1st Annual ImprovedTouring.com gathering at the ARRC

[planet6racing]

Well, since I've started planning for this, I thought I should bring this topic up over here.

Who's planning to go? I'd like to get an idea of who is going and when you are planning to arrive so that maybe, just maybe, we can either get a spot where we can all paddock or at least make plans to meet at certain points throughout the weekend.

BTW, anyone know how much it will cost to enter the ARRC (roughly would be fine)? I'm starting to plan/budget for it all now. I just hope gas gets cheaper the further south I get!

Oh, and one last thing: anyone have a beer preference? I can't promise anything, but I'll be trying to make a special ARRC brew before I head down there.

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[Greg Amy]

Great idea! 'Cept I think it should be called the SECOND annual IT gathering. We had a significant portion of the NorthEast crowd there last year, plus others dropping in such as Gregg Baker, Ony Onglade, and others I'm sure I forgot to mention, and we all stopped and met with Kirk Knestis along the way (so he was there in spirit.)

http://www.gatm.com/cars/nx2000/ARRC2003.html

I don't think I'll make the race this year, but I suspect I might just drop in for the weekend...

[planet6racing]

BAH!! There was no advanced planning and you all didn't invite me, so it can't be the 1st!! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[OTLimit]

Somehow I don't think it's likely that we will miss this year, since we haven't missed a year yet. (+ two IT Festivals in Topeka)

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Lesley Albin
Over The Limit Racing
Blazen Golden Retrievers

[gsbaker]

I'm there. I may just fly in for the weekend. The calendar is getting very ugly already.

Pilsner! Although my father, who brews, tells me that a proper Pilsner is somewhat tricky. Or was that a Lager? Oh well, there's always Bombay with a splash of vermouth as a backup.

http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages...2520Photos.html (http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages/Photos/ARRC%25202003%2520Photos.html)

Gregg

[JIgou]

As I've already alluded to elsewhere, I'll be there....along with at least 2, probably 3, more SMs from Des Moines.

(Bill, minor hijack since the other thread broke: You should be able to get into the track and stay there Wednesday night; you're welcome to hook up with us at some point on the trip down if you'd like - with three in the caravan already, I don't think we'll be towing TOO briskly....and if we are, the V10 F250 with us needs to stop for gas every 2 hours anyway....)

Beer? Free is just fine with me. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif Other than that, not many requirements.

Entry fee is something like $250, plus $100 or $150 or so for the test day. I think.

Jarrod

[planet6racing]

Thanks, Jarrod. I'm a little concerned about towing through the mountains with my van, as it will be more weighted down than normal (if I'm driving all that way, I'm racing. So, a spare engine, trans, and body is coming with me!) so I'm probably just going to take it very easy going down. But, I'll keep that in mind.

Gregg: I'll look into a Pilsner. Lagers are tougher because they require cooler temperatures to ferment.

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by planet6racing:
Gregg: I'll look into a Pilsner. Lagers are tougher because they require cooler temperatures to ferment.

I'll see if I can get dad's recipe for a knockoff of Anchor Steam, a Lager brewed at ale temps. You'd like it.

He's much better at brewing than he was when he began twenty years ago, when everything he tried tasted like yak urine. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Gregg

[m glassburner]

Speaking of the test day....I found out that they do pro-rate it!! Good if your on a budget or if it rains 1/2 a day... http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

[Catch22]

I'll be there. I've been to many ARRCs, but this will be my first one behind the wheel. I can't wait.

And Georgia gas is at about $1.75 for regular right now, but it fluctuates damned near daily.

I like a nice cloudy wheat (without fruit in it dammit. I hate it when people put fruit in my beer).

I haven't talked Kirk into running the ARRC yet, but I will. Shhhhhhh... He doesn't know.

And Greg???
Why not come down at next years ITA weight and see what you can do relative to the current A cars??? I'd like to see that.

[planet6racing]

Well, that was the last batch. Unfortunately, the second batch we are making is a lemon coriander wheat, just so we don't have to have lemons in the house!

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[lateapex911]

Originally posted by gsbaker:
I'm there. I may just fly in for the weekend.
.....with a splash of vermouth as a backup.

http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages...2520Photos.html (http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/OtherPages/Photos/ARRC%25202003%2520Photos.html)

Gregg

Ooooo..."vermouth" the man says....and the crowd hushed in reverence.....


http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

Glad to see ITs biggest business fan will be there!


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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[CaptainWho]

We'll be there, but we don't know yet whether it will be driving or working corners.

