Chris A.
GT #32
I like that too....but....the closest decent place to stay would be at least an hour and half away:ack
Rally V-Counterpoint
- Thread starter timcantwell
- Start date
I like that too....but....the closest decent place to stay would be at least an hour and half away:ack
Triheart7
GT Owner
I have not been able to attend the rallies, so I cannot provide any input on that But, I can say something about V.I.R. I am there now for a race. The track is beautiful, (fast, challenging, and safe) and the facilities are excellent. There are good accommodations at the track and there is a good restaurant at the track. One is not going to get one’s baby to 200, but if you want to see what the FGT was designed for, namely road racing, this track is superb. In my Formula Mazda I reach a touch under 140 in three places. I would think the FGT would be in the 160 to 170 range. There are only two places that one would get in trouble if one drove over one’s capabilities. The down side is that there is nothing outside the track. The closest settlement of any size is Danville, VA. There is supposed to be some good restaurants there, but we have never found them. I am sure Chip and Dave are exhausted, but when they get started on the next rally, V.I.R. should be considered. Perhaps, a gathering at V.I.R followed or proceeded by a drive to Lowes Motorsport Park and some time on the oval. Thanks to all who shared about the rally. It was fun to vicariously enjoy it. Thanks!
Who dun it.
Gentlemen,
I don't want anybody to think that Dave and I organized Rally IV. Dave did the whole thing. I put together the Scottsdale Rally to the Rally and the Tuesday night Truluck's gathering, and those minor events burned a ton of my time (and I loved it!). In comparison, DBK made multiple trips to Texas preparing and organizing a far flung and complicated event.....and it went flawlessly. For those who have not taken on a project of such magnitude, it would be hard to fathom what a time-consuming, life annihilating, sleep depriving monster they are to tackle. DBK is a quiet guy who shuns the spotlight. And because of that I think many of our members are unaware of the magnitude of work he's done for GT Forum members. He doesn't need me or anyone else to blow any smoke in his direction, but I'm amazed at what he's pulled off 4 years in a row. Bravo!
My speaking at some of the evening events has given few members the mistaken impression that I played a part in helping Dave organize Rally IV. In fact, after Tuesday's dinner, I was a mere participant enjoying the results of Dave's efforts just like everyone else. :cheers
I would imagine that any discussion of Rally V at this point for DBK would be akin to trying to sell a pornographic magazine to a gynecologist on his way home from work. :lol
That said, VIR sounds kind of cool! :biggrin
Chip
Gentlemen,
I don't want anybody to think that Dave and I organized Rally IV. Dave did the whole thing. I put together the Scottsdale Rally to the Rally and the Tuesday night Truluck's gathering, and those minor events burned a ton of my time (and I loved it!). In comparison, DBK made multiple trips to Texas preparing and organizing a far flung and complicated event.....and it went flawlessly. For those who have not taken on a project of such magnitude, it would be hard to fathom what a time-consuming, life annihilating, sleep depriving monster they are to tackle. DBK is a quiet guy who shuns the spotlight. And because of that I think many of our members are unaware of the magnitude of work he's done for GT Forum members. He doesn't need me or anyone else to blow any smoke in his direction, but I'm amazed at what he's pulled off 4 years in a row. Bravo!
My speaking at some of the evening events has given few members the mistaken impression that I played a part in helping Dave organize Rally IV. In fact, after Tuesday's dinner, I was a mere participant enjoying the results of Dave's efforts just like everyone else. :cheers
I would imagine that any discussion of Rally V at this point for DBK would be akin to trying to sell a pornographic magazine to a gynecologist on his way home from work. :lol
That said, VIR sounds kind of cool! :biggrin
Chip
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Triheart7
GT Owner
Chip, I think it is your great literary skills that give everyone the impression that you are a heavy player in the process.:cheers
I have heard a lot of great things about VIR. I agree we need to allow DBK a few months before selling him any porno!:willy
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Cooler = Shadowman smiling even more too however as with the last Rally I will be smiling regardless.
Takes care
Shadowman
Cyclenirvana
GT Owner
VIR is about 89 miles from Winston-Salem, and about 60 miles from Greensboro and the airport (GSO). There is a resort, Berry Hill Resort http://www.berryhillestate.com/, nearby. But as was already mentioned, if we ever do a Rally at VIR, I am staying on-site...great facilities and excellent nice restaurant. Been to many events here. I am just an intermediate driver (probably less than that) but have been around 150 on the back straight, a little over 140 on the front straight, 110-120 on the straight before the esses, and almost 100 mph on the climbing esses (can definitely do more but I do not have the b#$7 or the skills! Ha. All in a stock GT. I also find it less hard on the brakes than the smaller tracks.
