June 15 - Tampa Bay Downs

[Loren]

Time to start some buzz for this event. Registration opens next week.

I'm still hoping to have some site maps (not just "course map", there is a lot more to this location than that) done by next week, and some more preliminary planning with Steve, but might not meet that goal.

But, I can tell you a few things about the site and the event.

The surface is very smooth and unsealed, should be nice to play on. There is room for a longer straight or slalom than SPC, and potential for good courses, but designing them is going to take even more time and care than usual.

Parking will be a bit unusual. We have several places we can park, but no one place is big enough. We'll have to work out a parking plan of sorts.

We will have access to the restrooms in the main building. They have a snack bar, too. Of course, we will have the usual assortment of cold, wet stuff. And we're planning to do lunch this time, too.

The coolest thing about this site is that it can be very spectator and family friendly. There are areas that are grassy and tree-covered with a great view of the course, but physically separated by a 'moat' so that we can consider that area not part of the autocross event. So, bear that in mind as you plan for this event!

More details in the next week or so. We have an SPC event to get through this weekend before we can get back to TBD planning.


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[impalanut]

Is the cost of this site more like SPC or Brookesville. Since it's asphalt, if it works out I would rather see it used instead of SPC rather than Brookesville , especially if it's lower priced.

[Loren]

Is the cost of this site more like SPC or Brookesville. Since it's asphalt, if it works out I would rather see it used instead of SPC rather than Brookesville , especially if it's lower priced.

It's not lower priced, we'll just have to see how we like it. We're not going to abandon SPC, regardless. Any viable autocross site that is available should be used a couple times per year just to keep it available, I think. It's sad when all your active sites dry up and you have no place to run events! We're trying to ensure that doesn't happen.

[Native]

Also, TBD is not available during horse racing season, which, evidently, is lengthy. They only gave us a couple of options regarding when we could hold an event, and as it was, we could not get our first choices.

And I agree about using available sites several times a year - don't use it you lose it... I'm actually nervous about not being somewhere every-other month.

[shakedown067]

Looking forward to this event, once I get my car back. New trans tail shaft, front control arm bushings, u-joints, rear diff bushings and custom c-beam mounts (connects the rear of the trans to the differential). The tail shaft on the 4L60E was severely cracked. I guess I've really beaten the hell out of her the last four+ years.

[Solar]

Is this going to be a two session event ?

[Loren]

Was going to be, but Steve talked me out of it. Too much potential for unknown chaos with a new site, better to do the 75 car format that gives us greater flexibility with event timing.

Might register each run group separately, though. That would at least let the folks who need to leave early reg for group 1 so they can run 1, work 2, and leave after (or before) lunch.

I am going to schedule the first 2 groups to run before lunch. We've been doing it. It can be done. Then after lunch is just one group and clean-up. If everything goes perfectly, we can be done and gone by 3:30-4:00. If weird stuff happens, we have an extra 2 hours to deal with it.

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[twistedwankel]

You hear that you early risers? You cannot dodge us anymore!!!

Horsemeat sandwiches for lunch. Dogmeat breakfast for you slackers

The owls will have you all for breakfast at TBD.

[Native]

Might register each run group separately, though. That would at least let the folks who need to leave early reg for group 1 so they can run 1, work 2, and leave after (or before) lunch.

I'm trying to talk him out of that, too.

[twistedwankel]

Time to start some buzz for this event. Registration opens next week.

They're Off!! Around the bend it's Williams Bud by a nose.

[garage west]

Why is the event venue TBD? I thought we had settled on-- wait. Never mind.

[AScoda]

I see what you did there. You so silly!

[AScoda]

BTW--the MAE page says "maximum entries-50"

[Loren]

Patience, grasshopper. I set it to 50 thinking I was going to set up a second event with another 50.

I'll get it all straight before registration opens.

[shakedown067]

I'm in! 15 entries already this morning! Full by the end of the week?

[Loren]

With 90+ entries at each of the last three events and a 75 limit on this one, I wouldn't be surprised if it filled up in a day or two.

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[Loren]

Get registered early, folks!

And please do not post public notice on other forums before our regulars have had a chance to get in. Give it a week. Thanks!


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[buddy bodean]

Hummmm, trailer tow may be different. I am assuming that this parking lot is not controlled so leaving the trailer over-night isn't an option. I can pick it up Friday night and drop it off early Saturday, and then come back with my car. It's nice having the event so close to home. Pool party at my house afterwards!

Have we thought of getting a hitch lock?

[Bucklao]

Alright I'm in

[Loren]

The site is open, but they have 24-hour security. All we have to do is alert them when drop the trailer off, and ask them to not let anyone take it until we come back. (Holy Grail, anyone?)


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