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Doug "Lefty" Franklin
NutDriver Racing (http://www.nutdriver.org)

[Greg Amy]

<font face=\"Verdana, Arial\" size=\"2\">And Greg??? Why not come down at next years ITA weight and see what you can do relative to the current A cars???</font>

Well, we did, last year. Next year's legal weight is 2515, and we were there in 2003 at about 2505 (versus this year's 2490 legal). Other than the rear swaybar and some shock/spring tuning, there's not a dramatic difference in the car. We're still running the same old engine and won't have a new one 'til next year, so there's really nothing else to prove.

Grab it while you can:

http://www.arrc-online.com/G5RACE.pdf
http://www.arrc-online.com/G4RACE.pdf

I'll bother someone soon for a crew pass so I can hang with y'all, but the team will be there next year, ready for bear (beer?)

GA

[Knestis]

Originally posted by Catch22:
... I haven't talked Kirk into running the ARRC yet, but I will. Shhhhhhh... He doesn't know. ...

...and whey in the HELL would I subject myself to that? Let's see:

1. Car is nothing like fully prepared

2. Driver is slow

3. I took a month off of work in July and my co-workers will lynch me if I take another day

That DOES sound like fun.

K

[Catch22]

Kirk...
Because its the ARRC. Thats why.

You're coming buddy. Yep. You are.

[volante]

If we get lucky it will rain again while we loaded the car,36 hours straight on the way from DesMoines,while we unloaded the car at the track and while we drank beer in the rain when we got done(because it did not matter anymore at that point)but it was still worth it.
I will have a car this year though,but in SM so I will be much farther back in the pack then in ITA
And my truck can go 2 hours and 15 min. on a tank of gas Jarrod.
And if we get really lucky Bart won't get us stuck in the biggest traffic jam in the history of Tennesee and get to the track 3 hours late.
Dave Volante

[moto62]

So, what night is this gathering going to take place? Fri nite? Sat nite?
Ray

[RSTPerformance]

I think it should be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night IMO...

Raymond

[RSTPerformance]

I think it should be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night IMO...

Raymond

[gsbaker]

I vote Wednesday night through Sunday night.

As I recall, Jake has already agreed to provide the motorhome with hot tub and hot tub warmers. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/cool.gif

http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

Gregg

[planet6racing]

Well, it's only 19 days until I leave the great state of Wisconsin to begin the trek down!

Where should we all meet, and when? I know nothing about the track, so I'd like to rely on people that have been there to point out the good places to go.

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[gsbaker]

Bill,

Good question. There are several places to meet at the track. At one time we were planning on an RV as IT.com central, but I believe Dave won't be able to make it--at least I haven't heard of an update and don't know how to reach him aside from this board.

Off track, however, I would recommend that casual bar/restaurant that is part of the Chatea Elan complex, about 5 miles from the track. I believe it has an Irish name.

Gregg

[JIgou]

Originally posted by gsbaker:
Off track, however, I would recommend that casual bar/restaurant that is part of the Chatea Elan complex, about 5 miles from the track. I believe it has an Irish name.

Gregg

Sounds good to me - we'll be staying at the Holiday Inn Express across the street.

Yep, I'll be real smart in the mornings....

j

[apr67]

Originally posted by JIgou:
Yep, I'll be real smart in the mornings....


Then you will go and ruin it by putting on a drivers suit..

http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

[gsbaker]

Found it: Paddy's Irish Pub. The food's good and jeans are okay. Plus it's close; the next selections would mean getting on the interstate.

( http://www.chateauelanatlanta.com/dining/paddys-.html )

I don't get in until Friday, but I can make it for dinner. What, 7:00?

First round is on me. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Gregg

[gsbaker]

BTW, any golfers out there? Huh? Maybe?

Oh well. Never mind. Stupid question.

Gregg

[lateapex911]

I swing a driver from time to time.

But I suck...still, might be better than I did last year! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by lateapex911:
But I suck...still, might be better than I did last year! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

That's a setup if I ever heard one. You probably shoot scratch, Jake.

Okay, you're on. But you gotta spot me ten strokes. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

G

[CaptainWho]

If you see a guy in a white (corner worker) monkey suit, wearing a hat that says "NutDriver Racing", relax, we're not dangerous, we're just The Nuts. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif We're going to try to get by the gathering, but it might be tough. We're working corners but will only be there Saturday and Sunday, and the social Saturday night is the annual Worker Appreciation event. So it'll probably be late Saturday before we get there.

Which begs the question, was there ever a decision on where it would be?

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Doug "Lefty" Franklin
NutDriver Racing (http://www.nutdriver.org)

[RSTPerformance]

Since Friday night their will be a post racing party at the track maybe we can have this gathering at Paddy's on Thursday night for those that came down early?

