GRM Challenge - Spectators?

So I was calculating the distance to FL, and I am thinking about coming down to spectate, even though I don't have a challenger to enter into the competition this year.

My question is, what is the hotel to stay at to be close to the action (read that as don't have to drive back to the hotel after getting ripped), and what is the schedule like? Is there anything I could do to contribute to the madness that doesn't break local ordinance? What is the do-not-miss event, autoX, drag strip, concours?

I have never been to a GRM challenge, and this isn't my year to enter a car myself, but I would love to come and be a part of it, and you are only nine hours away.

You only live once, yes? I have waited way too long to be a part of this. Please enlighten me, oh exalted ones.

Thanks in advance!

Sure, come on down. Be nice to have you.

Most of those involved will be at the host hotel, the Best Western Gateway Grand: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/events/extra/hotel/. It's a couple of miles from the track but, truth be told, there's not really any hotels near the track.

Schedule and stuff: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/events/2012challenge/

If you'd like to attend the banquet, Debbie can let you know if there's any tickets left. (I'll be out of the office tomorrow morning.)

there are also typically teams that could use a hand... so i'm sure you could easily "join a team"

I'm waiting to see if some money comes in... I'd LOVE to come but with it being so close it's doubtful :-/

Thanks for the info!

I would love to join up with a team that needs a hand, I should mention that I am an awesome tool/beer gopher! I'm a halfway decent photog too, if anyone needs one.

You're welcome to play with me.

Seriously, Team Razorback would be proud to have you along.

Hey, that sounds awesome, thanks!

Are you coming through NC on your way down to Florida, or should I plan on meeting up down there?

What is the do-not-miss event

6AM whiskey shots and hard-boiled eggs in the hot tub as a little snack before bed.

Now we're talkin'!

EastCoastMojo wrote: Hey, that sounds awesome, thanks! Are you coming through NC on your way down to Florida, or should I plan on meeting up down there?

We'll be rollin through on Thursday on our way from DC. Are ya far from 95? 8)

I am in the same boat. Would love to spectate, but no car/truck on top of literally being broke.

I am just a few miles from where 95 and 40 intersect.

Which Thursday are you talking about?

I will be coming down 75 so no help getting you there.

Ranger50 is closer

EastCoastMojo wrote: Now we're talkin'!

Well E36 M3. Maybe I'll have to go after all.

EastCoastMojo wrote: I am just a few miles from where 95 and 40 intersect. Which Thursday are you talking about?

Unfortunately we can't go down a whole week early so the 27th it is.

Would have to caravan as we'll be in a wrangler flat towing the challenge car full o wheels/support gear, but that's always nicer than just slogging alone. The fiance is working the night before so we can't leave from her work until 7am where I66 and the beltway meet in VA, then book it. Gmaps says just under 13 hours but hopefully we can trim a little off that, mpg be damned. Puts us at 95/40 around 11:30, so not sure if you want to wait till then.

On the same note, anyone else passing through?

poopshovel wrote:

EastCoastMojo wrote: Now we're talkin'!

Well E36 M3. Maybe I'll have to go after all.

Whiskey+Coffee+real maple syrup = new England style Irish coffee. I'm in.

poopshovel wrote: Well E36 M3. Maybe I'll have to go after all.

You better. I'm not drinking all the whiskey alone.

bluej wrote: Unfortunately we can't go down a whole week early so the 27th it is. Would have to caravan as we'll be in a wrangler flat towing the challenge car full o wheels/support gear, but that's always nicer than just slogging alone. The fiance is working the night before so we can't leave from her work until 7am where I66 and the beltway meet in VA, then book it. Gmaps says just under 13 hours but hopefully we can trim a little off that, mpg be damned. Puts us at 95/40 around 11:30, so not sure if you want to wait till then. On the same note, anyone else passing through?

That sounds most excellent to me. I make a good lane clearer for when you need to move the rig over for traffic.

poopshovel wrote:

What is the do-not-miss event

6AM whiskey shots and hard-boiled eggs in the hot tub as a little snack before bed.

Glad I won't have to smell the result!

ECM- you are welcome to take a few runs down the drags in my Bunny, or ride with a pro driver on the autox.

Careful with anything related to the hot tub!

Oh man, a ride along would be fabulous, but I tend to make whoo-hooing sounds when I am the ballast, so be warned.

Hard boiled eggs are soft, so I think I'll be OK with them in the hot tub. Just don't ask me to juggle.

Are you bringing the tandem this year, or is that the bunny?

No, no. The Vorpal Bunny is my '84 GTI.

Wasn't planning on bringing the tandem, but I could!

Hey, I do the WooHooing thing too!

I can juggle, but I am smart enough to know that I need to stay a long way away from the hot tub at the Challenge. Bad things happen there.

But but, Curmudgeon said I was A Bad Person, so wouldn't that cancel out?

Do you ever get that Bunny up on three legs? That was always my favorite part about riding along in the Scirocco.

Used to. Not any more- he corners pretty flat.

Wow. There's some pretty serious repressed sexual innuendo going on here. Don't let me interrupt.

Aw, but you know you want to. You and your hard boiled eggs.

Evan Williams started talking for a moment, but then I snatched the mic from his bitchass hand.