Landracing Forum
East Coast Timing Association => ECTA General Chat => Topic started by: MiltonP on August 24, 2008, 12:53:30 PM
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Haven't posted since attending the last meet. I had a great time and wanted to thank all of you that put up with my newbie questions, especially Tonya and Donna.
I had a ticket voucher to use so I decided to go out to speedweek. Gives me a chance to scout it out before driving the Miata out next year for an attempt, ludicrous or not, at the 130 mph club. I was surprised my rooms still available at around $40 a night at the motel 6. Haven't booked a rental car for transportation from Salt Lake yet. Wasn't sure if they get pissy about taking the cars to the salt even just to spectate.
I am debating Jo Dee Messina concert 9pm friday as a LSR party would be preferable or maybe even sleep after a long day on the Salt! Also considering catching Rolex series related races on saturday at Miller Motorsports Park. Anybody heading out just to spectate or know of any 'must do' related activities? Thanks. Milt
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Ok... So I booked a different event. Hope World of Speed has some interesting stuff running in any case! Anyone been there before?
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Rental Cars........
The worry is about cleaning them before returning them. I spent $5 on a wash job by two young men at the gas stop. Then when I arrived in SLC I went to a TESORO Station , 1699 W. North Temple. It's not far off the East Bound freeway. just take the North Temple exit.
I bought the $7 ULTIMATE wash at the pump as I filled up and was rewarded with a $1 rebate.. It was amazing. No brushes and the car doesn't move during the wash. When it was finished the check in at Enterprise commented on how clean the car was. The ULTIMATE washes the bottom side also.
Obviously I had no problem.
Don't worry. A towel duct taped to the floor matt on the drivers side makes it so u don't even have to vacuum the inside.
I even learned something new this year.
FREUD
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Thanks for the response. I am looking forward to the experience. From what I am reading now it appears that the 130 mph club in only at World of Speed so my buddies and I won't be able to particiapte in Speedweek unless i attempt to run in class there. In that case, maybe I will fly out for that next year and drive to World of Speed if I want to make a pass. In any case, I will get to experience both events as a spectator and it looks like World of Speed may be more spectator oriented while the higher speed classes may only run at Speedweek. I am basing that off the runs and records from 2007 though.
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Milton, will you be back at Maxton in Sept or Oct ?
Charles
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Thanks for the response. I am looking forward to the experience. From what I am reading now it appears that the 130 mph club in only at World of Speed so my buddies and I won't be able to particiapte in Speedweek unless i attempt to run in class there. In that case, maybe I will fly out for that next year and drive to World of Speed if I want to make a pass. In any case, I will get to experience both events as a spectator and it looks like World of Speed may be more spectator oriented while the higher speed classes may only run at Speedweek. I am basing that off the runs and records from 2007 though.
Milton,
Can you drive a manual trans vehicle? if so, and you are so inclined, Make it to World of Speed and you can drive my 86 vette for the 130 club. The car has already put 7 different people in the club, I usually bring it along for family friends or whoever wants to make a run at it.
So if you show up and pay your entry, i have the car, safety gear, crew etc to make it a good experience for you!
Carl Johansson
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Carl,
That is a real nice offer. I really appreciate it. My Miata is manual and I have driven quite a few other manuals though no vettes. I thought I read that once you are a member of the 130 mph club you can't run for it again. I do have mixed feelings about getting in with your vette if that would prevent me from making an attempt with my Miata if I drive it out next year.
Three questions...
I fly in Wednesday and won't make it to the flats until Thursday morning. Does that cause a problem?
Guessing with todays fair travel rules a helmet would have to be in a checked bag. Anyone know for sure?
I am a member of ECTA. Can I get the USFRA membership onsite since the date is getting close for mail?
Charles, I will definitely be running at Maxton in October but am doubtful for September unless weather for Outlaws in Pennsylvania looks bad enough for me to pass on that event. My buddies expect my RV there! :oops: Milt
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Milt,
I understand multiple commitments on the same weekend. I will be at Maxton in Sept. I want to be there in Oct. also but GoodGuys is in Charlotte that wekkend in Oct. My crew will be in Charlotte (they have registered there own cars for that show and I can't ask them to forfiet there own fun and money)
I am looking at all options for being at Maxton in Oct. (may only be there Sunday) depends on available help etc...
