Have any input on the $2014 Challenge?

They're thinking about doing autocross on the Shenandoah circuit with a few slaloms on the straights to keep speeds down.

Hello all... Im certainly new here but not new to being on the "outside" of the challenge. Dare I say this but..... Denny Crabill is a good friend and called me on this weekend to give me the heads up of the event coming to my back yard. I have never been able to actually participate due to location. Now...seems like there is new life for this for me! So... Thanks!

(is admitting that I'm associated with Denny a good thing??? :) )

Kevin - Hanover, Pa

Hey Everyone, Avi here. Had a blast at the the $2013 challenge, as expected. Even thought we didn't bring a car this year, we enjoyed watching the races, talking to people, and helping the teams that we saw needed help.

If next years challenge is in fact at Hyperfest, it will be bittersweet. Summit Point is only about an hour from my house, but I really will miss going down to Gainesville. The 12 hour always-eventful-road-trip, the weather (usually), Gainesville Raceway, and hanging out at our adopted spot "The Swamp" across from the UofF campus, drinking beer with my friends, eating Gator tail, and watching the "scenery" go by . Lots of good memories that I'll always keep.

I know absolutely nothing about Mason-Dixon Dragway, but I see that there is a ton of questions and concerns about the autocross being at Hyperfest, and hopefully I can ease some of those concerns. As a long time Hyperfest veteran, I can tell you that there are family friendly, and not so family friendly aspects to the event. The majority of the latter being after dark. The "worst" you'll probably see during the day, are scantily clad car models walking around the show area, and shirtless rednecks in their purest form, haha. BUT, as a $20xx competitior veteran, I can tell you that you likely won't have TIME to partake in the Hyperfest events!

Summit Point is a large facility, and there is room enough for everyone there. Paddock space should not be a problem at Shenandoah Circuit, I guesss that could be dependant on entry #'s though. They have your typical overpriced track food (the pulled pork is pretty good! #WorstJewEver, lol), and a pretty nice pavillion area. The Shenandoah circuit itself is actually pretty new. I want to say maybe 6-ish years old. You'll want to bring a bike/scooter/something motorized if you want to check out the rest of the facility. The main paddock area (with the $$ cars/bikes) is usually opened to spectators, so it's really cool to walk through and talk to people, but it's on the other side of the facility, so you'll want a car/truck to get there.

The nearest town with hotels is probably Charlestown (of Charlestown Races and Slots fame). It's a casino town, and there are plenty of hotels/motels. That being said, I've never really heard of people staying at hotels for HyperFest. So I don't think finding accomodations will be a problem. It's more of a drive up for the day event (unless you are competing in one of the events, but even then a lot of people drive up. One fun aspect of Summit Point Raceway is that camping is allowed on the grounds. I would definitely call the facility first, if you have camping questions for HyperFest in particular. I have spent many nights camping there on race weekends, and it's a blast. Late nights in front of a bonfire, drinking beer, and sharing car stories.

It IS kind of a bummer that the autocross and drag won't be at the same facility, but C'est la vie, it will be fun nonetheless. That just means packing up all your stuff at the end of the race day, and hauling it with you to the next spot.

I truly and honsetly think it will be a great time. Let's stay focused on our own event, do our thing, and let the spectators enjoy it. Give them something awesome to see, and inspire them to take part in the $2015 Challenge. I certainly realize that it sucks for Gainesville locals/Fl residents, but we do what we do because we love it! Money can be tight for gas, and the logistics could suck, but far worse things have happened. Remember why you do the event in the first place (If you say because it's close, then you suck, haha)!

If anybody has questions, E-mail me, seriously. Chrome1791@hotmail.com. I don't sit in front of the computer with my e-mail opened, but I'll do my best to respond quickly and thoughtfully. You may PM me, but no promises on response time, haha.

Mason-Dixon Dragway is a weekly run NHRA sanctioned venue. Decent facility. Good timing system. Good track prep. Nice run-off area. Has grass pit area. Fuel sold on site.

Team526 wrote: (is admitting that I'm associated with Denny a good thing??? :) ) Kevin - Hanover, Pa

NO. Public admission to being an idiot is not....but welcome.

Team526 wrote: Mason-Dixon Dragway is a weekly run NHRA sanctioned venue. Decent facility. Good timing system. Good track prep. Nice run-off area. Has grass pit area. Fuel sold on site.

Downhill staging lanes, scale, close to home.....what's not to like...

I get what some folks are saying about losing the family-friendly atmosphere. If that's not the atmosphere you care about, of course you don't care about losing it. But, family-friendly guys like Paul Fenner and Andy Nelson are the kind that encourage novices like myself (especially as a female novice) to grow from just showing up with a crappy car to swapping rotary engines into Miatae. :) On one hand, I see a great opportunity to share the love of GRM and show off the amazing things some of us do to cars; on the other hand, I worry that the audience in attendance may be a miss in terms of your target market.

That said, it's a four day drive for me either way...I will definitely be there with the rotary Miata. :D

I'll be there eventually, but will no longer do it as a mere spectator; i.e. I'll only show up when I have a car ready to run, and when my job allows me to go. (I'm the new guy at work, and that means I don't have much scheduling flexibility. It is kind of expected of us to be working in June.)

