Update from Vegas?
- Thread starter TRBON8R
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Ben, go to the LV Nats web site. There is a link to LOTS of pics. Jack Bilger will be posting results there soon.
I m sorry to hear that. The actual car count was almost identical. It did seem like we had more high end cars. More serious race cars. Did you race?
I m guessing you didn t stay at the host hotel? Due to someone not knowing a dam thing , they proclaimed "bad" things about the host hotel with out even knowing wear they were located, and having never even seen it? hmmmmmm
So after a pathetic room reservation number of course we had to release all the rooms we reserved. Come to find out that hmmm rooms book up in vegas, gee can t imagine why? So unfortunately the majority of people had costs much higher then they should have been based entirely on NOTHING....sorry I can t help that.
We will be using another hotel next year because they won t have us back, it cost them t much I guess.
As for the racing, lets see, the weather couldn t have been better, the track was perfect ....prostockers testing, pro mods testing, hemi SS cuda's testing, and a couple nitro cars.....gee just those guys made showing up worth it. Then of course a bunch of cool biucks.
I m guessing you didn t stay at the host hotel? Due to someone not knowing a dam thing , they proclaimed "bad" things about the host hotel with out even knowing wear they were located, and having never even seen it? hmmmmmm
So after a pathetic room reservation number of course we had to release all the rooms we reserved. Come to find out that hmmm rooms book up in vegas, gee can t imagine why? So unfortunately the majority of people had costs much higher then they should have been based entirely on NOTHING....sorry I can t help that.
We will be using another hotel next year because they won t have us back, it cost them t much I guess.
As for the racing, lets see, the weather couldn t have been better, the track was perfect ....prostockers testing, pro mods testing, hemi SS cuda's testing, and a couple nitro cars.....gee just those guys made showing up worth it. Then of course a bunch of cool biucks.
Yeah, the guys doing their licensing passes made up for some of it. No, I wasn't able to bring my car, after trying to find a place to stay, ($100 a night at one of the worst hotels I've ever stayed at), I couldn't justify coughing up more money to pay the gas for the tow vehicle. Thought about just driving the GN there (Did that two years ago), but didn't like the idea of a 575 mile drive and running 11's.
I would have stayed at the host hotel, but my "really good job
" wouldn't tell me if I had the days off for over 3 weeks after requesting. The city was FULL, maybe the costs of the hotels were keeping the numbers down?
I would have stayed at the host hotel, but my "really good job
" wouldn't tell me if I had the days off for over 3 weeks after requesting. The city was FULL, maybe the costs of the hotels were keeping the numbers down?
- Joined
- May 28, 2001
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I had a good time.
It was hot Friday night and cooled off a little on Saturday. That was about the only disappointment I really had.
The track was great. I did not see anyone having a problem hooking to the track.
I was disappointed to see there were only 4 cars that showed up for the Stage class. Can anyone tell me what happened with that?
Dad made quite a few runs and the car did pretty good. It seems the best runs he made were the first ones he made on Fri and Sat.
In the TR1 category he could not spool it up right and he was very slow coming off the line.
After that mistake he goes to the Stage class against Jeff Rand. Dad stages the thing, revs a little too high and backs off the throttle. The problem was that his right finger let off that little transbrake button the same time his right foot backed off the gas and BOOM there he goes. It looked like a 9 second run but we will never know because Jeff was not even staged with both yellow lights when Dad took off. I could not figure out what happened until he told me back in the pits.
I think everyone was down on mph and ET from the elevation but thats racing. I could not get any more than 20 psi out of the turbo no matter how much I turned it up.
In any case he has new bests for ET and MPH. 10.14 at 133 and he did that 3 more times too. Better yet nothing broke but I do think a motor mount is broken. Easy fix this year.
Whomever the wheelie fiend was in the white T Type may I suggest not holding on to the wheel so tight when your front end is 3 feet in the air. Every time he pulled the front end up you could see the front wheels being turned right as he came down and the car would certainly turn that way. Great entertainment.
I also noticed Paul Callahan running a 9.97 at 137 ( est) that was great.
Congrats to Scott Wile for winning 2 categories. Scott you were behind the wheel a lot but it looks it paid off nicely for you.
