NASA Nationals 2012

#121

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.[/quote]

My question is more directed to your statement that it would actually affect which CLASS you run. One event a year would be the determining factor as to whether you raced SE30 or not?

#122

[quote=“Foglght” post=68405]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]

I visited Miller recently and it is a gorgeous facility. Full disclosure, they are one of my customers at MotorsportReg.com but it’s awesome. Yes, it’s effectively in the middle of nowhere, but SLC is a fun town and not too far away. There is a huge paved paddock, professional level facilities, great garages and a great staff.

There aren’t really any tracks that are centrally located that people want to race at year after year. I went to Road America for the Runoffs last year but it’s still 2200 miles from San Francisco. Maybe COTA in Texas would be a good place after Miller?

The way I look at it: if you’re willing to put in the time and money to prep, tow, stay and compete at an event 1500 miles away, what’s the difference in one that’s 2500 miles away? Sure, it’s extra fuel and another nights hotel each way, but that’s a rounding error on the overall expenditures for your trip. If you want to experience a big show and race the best, that’s the cost of entry.

#123

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.[/quote]

My question is more directed to your statement that it would actually affect which CLASS you run. One event a year would be the determining factor as to whether you raced SE30 or not?[/quote]

It would sway me towards picking a class that I could run with the SCCA. Nationals isn’t just “one event”. It’s the event all other events lead up to. But no, it definitely isnt the deciding factor. I am really happy with my decision to run SE30 instead of SM or ITA, except for this.

#124

The NASA announced schedule is really easy to follow and understand. Its two years at Miller, two years at MidO, two years at Miller, two years at MidO, on and on.

Miller is by far the cleanest, nicest facility you will ever race. Power is everywhere. Restrooms clean. GOJO for your hands, AC in the garages, etc. The track isn’t too technical, but its still good fun.

Its impossible to have a track that is central for everyone, so NASA alternates to try to accommodate everyone. And, both times I had my car dragged out there I won a National Championship over the locals, so if you are strong at the wheel, it really doesn’t matter what the locals do. Get there a day or two early and get in on the track rental, watch videos of the track before you go there, and talk with people that have local knowledge. By the time I got there I was already a semi-local.

#125

[quote=“BigKeyserSoze” post=68414]The NASA announced schedule is really easy to follow and understand. Its two years at Miller, two years at MidO, two years at Miller, two years at MidO, on and on.

Miller is by far the cleanest, nicest facility you will ever race. Power is everywhere. Restrooms clean. GOJO for your hands, AC in the garages, etc. The track isn’t too technical, but its still good fun.

Its impossible to have a track that is central for everyone, so NASA alternates to try to accommodate everyone. And, both times I had my car dragged out there I won a National Championship over the locals, so if you are strong at the wheel, it really doesn’t matter what the locals do. Get there a day or two early and get in on the track rental, watch videos of the track before you go there, and talk with people that have local knowledge. By the time I got there I was already a semi-local.[/quote]
As much as I hate to say it - Scott is correct.

Miller is THE nicest facility I have ever driven at. It is not centrally located but it does have awesome appeal for folks who want to make a vacation out of it and see the country. It took me 4 days out and back to drive but I got to see parts of the USA that I had never seen except from 30,000 ft above.

#126

[quote=“wildhorsesracing” post=68415][quote=“BigKeyserSoze” post=68414]The NASA announced schedule is really easy to follow and understand. Its two years at Miller, two years at MidO, two years at Miller, two years at MidO, on and on.

Miller is by far the cleanest, nicest facility you will ever race. Power is everywhere. Restrooms clean. GOJO for your hands, AC in the garages, etc. The track isn’t too technical, but its still good fun.

Its impossible to have a track that is central for everyone, so NASA alternates to try to accommodate everyone. And, both times I had my car dragged out there I won a National Championship over the locals, so if you are strong at the wheel, it really doesn’t matter what the locals do. Get there a day or two early and get in on the track rental, watch videos of the track before you go there, and talk with people that have local knowledge. By the time I got there I was already a semi-local.[/quote]
As much as I hate to say it - Scott is correct.

Miller is THE nicest facility I have ever driven at. It is not centrally located but it does have awesome appeal for folks who want to make a vacation out of it and see the country. It took me 4 days out and back to drive but I got to see parts of the USA that I had never seen except from 30,000 ft above.[/quote]

I wonder what time of year the ski slopes open in Utah…

#127

[quote=“JustinHoMi” post=68411]
It would sway me towards picking a class that I could run with the SCCA. Nationals isn’t just “one event”. It’s the event all other events lead up to. But no, it definitely isnt the deciding factor. I am really happy with my decision to run SE30 instead of SM or ITA, except for this.[/quote]
After a couple race weekends of terrific camaraderie, folks coming over to help you with your car, folks giving you every tip you can imagine about that track and general racecraft, folks bringing you beer, folks insisting you go out to dinner with them that night, etc. etc. etc. you will burst out laughing at the idea that you once said that the location of Nationals was an issue re. selecting SpecE30 as your home.

#128

[quote=“BigKeyserSoze” post=68414]Miller is by far the cleanest, nicest facility you will ever race.[/quote] …unless you race Barber. But I digress.