GTJIMMY
Permanent Vacation
Agreed...The East coast will bring in a lot more GT's. Al an MIA are fine locations but you may want to consider Lime Rock. This is a very historic track and the staff is expierienced in hosting groups like ours. In-house track instructors, super country roads for a rally, country style B & B's all over the place for an expierience other then a hotel, and much much more.
What ever the choice, after Las Vegas (west) , Indy & DTW (mid-west) and recently TX (Southwest), the east would be a nice change.
What ever the choice, after Las Vegas (west) , Indy & DTW (mid-west) and recently TX (Southwest), the east would be a nice change.
though it will not be next year i would just like to point out that the mario andretti winery is nearby in napa!:cheers did he drive the gt40 at lemans one year? another photo op?
http://www.andrettiwinery.com/
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STORMCAT
GT
Rally 5 , Future Rally's, The Big Picture.
There is no doubt that are many great places to see and great race tracks to visit in this great country of ours. The last 3 rallies have been out West. I think it's fair to say It is time to have a rally East of the Mississippi. :biggrin
I hope that there will be many more years of Rallies and we can hit them all. But I want project out a few years. As we get older and our cars get older we may be less inclined to expose the GT's to track time or high speed run events.
We may not trust our skills and the GT's may become to valuable to expose them to such risks. Who knows in 10 years what our Rallies will look like. They may evolve to Static shows and leisure cruises thru the wine country. I hope not but it is something to think about.
Why do I bring this up. I like many of you like to attend car shows or events and you always get lots of attention. The first two questions most people ask is How fast will it go? And how fast have you driven it ? They even ask me this at the gas station :biggrin
Well I can tell you that there is a great sense of GT pride and an internal glow when you can answer these questions with " This is one of the handful of cars that will go over 200 MPH and I have had the opportunity to take it to 2** MPH "
I think there are many GT owners that want to do this at least one time. So they can answer the question yes the car will go over 200 MPH and I have done it,, :biggrin Not many people in this world can make that statement or will ever have the chance to do so. Miami is the place to make this happen.
I was looking in My crystal ball and I saw a bunch of GT owners, some were old and gray. They were sitting in their garages looking at their GT's that were enclosed in a glass bubble... huddled around the old men around were their children and grandchildren. ...It looks to be Christmas time (that or it was just the snow floating in my crystal ball) and a young Child asks " Well grandpa how fast will the car go? And how fast have you driven it ? "
The seasoned GT owner say's with pride " These cars were designed to travel safely at over 200 MPH ! Than the tone in his voice drops, a tear creeps into the corner of his eye and he says softly " But I never did experience that.." out of the corner of his other eye in the back of the garage he sees his old sled " Rose Bud " and weeps .. The crystal ball fades. End of story ! No go to bed !!..:rofl
There is no doubt that are many great places to see and great race tracks to visit in this great country of ours. The last 3 rallies have been out West. I think it's fair to say It is time to have a rally East of the Mississippi. :biggrin
I hope that there will be many more years of Rallies and we can hit them all. But I want project out a few years. As we get older and our cars get older we may be less inclined to expose the GT's to track time or high speed run events.
We may not trust our skills and the GT's may become to valuable to expose them to such risks. Who knows in 10 years what our Rallies will look like. They may evolve to Static shows and leisure cruises thru the wine country. I hope not but it is something to think about.
Why do I bring this up. I like many of you like to attend car shows or events and you always get lots of attention. The first two questions most people ask is How fast will it go? And how fast have you driven it ? They even ask me this at the gas station :biggrin
Well I can tell you that there is a great sense of GT pride and an internal glow when you can answer these questions with " This is one of the handful of cars that will go over 200 MPH and I have had the opportunity to take it to 2** MPH "
I think there are many GT owners that want to do this at least one time. So they can answer the question yes the car will go over 200 MPH and I have done it,, :biggrin Not many people in this world can make that statement or will ever have the chance to do so. Miami is the place to make this happen.
I was looking in My crystal ball and I saw a bunch of GT owners, some were old and gray. They were sitting in their garages looking at their GT's that were enclosed in a glass bubble... huddled around the old men around were their children and grandchildren. ...It looks to be Christmas time (that or it was just the snow floating in my crystal ball) and a young Child asks " Well grandpa how fast will the car go? And how fast have you driven it ? "
The seasoned GT owner say's with pride " These cars were designed to travel safely at over 200 MPH ! Than the tone in his voice drops, a tear creeps into the corner of his eye and he says softly " But I never did experience that.." out of the corner of his other eye in the back of the garage he sees his old sled " Rose Bud " and weeps .. The crystal ball fades. End of story ! No go to bed !!..:rofl
BlackICE
GT Owner
Stormcat, right on target! Every year, owners get closer to the age where they will drive there cars more like EP.
