Fireblades.org Days IV

MedTechRR · 07-02-2004, 12:40 PM

We're all in agreement that Grattan would be great to do again. Lets pick a date so all the whiners can't use the "not enough notice" excuse!

Seriously, now that I know how much fun tracks are I am going to be looking for a new truck (F250 extended cab) and an enclosed trailer so I'll be set to go anywhere!

I think it'd be great to do a track day somewhere in the south durning the winter so us suckers who live in snow land can have a few days of riding off season!

Kuss929 · 07-02-2004, 1:59 PM

Grattan again in a heart beat.

All you people who did not make it to grattan are probably having a better WORK week than I am. My gosh does work suck now.

Red Rider · 07-02-2004, 2:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuss929

Grattan again in a heart beat.

All you people who did not make it to grattan are probably having a better WORK week than I am. My gosh does work suck now.

Yeah...pretty hard getting back into the real world after 3 days of track riding!

MedTechRR · 07-02-2004, 3:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Yeah...pretty hard getting back into the real world after 3 days of track riding!

That's why I have the whole week off (and next monday too

)

It's a good thing too since I didn't wake up til 11:30 this morning. I drove strait thru wednesday night and I just can't sleep during the day so last night was the first sleep I got since wednesday at 7AM.

RRWANTR · 07-02-2004, 4:08 PM

Pahrump (Las Vegas). Don't think you'll beat the value there!! It's an awesome track and very reasonable rates. I'd be willing to help set it up.

oldgoat · 07-02-2004, 6:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

After doing the Grattan event, I am of the mindset that it should be an annual event for as long as we can impose on Abtech to run it. The event was well run, the track has a good hometown feel, and the value per day CANNOT be beat....period.

Any other venues should be considered as additional rather than alternate events.....

In other words...add a "Fireblades Days South/West/Etc assuming someone has the urge to organize it...but keep Grattan as the main event...

I agree. Beautiful area and a great track.

ULEWZ · 07-02-2004, 6:50 PM

I could easily make the Las Vegas area and would bring along a few friends.

arndogg · 07-02-2004, 7:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

After doing the Grattan event, I am of the mindset that it should be an annual event for as long as we can impose on Abtech to run it. The event was well run, the track has a good hometown feel, and the value per day CANNOT be beat....period.Any other venues should be considered as additional rather than alternate events.....:

I definitely agree.

Perhaps those of us on the west coast can organize something in Vegas or Pahrump?

abtech · 07-02-2004, 9:36 PM

Abtech would love to make this an annual event on the lines of the Ducati Club of Canada "Days at Grattan" (they have been doing a 3 day event for over 15 years at Grattan with something like 200 attendees).

I think other events would be great as well, but not if they exhaust the days available to spend at Grattan every year

.

MedTechRR · 07-02-2004, 9:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Abtech would love to make this an annual event on the lines of the Ducati Club of Canada "Days at Grattan" (they have been doing a 3 day event for over 15 years at Grattan with something like 200 attendees).

I think other events would be great as well, but not if they exhaust the days available to spend at Grattan every year

.

I really don't think we want 200 people. The best part of the event was the small numbers, the tons of space we had on the track, and the plenty of time out on the track. I'd be willing to make the trip to Grattan, it was definitely worth it!!

HondaGalToo · 07-02-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Abtech would love to make this an annual event on the lines of the Ducati Club of Canada "Days at Grattan" (they have been doing a 3 day event for over 15 years at Grattan with something like 200 attendees).

I think other events would be great as well, but not if they exhaust the days available to spend at Grattan every year

.

This event would definitely become an annual trek on the HondaGals' track schedule. But I'm with MedTech....keep it at the 40 rider limit. 200? No way I'd go for that!

Fire929blade · 07-02-2004, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Assen?

Why not?

Two (short) days ride from Norway... Sounds great

929_Nupe · 07-02-2004, 11:58 PM

Once I get all the green off of me I'm down. Just save a spot in the sloooow group for me

abtech · 07-03-2004, 8:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

This event would definitely become an annual trek on the HondaGals' track schedule. But I'm with MedTech....keep it at the 40 rider limit. 200? No way I'd go for that!

I wasn't suggesting we aim for those numbers. I meant establishing an annual event with coordinated product demonstrations, dinners, contests or whatever.

It's obvious that we could probably tweak the schedule a bit and get 50 riders without messing up the track density. The rule of thumb at Grattan is that during regular sessions (not "parade or sighting laps), is no more than 20 riders on track at a time. This is an insurance issue and if exceeded requires the "Racing Event rider".

