Who is staying where ?

[last2brake]

I might as well be first......

We're planning on staying in the campground ( the best way, as far as I'm concerned, for test sessions, which can be long with extended quiet periods ).

But if it's gonna rain for the two days, I may choose to bail ( not like with a bucket ) and just drive down for a day. Camping is great, but with two large dogs who will get wet and muddy it becomes somewhat less attractive.

Does anyone think that anybody will be running any Lolas ( to compare baseline settings, or to let any rookies who need to learn the track get their feet wet, pun intended ) for any reason ? Just curious.....

[anteater]

Interesting questions you ask, last2brake. Don't know about the Lolas, but if I make it to testing, I'll probably "camp" at a hotel in Monterey. ;) 2004 seems like a long time ago--I can't remember the name of the hotel where I stayed, but it was in the landing pattern for the airport!

[HotDaug]

I'll be somewhere.

[snake]

I might as well be first......

We're planning on staying in the campground ( the best way, as far as I'm concerned, for test sessions, which can be long with extended quiet periods ).

But if it's gonna rain for the two days, I may choose to bail ( not like with a bucket ) and just drive down for a day. Camping is great, but with two large dogs who will get wet and muddy it becomes somewhat less attractive.

Does anyone think that anybody will be running any Lolas ( to compare baseline settings, or to let any rookies who need to learn the track get their feet wet, pun intended ) for any reason ? Just curious.....

According to roundtable, the Lola's can be tested until 12/15/06, whereupon
Cosworth will want back old engines and distribute the '07 powerplant to teams.

I'll drive down at least for one day, depending on circumstances, I may stay overnight.

Hopefully we get good weather!

[CAgremlin]

well I"m taking some time off and plan to be there for the Atlantics test day/days and the ChampCar test day/days....and the family place is about five miles away so I'm staying with my family! Weather at that time of the year can be problematic, so bring your wets!

[tifosi77]

We're still up in the air on going or not. We were in Monterey last March for the fiancee's birthday which coincided with the A1GP race (which a good friend of mine was promoting). We had a great time that weekend, and even took in some of the race action on Sunday. This year, her birthday weekend coincides with the 'Spring Training' event at Laguna. She's already said it would be no problem taking a day out of the weekend to go to the track, but we have a wedding to pay for now. So I still don't know if we're going. Plus, we're going to the race in Vegas and Long Beach, so I think that's sorta asking a lot of a non-race fan to have to spend three weekends out of six at Champ Car events.

But if she offers, who am I to refuse? :D

Anyway, we stayed in Pacific Grove last year and loved it. Short walk to Cannery Row and some truly excellent restaurants and the Monterey Bay Acquarium, and a quick car ride into town for the Wharf and the downtown area. It's only about a ten-minute drive from the track, too.

Weather at that time of the year can be problematic, so bring your wets!

Boy howdy!!

As I mentioned, I was there last year the weekend of the A1 race....... the month leading up the event was so foul, they actually canceled the race on the Monday or Tuesday beforehand cos the runoffs were in such bad shape, but as soon as they canceled it they changed their minds and went ahead with the race. We got to town Thursday night, and it snowed. (which made for some beautiful pictures, btw) Each day we were there, it was nice and sunny, but each night it hailed. Then, the Sunday of the race, it was pouring in the morning, got nice and sunny for about three hours, then the heavens opened up again during the warm up before the sprint race.

It was like summer in central Europe. :p

[manic mechanic]

Well, it's official...

Manic and AngelM are headed up for the test.

Staying at the same place as the Dwarf and Anaya Downtown.

Should we have any "at the track" meets?

A Saturday Morning under the pirate flag, perhaps?? :toast:

And Saturday night at El Palomar after we all get done...:311drinke

Let's get it done!

manic

[McB]

I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but I am planning on making the trip.

[AWirth Fan]

Hey guys, Im looking at trying to go to at least one of the CC tests and having never been to LS, Id love to go... few issues though. Being 21, I cant rent a car. Can anyone suggest any hotels that are really close or any realistic way to get to the track without a car? Oh yeah, and sorry, but im not up for camping.

