NASA Nationals 2012

#101

Just to comment about the winner…Mr. I can’t make a meeting on time Maganoli (I didn’t spell that right either); great race. Nate and DTR racing showed us that having a car properly prepped and ready for any situation is more than half the battle. Remember to thank those guys more than you should. Your run just showed everyone that having a very well prepped car with a great crew can do when you have an equally prepped/great driver. That combo is almost impossible to beat, and I’m not ashamed to say I envy that. That’s racing.

Congrats again man.

#102

I second Ryan’s remarks. Anthony, Nate, DTR… great job!

#103

The track was super fast Sunday. Plus I think most of us were driving the wheels off of the cars. We’ve never done 42’s before until now.

#104

here is first part of my sunday race

started 14th, finished 10 or 11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lbOshP2Sug&feature=youtu.be

#105

Quick question to the out of town folks. Does NASA have a tow fund for guys that drive a long way? SCCA used to have this for guys that had more than a 400 mile drive.

I was quickly doing the calcs and it looks like about $1,200 or so to tow back and forth to Miller.

#106

I’ve never heard of one.

One of the guys at work once caught a great deal of $1200 on an enclosed multi car transporter that was going out. Got space under their huge awning for the weekend too. I would guess more typical would be closer to $2000.

ps. Not sure I want to spend $2k+ to get punted out of contingency and have someone tell me it’s not the other driver’s fault.

#107

A good rule of thumb is $1/mile. If you can get it less than that, consider yourself doing well.

Brian, went to Road America twice last year from California, ouch!

#108

When I come to power the entire purpose of Amtrak will be for me to have a cocktail in the smoking lounge while I cruise from Milwaukee to Salt lake at 70mph with the car in tow.

I never even bothered to check how far it was until now. 1540 miles each way. You’re all welcome to pay me off to not come for the next two years.

#109

I thank everyone for a fun and enjoyable week. The DriveGear #89 ran flawlessly for me, and somehow I managed to get it into and out of the fray with no damage. While I would have liked something better than a 9th place finish, that’s apparently all I was good for, and it was a great time. Like everything I own, I drove the wheels off of it, got all I could, and tried to stay out of the way of those that had a race to get to infront of me.

Having come from Florida to Utah twice for the Nationals, I can tell you firsthand that NASA does not have any fuel incentives. I did, however, get the long haul award, which I believe was $100 and some recognition. If I remember correctly, I paid $1800 to get the car from Atlanta to Utah, then Utah to Bradenton (where I live). There are usually shops with haulers that are going that you can get your car into. Jim Pantas runs one out of the SE. OPM Autosports runs one as well. Several come from Florida. I’m confident that if you have some money to spare, you’ll be at Utah. Hope to see everyone there.

-Scott

#110

I didn’t see any announcement, but I can take it from this thread that it was announced that the Nationals will be at Miller for the next 2 years? I’m a little disappointed they decided to go back out there.

#111

I believe it was announced a couple years ago (at the time that they announced the return to Mid O).

#112

Good Lord, I hope not. It would make more sense to me to have nationals somewhere more central… As a new SE30 driver, this seriously turns me off from the series.

#113

Good Lord, I hope not. It would make more sense to me to have nationals somewhere more central… As a new SE30 driver, this seriously turns me off from the series.[/quote]

Really? Why?

#114

I think we’re waiting on Justin to build his car.
Sez alot there.

RP

#115

Good Lord, I hope not. It would make more sense to me to have nationals somewhere more central… As a new SE30 driver, this seriously turns me off from the series.[/quote]

Really? Why?[/quote]

What’s the point in nationals if it’s going to be all west coasters, or vice versa? Looking at the preregistration for Mid Ohio, it was something like 10% west coast, and 90% east or central. (I don’t know what the final numbers were.)

I know the drive sucks for everyone, but by making it central you at least minimize the chance of people having to make ridiculously long drives. Sure, it will ALWAYS suck for people in Florida, Maine, etc, but at least you don’t turn off an entire side of the country.

It’s also not really a fair playing field. A track so far east or west means that the drivers on the other coast will probably never have driven it before (except for at nationals). Something more central gives drivers a better chance of getting to practice on the track during the year.

FWIW I’ve done the SCCA Solo Nationals four times in Kansas and Nebraska. The drive is around 20 hours from NC, which we do in two days. A drive to Utah would be about 36 hours. It’s a trip I probably wouldn’t be willing to take.

#116

[quote=“Patton” post=68401]I think we’re waiting on Justin to build his car.
Sez alot there.

RP[/quote]

Not really sure what you’re trying to say there.

#117

Well where the hell do you expect it to be? It’s a big country, there’s no way to accommodate everyone. Mid-Ohio was one hell of a schlep for us west coasters, now they’re turning it around for a change.

And you don’t have to tow that far, lots of people rented cars locally.

#118

SCCA tried that with Topeka. The facility was…lacking.

Hell, I always thought Mid-ohio was behind the times with not having electrical hookups and such for RV’s. Always having to run the generator and even for guys just tent camping, it is difficult to charge all your tools at night.

Miller does appear to have electric services. Not sure how much there is, but I’m almost looking forward to going. I hear the bonneville salt flats are about an hour and a half away and I’ve never been.

Doesn’t look like much else around besides that, but does appear to be about 45 mins from downtown salt lake city. Will probably just guzzle beer at the track anyway…

#119

NASA is doing what they have to do, if its too far of a drive for you to UTAH, then do what I do and stay home lol

#120

[quote=“Foglght” post=68405]SCCA tried that with Topeka. The facility was…lacking.

Hell, I always thought Mid-ohio was behind the times with not having electrical hookups and such for RV’s. Always having to run the generator and even for guys just tent camping, it is difficult to charge all your tools at night.

Miller does appear to have electric services. Not sure how much there is, but I’m almost looking forward to going. I hear the bonneville salt flats are about an hour and a half away and I’ve never been.

Doesn’t look like much else around besides that, but does appear to be about 45 mins from downtown salt lake city. Will probably just guzzle beer at the track anyway…[/quote]

Heartland Park is the first place that comes to mind. I’ve been there, but haven’t raced on the track. I thought the facilities were fine… showers, etc. I camped onsite, so lodging was free! But maybe there are other issues.

Road America is a little closer to the west coast than Mid Ohio. Still not ideal.

Maybe they’ll let us race in Austin =)

I’m sure this debate has been had many times by the higher ups. It’s just disappointing.