Take care,
Charles
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Milt, I may be wrong but is the 130 club one entry per person/driver or per car?
Can you enter the 130 club with one car and then enter again with another car ?
Charles
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My understanding is that you get 5 runs for $75 and that you need to average 130 for 2 runs. If you hit 140 or above you are disqualified. I don't know if that is just for that event or forever. I believe that once you average 130 for 2 runs that you don't get to attempt more runs. I am not sure if that is just for that car, that meet or forever since you have made the club at that point.
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USFRA membership --- $40
Entry fee ------------ $75
Course prep fee ------ $35
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$150
Five passes
Need two @ 130 MPH or more (not an average)
Once your name is on the club list that's it.
The car can go as many times with as many drivers as you want
but has to be re-entered and re-numbered with each different driver.
DS
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According to Ellen,
once you are in the club you are in. But if you want to run another car or whatever they don't mind. I will be going for it on a 350 cc motorcycle. So if you want in in your miata - you will have to wait. If you wanna go for it in our trusty old 86 vette (so far it has put 8 different drivers into the 130 club) you are more than welcome. I porobably won't arrive till thursday late - and will have the car there ready to run all day fri sat & sunday (are they even running sunday?)
Carl
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Ok... So I booked a different event. Hope World of Speed has some interesting stuff running in any case! Anyone been there before?
Milton, this will be my first trip there as well. My wife and I just returned from Speed Week (experience of our lifetime due to the great individuals of this forum by the way), and we have yet to finish getting our thoughts out on it... but I will be attending WOS as a third party team member in a couple weeks. So I look forward to seeing you there and hearing of your experience afterwards as well.
Guessing with todays fair travel rules a helmet would have to be in a checked bag. Anyone know for sure?
Maybe Deb and others can help on this... she had it down pat for us on weights, sizes and contnents. I think there's a 50lb max for check on and it's more expensive to go over weight on one bag then it is to add another, so you'll want to keep it split up appropriattely.
Todd
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Wear the helmet onboard -- tell them you're afraid of sudden downdrafts.
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Funny!
I would seriously bring the helmet on board. Have you seen what they do to luggage? They would surely use up your one drop & it's out on the helmet! BTW, I did not find a helmet on the restricted items list anywhere while looking at it 2 weeks ago! BUT if you are in doubt bring all of your luggage inside to the check-in desk and specifically ask the attendant first before they send your bags through. This way if it is a concern you can cram it into your check bags before they whisk it away.
From my experience I don't see a problem fitting the helmet in the overhead or even under the seat in front of you if you lay it sideways. Each airline has their carry on & check baggage weight & size restrictions listed on their websites somewhere under baggage. It takes a little looking but it's there. Like Todd said it's cheaper to pay for an extra bag then it is an over weight bag. Usually around $50 more for overweight vs extra!!! It's worth checking out anyway since most airlines have started charging for luggage even for the first bag!
Good luck with it!
Debbie
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Wear the helmet onboard -- tell them you're afraid of sudden downdrafts.
There ya go :lol:... you can even put a helmet cam on it and document your trip
Not to mention how much it will help retain your seat space form the guy next to you being a seat hog. :-D
Todd
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A couple of posts ago someone questioned the schedule for the end of WoS. I talked with Hugh Coltharp yesterday and they'll be making runs 'til mid-day Saturday and then pull the plug on the event. So: Tech on Tuesday, runs on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and half of Saturday, then pull up the wires and start getting things out of the way for the private meet, whose organizers have "rented" the Salt from Sunday AM on, I think he said.
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I wanted to travel light and didn't want to pack and check a bag large enough to put a helmet in, so I'm going use my helmet as my carry-on to SLC.
Tape the face shield closed, put cameras, necessary paperwork, meds (that's only for us old *truckstopers*) and anything else you can't live without inside the helmet, cinch the chin strap tight and away you go.
Had this planned some time ago. After a 33 year career with Delta, I can see no reason at all why this this can't be done. You wouldn't believe some of the crap that gets carried on.
DS
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Thanks for all the responses! I will go ahead and carry on the helmet as my personal item. The United flight from Denver to Salt Lake may be a smaller jet but planeside checkin doesn't bother me. Final decision will be whether to take the fire suit as that will definitely force me to check a bag which I usually avoid when possible and since united now charges $35 for checking 1 bag I might as well continue that trend! Look forward to meeting up with you Carl and Narider as well if I spot you! What team are helping out on?