Realistically, 2015 or 2016 is the next time I'll make it to the challenge On the bright side, the car ought to be well sorted by then.

Thanks for all the emails-I received them all, and we'll be discussing them later in the week at our challenge meeting.

Regarding hyperfest insanity... I have flagged Lemons there for the last few years. Hyperfest is on the other side of the complex. you have to cross over a bridge to get into hyperfest.

As you enter, you go over the bridge (goes over the track) and then downhill into the paddock for the shenendoah. It really is separated enough that its not a primary concern. There won't be a wet teeshirt contest or whatever happening in your face as long as your over that bridge...

I have done the Lemosn races during hyperfest every year.

A few notes...

It takes FOREVER to get into and out of the facility in the middle of the day. WE bought a ton of gas cans with us because it would take 1.5 hours just to get out fo teh facility, go to the gas station, and get back in teh facility. 2013 was WAY better, but still bad.

2) I heard that Chumpcar is having a double 7 race that weekend on shenandoah.

3) The paddock is small, but with 100+ lemons cars and pitting IN THE paddock, we haven't had too much issue.

4) I would not want to camp at that track during hyperfest. The parties go for a long while...

Rob R.

Track bikes golf carts ?

Apexcarver wrote: So, are you doing an autocross there? I kind of heard that the skidpad area (where most auto-xes there take place) is like an ice rink, even in the dry... Or is the autocross changing to laptime around the Shenendoah? Thats rigt in my backyard! might need to pull some friends together for this...

I can speak from experience when I say that it is kind of slick when it's dry, but if someone spits on it......it is worse than an ice rink. I remember watching a Z06 do a 180* spin at 5mph while starting a run at an autocross in the rain there once. Even in a WRX it was a lot of 4-wheel drift going on.

Would be cool if rallycross could be integrated one of these years if GRMC moves to Summit long-term.

And it just so happens that Summit is one of the best rallycross venues in the country, and can accomodate a LOT of cars on our 3 courses :D

Adding rallycross to the tarmac events would make a REAL "Challenge." Because of the different setup requirements for a fast rallycross, autocross, track, and drag car it would be a true test of how good of an all-around car someone could build that could handle all of those aspects.

Yeah, yeah, I'll go away now before the concours-lovers attack me.

OMGWTFBBQ wrote: Hey Everyone, Avi here. Had a blast at the the $2013 challenge, as expected. Even thought we didn't bring a car this year, we enjoyed watching the races, talking to people, and helping the teams that we saw needed help. If next years challenge is in fact at Hyperfest, it will be bittersweet. Summit Point is only about an hour from my house, but I really will miss going down to Gainesville. The 12 hour always-eventful-road-trip, the weather (usually), Gainesville Raceway, and hanging out at our adopted spot "The Swamp" across from the UofF campus, drinking beer with my friends, eating Gator tail, and watching the "scenery" go by . Lots of good memories that I'll always keep. I know absolutely nothing about Mason-Dixon Dragway, but I see that there is a ton of questions and concerns about the autocross being at Hyperfest, and hopefully I can ease some of those concerns. As a long time Hyperfest veteran, I can tell you that there are family friendly, and not so family friendly aspects to the event. The majority of the latter being after dark. The "worst" you'll probably see during the day, are scantily clad car models walking around the show area, and shirtless rednecks in their purest form, haha. BUT, as a $20xx competitior veteran, I can tell you that you likely won't have TIME to partake in the Hyperfest events! Summit Point is a large facility, and there is room enough for everyone there. Paddock space should not be a problem at Shenandoah Circuit, I guesss that could be dependant on entry #'s though. They have your typical overpriced track food (the pulled pork is pretty good! #WorstJewEver, lol), and a pretty nice pavillion area. The Shenandoah circuit itself is actually pretty new. I want to say maybe 6-ish years old. You'll want to bring a bike/scooter/something motorized if you want to check out the rest of the facility. The main paddock area (with the $$ cars/bikes) is usually opened to spectators, so it's really cool to walk through and talk to people, but it's on the other side of the facility, so you'll want a car/truck to get there. The nearest town with hotels is probably Charlestown (of Charlestown Races and Slots fame). It's a casino town, and there are plenty of hotels/motels. That being said, I've never really heard of people staying at hotels for HyperFest. So I don't think finding accomodations will be a problem. It's more of a drive up for the day event (unless you are competing in one of the events, but even then a lot of people drive up. One fun aspect of Summit Point Raceway is that camping is allowed on the grounds. I would definitely call the facility first, if you have camping questions for HyperFest in particular. I have spent many nights camping there on race weekends, and it's a blast. Late nights in front of a bonfire, drinking beer, and sharing car stories. It IS kind of a bummer that the autocross and drag won't be at the same facility, but C'est la vie, it will be fun nonetheless. That just means packing up all your stuff at the end of the race day, and hauling it with you to the next spot. I truly and honsetly think it will be a great time. Let's stay focused on our own event, do our thing, and let the spectators enjoy it. Give them something awesome to see, and inspire them to take part in the $2015 Challenge. I certainly realize that it sucks for Gainesville locals/Fl residents, but we do what we do because we love it! Money can be tight for gas, and the logistics could suck, but far worse things have happened. Remember why you do the event in the first place (If you say because it's close, then you suck, haha)! If anybody has questions, E-mail me, seriously. Chrome1791@hotmail.com. I don't sit in front of the computer with my e-mail opened, but I'll do my best to respond quickly and thoughtfully. You may PM me, but no promises on response time, haha.

