My team is trying to get things ready for our trip east in August and there are a few things we're still not sure about. Hopefully some of the local racers will have answers. I have a few questions here. Feel free to add more questions.

1. Is there a noise limit at NASA events at Mid-Ohio or Road Atlanta?

2. Where do you guys stay at these tracks hotel wise? Is there a usual hangout spot?

3. I'm not sure if we should rent a garage. Are you guys planning on getting garages or would everyone rather just take over a section of the paddock for the Honda Challenge camp?

 

Also (correct me if I'm wrong):

Probable West Coast entries for Road Atlanta Aug 14/15:
Andy Hope

Probable West Coast entries for Mid Ohio Aug 20/22:
Andy Hope
Ryan Flaherty
Shawn Bota
Jeff Owen
Derek Stevens
+ 1 other

More questions:

4. Are there a tire places at each track?

5. What is the chance of rain? (we have very limited space for extra tires)

 

The garages are 500 for the weekend. They are well worth it if you ask me. They come with internet Lan connections, Air compressors and 15 ft long work benches.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rubber chicken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also (correct me if I'm wrong):

Probable West Coast entries for Road Atlanta Aug 14/15:
Andy Hope
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's really too bad, more of you guys should try make Road Altanta if you can. Its an incredible track. Can't say for sure on NASA @ RA for dB levels, w/ SCCA races, 103 dB seems to be the magic number (to not exceed) on all the tracks we go to. No garages there that I know of and would think rain is possible any time of year.

 

How many cars fit in a garage space?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How many cars fit in a garage space?</TD></TR></TABLE>

2

 

<u>Mid-Ohio</u>

There is a cluster of new budget hotels at Exit 165 of I-71, where OH 97 comes from Lexington towards Bellville. BMW CCA uses the Ramada Limited (419-886-7000) as its HQ hotel. It's nice, has an indoor pool. The Comfort Inn (419-886-4000) across the street and the Days Inn a few doors down are similar (but I'm not sure if the Days Inn has a pool). All are generally around $60-70/night. These are where most folks stay. I believe they're listed as Bellville on most travel websites. As Lawrence notes below, the first two hotels may give a discount for Mid-Ohio, as the Mid-Ohio website claims that they are their "preferred hotel". But as usual, check around; you may find better prices by calling the hotel, or by checking the internet websites for the hotel chain and travel agencies.

There is another cluster of hotels at Exit 169 of I-71, where Hanley Road comes across from US 42 from Lexington; distance from the track is similar to the other cluster (~5 miles, ~10 minutes). One of these is a Travelodge. It's older and doesn't have a pool, but it's clean and the rooms are fine. If you're looking to save some bucks, the rooms there are around $40-45/night. These are listed as Mansfield on websites.

A lot of the hotels and shopping in Mansfield are on the northwest side of town but this area is not as convenient to the track as these two clusters off the interstate.

<u>Road Atlanta</u>

Well, Chateau Elan is THE place to stay. But it's fancy, and pricey.

A quick search on Orbitz shows two reasonably-priced hotels in Braselton: the Holiday Inn Express Chateau Elan Lodge (not to be confused with the above) and a Best Western. I haven't stayed at either.

There aren't tire retailers where you can buy tires, I don't think (although I could be wrong). I'm not sure about places where you can get tires mounted/balanced; I've always gone into town to get that done.

<u>Mid-Ohio</u>

According to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, Mansfield averages 10.9 days in the month of August with any rain (0.01 inch or more), and 3.0 days in the month of August with significant rain (0.50 inch or more). Keep in mind that these figures include rain at any time during 24 hours, even overnight rain that doesn't affect tracking. Bottom line is that the chances are over 90 percent that you will have a dry track at Mid-Ohio on any given day in August. Of course, you could be unlucky and happen to be there on one of the few wet days, but the odds are against that happening.

<u>Road Atlanta</u>

According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, Gainesville averages 9 days in the month of August with any rain (0.01 inch or more), and 2 days in the month of August with significant rain (0.50 inch or more). Keep in mind that these figures include rain at any time during 24 hours, even overnight rain that doesn't affect tracking. Bottom line is that, just like at Mid-Ohio, the chances are over 90 percent that you will have a dry track at Road Atlanta on any given day in August. Of course, you could be unlucky and happen to be there on one of the few wet days, but the odds are against that happening.



Modified by nsxtasy at 9:38 AM 6/30/2004

 

Garages for the Mid Ohio weekend are $175 and can be purchased at http://www.nasaproracing.com. There are only a few left.

We are able to get into the track as early as 3:00 on Thursday Afternoon August 19th. Registration will be held at the Pro Regitration building at the entrance to Mid Ohio (not in one of the garages like we usually do).

There are two hotels that give track folks a break, and they are linked from the Mid Ohio page http://www.midohio.com .

There is no sound limit being imposed for the August 20-22 weekend. The louder the better!

The event schedule, supps, and other information will be up at the OH/IN region website http://www.racenasa.com in the next few days.

Mid Ohio is very excited about Honda-Challenge, as they are sponsored by Honda. Actually, at the Mid Ohio press conference three weeks ago, all of the Mid Ohio sponsors were excited about it, and the event overall. It should be a good one!

LM

 

I stay at
Spruce Hill Inn & Cottages
3230 Possum Run Rd
Mansfield, OH 44903
(419) 756-2200


They have 2 4 bedroom houses for rent. The rest of the cottages at very very neat and clean.

