Landracing Forum
El Mirage => El Mirage General Chat => Topic started by: burbanite on July 09, 2015, 04:56:48 PM
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Complete newbie here! Link to the obligatory introduction: http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,3693.msg277480.html#new (http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,3693.msg277480.html#new)
I'm planning to head out to El Mirage this weekend to acclimatize myself and my wife to life on the lake bed in advance of a proposed trip to Speed Week later this year.
I've seen the map in a link from the SCTA website https://www.google.com/maps/search/El+Mirage+Off+Hwy+Rec+Area,+Mountain+View+Road,+CA/@34.658063,-117.543755,14z?hl=en (https://www.google.com/maps/search/El+Mirage+Off+Hwy+Rec+Area,+Mountain+View+Road,+CA/@34.658063,-117.543755,14z?hl=en) but is that actually where we should head? I'm coming from Santa Clarita so will be going North on the 14. What time does the action start on Sunday, I want to make sure we are there in plenty of time. What about viewing locations, I know we will want to wander the pit area but also see some of the runs from other vantage points, is there a set location for spectators?
I have taken note of all of the obvious requirements for being out there, water, food, shade, clothing etc but what about the things that are good for a novice to know in advance.
Thanks for any info yo can give me. :cheers:
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Well, this is kinda long but....
Coming from the 14 exit @ Palmdale Bl. aka 138 and head east. Palmdale bl. effectively ends at 240th St. E turn left on 240th and go to Ave. P which becomes El Mirage Bl. Turn right (you will see the nose of a airliner in a yard on the corner) following El Mirage Bl. all the way down to Mountain View Rd. and turn left. Mt. View is not a major through fair so it is not well marked so keep an eye out for the sign post with the SCTA logo etc.
Now travel up Mt. View Rd. to the El Mirage Recreation/Ranger station. Buy a $15.00 vehicle pass and enter the lakebed on the left. Stay to the right hand side of the lakebed after you enter and drive all the way back to the west end staying to the right. As you get to the far end of the lakebed you will see cones marking off the course and trailers lining the viewing area. You should get the lay of the land quickly.
By the way, El Mirage is NOTHING like Bonneville.....
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Well, this is kinda long but....
Coming from the 14 exit @ Palmdale Bl. aka 138 and head east. Palmdale bl. effectively ends at 240th St. E turn left on 240th and go to Ave. P which becomes El Mirage Bl. Turn right (you will see the nose of a airliner in a yard on the corner) following El Mirage Bl. all the way down to Mountain View Rd. and turn left. Mt. View is not a major through fair so it is not well marked so keep an eye out for the sign post with the SCTA logo etc.
Now travel up Mt. View Rd. to the El Mirage Recreation/Ranger station. Buy a $15.00 vehicle pass and enter the lakebed on the left. Stay to the right hand side of the lakebed after you enter and drive all the way back to the west end staying to the right. As you get to the far end of the lakebed you will see cones marking off the course and trailers lining the viewing area. You should get the lay of the land quickly.
By the way, El Mirage is NOTHING like Bonneville.....
Perfect, thank you very much.
I understand the differences in the two venues but the choices are limited if I am to introduce my wife to this type of event before jumping in with both feet. I earn my living in the racing industry so am used to different environments, she on the other hand only attends a limited number of races, most of which she gets to hang out in hospitality.... If she can handle the heat and dust out here for a day then she has a fair chance at making it a week on the salt if I take an RV. As it was her idea to go to Speed Week I don't want her to be sorry, happy wife etc... :-D
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You are correct about acclimating your better half to this "type" of environment.
My wife would much rather spend a week or more at Bonneville, sitting in the sun reading, sitting by the pool, going to the casino's, eating out, visiting with friends, etc. than spend a single day on the hot, cold, dirty, & always windy El Mirage. But she does both..... :-) For over 25 years now.... 8-)
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Any wife the wants to go to speedweek even once is keeper. Have fun and bring your own hospitality!
Bill
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I wouldn't chance it, El Mirage can be really hot windy and dusty.
When I first raced desert bikes, instead of left to El Mirage we went right and around the corner to the base of
the hills. The area was known as the asx of the desert. It was hot but a lot better than some days at El Mirage.
Bville is cleaner and Linda likes it way more. Well there's casinos :-P
JL222
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She sounds like a lady that is willing to give it a try, more power to her to try both. I say go for it. Linda enjoy the expirence of both. :cheers:
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Thanks folks! What time should I plan on turning up?
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They start running between 7:45 & 8:00 am usually.
Have fun!
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https://www.google.com/maps/dir/34.4346562,-118.3812522/34.6235664,-117.5468707/@34.6487537,-117.5831822,7624m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en
Once on the lake bed follow along the right side until you start to see all the cones, soon you will see a lot of spectator cars, then you will start to see some pit areas. It's not like a drag or oval race the pits are spread out all over the place. You will be driving around to get to places.
I would get there early to check out the pits and inspection area before the car start running. I would get there around 6:30 to 7am.
Do not drive into any area that is coned off. If you are driving between cones then you are not where you should be.
Best place to watch is near the timing trailer about 1.3 miles from the starting line. Bring Binoculars. Tune the radio to 88.3 or 88.7, forgot. If you have a CB bring it Channel 1 or 10.
Prepare to leave early because it will be HOT AND WINDY.
Print and read map of race course on the last page.
http://nebula.wsimg.com/ab43b32f8c6f4188a73702b74a633175?AccessKeyId=1B489604A3781742F233&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
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I first witnessed LSR at Elmo, better than 20 years ago. I've been wanting to get back ever since.