Will their be an improuvedtouring.com central location with motorhome still? If so we could skip out on Paddy's and get some grills fired up on Thursday night instead??? What are everyones interests?

Raymond

[planet6racing]

Unfortunately, there won't be an IT.com RV this year. The person who said they'd take care of getting and returning it isn't coming this year.

Thursday night at Paddy's works for me, but Gregg won't be there, yet. I think we'll all have to get together on Friday night at the party (I'll have the homebrew with me) and start telling lies there. We can decide on what to do from there...

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[gsbaker]

Bill's idea makes sense. We can always try Paddy's on Saturday night.

Too bad about the RV.

Gregg

[Anubis]

Originally posted by CaptainWho:
If you see a guy in a white (corner worker) monkey suit, wearing a hat that says "NutDriver Racing", relax, we're not dangerous, we're just The Nuts. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif


But I still suggest running away from them.... or at least thats what the Surgeon General tells me. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

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Lance Snyder
Atlanta Region F&C

No more the small one, the weak one, the frightened one.
Running from beatings, deflating.
I'm becoming more than a man. More than you ever were.
Driven and burning to rise beyond Jesus.

[R2 Racing]

I thought the big party at the track was Saturday night after all the awards and such. I remember (well, sort of) getting reeeeal sloshed at that last year.

Does that mean nothing going on at the track Friday night? I'd be up for the Irish Pub place idea but I will not have a street car to get there. Hmmm, I also don't know how much "fun" I want to have the night before the ARRC. Sorry, it's my first time actually running it and I'm already nervous.

Well, whatever night. I'll be there Thursday - Sunday in a 35ft RV with a bright orange ITA Integra. Shouldn't be hard to miss.

Kevin
RuckRacing ITA Integra

[gsbaker]

Sounds like you guys should do Thursday. You can fill me in later, and/or send me a bill for the first round! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Gregg

[Eagle7]

<font face=\"Verdana, Arial\" size=\"2\">I'll be there Thursday - Sunday in a 35ft RV with a bright orange ITA Integra. Shouldn't be hard to miss.</font>[/b]
I don't know how fast Kevin is in the RV, but he really flies in that Integra.

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Marty Doane
ITS RX-7 #13
CenDiv WMR

[R2 Racing]

Originally posted by Eagle7:
I don't know how fast Kevin is in the RV, but he really flies in that Integra.

Thanks Marty! **insert blushing here**

The RV cruises very well at 80-85 http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by R2 Racing (edited October 28, 2004).]

[Geo]

I'll be there wandering around looking kind of lost.

I'll be bringing Shiner Bock. Yum yum. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[Geo]

Oh yeah, too bad about the RV. We rented one for a race at Texas Motor Speedway last year and decided that was by far the best way to go racing. What a blast.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[CaptainWho]

Originally posted by Anubis:
or at least thats what the Surgeon General tells me. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

He's not wrong. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

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Doug "Lefty" Franklin
NutDriver Racing (http://www.nutdriver.org)

[ARRC Comm]

We will feed and water you on Friday with a band and again feed and water you on Sat ngt. We will have a drawing for ALL the workers of the ARRC so bring gifts for them, put your name on the gift so they can thank you. IE Beer, Wine, Gift certificates, hats , shirts, neat chit ETC. Thanks, Fletcher

[ITTdriver]

Thanks to sponsors we have major parties Friday and Saturday nights. Friday the sponsors are Road Atlanta, Zander Radio Systems, and LMSC. Saturday's sponsor is MazdaSpeed. Drink up and eat for free.
Be sure to bring goodies for the workers Saturday night.


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Auto racing, bull fighting and mountain climbing are sports. The rest are just games.
Hemingway.

[gsbaker]

Here's where we are:

Several of us are planning to connect at Paddy's Irish Pub Friday night after making a stop at the track's social.

I get the first round.

Gregg

[Geo]

Originally posted by gsbaker:
I get the first round.

Even for me?? (buying a HANS)

I have a Shiner Bock with your name on it!


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[R2 Racing]

Originally posted by gsbaker:
Several of us are planning to connect at Paddy's Irish Pub Friday night after making a stop at the track's social.


I won't have a vehicle to leave the track so I'll be staying at that party. So anyone staying at the track, feel free to stop by the bright orange #73 ITA Integra's RV and say hi.

[Geo]

Originally posted by R2 Racing:

I won't have a vehicle to leave the track so I'll be staying at that party. So anyone staying at the track, feel free to stop by the bright orange #73 ITA Integra's RV and say hi.

I'm sure you can catch a ride. Ride with me if you'd like to go. I'm not racing so all I'll have with me is a road car.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by Geo:
Even for me?? (buying a HANS)

Absolutely, George.



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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com