I'd also add that Leesburg, VA is only about 45 minutes away from Summit, and there are hotels, restaurants, auto parts stores, etc there and elsewhere in Loudoun County VA. It's a VERY easy drive....no traffic on weekends either.

5 hr drive to a track I have always planned on going to is great news ... new incentives of not selling my Challenge project car. Camping !!!

In reply to westsidetalon: I was hoping you guys would jump at this.

I still love this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGNCIpB2cDo

irish44j wrote: Would be cool if rallycross could be integrated one of these years if GRMC moves to Summit long-term. And it just so happens that Summit is one of the best rallycross venues in the country, and can accomodate a LOT of cars on our 3 courses :D Adding rallycross to the tarmac events would make a REAL "Challenge." Because of the different setup requirements for a fast rallycross, autocross, track, and drag car it would be a true test of how good of an all-around car someone could build that could handle all of those aspects. Yeah, yeah, I'll go away now before the concours-lovers attack me.

It would be real nice if you could also run your challenge car in a HPDE/TT group during the weekend event

irish44j wrote: Would be cool if rallycross could be integrated one of these years if GRMC moves to Summit long-term. And it just so happens that Summit is one of the best rallycross venues in the country, and can accomodate a LOT of cars on our 3 courses :D Adding rallycross to the tarmac events would make a REAL "Challenge." Because of the different setup requirements for a fast rallycross, autocross, track, and drag car it would be a true test of how good of an all-around car someone could build that could handle all of those aspects. Yeah, yeah, I'll go away now before the concours-lovers attack me.

The GRM staff made it clear this week that rally cross will not be considered for the Challenge.

It's not their demographic, and it is way too small a market.

Not gonna happen. Sorry.

SVreX wrote:

irish44j wrote: Would be cool if rallycross could be integrated one of these years if GRMC moves to Summit long-term. And it just so happens that Summit is one of the best rallycross venues in the country, and can accomodate a LOT of cars on our 3 courses :D Adding rallycross to the tarmac events would make a REAL "Challenge." Because of the different setup requirements for a fast rallycross, autocross, track, and drag car it would be a true test of how good of an all-around car someone could build that could handle all of those aspects. Yeah, yeah, I'll go away now before the concours-lovers attack me.

The GRM staff made it clear this week that rally cross will not be considered for the Challenge. It's not their demographic, and it is way too small a market. Not gonna happen. Sorry.

Never say never... but at this point we're not able to add an additional level of complexity to an event that already taxes our rather modest staff. But with a new venue comes new opportunities. Stay vocal. Stay involved. Ultimately this event is a partnership between us and the competitors.

jg

SVreX wrote:

irish44j wrote: Would be cool if rallycross could be integrated one of these years if GRMC moves to Summit long-term. And it just so happens that Summit is one of the best rallycross venues in the country, and can accomodate a LOT of cars on our 3 courses :D Adding rallycross to the tarmac events would make a REAL "Challenge." Because of the different setup requirements for a fast rallycross, autocross, track, and drag car it would be a true test of how good of an all-around car someone could build that could handle all of those aspects. Yeah, yeah, I'll go away now before the concours-lovers attack me.

The GRM staff made it clear this week that rally cross will not be considered for the Challenge. It's not their demographic, and it is way too small a market. Not gonna happen. Sorry.

Calm down there.....the thread asked for input. I provided some input. Which GRM is under no obligation to implement, think about, or even read If nobody brings up anything other than the status quo, there's no real point in having a discussion about anything.

I know it's not tenable this year or next year or whenever. But who knows if it might be in 5 years from now or something. "Demographics" change and rallycross is growing in popularity in most regions....never say never.

In reply to irish44j:

Who said I wasn't calm?

I was just sharing what was said at the public town meeting this weekend at the Challenge.

It is often talked about on this board, and David Wallens was fairly clear on Saturday. Obviously things can change.

Sorry, I naturally take that last sentence as a sort of taunt since internet doesn't convey intonation. I didn't notice that you posted it, haha....

True story: Last month a Navy Captain told me (verbatim, and condescendingly) "Sorry, they're not gonna do that. Deal with it." I promptly made a 2-minute phone call to his flag officer, and said Captain called back and said "let's go with your idea."

I have a bit of a problem with people who say "never" lol.....

In reply to irish44j:

I didn't say "never", so 'I guess you don't have to have a problem with me.

I repeated what David Wallens said.

Keep yer britches on.

I'd never have a problem with someone who owns a Yugo and an SVX.