Baketech · 07-03-2004, 10:05 AM

The track never felt crowded even in the brimming Squidermediate group....I would wager that a 50-60 rider event would still be safe and fun...

It's not like STT where they put that many in one group...

HondaGalToo · 07-03-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

I wasn't suggesting we aim for those numbers. I meant establishing an annual event with coordinated product demonstrations, dinners, contests or whatever.

It's obvious that we could probably tweak the schedule a bit and get 50 riders without messing up the track density. The rule of thumb at Grattan is that during regular sessions (not "parade or sighting laps), is no more than 20 riders on track at a time. This is an insurance issue and if exceeded requires the "Racing Event rider".

Oh, I know you weren't suggesting that many!

50 still sounds safe to me.

The rule of thumb for a safe trackday grid is only 20?? And how many does STT cram on that track??? Insane! I think our club allows 40 on one of the 2 mile road courses that we use, but there are no off-camber turns and many less blind turns, and the track is much wider in more places.

Trackoholic · 07-04-2004, 12:55 PM

I/Trackoholics is up for helping Frank and the Fireblades group to help ease the load on Frank. We have no problem with that as we ran the ZX-7 event (3 days) last year.

We have everything needed as in tire machine, leathers, back protectors, ect for those who need. And Frank does an awesome job getting it together.

Grattan is a great place to ride and is reasonable to rent, close hotels and food. You could alternate yearly and run one year clockwise one year counterclockwise. <---- hint hint

I thoughly enjoyed my time with all of you guys and gals.

Jim

Also, I think having surveyed Mid America that it might make a great venue (maybe a second event) as well. Trackoholics is considering it as well. I like the layout and run off. And is central to most

Road America would be very costly, but a hel of a lot of fun. Putnam is very possible and a fun track. Somewhat central.

I think VIR and Barber would be cool but expensive as well.

Any other suggestions?

Jim

HondaGalToo · 07-04-2004, 3:37 PM

Hey Jim, it was great meeting you! We hope to be able to attend some Trackoholic events in the future. I'd have to be a 2-day event at Grattan to make the drive worthwhile. How about BeaveRun? Fun track! They are supposed to be paving the other course soon, I think by next year.

bubba · 07-05-2004, 9:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackoholic

Any other suggestions?

Jim

Road Atl is a NICE track, but I think it is costly too. CMP and Jennings would be suitable !!!

Heavy-Dee · 07-05-2004, 9:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackoholic

I/Trackoholics is up for helping Frank and the Fireblades group to help ease the load on Frank. We have no problem with that as we ran the ZX-7 event (3 days) last year.

We have everything needed as in tire machine, leathers, back protectors, ect for those who need. And Frank does an awesome job getting it together.

Grattan is a great place to ride and is reasonable to rent, close hotels and food. You could alternate yearly and run one year clockwise one year counterclockwise. <---- hint hint

I thoughly enjoyed my time with all of you guys and gals.

Jim

Also, I think having surveyed Mid America that it might make a great venue (maybe a second event) as well. Trackoholics is considering it as well. I like the layout and run off. And is central to most

Road America would be very costly, but a hel of a lot of fun. Putnam is very possible and a fun track. Somewhat central.

I think VIR and Barber would be cool but expensive as well.

Any other suggestions?

Jim

Jim, check your email. I sent you some hotel info.

HD

oldgoat · 07-06-2004, 6:22 PM

OK its settled,

Grattan is the anual event. Where do i send the money.

Yellar · 07-06-2004, 6:41 PM

I'm glad to hear that the Grattan tradition will live on. It hurt to not be able to make the event this year... I knew that you guys would have a blast. Hopefully by this time next year I'll be back on two wheels. Maybe I can even drag some of the other Texans up there as well.

ReaperAZ · 08-02-2004, 1:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

Pahrump (Las Vegas). Don't think you'll beat the value there!! It's an awesome track and very reasonable rates. I'd be willing to help set it up.

Yeah us West side riders need an event for sure. Just can't swing a 2145.8 mile drive to Grattan.

Dano

lfg929 · 08-02-2004, 2:08 PM

Putnam is costly unless they change their pricing for us. When I checked into prices a little over a year ago for a private track day I ended up with the following:
Grattan: $2500
Gingerman: $5000
Putnam: $7000
Beaver Run: $7000
Mid-Ohio: was too afraid to call for the price

This was the total expense for around 20-40 riders and included ambulance fees, corner workers, any additional insurance, etc. Grattan is the cheapest track to rent I have ever seen and is probably one of the best to learn on because it is such a technical track with every type of turn you could think of.