My only suggestion would be to have some sort of get together at the hotel so we can meet all of the people. Maybe before the event would be better because it is difficult to run and socialize with everyone at the same time.
It was hot Friday night and cooled off a little on Saturday. That was about the only disappointment I really had.
The track was great. I did not see anyone having a problem hooking to the track.
I was disappointed to see there were only 4 cars that showed up for the Stage class. Can anyone tell me what happened with that?
Dad made quite a few runs and the car did pretty good. It seems the best runs he made were the first ones he made on Fri and Sat.
In the TR1 category he could not spool it up right and he was very slow coming off the line.
After that mistake he goes to the Stage class against Jeff Rand. Dad stages the thing, revs a little too high and backs off the throttle. The problem was that his right finger let off that little transbrake button the same time his right foot backed off the gas and BOOM there he goes. It looked like a 9 second run but we will never know because Jeff was not even staged with both yellow lights when Dad took off. I could not figure out what happened until he told me back in the pits.
I think everyone was down on mph and ET from the elevation but thats racing. I could not get any more than 20 psi out of the turbo no matter how much I turned it up.
In any case he has new bests for ET and MPH. 10.14 at 133 and he did that 3 more times too. Better yet nothing broke but I do think a motor mount is broken. Easy fix this year.
Whomever the wheelie fiend was in the white T Type may I suggest not holding on to the wheel so tight when your front end is 3 feet in the air. Every time he pulled the front end up you could see the front wheels being turned right as he came down and the car would certainly turn that way. Great entertainment.
I also noticed Paul Callahan running a 9.97 at 137 ( est) that was great.
Congrats to Scott Wile for winning 2 categories. Scott you were behind the wheel a lot but it looks it paid off nicely for you.
My only suggestion would be to have some sort of get together at the hotel so we can meet all of the people. Maybe before the event would be better because it is difficult to run and socialize with everyone at the same time.
Hell, I wish I had known that you were there.....I still owe you a beer for taking me for a ride in that beast of yours. This was my first time at the Nats, so I was just thankful to see so many Buicks in one place. The host hotel was great, $65 per night for a suite. You are right, though- I was at the track Saturday between 7:30 and about 2:30 and there really wasn't many people there.Originally posted by roc87
Extremely dissapointing...................
After seeing the 2002 Nats, this year, (Frankly) was pathetic. The races seemed good, good times posted, but...........Hardly anybody showed up!
Next year, I'll spend less and go to B.G.!
750H.P.V6
Brutal 6 Racing
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2001
- Messages
- 3,618
Hey Roc,
FWIW, My buddy and myself made reservations within 3 weeks of the event at a really nice hotel less than 5 miles from the track near Nellis AFB for $80 a night. We both drove our cars from So Calif. (700 miles round trip) his runs low 11's and mine runs low 10's. Sorry you didn't enjoy the event.
Neal
FWIW, My buddy and myself made reservations within 3 weeks of the event at a really nice hotel less than 5 miles from the track near Nellis AFB for $80 a night. We both drove our cars from So Calif. (700 miles round trip) his runs low 11's and mine runs low 10's. Sorry you didn't enjoy the event.
Neal
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2002
- Messages
- 9,778
FWIW & IMHO:
I am sorry for the ones that did not have a good time. I had a great time, but I went for the socializing, seeing some friends that I haven't seen for a year or two, meeting some new ones. and supporting the host bar/tavern/watering hole. And that I did. (the tavern part). As for the motel/hotel situation, I found that the rooms were not quite as nice as the rooms from 2 years ago, (Main Street Station), but the food quality, quantity, and availablility of selections was better at Arizona Charlie's. The bars were about equal. It seemed to me that there was about the same amount of people, but maybe a few less cars. There were really some first class people, racers & spectators both. I really enjoyed the West Coast Nationals, and my hat's off to all of those people who did all of the work necessary to make this event happen. I did, unfortunately, miss the party at Len's due to not knowing where his shop was located, but that won't happen again. Invitee or crasher, I will be there next year. I am already looking forward to this event. And if no particular hotel/motel will support us, then we can just poll where everybody would like to stay at, and put in for reservations way in advance. Maybe we won't get as much money off, but it shouldn't cost that much more. I reserved my room on the very last day for reservations, and I can't expect any better if i can't make up my mind & sign up. Let's see, where are we? 360 something days and counting. I think that the people that do the work to make this event happen deserve our gratitude, respect, and acknowledgement, not our complaints.
