Single Day Racing

[Chopper]

What is the general concensus of single day races for the '09 season. The thoughts are that sundays would probably be the day for the most part depending on the site. Also, there may be a 2 day race for the season at a "big" lake location

Thoughts?

[fox river pwc]

Gas prices will always come into play, but probably more so for single day races. That single day LaX race in June 08 only worked out for me personally, because I was heading up north to the cottage I rent for my family in Tomahawk. If it had been a Sunday race, I'd have skipped it, since we rent Saturday to Saturday - and my family was traveling to the cottage while I was racing on Saturday, so I only missed half a day with them. We always rent the cottage for the week of July 4th, which falls on a Saturday this year, and I THINK we booked it to move in on the 4th. If that's the case, I won't be driving all the way to LaX and back home on the Saturday OR Sunday prior to our vacation. I just can't justify the time, regardless of the fuel cost. If it turns out that we booked the week that ends on July 4th, I'll consider LaX for a Saturday race, but not Sunday.

As far as single day races in general for me, if they're too far away to drive there reasonably in the AM and then return in the PM that same day, I'll probably pass...

[Chopper]

Back in the day, not actually too long ago. Attendance at sunday events were way larger. If one were to look at this from just a price of gas stand point they may have an arguement. But not today as the price is still less than $2.00 per gal. Now if you figure in one less day in hotel or posibly no hotel at all that is a bunch of savings. I know for some working people (myself not included) saturdays are out of the picture because they have to work. So now you look at the fact that some people will not have to take a day off of work and not have to get a room... Whoa there are some serious savings. The promoter here, he is also a working man. So he would not have to take fridays off to get set up, or pay for an extra night in hotel rooms for his workers.

Take a look at all the pros and cons as a whole, not just your own.

Oh, paul are you going to attend more than one round this year?

[fox river pwc]

Very good points, Josh.

I was answering your question from my own personal standpoint, because that is what it seemed you were looking for. I can certainly see why Sunday events would be larger than Saturday, and aside from my annual family vacation that is basically "set in stone" each year over the 4th, Sunday events are fine for me. I'm just much more inclined to drive 4 hours each way to get 2 days worth of racing in, especially since all my preparation time and clean up time afterwards is the same whether I travel to race 1 day or 2. I've been looking at toy hauler trailers, so I could basically be "set up" to go racing on a moments notice, and not have to reorganize my garage/gear/spares afterwards each time - but we'll see if I can afford/justify the cost.

I wish I could predict gas prices. Rumors are flying everywhere about what's going to happen after the inauguration, and that the recent creep-up of prices means we should expect more of what we had last summer. I hope history doesn't repeat itself, but $4/gallon will affect my racing decisions. Sad but true.

I'd be interested to know what other regions have experienced with single-day races. I don't have any personal knowledge of that, Josh. Has anyone else around the country been trying it?

I attended 4 rounds in 08. 2 in Walled Lake, 1 in LaX, and Nationals. (If memory serves, I opted to travel to Walled Lake in May after our region 4 race for that same weekend was cancelled - as I'd already scheduled the time off of work.) With the increase in costs to travel, in 08 I spent roughly the same amount as I spent to attend 8 region 4 races in 07. I ride/race now to enjoy myself (first and foremost), to exercise, to socialize, and to take some mini-vacations that my career/family did not permit me to do when I was in my 20s and 30s. My oldest son, now 13, has a nice SJ that I built for him. He enjoys riding it, but he has expressed no interest in racing whatsoever. Trust me, I've asked him several times. He prefers to focus on playing football, and I'm happy to let him. I'm no expert racer, but I've done enough to know when I'm having a blast and when I'm not. When I'm having a blast riding/racing, the cost means little to me. When I'm not, I lose interest quickly, and the cost bothers me. I also do a lot of freeriding with groups of guys on Lake Michigan that I enjoy very much, and my son does as well. Especially considering the costs involved with racing/riding, I will be doing my best to have the most fun for my money each and every time I travel to race/ride. My son and I plan to attend the TCJP sortie in Lake City, MN on August 7-9, because I have no doubt that it will be 3 days of us having an absolute blast with 100+ other riders. That event promises to be well worth the drive/cost.

