Grattan vs. Fox shi*er For one is not on anyone's list of must do. For the other while it may not be at the top of the list, the scenery to get there would be worth the trip by itself.
If you combine the total drive time for each of those venues along with the number of events at each you end up with a weighted average drive time of 4.92 hrs each way for each event if driving from central Ohio. My point is to make an observation which agress with that of the OP: 2010 will at the least offer fewer convenient riding opportunities for those living in the midwest. The exclusion of some track dates which have filled past midwest schedules combined with the inability to add BG has an impact. I can't afford or justify to keep all this equipment around if I only get to use it a handful of times per year. I could certainly use the money for other things. I'm not the only one that feels this way. Again, some tough decisions lie ahead.
From My home, the beav is 5 hours which we aren't running this year, NJMP is an hour away (we have one weekend) and Monticello is three hours away (we have 10 dates there). I miss living in the midwest, where dates are much, much more abundant! yeah, I could ride with other clubs in the northeast region, but considering that of the clubs out here, one club sucks, the other club blows and another has displayed a total disregard to safety, that leaves one club that only does weekdays and another that I have absolutely no idea about... STT has been my family since I began & I've yet to find another club that feels the same way this one does. So, my choices are either do fewer date, ride with an other club in addition to STT or go racing. i think i'm going racing. you midwest guys have it great; quit crying!
"Quit crying", that sums it up. Living in Pittsburgh, Beaver Run is very close. I dont see many, if any dates. I dont have a 3 hour away track (unless Monticellos is 3 hrs from Pittsburgh, which I have not checked yet but will, nor have I been there) Myself and kigy are simply making a statement about the lack of close track time. Our personal finaces/lives may be different from yours. Safety concerns or observations can be made about any organization, even this one. Proximity to my home base makes my decisions as I have to justify what I do and spend to my wife. The more 5 or 6 hour drives I have to make can make things uncomfortable at the home front. Now your situation is obviously different than mine. I am going racing this year with Fastrax, again, because of the proximity and amount of track time I will get. I really dont think I ever shed a tear once about not riding with STT or any organization. I agree with Brian about ride sharing, I just moved here and lost my group of riding budies in Columbus. I will find more but until that happens, my days will be limited.
ahhh, just got back from riding... you guys settle anything yet? ...didn't think so. pass the pie, please.
[quote="Healea-Coilquote] Tim's deal is just complaining... Tim needs to find some buddies... [/quote] Thanks for providing the support that we've all learned to expect you Brian. Instead of saying "Sorry things are going to be tough for you, hope to see you out," you have to again argue with me and tell me I'm just spoiled and complaining. Meanwhile you don't know shit about my situation, which cannot be resolved by ride sharing. If I'm the one that likes to argue there simply aren't words to describe you're love for e-arguments. As always, your right and anyone else with a differing opinion is wrong.
Why not just go to the tracks closest to you regardless of who runs the weekend? Track time is track time. I live in central Indiana so Putnam is the only track I can get to without driving 3+ hours. While I plan on exploring more of the mid west this year I usually just attend Putnam weekends with whatever group is running the show. I do budget for one or two "big" trips a year (Barber, VIR, Road Atlanta, or Road America) so I do get some experience at other places. We all know how much driving sucks to get to the track, regardless of how close it is.
LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS!!!! Guys are making valid points... sure, there are ways around them but different people place value on different things. Time in the car is not high on my value list, but that is b/c i spend +/- 8 hrs a day in one. Time = money to some so that adds to the overall cost. Marital harmony, regardless of a well laid out argument in favor, is also high on some peoples list as longer drives = more time away from home/kids/ family/ lawnmowing/ etc. Don't get me wrong, I dont have a dog in the fight. I live under 6 hrs (motorhome driving) from every track in the midwest, so i am a bit spoiled. Just trying to give an outside perspective to your little lovers quarrel. :lol:
+1 Not saying that ALL trackdays are equally run or safe but if you stick with the top two (STT & NESBA - not in any order as who's better either) then you can't go wrong. They may operate a bit different but both are top notch in both quality and safety and both provide a great time. Don't get into the who's better debate, instead look at who can give you the trackday location on a particular date you're looking for. And then go out and have fun!!!!
The way I read the schedule....... There are just shy of 50 Midwest region events. I am not a math professor but that is just shy 50% of our total offerings. I guess we need to define "midwest"....... :wink:
I just reread & saw that the OP is from Pittsburgh, which is pretty much neither midwest, nor is it really east coast. Regrettably, we don't serve that region well, as we don't have a presence at either BeaverRun or Summit Point this year, which is unfortunate. My apologies if I came of as an arrogant prick. I still miss living in SE michigan, if only for the sheer number of tracks that were within 5 hours from my home.
