JohnCh Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Anyone up for a USA7s meet at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (nee Monterey Historic Automobile Races) in August? As Alaskossie mentioned in this post, he is driving his Caterham from Denver to Anchorage via Los Angeles this summer. Although the itinerary isn’t yet locked for that adventure, one thing is certain: it will stop in Monterey from 8/12-8/15 for the big weekend. If you’ve never done this event before, it is a sensory overload for the car enthusiast. In addition to the races which feature amazing cars with big name drivers on a beautiful track, there are a number of other events happening over that 4-day weekend, including Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Quail Motorsports Gathering, Concorso Italiano, and various auctions. You don’t need to bring your se7en to attend, but if you do bring it, think about joining us for part of the route as well. Perhaps a few days before/after Monterey? Finding a hotel room at this stage in Monterey is already a little difficult (not to mention expensive), so locating one that has multiple rooms available is a non-starter. Consequently, we are thinking of looking for a place in an outlying area, and then making a 25-40 mile drive each day to the events. At this point, we’d like to see a show of hands to get a sense for the number of rooms needed so we can scout hotel possibilities. Who’s in? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 (edited) John, you are the devil. But your sidebar suggestion that I defer delivery of SB1341 until August and meet you all in CA is VERY tempting. Edited February 19, 2010 by Al Navarro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I'll join you for some driving and possibly the saturday of the event. Since I'm local I will not be needing a hotel room. Also I'd suggest buying your tickets via the GGLC (http://gglotus.org/ggshop/ggcorral.htm). You get a discount over the gate price and it includes parking within the Lotus corral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I've gone to the MotoGP races for years now and the dates are too close for me. Your right on reservations... A friend books ours 6 months early; and they're are people calling at the same time (mid-night) as that's the earliest this particular hotel takes RSVPs (and they don't raise their rates for big weekends). But now that I'm off sportbikes and have a 7, maybe next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) John, you are the devil. But you sidebar suggestion that I defer delivery of SB1341 until August and meet you all in CA is VERY tempting. Any chance to get the new Seven delivered *to* California? Then you can come back in September and join Ross Robbins for his Hwy50 journey from San Francisco to the East Coast. Edited to say....yes, I am 95% sure to join for Monterey Edited February 19, 2010 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 not sure if/when I'm making a trip to SF/Monterrey this year. With ALMS in May this year, thats going to be a no go. Hopefully Historics will be doable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) I'm in as well, but it's no longer called the monterey historics. They're now the "Monterey Motorsportrs Reunion." I'm also glad to see the F1 cars are back this year. This year will celebrate Dan Gurney. I hope to see/hear the Weslake T1G. Edited February 26, 2010 by TheDingo8MyBaby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) When Gert and I went last year to the Historics we stayed in Hollister, about 45 miles inland from Monterey. It was an easy drive from the motel to the track. Getting a parking pass through the Lotus club is definitely a good idea as you get to park close to everything. Get there fairly early in the morning to avoid the long line to park. We stayed at the Weibe Motel (http://www.weibemotel.com) in Hollister, just a basic cheap room and bed that was clean but could have used some fresh paint. There was a nicer looking Best Western (http://www.bestwesternhollister.com) a block away that I would look into if I were going again. (edit - I just checked the Best Western rates for that weekend and wow, they really jack the rates up for this event! Average room is over $250/night. The Weibe is well under $100 if I remember correctly.) Edited February 19, 2010 by soareyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thanks for the responses thus far. Does anyone know of other hotels in the outlying areas that we should consider? ...if I were going again. Stan, not sure what you mean by that. I’ve already put you on the definite list -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Getting a parking pass through the Lotus club is definitely a good idea as you get to park close to everything. I should add that the Lotus coral is only open to Lotus cars and Se7ens. If you are planning on a rental car you will have to use the general admission parking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thanks for the responses thus far. Does anyone know of other hotels in the outlying areas that we should consider? Stan, not sure what you mean by that. I’ve already put you on the definite list -John The 'definitely maybe' list would be better! We had a good time last year so I will probably go again depending on the family's schedule. And yes, I should have made clear that you have to have a Lotus or Seven-inspired car to park in the Lotus Corral. Our Birkins were welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 rnr's signature line: "Car Lovers drive Lotus Elises, psychopaths and crazy people drive Se7ens." - Mr Know on Jalopnik I resemble that remark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todo Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 (edited) JohnCh - I was at the Monterrey Historics last year and it was a 4 day blast. My son and I stayed in Salinis and it was only a 15 minute trip to the track as they let us in from the north side. Keeps you out of all that Carmel and Monterrey traffic after the races are over. Have a great time! Todo:driving: Edited February 20, 2010 by Todo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Here is some info about accommodations a friend gathered at last year's event. First off, there are no good deals--with advance reservations--for the week of the Historics and Pebble beach Concours. We stayed in the downtown Travel Lodge last summer and paid $300 + a night and the place was a dump, with a lot of traffic noise all night long. (You know how annoying those V-12 Ferraris at full cry can be at 3 A.M.!) If I were going to the Historics this year, I would be inclined to go and take my chances on finding a room. After checking into "the