 2.5 hours and watched a total of 6 people do their ride alongs - still had 20 more numbers to go before they were to get to me. No communication. No leadership. Few signs. The gals in the trailer "headquarters" were nice, but clueless. Got rescheduled for Saturday morning at 9:30 - first timeslot - and told to come early because they could start at 9:00. After 3 more hours of waiting around, I finally got my 5 minutes of fun. Again, no organization or communication. I wasted a half day of vacation to go stand around while watching the chaos and disorganization. Then I had to return to stand around for another half a day. Everyone participating was frustrated both days. They do have deals on Groupon etc., and now I know why they have to offer those. I don't think I'd do it again, no matter how cheap OR even free for that matter! My time is worth more than that. Very disappointed in the way no one seemed to care that we were standing there for hours on end. Spend the extra money and go to a worthwhile organization. Just read the reviews about the RWRE at all the tracks. I think the statistics speak for themselves.

What a great place to watch a ballgame! I managed to walk up and get some good seat for our group…read moreright before the game and were in and seated just in time for first pitch. The food stands were busy, so I waited until the game got well underway, the lines were shorter and had some great hot dogs, peanuts and cold beer! I always walk around ballpark to check out the views from the other seat and there is not a bad seat in the house! Like most minor league ballparks, it's always a lot of fun and at a decent price. I love this ballpark and will definitely be back!

I went with several of my alumni fraternity brothers to Niner Night at Truist Field. The event was…read moresponsered by the UNC CHARLOTTE Alumni Association. It was in the Piedmont Natural Gas Pavillion behind left field. An absolutely incredible time. It was a beautiful night. They offered a covered section with a buffet from 5 to 7 pm. Food included hot dogs, barbeque and chicken. I was able to make a Carolina Dog with all the ingredients they had to offer. There are great views of the baseball field and the Charlotte Skyline from this ballpark. It is a very nice venue Although the Clemson beat my 49ers, we all had an outstanding time. We plan to see a Charlotte Knights game later in the summer, and if our Alumni Association sponsors a similar event, we will be there again.

kind of big and kind of far from the house but there's four ball diamonds with lights and bleachers…read moreand toilets and picnic shelters and a walking path which is kind of important since the path around bellingham has been tore up for over a year and it doesn't look like it will be finished anytime soon and I prefer walking around out of doors to treading a mill. got some big elevation changes down behind the dog park then up to the tennises and the ballfield fences offer some protection from the wind which seems more of a nuisance here than there. still, it's close to work and it's easy in easy out so it'll do for now. besides some significant improvements on the doc for 2025 - includes LED lights on the football pitches and a couple hundred more parking spots - tennis courts and disc golf are available for warmer weather as is a playground for the kiddies and dog parking if you have 'em, which I don't, so they aren't for me right now, but thank you.

Nice little park a couple miles from us. Mostly nice paved walking path. Bathrooms are usually…read moreclean and stocked. Well kept tennis courts, baseball fields, playground. A couple of nice big dog parks but one is often locked up. This is a well used small park. The back fields that are used for soccer and lacrosse are awful. They're grass and get muddy with just a little bit of rain. Or when it hasn't rained in awhile, the red dust blowing covers everything. The makeshift road that everybody drives on to park closer to the fields have deep ruts and cross over part of the walking path. There's paved parking but this is the best way to park closer to the fields for lacrosse and soccer games. And when there's also baseball games going, parking is wherever you find it, even on grass, Thankfully, the city has earmarked some funds to renovate the fields, make them turf, and put in more parking spaces. Can't wait for that.

I had a BLAST and cannot wait for the race to come back to Charlotte next year. For those who don't…read moreknow, this is a 5K but think Wipeout or Double Dare - all the obstacles are more fun rather than challenging. I love a 5K that lets you pick up your registration packet early - big help here to avoid massive lines on site. The weather was perfect for today and the course was easily mapped out so you always knew your way. There were 12 obstacles which really broke up the running. I had several favorites although really, all the obstacles were fun! The wrecking ball is hilarious just to sit back and watch. For this you had to run across a tube and make it to the platform as two giant swinging dodgeball looking balls were hovering around you. Out of the 8 of us... 1 made it across haha. But it felt good falling into the water below. And the emcees/DJs were hilarious! Very active, keeping the energy up and throwing out funny commentary - the guy at the wrecking ball event was only in shades and a 'tuxspeedo' - love it!! Other events included "gorilla bars" over the foam pit, tightrope, two separate slip n slide obstacles, a giant moon bounce and more. Best part is finishing by climbing up a 40 feet high slide (it looked 40 feet... I may be off by a bit) and launching yourself down. Great race to run with friends and I am IN for next year! Great job, ROC Race!

It was good. I'm not going to go overboard and say it was great and blew away my expectations, but…read moreit was still fun. Packet pickup: Easy. They had a bunch of teenagers and some adults doing pickup and they had it down pat. Way to go. 5/5 Bag check: Easy and well run. 5/5 Pre-starting line activities: There was a foam machine you could play around with and take pictures. Other than that, not much else. 3.5/5 Start line: They had music and a DJ/emcee who was pretty good. We were the last group to go out at the 11:00 wave, so there weren't a lot of us. It was still fun, though. 4/5 Obstacles (I can't remember the order, so these are out of order somewhat) Gorilla Bars: Basically just monkey bars on an inflatable. They're not too hard if you have good upper body strength. 3/5 Sweeper: Someone got stuck on the inflatable part so there was a long delay. Otherwise very easy. Just walk across. 3/5 Wrecking Balls: We were in the middle. Time it right and you're across pretty easily. Time it wrong...you're in the drink. They had a good emcee for this one. 4/5 Jump Balls: Basically really small Wipeout balls that don't have water. Still funny to watch your friends faceplant on, though. 3.5/5 Cool Runnings: Lots of fun. It's a water slide with an inner tube. You get very wet on this one. My dad lost his glasses at the end and the volunteers were great with helping to find them. They also let us do it multiple times (we did it three times). 5/5 Moon Bounce: Pretty standard moon bounce. Big, but standard. 3.5/5 Tarzan Swing: I wish this ended in water or foam. Just hold on for a second or two and you're across. 3/5 Foam of Fury: A huge slip-n-slide with foam. Lots of fun and you end up soaked in foam. 4.5/5 The Drop: A big non-water slide. Fun but not the best. 4/5 Get it Up (And Over): Climb over a wall and end up on a platform. They have different sized walls depending on the challenge you want. I picked the middle size and it was really easy. 3/5 Tire Mile: Really? They basically just took tires and put them down. No creativity. Boring. 2/5 Worlds Largest Waterslide: Fun and wet! I'm not complaining about a huge slide! 5/5 The volunteers were excellent and the race was well done. It could have used some more music on the course though. I'm looking at the Foam 5K for a bit more of a challenge next year, but ROC was fun and I'd do it again.

I made a reservation and got mixed up with the time, so we showed up and hour early. They…read moreaccommodated us by having us do the other room. Very challenging but fun!

Escape 109 is a hidden gem in the Lake Norman area. We've done many escape rooms throughout CLT…read more(and beyond) and this locally-owned business stands out. It's incredibly well-thought-out and made for an enjoyable family night out. Our teens (13 & 17) can't stop talking about it our "Derailed" room experience!