Landracing Forum

El Mirage => El Mirage General Chat => Topic started by: driveline on October 29, 2011, 04:50:04 PM

Title: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on October 29, 2011, 04:50:04 PM
Headed out for the November meet, any tips for a first timer. Are there food vendors. Some does and don'ts would be helpful. Thanks
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: RichFox on October 29, 2011, 05:57:26 PM
The two day meet is usually a good one, but can be very cool. I was there one year when it snowed. So bring warm things in case you need them. I bring my food. I know you can get coffee Stay off the course. Do walk the line up. Get close and ask questions but not right at the start or two or three back. Have fun. Pick your class for next year. Buy my Vega.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: geh458 on October 29, 2011, 06:21:45 PM
Watch your speed on the lake bed, you don't want the park security after you.  And when driving through the pits, remember that someone pushing or towing a race vehicle always has the right of way.  The last time I was out there, there was a large food service trailer near the staging lanes by the announcers stand, kind of high priced, but the burger I had was good.  And as Rich mentioned, don't be shy.

Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on October 29, 2011, 09:26:54 PM
Listen to the start tower broadcast on KWBS 88.7
Take a CB radio and listen to the inner workings from the timing trailer.
Visit the SCTA trailer opposite the start tower and buy something.
Bring a camera and take lots of pictures.
Talk to everybody. Don't talk to anybody in the front of the staging lanes, they are too busy.
Binoculars are handy.
Sit in your car near the finish line and watch the runs.
Get there EARLY. The points leaders run first.
Get there earlier and listen to the drivers meeting.
Chill - there may be down time for a spin, wind . . . Good time to visit the pits.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on October 30, 2011, 12:42:38 AM
   Thanks for all the information. What time do the runs start?  I made the trip from Reno to Wendover for World Finals. A little wet. We decided to check out El Mirage. Looking forward to the event. Sorry Rich, I already have enough projects.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: rambler jack on October 30, 2011, 02:52:22 AM
Do you plan on camping or what?  It should be very cold at night. There are motels not to far from the lake bed. If you plan on over night I would not do tent or sleeping in vehicle. Have fun enjoy the event.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Elmo Rodge on October 30, 2011, 10:47:48 AM
I always sleep in the bed of my pickup with a sleeping bag and extra blankets. The stars usually put on quite a show. The secret is don't drink too much beer so you don't have to get up in the middle of the night. Brrrrrrr.  :cheers: Wayno
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on October 30, 2011, 09:52:12 PM
       Staying at the Holiday Inn in Hesperia. Flying to LA & rental car. No heater in hotrod. Is was cold enough going to Wendover early this month. Had to stop and buy long johns.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: 836dstr on October 31, 2011, 01:05:08 PM
Driveline,

The Drivers meeting is at 7:30 and the Meet starts right after that. The first 25 cars/bikes will already be in line. Definitely start at the Starting line (in back of the fencing!) and walk back through the Staging Lanes.

The best viewing area near the finish line is on the South (spectator) side of the course. The sun will be at your back, and more importantly the wind (and dust) normally blows down the course to slightly toward the Northeast.

Have fun!

Tom
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Dreamweaver on October 31, 2011, 03:05:59 PM
What channel does the CB usually run?
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Elmo Rodge on October 31, 2011, 03:28:18 PM
What channel does the CB usually run?
Channel 1 and then channel 10 when (not if) somebody sits on their mic and keys it.  :roll: Wayno
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on October 31, 2011, 10:49:33 PM
   What kind of traffic can I expect heading to the meet in the morning, say around 7:00. Thanks for all the advice from all who responded.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: salt on October 31, 2011, 11:59:01 PM
No traffic at all - 95% of the folks are already on the lake bed around 7 am . . .
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 01, 2011, 10:03:22 AM
Perfect, where do I purchase the BLM pass?
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on November 01, 2011, 10:19:38 AM
When you turn off El Mirage Rd. you go about a mile up a paved road (with speed bumps). The first building you see is the BLM building where you buy your pass.

You turn left after the BLM building onto a crappy dirt road for 1/4 mile when you reach the lake bed. Following somebody is the easiest for a first timer. The lake bed is pretty torn up at that end from all of the RV traffic. It smooths out after the first 1/2 mile, but you have to keep a sharp eye out for rough spots. Stay in the middle of the lake bed.

Traffic comes from all directions and there is no speed limit on the lake bed. Keep looking in the distance and you will eventually see cars and cones. Stay to the right side and when you get to the start of the cones slow down for safety and dust control.

Speaking of dust, the alkali on the lake bed is super fine and gets into everything. Your air filter might need service.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Dreamweaver on November 01, 2011, 04:00:38 PM
"When you turn off El Mirage Rd. you go about a mile up a paved road (with speed bumps). "

Be mindfull of the posted speed limit on the paved road (with speed bumps), it is quite low (I don't remember atm).

