1.) From what I've read previously, the official hotel is the place to be. Do they offer any special discount codes for that weekend?
2.) Are there any other nearby/cheaper hotels worth considering?
3.) Is a pit-bike welcome/useful, especially for a non-competitor?
4.) What's the food/drink situation at the event sites? Should I pack for a long hot day in the sun/wind/rain like most autocrosses, or are there concessions available?
5.) Anything else I should know/be afraid of? 
There are concessions, and the chicken fingers are fabulous. We have a big pavilion where you can stand around and hide from the weather, but to watch the drags and the autocross you're going to be standing/sitting in the sun. The official hotel is very nice, and has free breakfast. Who doesn't love breakfast?
What to fear: You'll quickly find yourself combing the ads for your own car. Also, someone might hand you a wrench and draft you into service.
Does the official hotel fill up? If I drag a deuceling over it's likely to be very last minute.
Consider yourself invited to join the Ghettocet Parking lot build.
Also know that the Ghettocet is a additional entry. What I mean is the majority of us involved in the Ghettocet are also entering another car as well. This could mean that seat time is available in the Ghettocet.
Last years parking lot build, the Lincoln, was driven by no less than a dozen different people.
Ironically it would be vastly cheaper and easier for me to get to the challenge this year than it was last year thanks to a new direct flight. If you guys want an autocross driver for the Ghettocet, I could be motivated...
In reply to JohnRW1621:
I'd definitely be down for that. 
First off: you are going to want to stay at the host hotel. Trust me. Half the fun of the Challenge is hanging out in the parking lot from Wednesday-on. There are parking lot builds, random stupidity, and more. The on-premises restaurant is decent, and there is a gas station that sells beer within a 5 minute walk. It does sell out, so get a room sooner than later.
The track is a NHRA track, and has a big covered pavilion and a snack stand. I'd still treat it like an autocross event, so bring whatever you need to bring. I rode around my old Powell Peralta as a pit vehicle last time I was there, but a pit bike would have been better. Bring sunscreen and lots of water/fluids... it's Florida and it gets hot.
I really wish we could be there this year, but ANOTHER team member is getting married on Challenge weekend. That's the 3rd time this has happened (including myself), indicating a not-so-secret plot by our wives to prevent future Challenge trips... 
SilverFleet wrote: I really wish we could be there this year, but ANOTHER team member is getting married on Challenge weekend. That's the 3rd time this has happened (including myself), indicating a not-so-secret plot by our wives to prevent future Challenge trips...
I married my first wife on May 27th not realizing the frequent conflict it would create with the Indy 500.
She was great and everything but what could I do, it’s Indy, she had to go.
I'm thinking about it this year. May just do an exhibition run or buying something on the way. I think you're on the way from Chicago.
Tony, you should come down anyway. You can be an honored guest or something.
In reply to petegossett:
Okay, your in.
You too Gameboy but you've already had a hand in my minivan too.
Ghettocet
Get familiarized
oldtin wrote: I'm thinking about it this year. May just do an exhibition run or buying something on the way. I think you're on the way from Chicago.
Feel free to come down and wrench or race the Saab... I'm probably about as far away from you as can be while still being in 'chicagoland', but still.
In reply to oldtin:
I'll have an idea if the coming week if I'll be getting there. If I do you'll have seat time in the BG 323 if you'd like.
David S. Wallens wrote: Tony, you should come down anyway. You can be an honored guest or something.
Know what the funny thing is? The original date for the Challenge would have worked! Since that whole "Parents' Weekend" thing at the college messed up those plans, the date you guys changed it to is literally on the wedding day. Half of our team is in the wedding, and the rest of us will be there too.
Have a few beers by the pool for all of us.
$2017 looks better for all of us, and we have plans to come back with something fast. Only one of our team members will be unmarried by that point, and barring any shotgun weddings, I think he's going to be single by then too.
Yeah, that parents day messed us all up. Moving the date should lead to lower hotel costs for all of us.
SilverFleet wrote: ...there is a gas station that sells beer within a 5 minute walk. It does sell out...
Sounds like some pretty serious drinking going on!
So, I don't see that the question was answered. Does the host hotel fill up quickly? I might be able to swing it as a spectator, but wouldn't know until closer to that time.
A different (but related) question is, when does the host hotel offer expire?
-Rob
Yes, the host hotel usually sells out.
I'll probably find a way to there, if not as a competitor, then as a spectator/really cheap labor.
oldtin wrote: I'm thinking about it this year. May just do an exhibition run or buying something on the way. I think you're on the way from Chicago.
Sort of...we still have a place in IL, but I'll probably be down in Biloxi before the event - one of the reasons I'm considering it this year, since the drive will less than 1/2 as far. 
Room booked. 
mndsm wrote: I'll probably find a way to there, if not as a competitor, then as a spectator/really cheap labor.
Labor is paid for in food and drinks. At least that is the currency I usually pay in.
Andy Neuman wrote:mndsm wrote: I'll probably find a way to there, if not as a competitor, then as a spectator/really cheap labor.Labor is paid for in food and drinks. At least that is the currency I usually pay in.
It is a currency i am well versed in.
mndsm wrote:Andy Neuman wrote:It is a currency i am well versed in.mndsm wrote: I'll probably find a way to there, if not as a competitor, then as a spectator/really cheap labor.Labor is paid for in food and drinks. At least that is the currency I usually pay in.
I've been doing a lot this year with efficiency and productivity of employees. This years challenge I may be tracking things, 1 beer = x amount of progress. I may have to deploy different strategies to get things done.
You'll need to log in to post.