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how big are you?
I'm 6 foot and weigh 220 - and have a fire suit available if you want to wear it.
Carl
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You are just too darn nice, Carl! I am 5'10" and around 216 so it probably would fit just fine. By the way, I went to 'test drive' a manual '87 yesterday to get a feel for the 4 speed but it turned out to be an automatic as most are around here. I am guessing smooth shifts with a light touch is critical on the salt to avoid wheelspin. I am thinking that my road course experience should pay off in feeling that out.
Hey Cajun, how many crew members do you need to run in October? Did you drive down the taxiway or get a push/pull from your crew? I can help you load and unload but don't ask me to push your ride with my Miata! :-)
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No problem guy, I get as big a kick watching somebody come back affter a run - with that goofy grin on their face, as I do making the run myself. as for the shift - doesn't need to fast - clutch in - positive shift - easy on the clutch out as you gently roll in the throttle. The only thing that matters is top gear and engine RPM at the finish - early or late shifts don't seem to affect top speed. With the vette - you won't be pulling over 4200 RPM - beyond that you will be loosing HP - so you just shift at 4000 - and everything is good!
Right now I am leaning toward travelling wednesday - and running thurs - sat. We have to share the car - I think a buddy of mine wants to go for the 150 club - but that should not be an issue!
see ya in a few weeks
Carl
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Hey, Carl, speaking of the Clubs -- Nancy and I have our own firesuit now. Is the offer open to us, too? We'd sure like to ride your car. We're planning to arrive at the Salt by Monday evening and won't leave 'til the Friday after WoS ends (staying for a couple of private time things).
See you soon, Birdbrain.
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Milt, for the October meet...if my entire crew is in Charlotte on Saturday, I will be all alone at Maxton. I guess I could get by with one or two helpers.
I drive the car from the pits to the staging lanes and also from shutdown to impound and then again from impound to the pits. (so no tow or push car needed,,, unless the lines are backed up to the dirt road or beyond at staging)
I could use help loading and unloading (but not main need) Big help needed is once I am in the staging lines pushing the car and then helping me get all buckled in and pushed the last few spaces before I can start and stage on starting line.
I can't keep cranking the car to move up dozens of times in the stageing lanes.
(Plus if it's hot, I sure can't set all suited up and bake either)
Charles
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Hey, Carl, speaking of the Clubs -- Nancy and I have our own firesuit now. Is the offer open to us, too? We'd sure like to ride your car. We're planning to arrive at the Salt by Monday evening and won't leave 'til the Friday after WoS ends (staying for a couple of private time things).
See you soon, Birdbrain.
John,
you both are more than welcome. That particular car only techs out for 130 club or 150 club - but you are more than welcome to the ride! I haven't forgotten my promise to you, next year I'll have a real fire breather ready for you and the Nancinator!
Carl
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Charles,
I'll keep an eye out for you. Half the population of the state of Maine will be there. We should be able to give you a hand. We are experts at pushing cars around.
Marcia
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Marcia, If your group pits where you have been the last several times, Hopefully I will be in that General area behind the food vendor in cul-de-sac area accros taxi way from the turn out just before the finish line. (gosh I hope I just explained that location properly?
Charles
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Hey, you talk almost good as us!
That's where we'll be, as close to the ambulance as we can get.
Marcia
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Charles,
Hint on Maine talk; when you cross the the river into "Kit-tree" every where you go from anywhere on the coast in Maine is down...... down to Eastport, "down to Kit-tree". Not as sure about inlander speak, I'm just a sometime "carpetbagger" :-D Big state, maybe not many but all good people.
Sure they will take good care of you at Oct Maxton. Hope I can get down to both Sept and Oct meets, looking forward to seeing everyone [from all sides of the Ridge here] again.
Ed
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I took a full face helmet in my carry-on bag for Daytona Bike Week with no problem. I have a friend in Port Orange who supplies the Honda Blackbird & room
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Ed, weellll I be guess-in , I"d be not much mur than a whoo or a hollar down yonder from in where you"ins Foke from Maine will be settled down and a pit'in your what-ya-call race team. So If"in ya see me a bit dazed and a needin a crew, wull I be pre-she-aetin a bit of help.
See ya Down dis-a-way in a few weeks.
Charles