I am sorry for the ones that did not have a good time. I had a great time, but I went for the socializing, seeing some friends that I haven't seen for a year or two, meeting some new ones. and supporting the host bar/tavern/watering hole. And that I did. (the tavern part). As for the motel/hotel situation, I found that the rooms were not quite as nice as the rooms from 2 years ago, (Main Street Station), but the food quality, quantity, and availablility of selections was better at Arizona Charlie's. The bars were about equal. It seemed to me that there was about the same amount of people, but maybe a few less cars. There were really some first class people, racers & spectators both. I really enjoyed the West Coast Nationals, and my hat's off to all of those people who did all of the work necessary to make this event happen. I did, unfortunately, miss the party at Len's due to not knowing where his shop was located, but that won't happen again. Invitee or crasher, I will be there next year. I am already looking forward to this event. And if no particular hotel/motel will support us, then we can just poll where everybody would like to stay at, and put in for reservations way in advance. Maybe we won't get as much money off, but it shouldn't cost that much more. I reserved my room on the very last day for reservations, and I can't expect any better if i can't make up my mind & sign up. Let's see, where are we? 360 something days and counting. I think that the people that do the work to make this event happen deserve our gratitude, respect, and acknowledgement, not our complaints.
Gary i was there but didnt get to meet you, I was at Lens most of the time, Maybe next year.
I had a great time and stayed at Lens house free of charge(thanks again Len)
Also Sean Miles(aka Idahogn) Let me make a pass in his turbo TA and until he upped the boost i made a faster pass than he did
I had a great time and stayed at Lens house free of charge(thanks again Len)
Also Sean Miles(aka Idahogn) Let me make a pass in his turbo TA and until he upped the boost i made a faster pass than he did
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2002
- Messages
- 9,778
I am sorry that I missed you, too, but maybe next year.
Had a great time, better turn out than last year I'd say. Alot of fast TRs! Of course I kept missing the fast runs! That red TR was out of hand! Two years in a row haven't been able to see Gallinas run at its best, only caught one run Saturday. Glad to see Gary & Kevin, only guys I knew there. Was hoping for a Turbobuick.com shirt to take to hopefully get to meet some new people with, but ya know........
I for one had a blast. Next year i am going to try and promote the event more and the host hotel. IMHO these events are not about just racing. they are about meeting and hanging out with people that share the same interest, the turbo Buick. We all need to try next year to support the guys that put this event by staying at the host hotel.
We stayed at the host hotel in the RV park. It was great. they did not have too many extra spaces. It is very popular with the RV crowd. It had close really clean restrooms with showers, nice grassy areas to lounge on and a really nice pool with hot tub just for the RV guests. We spent alot of time there with my kids 5 year old boy and 1 year old girl. they loved it. We basically had the place to ourselves. We stayed there on Thursday and Saturday. They also had really good security. That is a big plus in vegas.
I was spread a little thin at this event. I tried my best to not be short with people but i was really busy. I brought two cars there my dad's and mine. I had the RJC Racing booth there going. And I was trying to organize the stock block heads up class. Dad's car is a basic 11sec recipie car with a thumbwheel chip and a stretched stock location intercooler. This car has not really seen much track time. I raced it on friday and had a little trouble with it. We worked on it after the races on Friday night at the track in the pits durring the midnight drags they held there. The pits are so well lighted, you can work under the hood of your car in the middle of the night without flash lights! the track and track staff are just plain awesome. on friday night our event ended at around 10pm. the midnight event goes form 10pm til 2am. durring this time they did not hassle us one bit about staying and watching, working on cars or whatever. They also had were playing some loud kid music which i did not mind and had some "Drifting" competition going on at one end of the parking lot. There was really allot to see. We stayed at the track that night in the RV and had a bunch of guys just leave their cars at "My camp" there at the track instead of taking them back to the motels. This sure made it easier. The next day we setup the booth and made breakfast without at a relaxing pace. It was really nice not having to wait for the women to get ready to go to the track for the day. I'm sure most of the guys on the board know what i am talking about here. lol. I was anxous to get a good et out of dads car and wanted to see if what we did the night before paid off. Made the first pass, 11.00@121 not bad for that car and it ran clean. I turned the wick up a bit and was rewarded with a 10.85 @ 122. Wow this was great!! It was about 11am on Saturday and i had not even run my car yet as i was messing around with dad's car.