Dump," we went into Carmel for dinner and found two great small motels with vacancy signs (had never seen that in past years) offering much nicer rooms for a lot less money--and in Carmel! With the current economy, you should be able to find a decent place and pay half the price of an advance booking. It's kind of a pain in the ass to go there without a firm reservation, but I think the economy is working in your favor here. It's real hard for me to justify the room rates for this weekend, especially since you're only there to sleep. With regards to the Miata weekend, that Doubletree or Embassy Suites (I can't remember which it is) you mentioned as the headquarters is a nice hotel and in the best location for access to the track. It's also pretty expensive. We really like staying out of Monterey, specifically in Pacific Grove. There are some great older motels on the coast there (very pretty and away from the hussle and bussle) that are much more reasonable than rooms in Monterey or Carmel. Here are several in P.G., all along the coast on Asilomar Blvd.: a.) Rosedale Inn 800-822-5606 b.) Bide-A-Wee Inn and Cottages 831-372-2330 c.) Pacific Gardens Inn 800-262-1566 d.) Sunset Inn 866-550-7550 There are also several great B&B's in the town of Pacific Grove, but I don't have that info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 We should all rent a house in pebble beach for the weekend. Watsonville is probably 35 mins from the track (w/o traffic) and doesn't seem to have the inflated rates of the surrounding areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 rnr's signature line: "Car Lovers drive Lotus Elises, psychopaths and crazy people drive Se7ens." - Mr Know on Jalopnik I resemble that remark. Hmm, that never crossed my mind until I met other Se7en drivers. Maybe I am the only sane person on this list. Waaaahaaaahaaaaahhaaa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Maybe I am the only sane person on this list. Waaaahaaaahaaaaahhaaa. Hey "Dirt" Gert, Did you actually write this or was someone forcing you to say that? I had never driven my Se7en on a dirt road until shortly after you showed up at my place last Summer. And you had already been nicknamed Dirt Gert before you got here. That said, you and the rest of the band of crazies on this forum are the best car people I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Hey "Dirt" Gert, Did you actually write this or was someone forcing you to say that? .... Oh no....all my own thoughts. But you got to know we are all on a mission from god. http://lh4.ggpht.com/_242PlvPtVpE/S39WrmGehkI/AAAAAAAABVk/H6diM81Co1s/Mission.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khamai Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Hello, To add to what rnr said about the GGLC/Lotus Corral. There is a ordering deadline that SCRAMP (the track) has set to order tickets & passes. Please note that ticket and corral pass orders must be placed by May 25th, 2010. Because of changes set by the organizers it is unlikely the GGLC will be able to get extra corral passes or tickets after the deadline. Cheers, Kiyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Been a little hectic at work the last month, so I haven’t had much time to investigate hotels until now. I tried to keep us within 45 minutes of the track, so it is an easy daily drive, and limited my searches to hotels under $150/night. Prices in that area go a little nuts that weekend, so not a lot showed up. Here is what I found grouped by location. Gilroy –About 40-45 minutes from the track. The Super 8 is just $62/night and has decent reviews. There are also a couple of other hotels (Best Western & Hilton Garden Inn) in the $110-$120/night range that sound okay. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to connect with these to confirm availability beyond a couple of rooms. Hollister – Same distance as Gilroy. The CCC folks stayed at the Weibe Motel last year, it sounds like it was okay and the price is downright cheap at ~$60/night. The Best Western down the road sounds a little nicer, but is double the price. Both have plenty of rooms at this point. Watsonville – It’s about 30 minutes from the track, but I only found one hotel under my price threshold. They want ~$87/night on Thursday and Sunday, but jump to $160/night for Friday and Saturday, so the average is about $125 for those staying for 4 nights. Reviews are poor. Salinas – Less than 15 minutes from the track and priced accordingly. Although I found one hotel that was reasonable ($125/night on Friday and Saturday, $70 for Thursday and Sunday) it is right next to the railroad tracks, and had pretty mixed reviews. The Best Western in that town jumps from $90 for a weeknight to $229 on the weekend. $229/night for a Best Western . I also tried a number of other communities in the area, but struck out with availability or price. Tickets The Golden Gate Lotus Club told me that all se7en makes are welcome at their coral. Tickets for the three days (8/13-15) plus a coral pass are $126. That’s only $6 more than a three day pass from the official event site without parking. The only potential downside to purchasing from GGLC is timing. We need to order the tickets prior to 5/25, but they won’t arrive until approximately 1 week before the event. Anyone on the road for more than a week prior to the races (i.e. Alaskossie) may want to have their tickets sent to someone else. BTW the official race site states that they run from the 12th-15th, yet the ticketed dates are the 13th-15th. Although I haven’t found a schedule that explains what happens on the 12th, my guess is that it’s a low key arrival day. Schedule As you can see from the list below, there is a lot happening that week. Not sure when people want to arrive, but I will probably time it so I arrive at the hotel on the afternoon of the 12th. 8/10 - 4th Annual Carmel by-the-Sea Concours d'Elegance. http://www.motorclubevents.com 8/10-11 Automobilia Monterey http://www.automobiliamonterey.com 8/12-15 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion http://www.mazdaraceway.com/pages/2010_Rolex_Monterey_Motorsports_Reunion 8/13-14 - RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey http://www.rmauctions.com 8/13 Concorso Italiano http://www.concorso.com 8/13 - The Quail-A Motorsports Gathering http://www.quaillodge.com 8/13-14 - Mecum Auctions' "Mecum at Monterey http://www.mecum.com 8/14-15 - Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach Auctions http://www.goodingco.com 8/15 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net So what do people think? Any feedback on Gilroy vs. Hollister? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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