SAAC 33 Registration open

[RACER X #99]

The 2008 SAAC convention at Thunderbolt Raceway in NJ

http://www.saac.com/eventsAndConventions/saac33.html

[xracerbob]

$100 per day for the open track and only 2 15 minute sessions? Seems a little steep, but I'll probably do at least one day. I haven't been a SAAC member since '86 so I suppose its time to join again.

[RACER X #99]

Bob, read that again, it's $100 for the AM and $100 for the PM. Most of us know that SAAC Open track is genarally parade laps but for some it may be the only chane to drive that particular track.

RD

[xracerbob]

Thanks for pointing that out, I misread it the first time. I might just go to see everything and leave the open track days for events that really cater to driving more than a few minutes. I'm looking at doing some of the SCDA events in '08.

[RACER X #99]

SCDA and NASA/PDA are both good for LRP and WGI

[ztarum]

I'm a new cobra owner and Millville is right in my back yard. I don't want to run on the track or anything, but I would like to go and check out all the cars. Is this event something you can just show up at as a spectator, or do you have to join/register, etc?

[RACER X #99]

Just show up and pay the daily admission $30. You only have to join if you want to open track. Watching open track is like watching amatures play golf, much more fun to do it yourself.

RD

[RICK LAKE]

xracerbob Bob If you don't mind the traveling, come to R&G this year. They have 2 full days of roadracing. You will get 6-8 20minutes sections the first 2 days you are there with time on each lap. You will be TOO tired by days end to complain. Last year 5 guys drove over 250miles on the track. The road course is only 1.6 miles long but is SAFE and FAST as you want it. There are many guys there to help out with info, repair of car if it breaks, You run in your own class, novice or street. I don't know what the price is this year but I travel 1k miles to see some great people, have a ton of fun, race cars, and relax. There are people there (pro) you can talk to about setting up your car, scales for setup. There is an autocross the first day, while people are doing this, the other half is on the road course for practice. We then swap. After lunch we all get sessions on the road track again. There are teachers for first time if wanted. They show you the way around the track, the lines, braking points. We have partys every night, BYOB. There are many hotels only 8 miles from the track. Prices vary. If you like Budweiser, the main taste test is in St. Lious. Nomex helmet is manditory and a nomex jacket is optional. You can get both from Summit on the way to Gateway. They are in Ohio on 76. The 3rd day is drag racing. The choise is yours on this part of the event. I only make 2-3 runs. This is hard on the cars drivetrain. Again you race in your own group. I guess $200 per day for track time is about right for 1 hour of driving. For the same price you can drive 2-3 hours per day and cover about 150 miles each day. . 2 things you might want to look into, a good roadracing seat like Kirkey, and a master cut off switch for the battery. I hope you go to the jim and work out the arms a little, you will be a little sore after a day of racing. If you want to talk, call me at 732-254-3536 in the evening. I'm in NJ. I was Thinking of going with my car to SAAC but 2, 15 minute drives?$10.00 for controlled parade laps? I am not that RICH.

[RACER X #99]

Rick, The money you will save on gas alone towing to St. Louis will pay for all the track time you need in NJ. Why don't you try to talk your Run and Gun buddies into going to SAAC 33? I'll bet some of them are already planning on attending.

BTW if they ever move R&G closer to NJ (like they used to) I'll be one of the first to sign up.

RD

[RICK LAKE]

Racer X 99 I wish they would be closer to NJ. The problem is the western gang of about 1/2 would not make the trip. I would like see this event go back to east coast,west coast. They tryed running the Northeastern Challenge. They only got about 20 cars. Loudon is a nice track but for the bump on going to and from the circle track to the road course. Watkins Glen I would like to run at, 1 of these years when the car is done. VIR what a super race track. Sign me up for this one. MPH track out in Hastings Neb. This place has both road course and drag track being finished as we E-mail. This is another 200 miles for me to travel. The rules for R&G are not as tight as going to some of the other tracks, N.H loudon, there is a noise limit because of some guy across the street reading the level of the noise off the track, When it gets too high 95 dec. he calls the police. You are removed from racing. WHAT CRAP. Some people trying the racing seen for the first or second time, are not going to spend $300-1,500.00 dollars on shoes,jacket,pants, good custom seat for racing. Should they be wearing this stuff, YES. But these people are just here for the fun. Most are mid to late 30's and up. Some are out for blood or trying to sell there product and using R&G as a test between the different car builders. R&G has come back with a manufactures classes. I think it worked well this year. We will have to wait and see in the future. Gateway is small compared to Mid Ohio or Mid America. There are some great tracks in Texas and Cali. That we all would like to race on. Gateway is in the center of the country and they have been super to the R&G events over the years. Tim and Dan are like Family and have let things slide that where questionable but not dangerous for either car or driver. It was a full moon late year and half the guys used up there mulligans. I took a broken car through the tunnel that is for cars only. My dually and trailer fit without any problem but I broke the rule and got a time out. Anyway as for the $600.00 gas bill to travel, I would spend 3/4 of this going to VIR and about 1/2 to The Glen. For Pro hard core racers Gateway is too easy. For the average cobra driver with stock suspension it's fun. You get the speed on the turns 3 and 4 on the main track and the off camber 280degree turn in the infield. Maybe it will move in the next year or 2. I go for the people and the fun. I am not as fast or stupid as I used to be running my car. Clois, Dean, and Jay put on another great event. This was Jay's last year. It's hard to find people who have and will take the time for all the hard work to get this event running every year. This year the rules have changed due too possible problems and being sued by someone. Each driver is responsible for his own safety checkout. They are going to sign off on there own cars. This event would cost 1/3 less if not for the insurance policy needed. This is at every track. If the R&G went to the west coast, I think it would continue to do well and grow. There are alow of cobras and other kitcars on the eastcoast but not sure how many would come out for this. Alot would again depend at which track. The Northeastern Challenge failed and it cost Joe T. about a grand for the bills after the last event. The timed road race on the streets was cool but the back roads up in N.H. put dents and paint chips in everyones car. This was not good. Some roads where gravel and crushed stone. If someone wants to stepup and run and east coast R&G, I am sure the magazines will cover it. They could add this on to either the Kit car show at Carlisle or the Ohio show in london. Just thinking out loud. Got to go Rick

[RACER X #99]

Rick, Thunderbolt is only two hours from us in central NJ. I'll go to see the REAL Cobras and Shelbys . I won't even bring my FPSB this year as I will be running Thunderbolt with NASA the week befor the convention.
To miss the best FORD Shelby event on the planet is inconceivable.

RD