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2008 Regional Meets and 2009 National Meet


Al N.

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Folks-

 

Mazda and I had an club officers call yesterday.

 

One of the things we discussed are the regional events happening in 2008 as well as the proposed national meet in 2009.

 

We will reach out to the regional coordinators soon regarding 2008, but there seem to be several events in the planning stage you might want to put on your calendar for 08.

 

May - MidAtlantic Region Meet at VIR

(would probably attract folks from southeast and other locations)

 

Summer - NorthEast Lime Rock meet

(around a motorsports event at LRP, possibly Vintage over Labor Day...would include a group meal and drive in addition to spectating at LRP)

 

Fall - SouthWest Se7ens Fest

(assuming Bernie and crew continue their tradition)

 

We assume that the California crew will have a few events throughout the year as well, and the Minnesota/Wisconsin folks will also have a few meet ups. We're looking to lock in some events in the Atlanta/South region, the Mountain states, as well as more in the great midwest. (Russ seems to be doing his best to rally the troops.) Perhaps something in conjunction with LOG (Indianapolis)?

 

Chime in on the various regional threads if you have any thoughts.

----

 

The 2009 National meet site has been NOT* determined. There was some sentiment from people to have it more centrally located so perhaps the West Coaster could participate without making it a multi-week commitment/multi thousand mile drive.

 

Below are some potential sites that have been tossed around. Please add any serious suggestions to this thread and we'll have a poll up in January. Based on past experience, it's safe to give the organizers about a year to make plans/reservations.

 

Possible national meet locations for 2009

 

• Sturgis region, South Dakota

• Montana & Wyoming (Beartooth Highway & Yellowstone)

• St. Louis/Ozarks (including Gateway?), Missouri

 

And the dark horse...another meet at Tail of the Dragon.

 

Keep in mind that great driving roads, historic/cultural/outdoorsy tourism, facilities, and relative ease of access are all important factors when deciding the meet site.

 

-Al

 

 

*I corrected this glaring oversight...we do not have a location picked out and are looking for suggestions.

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Good work guys. Yes the Labor Day weekend Midwest Se7ens meet here in KC is a go. Se7ens will be the "Featured Marquee" for the KC All British Car Show. There will be awards for the best three origional 7's and awards for the best three clones. That way no feathers get ruffled. If enough sign up I will have awards for a separate Locost vs Factory clone. So far 6 have said "yes I will come" of which 5 have finished cars and two of those are origionals. 9 said "maybe I will come" of which 4 of those have finished cars. Not bad for the first notice. I have posted on 6 sites and am looking for others. There are still several others that have not responded yet. The "7" , being the Featured Marquee, will be on the tee shirts and all the class awards. There will be activities on Saturday Including a cookout at my house for the 7's and the show on Sunday. If anybody is interested PLEASE contact me, Russ Amos

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Possible national meet locations for 2009

 

• Sturgis region, South Dakota

• Montana & Wyoming (Beartooth Highway & Yellowstone)

• St. Louis/Ozarks (including Gateway?), Missouri

 

And the dark horse...another meet at Tail of the Dragon.

 

Keep in mind that great driving roads, historic/cultural/outdoorsy tourism, facilities, and relative ease of access are all important factors when deciding the meet site.

 

 

If it turns out the Ozark thing is more realistic for the larger Sevens population than e.g. Montana.....Could we change Gateway for the Hallet track near Tulsa and meet there (track rental $2800 per day)?

"Only" 1400 miles from SoCal and still in reach for a loop through the Ozarks.

 

Thinking further about it...If we plan for - let's say - a one-week circle tour with a track day thrown in at the end, people could join and leave as they see fit for their schedule. Also better for trailer drop off.

Hmm, I still like the Dakota/Montana/Wyoming idea but that is also something I can live with :)

 

Gert

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If you are thinking track events, Lime Rock is cutting their track days in half as they transition to a motorsport club. That means very few available days and those that are will likely go to clubs that have run there regularly. Watkins Glen is an awesome track in a very beautiful part of NY State. I would drive from NC for that event.

 

 

Let your SE Regional Coordinator know I am available and willing to help with the May event at VIR.

