2014 Challenge Questions

I was going to send this in an email, but decided to post here instead. With the Challenge moving to Summit Point for 2014 it makes it very attractive to enter the event. Its something I have missed very much. I do have a few questions however. If these have been covered I apologize.

What will the format for the autocross be? I have seen a couple different thoughts bounced around and honestly in my mind which is actually used could have a significant impact on car build/setup.

When will the final rule set for this year be released?

These two questions are the big ones in my mind. If they can not be answered now, can we set a date to have an answer by? The following ones.. well there would just be nice to know. ;-)

Has the venue for the drags been selected?

Has a host hotel been selected?

What do you anticipate the cost of entry to be?

I know we are less than a week post 2013 but with a June date for 2014 most of us are already behind schedule.

Thanks in advance, we look forward to seeing everyone in June!

Hey Sean!

Things are still in flux. As I understand:

• The autoX will be held on the Shenandoah Circuit. It is their smaller road course, but big by our standards. Might have a slalom added on the backstretch to slow it down.

• There was discussion about setting a date for finalizing the rules. Dec. 15 was floated, but I did not hear anything finalized.

The rest of your questions should be in this thread:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/have-any-input-on-the-2014-challenge/74180/page1/

Start on page 2.

Me and our event coordinator will be doing a recon mission this Thursday going up to Summit Point to check out the facility and to Mason/Dixon Dragway to look at their track. We will also be stopping by the host hotel to check it out.

We should have a full report sometime next week, so stay tuned.

SVreX wrote: - The autoX will be held on the Shenandoah Circuit. It is their smaller road course, but big by our standards. Might have a slalom added on the backstretch to slow it down.

So this is back to the 2003/2004 style autocrosses, which were held on roughly a road course?

Rick Goolsby wrote: Our event coordinator and I will be doing a recon mission this Thursday going up to Summit Point to check out the facility and to Mason/Dixon Dragway to look at their track. We will also be stopping by the host hotel to check it out. We should have a full report sometime next week, so stay tuned.

Fixed that for you, might want to get naked and start a fire at the hotel and see if they still want us

Here's my $2014 question:

Where was the location and date change announced? All I've seen is fallout questions, but no official news.

Duke,

We'll make the "official" announcement next week, once we've got final, signed contracts with the track and the host hotel. Right now our forum members are in the loop as it develops.

Margie

Rick Goolsby wrote: Me and our event coordinator will be doing a recon mission this Thursday going up to Summit Point to check out the facility and to Mason/Dixon Dragway to look at their track. We will also be stopping by the host hotel to check it out. We should have a full report sometime next week, so stay tuned.

In a pinch, the rumor was that I have been known to 60 foot drag race for cash $$$ in the back midnight McDonalds parking lot....but again that is just a rumor. (Sure pucked up in the shutdown area).

Marjorie Suddard wrote: Duke, We'll make the "official" announcement next week, once we've got final, signed contracts with the track and the host hotel. Right now our forum members are in the loop as it develops. Margie

Thanks, Margie! The new location has changed my Challenge participation status from "fuggedabowdit" to "inside the realm of insane possibility", so this is topic relevant to my interests.

What Margie said.

Rick Goolsby wrote: What Margie said.

Which of course is the correct answer in almost all cases...

Rick Goolsby wrote: What Margie said.

You're new at GRM aren't you? It goes without saying it's ALWAYS what Margie said, or you're patio fill.

DeadSkunk wrote:

Rick Goolsby wrote: What Margie said.

You're new at GRM aren't you? It goes without saying it's ALWAYS what Margie said, or you're patio fill.

And yes, another patio reference!! We were just discussing that very subject, in fact.

Rick Goolsby wrote: Me and our event coordinator will be doing a recon mission this Thursday going up to Summit Point to check out the facility and to Mason/Dixon Dragway to look at their track. We will also be stopping by the host hotel to check it out. We should have a full report sometime next week, so stay tuned.

If there's anything us locals can do to assist, please reach out to us!

SVreX wrote: - The autoX will be held on the Shenandoah Circuit. It is their smaller road course, but big by our standards. Might have a slalom added on the backstretch to slow it down.

Probably more than one slalom. There are 3 straights on that track where Challenge cars could reach speeds well above normal auto-x speeds even if they use the bus stop configuration on each straight.

It might be real interesting to see Challenge cars on the Karussel!!!

If the Challenge is held at Summit Point I definitely will be there spectating. Only 40 miles from home and I am usually over there 5-6 times a year anyhow.

That's a friggen weird scale- 1"= 695' (212m)??

Looks like fun.

In reply to Hal:

Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Swank Force One wrote: In reply to Hal: Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Don't know about that.

I placed fifth with Alan McCrispin driving. 1 second off the lead. Pretty sure he never grabbed for third.

My car redlines at 72 mph in second gear.

SVreX wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: In reply to Hal: Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Don't know about that. I placed fifth with Alan McCrispin driving. 1 second off the lead. Pretty sure he never grabbed for third. My car redlines at 72 mph in second gear.

Don't know what the course was like last year, but i was pretty deep into 3rd last year, and i was far from the fastest car there.

Racing lemons on Shenandoah, even our slow cars were above 90 on the straights. Some of the monsters that show up to the challenge would easily see 120+.

In reply to SVreX:

The coarse 2 years ago was much much faster then the one this year.

Swank Force One wrote:

SVreX wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: In reply to Hal: Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Don't know about that. I placed fifth with Alan McCrispin driving. 1 second off the lead. Pretty sure he never grabbed for third. My car redlines at 72 mph in second gear.

Don't know what the course was like last year, but i was pretty deep into 3rd last year, and i was far from the fastest car there.

Wheel spin induced speedometer reading does not equal actual speed. Jus sayin'

turboswede wrote:

Swank Force One wrote:

SVreX wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: In reply to Hal: Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Don't know about that. I placed fifth with Alan McCrispin driving. 1 second off the lead. Pretty sure he never grabbed for third. My car redlines at 72 mph in second gear.

Don't know what the course was like last year, but i was pretty deep into 3rd last year, and i was far from the fastest car there.

Wheel spin induced speedometer reading does not equal actual speed. Jus sayin'

Takes about 18psi to spin through 3rd in that car, wasn't hitting that on autox day.

SVreX wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: In reply to Hal: Don't know what the course was like this year, but in $2012, there were a few cars approaching triple digits in the autox course.

Don't know about that. I placed fifth with Alan McCrispin driving. 1 second off the lead. Pretty sure he never grabbed for third. My car redlines at 72 mph in second gear.

I was deep in third in the 2012 autocross, I'd be surprised if I wasnt doing 90 in that long curved sweeper.

i suggest the host hotel be in stephens city about 20 miles from the track, and right next to the butcher block buffet. nom nom nom.