I'd get a motel room in Victorville. There's nothing wrong with El Mirage that a hot shower won't cure.
Kate's been with me to Bonneville 4 or 5 times over the last 20 years.
And we're still speaking! :cheers:
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Forgot it cost $15 to get on the lake bed. Bring exact change or CC. http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/mirage.html
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I don't think the BLM will take credit cards.
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I don't think the BLM will take credit cards.
\
From the site - http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/mirage.html
"Permits will be available for sale on-site using a fee machine. The on site fee machines take cash and credit cards. Please bring exact amount of the pass, the machines do NOT make change. The fee machines at EL Mirage sell daily, weekly and annual passes. Also permits can be purchased online, http://www.elmiragepermits.com and at the Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow Calif."
Glen -
Did you really think that the BLM would pass on an opportunity to make a few bucks? :wink:
And conversely, would you trust the BLM with cash? :-o
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I used my Debt/visa card last time through. So it might be debt card only.
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By the way, `burbanite, you might take some time to look up the Chief Inspector while you are at El Mirage....
Then you both can debate who had the `Kiwi Steve` moniker first......
There are other Kiwi`s lurking here as well. Sid is always somewhere at Bonneville, and I can usually be found in Inspection as well....Got to have a Kiwi at the bottom to balance out the one at the top, you see....
There will also be five or six Cars and Bikes coming over from NZ to run this year---but you probably knew that already, yes?
:-D :-D :-D :-D
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Where I come from the Kiwis are called the ALL BLACKS!!!!!.
Tough bunch you don't wanna mess with. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
We love them anyway. No Bs, just straight up good guys. :cheers: :cheers:
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It should be a nice weekend out there! a little warm but not extreme? ( I like the desert heat). You should bounce around to watch the race, watch at the start line, you get the full effect, sights, sounds and smells. Then venture down to the finish line to watch them at speed. Dont be affraid to wander the pits either, one of the things that has kept me interested is the people, WHAT A GREAT GROUP! When we go to ElMo we're happy to be out of the house and the wife is happy to get us OUT of the house, she's tried but she's not a El Mirage kinda lady. Have fun and maybe if your (or us) are lucky you can see my bike blaze by in the high 90's, dont blink. :cheers:
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i concur with lance. wife is happiest at home while i'm out playing in the dirt and i'm probably happier that way too. it takes a special kinda lady to put up with el mirage.
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To get the best spectating experience plan on moving around the course. Start near the starting line as previously mentioned. Then go to about half track and watch and hear the cars get up to speed and go through the gears. Next move up to the finish line by the timing trailer to see and hear the cars and bikes go through the lights and pop the chutes. The South side of the course is a little less dusty as the prevailing wind seems to blow either down the course or slightly south to north. On the North side you get some of the dust kicked up by the race cars, but you are right up by the return road and you can watch them returning to the pits.
In any case have fun!
Tom
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Hey burbanite! I'm rolling up from the SCV as well. I've found in the short time that I've been hangin' around, just about everybody is super cool. Cruise around and get a feel for the place. You'll find your own sweet spot. There's always shade and something cold to drink at the registration / impound trailer. Come on by and introduce yourself! Cheers, Mike :cheers:
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Lots of great advice and encouragement from you good folk! I'm looking forward to the adventure.
My wife isn't afraid of the outdoors although she does have some serious health issues that cannot be fixed so she loves to get out and about whenever she feels good. She seems keen to do this so I'll make sure she gets the full effect using the tips everyone has given me, thanks to all of you.
I did Pikes Peak the week before last and that was another unique one to check off the list, odd getting up at 12:30 AM to go to the track...
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Take sun screen,lots of water and a good sun hat. Enjoy.
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Burbanite,
A few other things to consider: Take a couple folding lawn chairs for watching runs down the course. Not necessary on the starting line. Visit the Inspection Area for a little while. Most people go through Tech the day before but some arrive the day of the meet. Also visit the Merchandise Trailer by the Starting Line. Food is usually available from a catering truck.
Tom
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If you do not set up some sort of shelter, seriously consider having a small personal or patio umbrella for when sitting in your chair viewing the cars run.
A few years ago we were watching the cars run at the 2.5 mile and a young Dutch couple stopped to watch as they were driving by on I80.
They sat down and watched for a bit in the direct sun, and in my mind you could just hear them slowly cooking. I dug out a small spare umbrella and loaned it to them and they were very very grateful for the shade. On days when there is little wind (ideal conditions for the cars) you need more than a wide brimmed hat to keep from being slowly cooked by the sun. Keep in mind you are getting a lot of sun reflected off the white salt mid day so you can get sunburned on the bottom of your chin and other places you normally do not need to worry about.
Dehydration is also something to keep in mind, especially if you are not used to being out in the sun in a desert environment. I have found that I am much happier out there if early in the morning I drink a lot of water (like to the point that I slosh when I walk). That gets your body ahead of the game on hydration. Your normal thirst reflex will only force you to drink about 45-50% of the water you really need. If you don't have to pee all the time, you are not drinking enough.
You need a minimum of 2 liters of fluid intake a day in those conditions.
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Not much to see at the 2 1/2 at El Mirage but the BLM and possibly Lee Kennedy, wondering what a car is doing there.
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Not much to see at the 2 1/2 at El Mirage but the BLM and possibly Lee Kennedy, wondering what a car is doing there.
A car sitting at the 2.5 at ElMo is probably stuck in the mud, from last year...........