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If you are thinking track events, Lime Rock is cutting their track days in half as they transition to a motorsport club. That means very few available days and those that are will likely go to clubs that have run there regularly. Watkins Glen is an awesome track in a very beautiful part of NY State. I would drive from NC for that event.

 

 

Let your SE Regional Coordinator know I am available and willing to help with the May event at VIR.

 

Watkins Glen...Lime Rock....Lovely tracks, I suppose but please, be a little more considerate of us West Coast guys....

On the other hand, it is only 2,800 miles :willy:

 

Gert

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If you want more centrally located tracks, there are several in Colorado and a new one in Hastings, Nebraska.

 

We should be getting a new one located about 1 hour east of Denver sometime in 2008.

 

None of these are famous like those mentioned above, but they are still fun to drive and could be slotted in after a visit to the Dakota/Montana/Wyoming area.

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Thanks for all the suggestions, folks...FWIW, I like Gert's suggestion that the Track Day be thrown on the end of the meet. I don't know so much about the circular loop tour if we generate a similar level of participation as the Dragon meet...that's a very large traveling circus. Not to say that we couldn't pull it off given enough helpers. :D

 

Not all of us want to track our cars, so having that appended at the end of the meet lets the less sporty among us start to head home a day or two early. I personally would be very interested in perhaps a track-based Time Attack sort of event in lieu of an parking lot Auto-X.

 

Keep the suggestions coming all! We will get the East and West together eventually, I have hope!

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If we were kicking aound the idea of St.Louis, why not coinside this with Run&Gun at Gateway Int. race track. I know a few of the top Seven guys will be there anyway and I know that a lot of others will love to sit and watch them run.

 

Even have a large venue to gather in all ready with services such as restrooms and food. Also a good gathering of other related 'kit' cars.

 

I know I would love to be able to combine the two due to vacation days being limited by my company I work for.

 

 

BTW take a look and see where our Sevens are, Chuck Spera and Dennis Brunton.... http://www.runngun.net/pdf/Results2007.pdf

 

 

Tim.

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The only issue with Run 'n Gun is that the October timing kind of eliminates the possibility of going for those of us with kids. Not that there were many people with kids down at the Dragon, but we are trying to shoot for a summer timeframe. Not unlike the annual LOG gathering.

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Fall timing would be a problem for me even without young kids (wife works at school).

Also a big name motor sports event like Run 'n Gun might somewhat distract from the focus of a first true National Sevens Convention (i.e. learning to know people, some touring and maybe some fun track or Autox time.

 

The idea with a possible track event at the end was because one or the other car may develop a problem under track stress and that would be a mess if you want to do some touring afterwards.

 

As for the organization of a larger circle loop tour with many people, I think that would have to be fairly self organized. I had already trouble to keep track who is joining and leaving, who made reservations where etc. on PNW2007 (6-9 rooms in 15 hotels).

 

But for 2009 we could outline a route and schedule, suggest accommodation with pricing and everybody has to make their own reservation. Group reservations do actually not help much in Summer, because hotels are not willing to give discounts when they can sell out, anyway.

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I'm not sure Run'n'Gun needs to be the national meet. aside from Jerry's assertation that u will spend most of ur time driving ur car its an event that does not really need group planning to start. Its already well subsribed by a number se7en owners. Growing number from what I remember of this year's write ups. so anyone can plan to be there adn it will still be a se7en meet.

 

there's still plenty of time fore everyone to voice there opinions.

 

With a firm date and destination attendees can start making plans for drives, events, and lodging.

 

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I know that there are several places in Northern Michigan that are very nice in the summer months, such as the route along the Lake Huron, Tawas to Mackinaw US23 .

 

We could go over the Bridge to the U.P. and such. And down along the lakes.

 

The Detroit SCCA usually has a two day autocross about in June or July (GASS Event), in Oscoda. Possibly if we made them an offer we could arrange to have our autox on Friday, which is normally their practice day anyway and just let who ever else wishes to practice join in. Those of us who wish to run the rest of the weekeend can.

 

During that time of year the Hotels and small Inns are hurting for business. So it shouldn't be too hard to find spaces for everyone. Any one who wishes to camp there are a lot of options for that also.

 

Unfortunetly a long way to drive for the southern visitors.

 

I also liked the Table Rock Lake area, just outside Branson Missouri.

 

Tim

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