Nationals in Utah

#1

[quote]RICHMOND, CA – September 14, 2008. The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) announced last night that it will be adding a new location for its National Championship event beginning in 2009. In order to continue to hold the Championship event at a high caliber facility and serve a larger geographic area for its members, NASA is pleased to add Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah as the site for the 2009 and 2010 National Championship events.

The addition of the Miller facility to the roster is a key part of a plan which will rotate the event every few years to make it more accessible to a larger group of racers and help continue to attract a greater number of participants. The 2009 event will be NASA’s fourth National Championship event and the hope will be to continue the steady growth along with tremendous sponsor support which offered more than $1,000,000.00 in contingency offerings. The Mid Ohio Sports Car Course will remain the East Coast site for the event and NASA will return there for 2011 and 2012 events. National Chairman Ryan Flaherty stated, “This new plan should be a perfect opportunity for our racers across the country to experience Championship level events at two truly world class race tracks.” For more information please visit www.nasachampionships.com.[/quote]

What’s everyone think? Obviously I don’t want to see Nationals move from my backyard, but I’m looking forward to trying to make it to Miller. I’m curious to see how many racers from the east decide to go. Most of our racers are in the south east and Mid Atlantic regions.

#2

I’m going to wait and see how my race budget looks for next year, but I think it would be a good excuse to head west.

I just wish they would have picked Laguna Seca or Infineon. If they want the east coasters to tow 1,900 miles, what’s the difference if it is 2,200? (Ranger - I know the answer is 300 miles.:stuck_out_tongue: That was a rhetorical question.) I’d be more inclined to make the trek to a track with some history.

I am sure they will run the whole 4.5-mile track so they can put as many cars on track as possible (read: maximize entry fees). Not sure I am real excited about having to learn 23 turns - except for the fact that most of my competitors will have to learn them, too.

I hope I am wrong, but I think there will be a significant drop in overall attendance next year since NASA is becoming geographically undesireable for most of the (racing) population and SCCA is taking the Runoffs to Road America (vacating the wasteland that is Topeka).

That being said, I would imagine the hard core SE30 guys would still make the trip out there and we would get a bunch of the West Coasters. Bold prediction: 32 Spec E30 entries for next year. Slightly smaller than 40 Spec Miata entries.

Steve D.

#3

I agree, I wanted Infineon but we didn’t get it. FWIW most of us here on the far Left Coast have never run Miller so the field may be a bit more level. It’s only a 12hr tow for us so I see some testing in our future…

#4

From my perspective I think it’s a great decision:

  • It’s an eight-hour tow instead of 20 hours to Ohio for me,
  • I know the track (although I am looking forward to drving at Mid Ohio at some point),
  • The facility at Miller is first rate: Friendly staff, compressed air, showers and flat screen TV’s in the garages,
  • Salt Lake has a lot of restaurant and hotel options,
  • The track is fun, challenging and relatively safe; there are good places to pass,
    I hope you east-coasters figure out a way to get here - it will be worth it!
    Mark
#5

Steve D wrote:

[quote]
That being said, I would imagine the hard core SE30 guys would still make the trip out there and we would get a bunch of the West Coasters. Bold prediction: 32 Spec E30 entries for next year. [/quote]

Very bold I was thinking more like 15 cars mostly from Cali. We’ll see but I’m not sure how many are willing to tow over 30 hours.

#6

We had some Porsche guys from Colorado rent a transporter to take their cars to Sebring (Daytona?) a few years ago for a PCA race, then they just flew in. I wonder if that’s a cost-effective option to avoid a long tow?

#7

I knew a PCA guy that spent $40k on his engine too.

Porsche / PCA guys probably don’t have a lot in common with the average SE30 dude.

Could be wrong.

I would agree in the sense that if I were going out there it would have to be a transporter deal. Towing 30 hours or whatever isn’t going to happen.

#8

Pantas, how many cars can you cram into that Freighliner? :slight_smile:

#9

Not to be a bitter east-coaster…

but I predict se30 would be lucky to have 5 cars at miller. This is not a good choice by nasa as they will find when they have fewer cars than your average mid atlantic race :angry: . I hope it works out, but I just dont see it happening.

That being said, I may be willing to try and go. It depends on $, time, and how many sign up…

#10

Being in Florida it’s a 2400+ mile tow from here, that’s like $1500+ :woohoo: just in fuel costs. I WAS hoping to go next year (to Ohio) but its just too dang expensive once you figure in all the costs. :angry:

#11

I second Gary’s comment. I’d love to do the Nationals but there is no way I would tow the car to Utah.

Don

#12

Don, Look at the upside, we could pretend we were Mormons while we were there. :wink:

#13

Poor prediction Ms. Cleo since I will personally haul 6 myself… Next season we’ll have approximately 25 cars in the mix. I think it is fair to say that alot of guys wanted to run this year but could not due to travel problems.
Last year we hauled 2 cars over 36 hours to run at Mid-Ohio. But you guys have options too, double up on a trailer or consign a transporter to get the cars to Miller. IMO the idea of a National event is to get people from everywhere together and race, you can’t always have it back east, it simply isn’t fair.

#14

Ok then. Lets make a preliminary list of people who are planning to go to miller next year (assuming we can get some kind of transport for our cars, etc). Only list if you think you have a legit chance.
Add your name…

  1. R. Allen
  2. S. Hunter
  3. DeVinney
  4. Pantas
  5. Coloradomark
  6. Ford
#15

I’ll be there and I think this will help spur additional activity in our region. Bruce (Leggwork) will have no excuses to not have his car ready by then!

As a point of contrast I noticed that there were very few Spec 944’s at Nationals, yet we regularly have over 20 cars at races in our region. I’m sure all those guys are thrilled it is at MMP next year.

#16

I can haul 5-6 E30’s in the Wild Horses Hauler - and I am planning on making the trip out twice, once for the Rocky Mtn region’s June event and then again for the NASA Nationals. Based on current diesel prices, the cost will be approximately $1100 per car round trip - but that will be determined by fuel costs next year.

#17

Ok I’ve got 6. Who are the other 19 predicted to show up? Its nice that you all can haul so many cars… but who are the drivers?

#18

yes, I just emailed a group of people who have expressed interest in Spec E30 in the past. This will help build Spec E30 in the RM and westerly regions.
bruce

Coloradomark wrote:

[quote]I’ll be there and I think this will help spur additional activity in our region. Bruce (Leggwork) will have no excuses to not have his car ready by then!

As a point of contrast I noticed that there were very few Spec 944’s at Nationals, yet we regularly have over 20 cars at races in our region. I’m sure all those guys are thrilled it is at MMP next year.[/quote]

#19

Any arrive and drive options (rentals) for Miller?

#20

allenr wrote:

[quote]Ok then. Lets make a preliminary list of people who are planning to go to miller next year (assuming we can get some kind of transport for our cars, etc). Only list if you think you have a legit chance.
Add your name…

[/quote]

  1. R. Allen
  2. S. Hunter
  3. DeVinney
  4. Pantas
  5. Coloradomark
  6. W. Ford
  7. C. Chiu
  8. S. Neville
  9. D. Edwards