 

Lodging- The nearest small towns are Lexington, Ontario and Mansfield by proximity. There are no motels in Lexington really per se but a few miles away are I-71 exits 151 (farthest), 165 and 169 (plenty close) and all have hotles there. I stayed at the 151 Best Western this weekend for the ALMS race as it was as close as we could get and it was a bit expensive for what you got. At 165 and 169, there are probably 6+ motels from Super 8, Ramada, Travelodge, etc. at various rates and quality. I like to stay in Ontario about 6-8 miles from the track as there is real civilization and Hampton Inn (just booked my Runoffs rooms), Fairfield Inn, etc. and there is plenty of Outback, Cheddars, Olive Garden, etc. restaurants plus Wal-Mart, Pep Boys, etc. for supplies. Mansfield is a pretty sizable city so it has lots of motels and food. Camping s available at the track too and the showers in the paddock are pretty good for group showers.

Food & Drink- Ontario is still my preference by the sheer number of options if you are going to be there awhile. In tiny Lexington, there is a decent Mexican restaurant and a restaurant /bar called Buck's that is usually busy on race weekends and has a rinky dink go-kart track next door. Buck's used to be a legendary racer wateringhole but burnt down and the replacement Buck's is a more antiseptic shadow of the old one with bar quality food.

Hope this provides some insight. Makes me want to get my car done for that weekend or make a company trip out of it and come help people with set-up or coaching.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mansier &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There are two hotels that give track folks a break, and they are linked from the Mid Ohio page http://www.midohio.com .</TD></TR></TABLE>

Those are the Ramada Limited and the Comfort Inn at Exit 165, as I mentioned earlier. Those are the places that track folks most often use.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like to stay in Ontario about 6-8 miles from the track as there is real civilization</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, there are hotels there, and lots of stores and restaurants. However, the Ontario area (that's the northwest side of Mansfield, as I mentioned) is considerably farther than the places off the interstate. The hotels at exits 165 and 169 are ~10 minutes (6 miles) from the track, while the ones in the Ontario area are 25-30 minutes away now that Lexington-Springmill Road is closed due to construction (it was a month ago, anyway), and 20-25 minutes away (11 miles) even when it isn't. So it's up to you, whether you want to stay closer to the track, or closer to shopping and nightlife. Most folks stay closer to the track.

As for food, there are some restaurants at the interstate exits - exit 165 has a buffet place and Burger King and Wendy's, and exit 169 has a Steak and Shake, Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, and McDonald's. You have to go to the Ontario area for more upscale chain type places like Steve's Dakota Grill (great prime rib) and Red Lobster.

There's a website for the Mansfield-Richland County Tourism Bureau, here, which may be of some help.



Modified by nsxtasy at 9:49 AM 6/30/2004

 

Is there a shop with a Dyno/ Dynojet close to the track. Hopefully with HONDATA expertise? Although we will have Kiwi II (Hondata Derrick) with us.

Kiwi

 

NASA MW usually arranges for a mobile dynojet on site.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there a shop with a Dyno/ Dynojet close to the track. Hopefully with HONDATA expertise? Although we will have Kiwi II (Hondata Derrick) with us.

Kiwi</TD></TR></TABLE>

It may be worth asking James at JE Import Performance if he is bringing his Dynapack. His number is 410.343.2400. He is really, really good with a Hondata.

-Pete

 

Pete's right I can vouch for James (JE Import) as my car is there right now being tuned. We've had Honda Challenge folks from as far away as Tennesse drive up to Maryland just to get their cars tuned.

Pete, thanks for your advice. I called James the next day and scheduled the car to be tuned and analyzed.

See you at Hyperfest.

Jon

 

Thanks Guys. I'll try and make contact with James when we arrive on Wednesday 18th. We'll need both of our cars tuned for the area. I believe you actually have oxegen in the atmosphere over there? We look forward to meeting you all and beating you all!
Kiwi

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks Guys. I'll try and make contact with James when we arrive on Wednesday 18th. We'll need both of our cars tuned for the area. I believe you actually have oxegen in the atmosphere over there? We look forward to meeting you all and beating you all! </TD></TR></TABLE>

We'll be checking your car to make sure it doesn't have a smog injection system

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We look forward to meeting you all and beating you all!
Kiwi</TD></TR></TABLE>


Just make sure that POS doesnt break down during the race as usual.

 

POS??? Hmmmmm. We'll see?

Kiwi

 

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

It may be worth asking James at JE Import Performance if he is bringing his Dynapack. His number is 410.343.2400. He is really, really good with a Hondata.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Quite possibly one of the biggest understatements in the history of Honda-Tech. There are no words for what he did for my car just from tuning.... Got me enough power to brake the axle the first day I tried putting it on the track again! Now THAT is an improvement!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">POS??? Hmmmmm. We'll see?

Kiwi</TD></TR></TABLE>


JUst kidding KIWI good luck and whoop some butt there . Ill be cheering for you guys from home. Or from the Kart track.

 

ITAIntegraLS,

Darn it ! I was hoping some of the top gun West Coast H4 guys would show up for some fun with us East Coast H4 guys.

Any chance you might come out ot play with us ?

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod (who would love to race against the WCHC's H4 top dog!)
#40 Guident Technologies/HRPWorld.com Integra LS H4


Modified by FLATOUTRACING at 12:39 PM 6/30/2004

 

I would love to Come out there to have fun but I cannot afford it that will take half of my season money away. SO if someone sponsors my trip I would love to go.

ANYONE?

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

Darn it ! I was hoping some of the top gun West Coast H4 guys would show up for some fun with us East Coast H4 guys.

Any chance you might come out ot play with us ?

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod (who would love to race against the WCHC's H4 top dog!)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITAIntegraLS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would love to Come out there to have fun but I cannot afford it that will take half of my season money away. SO if someone sponsors my trip I would love to go.

ANYONE?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said

 

Since the garages have internet access we expect updates after each session