Depending on what happens with classes like Sport Spec, Vintage 1 and 2, and Masters Ski will also affect what races I decide to attend. From glancing at the currently posted tentative schedule, the weekends at PP and Kenosha look appealing to me. Since Sheboygan falls on the weekend of the TCJP sortie, it's probably out. The August 22 TBA will depend on the location for me. LaX is probably out due to my vacation. Also, the Region 6 schedule isn't posted yet, and that may affect what I do, as I have a strong desire to return to Walled Lake again - and several other WI racers have expressed an interest in attending Walled Lake as a group in 09.

[spence-r]

It doesnt really matter to me. I think that many one day events would be more enjoyable than a couple 2 day events. Due to the cost of a hotel or the sore back of a tent. Like fox river said if I was traveling a long distance I would rather have a 2 day event. But that will never be able to justift having it one or two days because everyone is a different distance away from the race site...

[GB-GMAN]

Great point about setting up on Saturday and not having to take off Friday's. However if a Saturday race and a tavern sponsor's means a return for them and will help out that way.

The tentative schedule is wrong with my work and I can't make any. I actually think that might be good and Tricky could have his drivers license this summer so he can maybe drive him and Devin. and I might do some rec riding that I like, or go to some other regions and spectate.


.

[CHOOCHOO]

Sunday may work better. But team TDS brothers will not travel more then 2 hours to go to a 1 day race. I would not expect any one to travel that far. And if they do may hat is off to them. I will race at LAC but SHEY i may pass.
Late, Craig And TDS Brothers Racing

[JB]

I king of like the idea of a sunday race. I spend most of my week away from home and don't have much time to get ready for the race. Saturday would give me time to pack everything and still make it to the race sight.

[fox river pwc]

Been thinking about the single day (sunday-only) races a bit more, now that the schedule has been posted and unchanged for a couple weeks or so - and I think the idea is starting to grow on me a bit.

As for the single-day races that are under 2 hours from me, not much changes, since I'd have probably just driven back and forth twice to those sites anyhow for a traditional weekend race.

As for the single-day races that are over 2 hours from me, there is a way to do them rather cheaply and w/o taking a day off work. (During summer, I generally work every Saturday till 4/5pm and then Sundays are my "off" days.) I could actually have my truck and gear loaded and bring it with me to work on Saturday. Then, I could head straight towards the race site after work on Saturday after work. If I don't want to spend money on a hotel or campsite, and since I can comfortably sleep on a cot in the back of my F-150, I could actually drive to the official WI DOT wayside closest to the race site and spend the night there. (I already checked with the State Patrol, and they said spending up to 24hrs at a wayside is permissable.) Then, simply get rolling just after sunrise and arrive at the race site ready to go - and drive straight home after the race. (Yes, I am a cheap Pollock :), but in this economy I'm betting I'm not the only one...)

Jeremiah, this would work for you as well, since you can sleep in your van, right?

Joe, you can lock yourself in your trailer and drink beer till you pass out on the seat of your RXP, bwaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

Kevin, your Highlander is roomy enough to sleep in if you take the dog kennel out of the back, but you won't have power to run your darth vader mask. Not sure how/if we can solve that issue reasonably.

One concern for me, with my open trailer, is ski security. I have ways to lock my skis to the trailer, and ways to lock my trailer to my truck, but we all know locks really only keep the honest people honest. However, stealing skis and or a trailer attached to a vehicle that someone is sleeping in has its risks as well. 2 of these risks I can think of right now are Smith and Wesson. Also, getting your skis stolen in this manner requires a bit of dumb luck on the part of potential criminals as well, since it's not like these are skis some crook passes by day after day as they sit next to someone's house - then the crook makes a plan to steal them. In this case, the crook would have to stumble upon the skis while I'm sleeping and quickly come up with a plan - and don't forget that the state troopers often spend time sitting at the waysides in the middle of the night. Also, if 2 or more of this met up at a wayside and parked overnight in a group, theft would/should be less of a concern. Hey, it could be like a GLW wayside tailgate fest :). Oh, and waysides have really nice, clean bathrooms too. What a bonus!!


Ooooooooooooor, I could stop being such a cheap-@ss, and we could split a cheap motel room a few ways between us.