BTW, I call TX mid US bases on geographic location.
BTW, I call TX mid US bases on geographic location.
Having lived near the Mojave area for many years, I would opt against a Rally there. While the tracks are good, the desert is a very unfriendly place - hot & windy in the summer, cold & windy in the winter. The closest place for significant lodging is in the Palmdale/Lancaster area and it is not a mecca for a destination, mainly overnight stay types. Mojave sucks - that's why all the electricity-producing wind machines are on Tehachapi Pass; the town only exists as a train switching yard. Rosamond is too small, and doesn't offer any lodging for a destination-type resort.
IMHO, considerations for future western rallies would best be situated at
(1) Sonoma with its wine and culinary expertise, with Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) nearby - http://www.searspoint.com/
(2) Salt Lake City, with Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele just 30 miles away - http://millermotorsportspark.com/
(3) Sacramento, which has some very interesting historical areas, with Willows Thunderhill Park Raceway about 50 miles north (the site of the GT's original "It's the One" Super Bowl commercials - http://www.thunderhill.com/
(4) Portland and
(5) Seattle are also great destination towns - I haven't seen their tracks, but I know the vintage cars race at each on a yearly basis. Jeff (PL510*Jeff) could add some information regarding track availablity and noise restrictions.
However, like Brian (Stormcat), I feel that the eastern areas are deserving of the next rallies. I would love to see the tracks of VIR, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Summit Point ad infinitum - my only fears of the midwest and east are hail and tornadoes (& hurricanes in Florida).
I would also like to see a return to Dearborn - Gingerman Raceway in South Haven looks interesting, but is a bit distant from Dearborn. I think the new (and old) Ford executives would really feel proud to see all of us together. And, perhaps we could get them to let us use the development track....
I guess I'm willing to go anywhere to hang out with all of you again - just pick a place, Dave, & I'll be there.
:cheers
IMHO, considerations for future western rallies would best be situated at
(1) Sonoma with its wine and culinary expertise, with Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) nearby - http://www.searspoint.com/
(2) Salt Lake City, with Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele just 30 miles away - http://millermotorsportspark.com/
(3) Sacramento, which has some very interesting historical areas, with Willows Thunderhill Park Raceway about 50 miles north (the site of the GT's original "It's the One" Super Bowl commercials - http://www.thunderhill.com/
(4) Portland and
(5) Seattle are also great destination towns - I haven't seen their tracks, but I know the vintage cars race at each on a yearly basis. Jeff (PL510*Jeff) could add some information regarding track availablity and noise restrictions.
However, like Brian (Stormcat), I feel that the eastern areas are deserving of the next rallies. I would love to see the tracks of VIR, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Summit Point ad infinitum - my only fears of the midwest and east are hail and tornadoes (& hurricanes in Florida).
I would also like to see a return to Dearborn - Gingerman Raceway in South Haven looks interesting, but is a bit distant from Dearborn. I think the new (and old) Ford executives would really feel proud to see all of us together. And, perhaps we could get them to let us use the development track....
I guess I'm willing to go anywhere to hang out with all of you again - just pick a place, Dave, & I'll be there.
:cheers
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fjpikul
GT Owner
Having spent considerable time working on setting up a trip in the GT to Road America this summer for the Kohler Invitational, there really is just no place to stay unless it's downtown Milwaukee, an hour away. The town of Kohler has the American Inn, but I don't know if they could handle all of us. It's 15 miles from the track and quite expensive/night.
Just curious what are the requirements to host a Rally? Sounds like the east coast is in line next year. That said if it about great experiences, superb drinking & dining, wonderful group drives in scenery to die for, then maybe one year it could be hosted in Colorado. Aspen... Vail... Crested Butte... Telluride... Ouray. The possibilities are endless...
Does Continental Divide Raceway still exist? Was used in the '60's during the USRRC Championship Races.
I don't believe so. There are some other tracks around the front range like Pikes Peaks Intl Raceway and High Plains Raceway. I'm not much of a track guy but from what a understand PPIR is a world class facility that has hosted NASCAR and has a nice road course as well.
:mad Guedo...bring the limo around...and call Vinny & tell him to have the Lear ready...we need to take a lil' trip...sumpthin's come up. Oh. Be sure you bring the violin case... :bored
BlackICE
GT Owner
Getting slow in your *** ***! It took you more than 12 hrs to respond that my post. It took me only 5 mins. Guess a better upgrade my vest with a couple of ceramic plates.
...now that I think about it...grab an RPG or two as well - 'don't forget the launcher...