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July 3, 2009 12:48 p.m. boogerracing New Reader

I am a challenge newbie and I am bringing a 1983 Mazda RX-7 with a very mild chevy 350 swap. It sounds awesome - no grip - tail happy - looks like crap - but I love it anyway. I wish to bring my family (read: 12 year old daughter) and I wanted to ask if the event is on the other end of the spectrum as a NOPI event (i.e. language is reasonably managed and clothing is in place and summer casual proper). I have been following this event for a few years and the crowd seems very cool - and from the pictures it seems that there are a lot of youngsters that attend.

BTW - does anyone have an old set of racing rims they would be willing to part with at a challenge friendly price for the 4x110mm bolt pattern of the 1st gen Rx-7's - thought I'd at least try asking ...
July 3, 2009 1:05 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

Yes it is. The after banquet BS-sessions can be a bit.....spirited....but the event is family friendly.

I hope you all come!

Per
July 3, 2009 2:02 p.m. Spinout007 Reader

Very family friendly, I would have no issues what so ever bringing my 7 year old niece out, in fact I know there was a 2&3 year old there last year, I'm not sure how old Diyintorace's kids are but I'm sure his were there last year as well as the year b4. Heck we brought the rat terrier mix puppy 2 years ago, he's was fine till somebody convinced the uncorked rotary to spit a few fireballs, great family event. Super nice crowd, and great people all around, just keep her away from the hongs after the banquet.
July 3, 2009 2:16 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

just keep her away from the hongs after the banquet.

Thanks for saying it so I didn't have to.

We try to be pretty respectful around the young'ns during "normal" hours. Let's just say nothing 'good' happens at the pool between midnight and 5am...depending on your perspective.
July 3, 2009 2:17 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Yup, the daytime stuff is very family friendly. Stay away from the hot tub after midnight though . (Not kinky, but the contest to outdo each others jokes went deep, deep, deep, into the realm of disturbing )
July 3, 2009 2:19 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

Just keep them away from poopshovel, and they'll be fine.
July 3, 2009 2:32 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Osterkraut wrote:

Just keep them away from poopshovel, and they'll be fine.

I think you misspelled "Wayne."
July 3, 2009 2:32 p.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

poopshovel wrote:

just keep her away from the hongs after the banquet.

Thanks for saying it so I didn't have to.

We try to be pretty respectful around the young'ns during "normal" hours. Let's just say nothing 'good' happens at the pool between midnight and 5am...depending on your perspective.

It's true. There's a reason I nearly slept through the drag race. The last two or three hours of the night, I was drinking straight whiskey, on top of already being hammered to begin with. What's a man to do when you run out of everything except a giant bottle of whiskey?

Mr Joshua wrote:

Yup, the daytime stuff is very family friendly. Stay away from the hot tub after midnight though . (Not kinky, but the contest to outdo each others jokes went deep, deep, deep, into the realm of disturbing )

Hmmm, for some reason I don't remember you being there. I wonder why.
July 3, 2009 2:36 p.m. DILYSI Dave UltimaDork

poopshovel wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

Just keep them away from poopshovel, and they'll be fine.

I think you misspelled "Wayne."

lol
July 3, 2009 2:36 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Wasn't there all that long. I live in town and my wife and friends/ride all faded pretty fast and wanted to go home and sleep.
July 3, 2009 2:42 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

MrJoshua wrote:

Wasn't there all that long. I live in town and my wife and friends/ride all faded pretty fast and wanted to go home and sleep.

Maybe the whole "assemble a Miata in 24 hours" ordeal had something to do with it.
July 3, 2009 3:04 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Osterkraut wrote:

MrJoshua wrote:

Wasn't there all that long. I live in town and my wife and friends/ride all faded pretty fast and wanted to go home and sleep.

Maybe the whole "assemble a Miata in 24 hours" ordeal had something to do with it.

You going to be able to help us build a BMW in 24hours this time?
July 3, 2009 4:59 p.m. Spinout007 Reader

Osterkraut wrote:

MrJoshua wrote:

Wasn't there all that long. I live in town and my wife and friends/ride all faded pretty fast and wanted to go home and sleep.

Maybe the whole "assemble a Miata in 24 hours" ordeal had something to do with it.

That might have had something to do with it, JUST MAYBE, a little bit..... I literaly hit the door, stumbled to the bathroom and then fell into bed Friday. Heck I seem to recall falling asleep trying to install a power plant frame, and then waking up to get a cup of hot tea to wake up with when I fell asleep at the table that morning.
July 4, 2009 11:34 a.m. boogerracing New Reader

Thanks guys! I'll remember the advice.
July 4, 2009 12:34 p.m. aussiesmg Dork

PM me about the 1st gen rims, you can have a set if you pay the shipping or free if want me to bring them to the Challenge
July 4, 2009 4:48 p.m. SVreX UberDork

I asked the same question before I came the first time. I've been for 5 years with kids of all ages.

It did get questionable one year (enough so that I wasn't sure I wanted to return with my family) but everyone straightened themselves out.

There's a simple rule with kids- don't stay up too late.

Giving credit where credit is due, the crowd that prefers things a little more "adult oriented" (read: likes to drink) is generally very respectful of the family oriented characteristics of the event. Daytime is a great opportunity for kids to be close to a crazy motorsports event. The evening event (dinner, etc) is the transition time. By the end of it, it is generally a good time to retire the kids.

My wife and family really enjoyed it last year. She and the kids would retire after the evening event, I usually stayed for "one drink with the guys". In the morning, I would get a briefing on previous night's frivolities. Works for me.

I seem to be one of the guys who has earned the the reputation of being "Mr. Family". I consider the Challenge a success for being family oriented not because of any rules or guidelines, but because most of the competitors are willing to put aside their "adult stuff" during the day to make the event more friendly for everyone. They deserve a lot of credit for offering that respect. Thanks guys!
July 7, 2009 3:29 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Daytime is a great opportunity for kids to be close to a crazy motorsports event. The evening event (dinner, etc) is the transition time. By the end of it, it is generally a good time to retire the kids.

^^^Wisdom^^^

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