SAAC-33 Trip Report

[computerworks]

When we got to the NJMP on Thursday, we saw the line of early-birds waiting for the gates to open at 4 p.m. As you see the pictures of the facility, there are areas of recent landscaping and a lot of dirt area...when the grass takes for next season, this all should be a memory.





The Ticket House just outside the Main Gate served as Registration central.





Pre-registration helps a lot...you just pick up your passes and your goodie bag.

[computerworks]

It's cool to see the empty and quiet areas before things start....knowing the frenzy of activity that is coming up in the next few days.

This is the main Garage Area.



...and the Paddock area. This will quickly get crowded by tomorrow.
As large as the crowd was, there was still plenty of paddock space available.



Some of the early birds getting the best spots and setting up camp.



The Shelby Autos truck was one of the first ones there, with a load of cool cars.



After a walk around, we went back to our hotel at dusk, and found deer on the lawn.

Not what I am used to seeing, as a city-boy. :-)

[computerworks]

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

The Main Gate and entrance to the Park.



Off to the right is the Clubhouse, exclusive lodging, restaurant and bar...plus nice meeting rooms.



Here's Cobrajeff setting up the main desk for the Car Shows... the Hi-Performance Motors show for vintage cars...and the Shine and Show for general entries.



The Vendor Alley being set up at the crack of dawn.



The full Shelby Autos line-up, with a few owner's cars parking in the area during the weekend.

[computerworks]

As the day began, attendees settled into their Garage spaces for the weekend.



Almost immediately, the line started to form for Tech Inspection of the cars that would participate in Open Track.





At 9 a.m., there was the Driver's Meeting in the Garage Meeting room. Joe Volpe, with Howard Pardee at his side (seated), go over the Track layout and the rules of the road for the open trackers. You can see the crowd that was there, indicating how popular this is at the convention.

[computerworks]

This building houses the VIP garages...very cool.

Your garage is on the first level...and your residence (hotel room) is just above you.



This building, known as the Barn, has the food concession all around the ground level, and a 500-seat banquet room on the second level, where the Saturday dinner was held.



You can grab a picnic table and watch the track action while you have lunch.



Legendary Motorcars (Dreamcar Garage) brought some beautiful specimens..





The paddock starts to fill up...and some snack wagons provide easy access.



Dan Reiter does some commander-time in the Timing tower, as the Open Track session prepares to start.