Don't ask how I know :oops:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: theazoldcrow on November 02, 2011, 11:40:24 AM
 :-D   25 and not an mph faster!
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: bvillercr on November 02, 2011, 12:17:20 PM
:-D   25 and not an mph faster!


You can take the speed bumps at 45 if you are not towing. :mrgreen:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Glen on November 02, 2011, 05:44:22 PM
:-D   25 and not an mph faster!


You can take the speed bumps at 45 if you are not towing. :mrgreen:


Only if  you run wide tires :roll:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: bvillercr on November 02, 2011, 07:24:05 PM
:-D   25 and not an mph faster!


You can take the speed bumps at 45 if you are not towing. :mrgreen:


Only if  you run wide tires :roll:

Haha, that topic is almost as old as you. :-o
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: FADED on November 03, 2011, 11:12:44 AM
Mother nature kept us away last November so we're real exited!!! If you need a place to hang out look for the LANCE SPEED RACING banner, we always welcome straglers into our camp! :cheers:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Tman on November 03, 2011, 02:23:32 PM
You forgot "with an Alston Cage" Glen :wink:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 06, 2011, 10:01:36 PM
   PLEASE PLEASE, make the go away!!
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: bvillercr on November 06, 2011, 10:28:08 PM
You forgot "with an Alston Cage" Glen :wink:

That's all you got?  For some reason I thought you were smarter than that.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 07, 2011, 09:53:02 AM
    Sorry, Please please make the rain go away! Are there any El Mirage chants or dances to help keep the rain away?
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: salt on November 07, 2011, 12:19:38 PM
Uttering the "r" word is a no-no among Land Speed racers, driveline!
Willi
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 07, 2011, 09:45:17 PM
   Many apologies for even thinking the word.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: John Noonan on November 07, 2011, 09:53:27 PM
Only two people are hoping the meet doesn't happen..Lattin  and Hudson.. :-D

The car points championship may be a done deal however if the meet happens the bike points championship could tighten up a bit.. :cheers:
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Tman on November 08, 2011, 06:20:29 PM
You forgot "with an Alston Cage" Glen :wink:

That's all you got?  For some reason I thought you were smarter than that.   :mrgreen:

Lighten up Francis, the rest of us are chuckling :-D


Doing my rain dance over here to try and pull any rain away from the West coast, good luck guys!
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 14, 2011, 06:50:27 PM
        Thanks to all those who responded to my questions. Thanks to all those at the meet, those I knew and those I meet, we had a blast!! Thanks to Tman for doing the "R" dance in South Dakota. Looking forward to our next trip, hopefully with something to run! Dougie
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: bvillercr on November 14, 2011, 06:57:32 PM
       Thanks to all those who responded to my questions. Thanks to all those at the meet, those I knew and those I meet, we had a blast!! Thanks to Tman for doing the "R" dance in South Dakota. Looking forward to our next trip, hopefully with something to run! Dougie

Always fun in the "dirt"!!  How long did it take you to get there from Reno?
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on November 14, 2011, 07:10:22 PM
By the way, Dan Warner sent his EM report a little while ago -- and I've got it posted on the home page of this site (www.landracing.com).  Go take a look and see what's what and who ended up where.  I thank you very much for the roundups all season, Dan, and I expect that others appreciate them, too.  Maybe they'll tell you directly.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: NathanStewart on November 15, 2011, 12:08:37 AM
Ah geez, c'mon Dan.  Who took points champ in bike??
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: dw230 on November 15, 2011, 12:39:55 AM
Don't know, not posted.

I only know about the cars because I was involved.

DW
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: NathanStewart on November 15, 2011, 12:53:07 AM
Figures... damn bikers.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: John Noonan on November 15, 2011, 11:23:00 AM
Nathan,

Ralph Hudson got top points for the bikes..his smooth slippery bodywork overcame brute HP.. :cheers:

Congrats to Ralph and his team!

J
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: dw230 on November 15, 2011, 11:36:37 AM
Thanks John.

Where did that guy come from? Seems like he blew in a couple of years ago and now double records at every meet, including Bonneville. Runs speeds equal to some blown bikes while remaining natural.

DW
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: fredvance on November 15, 2011, 01:55:36 PM
I think Ralph has one of the top two aero bikes. The other is Larry Forstalls Guppy. Ralph made multiple 230+ runs at Bonneville this year. Incredible for a NA 1000cc bike.
Title: Re: First time to El Mirage
Post by: driveline on November 17, 2011, 10:02:20 AM
    Hi bvillercr,
  We flew down this time. Distance to El Mirage is thirty miles further than Bonneville which takes me about seven hours with two stops. Hopefully I'll find out how long it takes me next year.