Any other thoughts from the SE WI racers?

[spence-r]

At nationals people just put a chan through the bow eyes and locked it. Put the trailer in a strategic position where it would be hard to wheel the trailer or carry the skis away. Ive never been to a weekend event at a R4 race but it seems like everyone had campers.

[joe563]

I would let you guys use my trailer because i work sat till 10:00 pm.. but if my junk is there i could hoop in the saturn and rip ass... i dont know

[JB]

It is one thing to catch some z's in a rest area but you make it sound like we will be turning it into a campground. My thought is pdc is free for us to stay. Lax is cheap for one night camping. And well sheboygan is close enough for me to drive up that morning. It is the one tba race that is in question. Just my 2 cents on this.

[joe563]

i like the idea of drinking until i pass out in the trailer... sounds nice..i also would like to make it up there first and relax in a camp ground,as long as there isnt a million harleys doing burnouts in my trailer and a father and son screaming at each other..

[fox river pwc]

Yeah, I forgot about PDC camping being right at the site, but I thought the bathrooms were locked up much of the time??? Anybody recall? Also, the route to PDC probably doesn't have any waysides along the state highway anyhow. I guess I was thinking more about LaX, since the interstate has waysides on the way. Yeah, camping is cheap enough, wasn't it about $20? But I'd probably be arriving after dark, and that's kind of a pita (especially if they're crowded), ya know? Although, I guess LaX won't be crowded like it was last year now that the S&S 50th anniversary is over. So anyhow, I know it sounds nit-picky, but to be able to save the camping cost plus to be able to just pull into the lot at a wayside and crash on my cot in the back of the truck, AND have clean and available bathrooms nearby, seemed like it might be worth considering - but I could be talked out of it.

If we book campsites in LaX like we did last year and all meet up at one site, that would be cool again. I know we saved some money by sharing sites the way we did.

As for the TBA, yeah, depends on where it is.

Sheboygan is an hour and 45min drive for me. I've always driven up that morning.

[joe563]

I would bet that we wouldnt even have to make reservations... we got them last year with the shin dig going on.... that passing out thing is still inviting..

[fox river pwc]

quote:Originally posted by joe563

that passing out thing is still inviting..


I'll have to bring some sharpies for Sammy to play with. Daddy, errr I mean Joe, will be his human canvas...

[fox river pwc]

quote:Originally posted by JB

It is one thing to catch some z's in a rest area but you make it sound like we will be turning it into a campground.

Sure, why not? Just gotta clean the burn marks from the campfire off the concrete before we leave, so jet skiiers aren't perceived as rude.

[gpr717]

um do they make a toy hauler, to haul me , you our machines? your spare ski's, your spare fuel your spare pumps ect , may need a turbo diesel. at that rate LOL you stands for your spares. your spare tool box for your regular tool box, ummm spare wetsuits for each moto LOL

Im just busting a lil.. I m jealous ....

Bare with me i Just got over the flu LOL

[joe563]

well i seen what you brought to pdc last year kev and i really thing you need at least a 28 foot trailer just for the clothes and fans and matresses and tools and etc..............
luka beeocha

[fox river pwc]

quote:Originally posted by gpr717

um do they make a toy hauler, to haul me , you our machines? your spare ski's, your spare fuel your spare pumps ect , may need a turbo diesel. at that rate LOL you stands for your spares. your spare tool box for your regular tool box, ummm spare wetsuits for each moto LOL

Im just busting a lil.. I m jealous ....

Bare with me i Just got over the flu LOL


Yes, I am the poster child for arriving to a race fully-prepared. Well, I may not be fully-prepared from the standpoint of having practiced and trained enough, but at least I've got the spare parts and tools to keep my stuff running - and a few other people's stuff from time to time as well...

[JB]

I know at PDC we tested the limits of what the caravan would haul. I have a lot less room this year with my Escape I just picked up last week. I think it wil be tight sleeping in it as well.

[joe563]

i think kevin and his 60 foot trailer would track great behind that ride jb.. but i am not sure that is enough room for kevin...

[JB]

I think I will need to pull a Bam and cut off the roof with the sawsall and install the 5th wheel plate.