Hello from the MotorsportsExpo/SCCA Convention

Hello, Charlotte! Saw a bunch of friendly faces today--and a couple of GRM shirts! We'll be back on the MSX floor tomorrow, so stop by and say hi.

Oh, and I posted a few pics on our Facebook page.

I've heard exciting rumblings about SCCA sanctioned rally sprints from down there, which is the reason I was hoping to be able to attend. How does attendance seem numbers wise? I'm loving the concept of the show and location and am thinking next year, if it's done in the same fashion, that it'll replace my yearly PRI trip.

I think it was a neat show--and remember, it was the first one. Basically, it allowed any motorsports enthusiasts the opportunity to interact with some pretty senior people from our world. I saw Jim Downing and Bob Bondurant walking around. Plus the Bell booth was manned by the president of Bell; the Traqmate booth was manned by the owner of the company. John Doonan, manager of Mazda's racing program, was in the Mazda area. Max Crawford (and EFR) were in the Crawford Composites booth. You couldn't walk 10 feet without running into someone in an SCCA shirt. NASA Southeast had a booth, too. So, prime opportunity to interact with people from our world.

It was very Busy! I wish the MSX started earlier in the day on friday, same for the SCCA stuff, I flew in thursday, could have just flown in friday morning. The Schedule of sessions allowed for little time to eat, drink, hit a bathroom or whatever and still make it to the next session, just about every session I attended was late letting out, allowing for practically no time between. The convention center only sold Pepsi products blech. Definitely some room for improvement but met lots of great people, saw some familiar faces, learned some stuff, had a good time, drank lots of free booze!

Free booze?? I missed that.

I realize it was the first one, but I was disappointed at the low number of vendors. My son and I walked the whole thing, twice, in thirty minutes. It was only $10 to attend, but I don't feel like it was worth it.

I think more vendors will come with time. Not sure if everyone there realized it at the time, but just about each booth was stocked by the company president or owner. I'm eager to see next year's show.

The MSX had free beer and wine on friday. I was drinking free wine while talking with you and Andy Hollas in front of the free bar at the MSX that night. They had a few local wines and local brews, I'm not a beer drinker but had a few glasses of red. The SCCA banquet saturday night had full free open bar for an hour before the doors opened then there was 2 bottles of free wine on every table.

Doh, I didn't realize that alcohol was free Friday evening. Now you tell me.