[anteater]

sadler21, there are no hotels close to the track (i.e. within walking distance), and no public transportation that goes there, either. :(

[AWirth Fan]

sadler21, there are no hotels close to the track (i.e. within walking distance), and no public transportation that goes there, either. :(
Thanks for the info... I may still be going with some friends! Anyone suggest any good cheap hotelling that isnt in the worst part of Monterey? I saw hotels as cheap as $50, but no idea where they are located or how safe the areas are.

[CART License]

Carmel Valley Ranch
4.26 Miles from Laguna Seca Raceway.

Comfort Inn Monterey Peninsula Airport
4.97 Miles from Laguna Seca Raceway


Howard Johnson Express Inn Monterey Seaside
5.49 Miles from Laguna Seca Raceway

Best Western Ramona Inn
5.55 Miles from Laguna Seca Raceway

Embassy Suites Hotel Monterey Bay-Seaside
5.8 Miles from Laguna Seca Raceway

[AWirth Fan]

Thanks for that... got it sorted out yesterday, along with car rental and whatnot... cant wait!

[sjctktdiva]

This link may help with hotel information if you haven't see it before:

http://www.grandprixcities.com/hotelsnearlagunasecamazdaraceway.html

I can't guarantee how updated it is, I hope it helps though. The San Jose Grand Prix will have a strong presence at Spring Training on Saturday 3/10/07so stop by. It's still in the planing stages, so check in closer to the event at sjgp.com for details or ctc. the sjctikdiva at grouptix@sjgp.com.

Per Laguna-Seca that same Saturday is Community Day. Admission is free and Paddocks are $5.00. This is a great time to get a sneak preview of the best season yet and meet the new teams.

See you in March!

sjctktdiva

[BrazilNut]

Hey last2brake, are you still going camping? I'm thinking about pitching a tent over there ...

I've been to LS a couple of times before, but never camping. Any tips on what are the best locations? I was looking at their website and it seems that the spots between 9 and 10 (right after the corkscrew) would be nice, but the website doesn't mention if you can reserve spots, costs, etc.

Also, let me ask a stupid question ..... I was thinking about putting my street motorcycle on the back of my truck so I could ride around the outside of the track. Is that doable?

C'mon people, lets get something going, can't wait to see the new car!

:toast:

[last2brake]

Hey last2brake, are you still going camping? I'm thinking about pitching a tent over there ...

I've been to LS a couple of times before, but never camping. Any tips on what are the best locations? I was looking at their website and it seems that the spots between 9 and 10 (right after the corkscrew) would be nice, but the website doesn't mention if you can reserve spots, costs, etc.

Also, let me ask a stupid question ..... I was thinking about putting my street motorcycle on the back of my truck so I could ride around the outside of the track. Is that doable?

C'mon people, lets get something going, can't wait to see the new car!

:toast:

I'm still planning on it. There are some impending difficulties ( such as weather ) but I'm hoping I'll be able to go. I'm gonna bring the trailer home tomorrow and start stocking it. Check the campground map at Laguna's website. I'm not sure I'd count on all campground loops being open- if I remember right only the Chaparral loop is open in Winter.

As far as biking, a mountain bike would be better. You could probably motor around inside the laguna loop ( turns 2,3,4,5 ), up the hill on the outside betwen 5 and 6, but the rest could be closed. But sometimes I'm surprized. I've actually seen that even Laguna Seca is acknowledged that this is a noteworthy event worthy of inclusion on their website, so hopefully they'll find some volunteers to unlock some gates

The campground is a Monterey County Park deal ( try http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-parks/parks-cnty/laguna.html ). I've NEVER gotten the spots I've asked for, but I keep trying. Sometimes I've gotten a spot overlooking part of the track, but not always. My wife makes the reservations, and she's asleep, so I don't know the number to call for reservations. I'm sure if you call Laguna, they could give you the contact info. If not, let me know. I'll may actually see my wife awake in a few days, and can ask her.

