I was supposed to have a definite answer by yesterday as to if I was going to drive the 1800 miles to Topeka this year or not and I'm still on the fence. My options are:

1. Swap the stock suspension back on the race kaa and drive it to Topeka. Cheaper on gas and faster but I the wear and tear would go directly on the race kaa. I'm not sure if I could handle the drive alone. A co-driver in the car would be a tight fit.

2. Find a co-driver with a truck/trailer and drive out. Costs more in gas and takes longer but we could drive in shifts and the wear and tear doesn't go on the race kaa.

3. Say home and be less poor and have extra vacation time.

I'm just thinking out loud here. Financially I would be best for me to stay home but when has autocrossing been about making the best financial decision? Any support in going or staying home would be appreciated.

 

You know you want to go.....

Karen
AJ's taking my kaa out for me

 

It's the national championships. You will be running agains the best from the rest of the country... being from CA you probably haven't been against many east coasters.... except for this one time, every year.

You know you want to.

 

What? There's an <U>east</U> coast?

I know I want to go, its just my wallet that needs convincing.

 

It never makes sense FINANCIALLY to do any racing. If you're thinking like this, you need to become an accountant and get a hobby like collecting little tea cups.

 

Its going to have to be one more year before I get to go. I will have my own car built by next season instead of having to borrow one for national tours.

 

I pretty much expressed my opinion in the IM earlier today but... Besides all the other cool things that happen at Nationals would you wanna miss the one great event that is specific to your class? Hoelscher will not only be de-throned but he will not be in the top 5 if I have any thing to say about it.

Would I miss it? Hell no! I just turned down an offer for ALL the tea in china. You should do the same... its only 1800 miles... see ya there!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know I want to go, its just my wallet that needs convincing.</TD></TR></TABLE>That's why codrivers (and/or codriving) are a Good Thing (tm).

Karen
i got me a codriver, hopefully.... how about you?

 

That's the biggest reason I want to go! When you got Ben Martinez for the first time in his Capri at Nationals, Derek in his monster IS300, Fauth, Mike and You, it's going to be a amazing battle of DSP superstars.

I don't think Holscher could handle losing at Nationals. I want to be there to see his reaction.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's the biggest reason I want to go! When you got Ben Martinez for the first time in his Capri at Nationals, Derek in his monster IS300, Fauth, Mike and You, it's going to be a amazing battle of DSP superstars.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well... now you've gone and made me blush...

 

Go! and if you can swing it, the truck and trailer thing too... you won't regret it. Find a beater truck that has AC, and get a U-Haul trailer at the very least. Shouldn't set you back too much I wouldn't imagine.

 

Here's what I was thinking:

Last year I towed my car to Nationals and it took 2.5 days and a lot of gas money. If I drive my car the gas bill will be cut in half (or 1/4 if I get a co-driver) and the trip will be much shorter.

I thought of this because Last year I drove the Integra to the Bremerton tour in 13 hours and this year I trailered the car in 16 hours plus 3 hours from sleeping half way.

 

i don't think you should. because the $ can be better spent else where. spend more time/$ practicing. ben already showed us something last time. there is work to do and going 1800 miles to the nationals sounds fun and all, but isn't the best bang for your buck...

 

Here's how I look at it; I'd like to go for the party and to see all the happenings and to be a part of it all, but I don't think it's worth it unless you think (you, meaning in general you, not you, you) you have a legitimate shot at a trophy. Otherwise, it's just another long, expensive away-event.

$.02

 

go. and drive there in the race kaa. until you travel 1600 miles, no a/c, on the race suspension in early september, you aren't considered hardcore.

nate-tow vehicles are for sissies.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here's how I look at it; I'd like to go for the party and to see all the happenings and to be a part of it all, but I don't think it's worth it unless you think (you, meaning in general you, not you, you) you have a legitimate shot at a trophy. Otherwise, it's just another long, expensive away-event.</TD></TR></TABLE>I haven't had a legitimate shot at a trophy until the last two years, yet I still went. The only time I didn't feel it was worth it was in '98, when there were some serious personal issues I was dealing with at the time. Figures that's the only year my car has trophied in FS (4th place, Tim Aro driving). Every other year, it's been an awesome experience -- two huge courses, heats of 50+ cars (more than some regions get at an event, period!), and seeing people you might only see once a year (for me, I see them twice a year -- once at Wendover, and once at Nationals). I go as much for the social aspect as the competition, but honestly, since I've been more competitive in FS, it's only become more fun.

If you're going with a group of people, it'll be a blast. Plus, there's lots of free beer.

Karen

 

yeah, i believe nate went last year on 600# springs or was it 700#?

i'll be driving my car to nationals and I'm not even running it!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nate-tow vehicles are for sissies.</TD></TR></TABLE>

.... and cars that are prone to breaking transmissions at autoxes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

.... and cars that are prone to breaking transmissions at autoxes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh yeah, that too.

actually i drove to topeka last year on 600f/500r. this year i'll be making the trip on 700/800. i'm a little soft between the ears though.

nate&lt;-wants to be a sissy with a tow vehicle

 

Comon Nate, last Sunday returning from the Bremerton tour I slept for 5 hours at a rest stop in the front of a SUV then on the way home I went through Redding which had a record braking 116 degree day (hottest in the nation that day). No a/c and if there was any kind of grade I had to slow to 40mph to keep the SUV from overheating. Thank god for co-drivers or else I would have never made it.

Now I'm back to my comute/race kaa on the streets of the Bay Area (very crappy streets)

Am I harcore yet? please?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Comon Nate, last Sunday returning from the Bremerton tour I slept for 5 hours at a rest stop in the front of a SUV then on the way home I went through Redding which had a record braking 116 degree day (hottest in the nation that day). No a/c and if there was any kind of grade I had to slow to 40mph to keep the SUV from overheating. Thank god for co-drivers or else I would have never made it.

Now I'm back to my comute/race kaa on the streets of the Bay Area (very crappy streets)

Am I harcore yet? please?</TD></TR></TABLE>

[sarcasm]you live in cali, you'll never be hardcore!! besides, it's dry heat! [/sarcasm]

i think ya woulda been better off driving the race kaa in that situation. if you're gonna be hot anyhow, at least have something fun to drive!

bah, can you tell i'm jealous of those who can afford/have room for a tow vehicle??

nate

 

One reason I'm kinda thinking of driving to Topeka in the race kaa is that I can haul *** to Topeka and passing cars makes me feel like I'm making progress. When I tow I feel like I'm sitting still with the number (and size) of vehicles that pass me.

 

Kansas, "The Free Beer State"...enough said.

 

when is it? i have relatives in topeka that i could stay with and go watch you guys race!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FifthGearOnline &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when is it? i have relatives in topeka that i could stay with and go watch you guys race! </TD></TR></TABLE>

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IS??????

Sept. 9-12.

nate