Challenge advice - Your 2 cents

I did my first GRM Challenge solo. The first thing I saw as I arrived to register was a Hong Norr bumper sticker on a garbage can by the front door of the hotel. I figured I was in the right place. But I still had no idea how to do things, like how to get to the track.

So here is some completely random advice for Novices, and I hope others will post their's.

Stay at the Host hotel - GRM get's us a special rate to help with the pain of the hotel bill, and a Lot of the event happens at the hotel. Off the top of my head: Registration, Thursday night parking lot talk (You may meet Alan McCrispin. Talk to him.), Friday night Food, Valve Cover Racing, and Saturday night awards Banguet. But I usually avoid the Hot Tub and Canadians. I'm Kidding??

Get to the track early on Saturday for the drags. Wheels777 is always there early for the cool air, and he knows what he is doing. And if Andy does go, you will want to see his runs.

If you did not get a hotel for Saturday night, try to bumb a shower off one of the Challengers who did. You'll be hot, dirty and sweaty from the drag races, and you'll have to sit next to people at the Banquet. Some people stay the extra night at the hotel. My thanks to the people who have done this for me. I even got some birthday cake one year. One year about 8 of us rented a room just to shower up and hang out in the A/C waiting for the Banquet. It came to about $10 a head. Not horrible.

Have your paperwork ready Before you get there. I'm always amazed at the guys sitting outside of registration adding up their receipts. Don't be that guy.
Registration is usually in a small conference room. Enter the main lobby, take a left down the hallway, take a right and quick left, and its the first door on the left. look for a GRM banner. There is usualy a little something to eat, which is nice if you just had a long drive. The Hotel also gives out some kind of coupon for their restaurant. Eh.

I would add comments like get your Judging done early, but I don't want to create long lines for myself. But I will say avoid getting in line behind a car that you think may Win the concourse. You don't want to follow that. Let a Chump/Lemons car follow him.

Oh, and make your main goal to have Fun. Seriously. This is one of the few events I have seen where your competitors are rooting for you to do well (well, not too well ). I have lost count of how many times people have helped me, to compete against them.

Please add good ideas. Thanks, Mark

If you eat the weird ham-filled hashbrown deals in the hotel lobby, be prepared to use 1/4 mile of toilet paper at the track.

Living up to your screen name?

If you wake up at 12:45pm from a whiskey coma, it IS possible to make it on time to the place that fills nitrous tanks that closes at 1pm. Possible, but HIGHLY illegal.

and if you see Corey passed out on your hotel floor please be careful not to step on his head and be courteous and close his eyelids for him

The Challenge is a family friendly event. However, if you bring your kids, retire to your room by 10:00.

It is an unwritten courtesy. Those who prefer things a little wilder keep things reasonably tame until about 10:00. After that, all bets are off.

Racing skateboards, wheelchairs, unicylcles, golf carts, tricycles, lawnmowers, or any other device on wheels in the hotel parking lot is to be expected. One of the Westside boys getting hurt is to be expected.

Setting your car on fire in the hotel parking lot is frowned upon.

Single Malt Scotch will be consumed.

open your eyes, all the time. listen and learn. stop at the local grocery store and buy a bunch of gatorade.

Dry ice in the hot tub is fun to watch.

In all seriousness, a few folks got way out of control prompting complaints from the hotel. It's all in fun but we do want the hotel to continue to host us each year.

The concours is not just about how pretty/clean your car is. It's your chance to showcase how clever and unique your build is. Did you make a boost controller from an old radio knob and some shower curtain? Point it out to the judges. Be enthusiastic when describing your car. If you're excited about it, the judges may be too.

^^^^ Hey, Isn't that free advice from a former 1st place Concourse winner. ^^^

I'm taking that advice. I normally just stand around with a microphone in my hand mumbling things like "um" and "well, um". :)

Paint car gloss white instead of the flat black/dark color unfinished rat rod look.

Have fun !!

Don't have a car that is broken/unfinished when you get there. Been there, done that...missed all the real fun of the event. Competing is fun, but the real reason to show up is to hang out with other guys who get "it" and steal..er...learn some of their secrets.

Bryce

how 'bout just being there to spectate ... not likely to ever enter, but would love to experience the event someday

GRMers are welcome to come spectate. There is usually even a few banquet tickets still available. I went last year without a car and had a good time. Spent a lot of Friday working the Auto-x course, etc. Learned a lot for this year when we are bringing our car.

Two words: Natty Light