OK, now I'm too excited to sleep. Thanks !

I'm looking into buying a new camera just for this trip, which shows how excited I am to see Champ Cars here again. I must get a picture of the new car in the Corkscrew while I have the chance. I haven't been back to Laguna since they moved the bridge over Turn 9. If you see a fat old man being pulled up the hill towards the Corkscrew by a couple of German Shepherds, it's probably me. Especially if he has a big grin on his face. Or maybe it'll be a grimace. But he'll still be happy.

And yeah, I wish I could bring my motorcycle.

[CART License]

Marina Dunes

marinadunes.com

Perched above the dunes lies A.J. Spurs, an Old West-style restaurant and tapas bar, Thanks “Cart Nut”

[stupidmechboy]

just got my reservation confrimation in the mail. i will be camping but i don't know where. is that normal? i was told i can make a reservation but i couldn't pick my spot that the park rangers would pick it for me.

[HotDaug]

Marina Dunes

marinadunes.com

Perched above the dunes lies A.J. Spurs, an Old West-style restaurant and tapas bar, Thanks “Cart Nut”

Is that where they serve you warm flour tortillas and salsa instead of bread or chips?

That place rocks.

[last2brake]

So I picked up the trailer and turned on the batteries. Lots of smoke got let out of the battery wires. After some work, I think I got the smoke put back into the battery wires- they almost look brand new, as well as the switch. So I figured I was good to go.

Ordered a new camera. Long story short, avoid 3G Electronics. Ordered from AbesofMaine, and camera should be here tomorrow.. Again, I figured I was good to go.

Last night at work, the guy who was probably gonna cover for me at work when I was at Laguna got taken away in an ambulance. The unconfirmed rumor is he had a stroke. I'm feeling guilty because I'm not as concerned about his health as I should be because, well- I wonder whether I'm being selfish when I hope he's OK, if that makes sense.

I'm afraid to think about the weather right now.

[CART License]

Is that where they serve you warm flour tortillas and salsa instead of bread or chips?

That place rocks.

All dinners include: A.J.'s hearty vaquero soup, salsa, tequila beans, rice pilaf, garden salad, A.J. spuds, sourdough garlic bread, an old-fashioned root beer float or after dinner liquer. (Tortillas on request only)

[tifosi77]

Phooey.... it's official, we're going to Vegas for the fiancee's birthday instead of Monterey.

:(

She's turning 40 and her dad is turning 70 two days later, so we're driving to Vegas (where he lives) to surprise him. It's gonna be a great time and all, but..... oh well.

[HotDaug]

All dinners include: A.J.'s hearty vaquero soup, salsa, tequila beans, rice pilaf, garden salad, A.J. spuds, sourdough garlic bread, an old-fashioned root beer float or after dinner liquer. (Tortillas on request only)

I'm requesting, I'm requesting!

That place and the Hitching Post in Casmalia were my two fav Central Cal restaurants when I used to hang there long ago.

[AWirth Fan]

Anyone know of any nearby Sams Clubs? Id prefer to stay away from Walgreens for 8x10 1 hr photo enlargements, and dont have a Costco club card.

[CART License]

Anyone know of any nearby Sams Clubs? Id prefer to stay away from Walgreens for 8x10 1 hr photo enlargements, and dont have a Costco club card.

SAM'S CLUB 6612: 1225 CONCORD AVE. CONCORD , CA (925) 687-8914

just under a 100 miles away

[last2brake]

SAM'S CLUB 6612: 1225 CONCORD AVE. CONCORD , CA (925) 687-8914

just under a 100 miles away


On a Friday evening, that's just about 4 hours.

Extra Firewood would be my choice. Or another place to do photo enlargements.

[Laguna Tuna]

Speaking restuarants - try the West Texas BBQ in Castroville (about 40 minutes north of the track on Highway 1). Best BBQ I've had in the the state. The Hitching Post in Casmalia - yep - best steak on the central coast - followed by AJ Spurs, and then Jocko's in Nipomo.