I got in my car and made a pass. it hooked good and felt good all the way down. Everyone was down on MPH and ET because of not so ideal air conditions so i fugured it was about a 10.15 or so pass. When i got my time slip it read 9.89 @ 135.9 man that was great. EGT was 1557 and i was at the standard TSM 24# of boost.
The next pass was heads up qualifying so i turned it up a little and pulled a little fuel out. When it launched it felt at least as good as the pass before but at about the 50' mark, "wing" it felt like it hit neutral. I ripped the teeth off of the ring gear. 
At least i had a back up car to race in the heads up class.. dad's! I raced his car and made it to the semi's and there i had a false start that put me out.
I got to meet a bunch of nice people. Man I had a blast. Wish i could do that more often!!
We stayed at the host hotel in the RV park. It was great. they did not have too many extra spaces. It is very popular with the RV crowd. It had close really clean restrooms with showers, nice grassy areas to lounge on and a really nice pool with hot tub just for the RV guests. We spent alot of time there with my kids 5 year old boy and 1 year old girl. they loved it. We basically had the place to ourselves. We stayed there on Thursday and Saturday. They also had really good security. That is a big plus in vegas.
I was spread a little thin at this event. I tried my best to not be short with people but i was really busy. I brought two cars there my dad's and mine. I had the RJC Racing booth there going. And I was trying to organize the stock block heads up class. Dad's car is a basic 11sec recipie car with a thumbwheel chip and a stretched stock location intercooler. This car has not really seen much track time. I raced it on friday and had a little trouble with it. We worked on it after the races on Friday night at the track in the pits durring the midnight drags they held there. The pits are so well lighted, you can work under the hood of your car in the middle of the night without flash lights! the track and track staff are just plain awesome. on friday night our event ended at around 10pm. the midnight event goes form 10pm til 2am. durring this time they did not hassle us one bit about staying and watching, working on cars or whatever. They also had were playing some loud kid music which i did not mind and had some "Drifting" competition going on at one end of the parking lot. There was really allot to see. We stayed at the track that night in the RV and had a bunch of guys just leave their cars at "My camp" there at the track instead of taking them back to the motels. This sure made it easier. The next day we setup the booth and made breakfast without at a relaxing pace. It was really nice not having to wait for the women to get ready to go to the track for the day. I'm sure most of the guys on the board know what i am talking about here. lol. I was anxous to get a good et out of dads car and wanted to see if what we did the night before paid off. Made the first pass, 11.00@121 not bad for that car and it ran clean. I turned the wick up a bit and was rewarded with a 10.85 @ 122. Wow this was great!! It was about 11am on Saturday and i had not even run my car yet as i was messing around with dad's car.
I got in my car and made a pass. it hooked good and felt good all the way down. Everyone was down on MPH and ET because of not so ideal air conditions so i fugured it was about a 10.15 or so pass. When i got my time slip it read 9.89 @ 135.9 man that was great. EGT was 1557 and i was at the standard TSM 24# of boost.
The next pass was heads up qualifying so i turned it up a little and pulled a little fuel out. When it launched it felt at least as good as the pass before but at about the 50' mark, "wing" it felt like it hit neutral. I ripped the teeth off of the ring gear. At least i had a back up car to race in the heads up class.. dad's! I raced his car and made it to the semi's and there i had a false start that put me out. I got to meet a bunch of nice people. Man I had a blast. Wish i could do that more often!!
Jason, if that's what you're like when you're spread thin, I'm impressed. You and your father were two of the friendliest folks I got to meet there. I've got your mishap on tape....sorry about that, but it looked like you were having a lot of luck, that not withstanding. Can't wait to put my new Power Plate in.
boy i would really like to see that...
does any one know who was taking pictures in at the edge of the right (east) lane at about the 100ft mark? who ever it was surely got a good shot of my car launching.
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2002
- Messages
- 9,778
That would be Steve Hurst, I believe.