[quote]The track isn’t too technical, but its still good fun. [/quote] I found it to be a great track. Plenty of room but you still have to earn every pass. Plenty of room off-track. Plenty of room in the paddock. Hell, it’s out West. There’s plenty of room everywhere.

The track is surprisingly challenging. I thought it would be a flat autocross but there’s a great variety of corners and more elevation than the TV cameras show.

Besides, 2013 will be a much bigger challenge in SE30 since splitters aren’t allowed, right Dwight?

I hope to make it back to Miller again. It’s still a hell of a long tow for our Kalifornia brethren too. And those Mormon chicks… Man do they put out. :evil:

#129

All of a sudden…

#130

[quote=“Steve D” post=68420][quote=“BigKeyserSoze” post=68414]Miller is by far the cleanest, nicest facility you will ever race.[/quote] …unless you race Barber. But I digress.

[quote]The track isn’t too technical, but its still good fun. [/quote] I found it to be a great track. Plenty of room but you still have to earn every pass. Plenty of room off-track. Plenty of room in the paddock. Hell, it’s out West. There’s plenty of room everywhere.

The track is surprisingly challenging. I thought it would be a flat autocross but there’s a great variety of corners and more elevation than the TV cameras show.

Besides, 2013 will be a much bigger challenge in SE30 since splitters aren’t allowed, right Dwight?

I hope to make it back to Miller again. It’s still a hell of a long tow for our Kalifornia brethren too. And those Mormon chicks… Man do they put out. :evil:[/quote]

Ohh, I totally forgot! The trip might be worth it if I could pick up a couple of extra wives while I was out there.

#131

[quote=“Ranger” post=68418][quote=“JustinHoMi” post=68411]
It would sway me towards picking a class that I could run with the SCCA. Nationals isn’t just “one event”. It’s the event all other events lead up to. But no, it definitely isnt the deciding factor. I am really happy with my decision to run SE30 instead of SM or ITA, except for this.[/quote]
After a couple race weekends of terrific camaraderie, folks coming over to help you with your car, folks giving you every tip you can imagine about that track and general racecraft, folks bringing you beer, folks insisting you go out to dinner with them that night, etc. etc. etc. you will burst out laughing at the idea that you once said that the location of Nationals was an issue re. selecting SpecE30 as your home.[/quote]

You saved me the time to type those exact same words. The season doesn’t build up to Nats. Ive done nats, its its own animal that has nothing to do with the regular season.

#132

All of a sudden…[/quote]

+1 on mormon chicks!

#133

All of a sudden…[/quote]

+1 on mormon chicks![/quote]

Does the different area code rule still apply? oh dear…

#134

Back when the Nationals were there the first go around, I thought the track looked flat and boring. I had an opportunity to compete in the Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout there 2 years ago. As soon as I had a chance to drive the track and experience what the facility had to offer, I knew I made a mistake not taking the trip. On the flight home I read Larry Miller’s biography and I regret my decision even more. What he had gone through in his life, what he had built, brings so much respect to that facility. I, as of right now, will do everything possible to make a trip to Miller in 2013 a reality for me.

#135

Yes, Barber is really nice also. I haven’t been there in a few years, but its really nice. That said, I still say Miller is a nicer place to race.

Multiple wives? Are you insane? Most people don’t want the one they have, much less a pile of them nagging at you. Unreal.

#136

Miller…:huh:

Shoot…Homestead is too far for me to haul. I think the nationals ought to be held at Sebring in November. :wink: Even if it was, with the current economy I couldn’t afford to go. :pinch:

Seriously, I like the Miller/Mid Ohio compromise. It gives a chance for east and west to go every second year and every year for the really serious competitors.

Don

#137

[quote=“donstevens” post=68437]Miller…:huh:

Shoot…Homestead is too far for me to haul. I think the nationals ought to be held at Sebring in November. :wink: Even if it was, with the current economy I couldn’t afford to go. :pinch:

Seriously, I like the Miller/Mid Ohio compromise. It gives a chance for east and west to go every second year and every year for the really serious competitors.

Don[/quote]

I agree.

When Mike Mills was starting Spec Bimmer and I was starting Spec E30, we agreed to merge the rules, just so suppliers would be the same - economies of scale, etc. We then agreed to merge both programs into one series.

Neither of us thought there would be a National Championship and we thought no one in a low-cost series would have an interest in it, if it did happen. Of course it has, and having it in two areas of the country seems to work well. I commend NASA on this formula.

Carter

#138

For a change eh. Last time I checked they just ran Nationals at Miller 2 and 3 years ago. I was hoping for another track not in the middle of a lowly populated state. With that being said, I still might make the drive out there.

#139

For some reason I’m unable to edit my previous post and it has come to my attention that I crossed the line. I would like to apologize if I’ve offended anyone with my off-color comment. Those who have met me know that “women putting out” is a largely theoretical discussion. However, that attempt at humor was misguided and I am sorry.

#140

For a change eh. Last time I checked they just ran Nationals at Miller 2 and 3 years ago. I was hoping for another track not in the middle of a lowly populated state. With that being said, I still might make the drive out there.[/quote]

Once again, where do you expect it to be?

I see all this complaining, and nobody is coming up with a better suggestion. That tells me the current system is the lesser of several evils.