Tentative ER dates...

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Originally Posted by altiain

You're not the only guy who likes LaGrave, Stu - I'm the other guy. I think we're the onlt two though.

I've been autocrossing for ten years now, and I've lost count of how many times I've run at Pennington. I didn't go to any events there last season, and I didn't miss it at all. It's too damn small to run a decent course.

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I know maybe one other....

I guess the reason we are going to Pennington more this year is because Nationals is on concrete this year but as many others have said it's not like the sand paper we race on at Pennington and the size of Lincoln is what is going to be hard to adjust to...I drive really fast in the parking lot at my apartment that doesn't mean I'm set up for Lincoln.

I agree with creek finding new sites would be ideal but getting some one to let people race in there parking lot is hard but I would be willing to help.

Titus, You mean like a Rabbit Fest type situation....I know many horror stories about events like that...but I won't tell if no one else does...I think Central Louisiana still does hill climbs...

I like La Grave, too, but they can be hard to deal with and it is expensive. I think BMW is having two or three events there this season.

I have attached a comparison that I created. You might not agree with my rankings, but...

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Originally Posted by jrj512

I like La Grave, too, but they can be hard to deal with and it is expensive. I think BMW is having two or three events there this season.

I have attached a comparison that I created. You might not agree with my rankings, but...

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I like your chart it’s like reading a Car & Driver article and then trying to figure out how in the heck the Hyundai won. ;)

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Originally Posted by S.F. Maxcy

You mean like a Hill Climb type situation....I know many horror stories about events like that...but I won't tell if no one else does...

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The idea came to me when watching the videos of the Targa Newfoundland in the segments that took place in neighborhoods. I thought it was cool, but there was no way they would allow that in the US. It then occurred to me that it might be doable if there were no houses.

And no horror stories please. We don't want to kill a bad good idea that quick. ;)

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

I like your chart it’s like reading a Car & Driver article and then trying to figure out how in the heck the Hyundai won. ;)

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+eleventy billion :wink:

Aren't "surface: and "grip" kinda redundant categories? I think you need to rank each on an independent scale instead of 1-7. For instance, I'd say Pennington, TMS, and LaGrave all have similar "amenities" - all have permanent bathrooms, we occasionally get food vendors at TMS and LaGrave, but the bathrooms at LaGrave are air-conditioned (big plus in August :wink: )

Also, different categories ought to have different weights - I care a lot more about the size of the venue than the site's "amenities".

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Originally Posted by S.F. Maxcy

I think Central Louisiana still does hill climbs...

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Central Louisiana has hills? :scratch:

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Originally Posted by altiain

Central Louisiana has hills? :scratch:

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That's what I said! I could have sworn I saw a picture of an AP Camaro racing up a hill advertising it...Maybe not...I drink sometimes:clap:

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Originally Posted by altiain

+eleventy billion :wink:

Aren't "surface: and "grip" kinda redundant categories? I think you need to rank each on an independent scale instead of 1-7. For instance, I'd say Pennington, TMS, and LaGrave all have similar "amenities" - all have permanent bathrooms, we occasionally get food vendors at TMS and LaGrave, but the bathrooms at LaGrave are air-conditioned (big plus in August :wink: )

Also, different categories ought to have different weights - I care a lot more about the size of the venue than the site's "amenities".

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I believe that someone told me that the management will only open the bathrooms at La Grave if we agree to leave them in clean condition. So, who's up for cleaning up after you guys?

You also have to fight with the motorcycle people at La Grave. Plus, you have management that really does not seem to care about much. I like the place, too, but it is an expensive hassle.

To get to the restrooms at the Ballpark, you have to drive to the little league baseball fields.

It is a long walk between the course and the restrooms and paddock at TMS. It is all a short walk at Pennington.

You have to use Whataburger if you want to use the restroom at Birdville.

The potential grip at Mineral Wells is great, but the surface sucks and requires you to design around surface issues in order to have more grip. The grip and the surface at Pennington are great! The surface at TMS is great, but the grip is not.

Food at Pennington is just accross the street. You could rush over between heats if you time it right. Not so easy at MR, TMS, or La Grave.

Make the lot bigger and air condition the pooper at Pennington and you would have greatness.

Create your own comparison and post it. Mine was just that -- mine.

Thanks,
Csaba Csere

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Originally Posted by creek

Maybe we all need to complain less and work more. If we could all just scout our own area and find contacts for the local stadiums/schools/big churches? etc. we could probably find some new venues. I thought of churches when I drove by the Potters House on spur 408 the other day. Fund raising is their favorite passtime.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...19226&t=h&z=16

Any of you Plano guys belong to Prestonwood?

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I tried this last year and contact the city of plano, plano ISD, farmers branch isd and a couple other other cities and they all poopooed the idea of it. between the noise and worry about damage they were all against it.

We really need to get the "location-that-shall-not-be-named" to get on board. Big, decent surface, fairly central location, sea breezes, etc.

And I don't have a problem peeing at Pennington in August. It's working one of the corners without the trees that's the issue :)

What about Texas Stadium? I know it's asphalt and it's pretty rough asphalt is some area's but it's a big place.

Just a reminder while we are on the new site talk...If you find a spot do not attempt to line it up yourself. Talk to the head/BOD of which ever club you are a fan of...it is a complicated process with lots of details.

SCCA is still working on trying to get into 2 new sites this year but it does take some work to get into these new facilities. It's not as easy as you might think. The new site(s) could still happen this year, but as of now SCCA has had to lock-in dates with the traditional sites so that a schedule can be set.

The Ball Park in Arlington was discussed, but there are some concerns about the surface taking the abuse from autox events. Rental fee is also a factor.

LaGrave has become one of the most difficult sites to use due to many factors. The surface is uneven between the lots. The transition from the lots makes it very tricky to design around & can result in cars being damaged if not done well or worse yet a safety incident. The light poles are becoming more & more of an issue with several folks. (Yes, cars have hit the light standards in non SCCA events) The rental fee is rather high. Yes, the use of the restrooms is conditional upon them being cleaned. Anyone want to clean restrooms at the end of an autox?? In addition, the management at LaGrave is beyond difficult to work with.

Hey if you guys don't really care about how much entry fees would be, we can have an event at Lone Star Park. One day rental is only $4,000 per day. That's over 3.3 times higher than other facilities! Is it OK to charge an entry fee that reflects that increase? Perhaps a few folks don't mind, but I think that would adversely effect attendance.

Texas Stadium is slated for development as soon as the stadium is demolished. During demolition the site is not obtainable either. Again, the surface is a concern too.

Mineral Wells is a great venue for our sport. But there is still a distance factor. Plus, the surface is becoming VERY abrasive on "R" compound tires.

As Jerret points out, there are many factors that are considered when the clubs choose sites for events. Several factors come into play on these decisions.

By the way, most of the area clubs can't do "street" solo events due to insurance constraints. Rabbit Fest days are long gone as far as a insurance company is concerned.