The subject of a GT40's 'get together' was brought up in another thread and Texas was mentioned.... There are quite a few of the cars in the state.
I've organized this kind of thing for the Spacecity Panteras club (we've got a damned good club here, in case anyone asks) and could do something like we do again if the interest was there. So here's some things that I'll throw out there for feedback.
1) I would recommend Texas World Speedway as the venue of choice.
It's a fast track for those guys that want to track their cars. There is security there overnight, too.
2) I would propose doing this in conjunction with 'The Driver's Edge.
The Drivers Edge
This is a well run outfit and I/we have dealt with them before.
They run 4 groups - Green, blue, yellow and red.
Green is beginners, blue is some experience, yellow is more experienced and red is you know what you are doing.
The first two groups are instructor with you mandatory.
Yellow is up to you.
Red is typically you out there doing it, but lots of the instructors like riding in cars they've never ridden in before. I've always gotten good tips on how to improve from them.
It is a very safe setup and they take safety seriously. No passing except on the straights, etc. etc. I've seen them send people home when things got out of hand. Have a look at their website.
The downside - For the track event, they have limited spots, so if you want to get onto the track, you need to book as soon as Rick opens the registration online or you might be left out.
They have an event at TWS the weekend of September 28-29.
3) I would never pretend to try and duplicate something like 2009 at RA.
4) There are plenty of hotels/motels in the area (College Station/Bryan). The Driver's Edge usually books rooms at a discount at a hotel but they fill up fast.
My personal experience here is if we book a block of rooms, there is always someone who doesn't like the hotel, so we've found that every man for himself works out the best.
5) It is possible to block off an area at the track for everyone to park. We've had car shows there with the Pantera Club.
6) There would most likely be some Pantera guys in the 'get together' and I would plan on having at least my GT40 there as well as a racecar Pantera I've recently 'inherited'.
In fact, if there were enough of us, we could possibly ask DE to reserve the whole thing for us? I'd have to talk to Rick about that... that's just something that I thought of...
7) There are plenty of places to visit around the area. There are vineyards in the area, San Antonio isn't that far away, neither is Austin. Galveston and Houston, etc. etc. Although Galveston would be a good 2 1/2 - 3 hours depending on how 'scenic' you'd like the trip to be.
8) I would need help to pull this off. I still work for a living. :stunned:
So, what say y'all? I'm open to suggestions.
As I've told my son regarding the Pantera he's restoring... I need to see more than just enthusiasm here, son....
:laugh:
Regards,
Kirby
I've organized this kind of thing for the Spacecity Panteras club (we've got a damned good club here, in case anyone asks) and could do something like we do again if the interest was there. So here's some things that I'll throw out there for feedback.
1) I would recommend Texas World Speedway as the venue of choice.
It's a fast track for those guys that want to track their cars. There is security there overnight, too.
2) I would propose doing this in conjunction with 'The Driver's Edge.
The Drivers Edge
This is a well run outfit and I/we have dealt with them before.
They run 4 groups - Green, blue, yellow and red.
Green is beginners, blue is some experience, yellow is more experienced and red is you know what you are doing.
The first two groups are instructor with you mandatory.
Yellow is up to you.
Red is typically you out there doing it, but lots of the instructors like riding in cars they've never ridden in before. I've always gotten good tips on how to improve from them.
It is a very safe setup and they take safety seriously. No passing except on the straights, etc. etc. I've seen them send people home when things got out of hand. Have a look at their website.
The downside - For the track event, they have limited spots, so if you want to get onto the track, you need to book as soon as Rick opens the registration online or you might be left out.
They have an event at TWS the weekend of September 28-29.
3) I would never pretend to try and duplicate something like 2009 at RA.
4) There are plenty of hotels/motels in the area (College Station/Bryan). The Driver's Edge usually books rooms at a discount at a hotel but they fill up fast.
My personal experience here is if we book a block of rooms, there is always someone who doesn't like the hotel, so we've found that every man for himself works out the best.
5) It is possible to block off an area at the track for everyone to park. We've had car shows there with the Pantera Club.
6) There would most likely be some Pantera guys in the 'get together' and I would plan on having at least my GT40 there as well as a racecar Pantera I've recently 'inherited'.
In fact, if there were enough of us, we could possibly ask DE to reserve the whole thing for us? I'd have to talk to Rick about that... that's just something that I thought of...
7) There are plenty of places to visit around the area. There are vineyards in the area, San Antonio isn't that far away, neither is Austin. Galveston and Houston, etc. etc. Although Galveston would be a good 2 1/2 - 3 hours depending on how 'scenic' you'd like the trip to be.
8) I would need help to pull this off. I still work for a living. :stunned:
So, what say y'all? I'm open to suggestions.
As I've told my son regarding the Pantera he's restoring... I need to see more than just enthusiasm here, son....
:laugh:
Regards,
Kirby