Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Question for the Sebring experts

« on: July 30, 2017, 08:38:22 pm »

Hi Matt and Chris24,
Wow, that’s a lot of first class advice for a Sebring Rookie, thank you very much! Yes, I might reconsider the Quality Inn, doesn’t seem to live up to its name 😊
Our RV Company is Cruise America RV Rental & Sales, 2915 N Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34744 and from what I know now I can pick up the RV at 1.00 PM on Tuesday. But I will try to arrange an earlier Pick-up time with them.
As to your offer to pick up the tickets from you instead of the gate, that sounds great: Where do you plan to be Tuesday afternoon before the race? Also travelling to Sebring?
We’re more the party type of people, so a General RV pass and a pitch close to Turn 10 and the other DfH/Brethren/CA guys will be best – and I already assumed that there is no RV dump station at Sebring, but thanks for confirming.
AFAIK from DfH Marius, Rene and Roy are planning to visit Sebring and with all the enthusiatstic comments I heard from their visit last year I’m almost sure a couple of the Brethren will also be on site. From CA I know that Tom (Lawnmower Man) and Canada Phil will be there too. I hope to meet up with some of them already Tuesday evening at the gate.
We have to return the RV on Monday morning. Currently the idea is to leave Sebring Sunday at noon at the latest and either pay Daytona Speedway (if the have a visitor tour) or some nice beach a visit on Sunday afternoon, and stay in an RV park near the beach and close to Orlando for the last night.
Let’s keep in touch, at the latest after your planning meeting in January. I’m really looking forward to Sebring, have been dreaming to go there for almost a decade now…

Hi Werner
Cruise America is not particularly close to the airport - probably a 20-30 minute cab ride. Don't expect to roll up there and be out again in your spiffy RV in a few minutes. I have accompanied other Sebring visitors there to collect RVs and it is a bit of a pain in the arse/time consuming and depressing experience (just so's you can prepare for that).

If you choose to mail your tix to me, private message me and I'll give you the details. I live just a few minutes from both airport/La Quinta/Fish on Fire, so could hand you your documents on that same Monday evening that you arrive here - choice is yours.

Green Park/Turn 10 is a good choice - you will be right in the thick of the action and close to the best corner in North American motorsports, bar none.

Beach or KSC would be a good wind-down after Sebring. Personally I wouldn't bother with the Speedway - not a lot to see, unless paying 30 bucks to ride around a steeply banked track on a golf-cart is on your bucket list. There is a quite entertaining tit-bar in Daytona Beach - just ask Fax!

Sebring is a very special event - it's a lot like Le Mans used to be in the late 80's. Once you've been, it's quite hard not to come back.

2

General Discussion / Re: Question for the Sebring experts

« on: July 23, 2017, 10:33:33 pm »

Wow! I haven't been on this site in ages - thought I'd take a look to see what was going on and spotted this thread.
Werner - just a couple of observations/hints.
I live in Orlando (close to the airport) and am the British representative/spokesperson for Turn 10 Sebring.  It sounds like there could be a reasonably stout contingent of European attendees at next years race and if that is the case, 1) welcome and 2) here's some stuff that may be helpful.

If you would like to order your Super-tickets and have them delivered to my home address (as several others do) and save yourself the hassle of collecting them at will-call, that would be fine by me. I can hand them over the day you arrive.

The Quality Inn hotel is truly horrible - you really should re-think that choice. Paul Wooly Maher stayed there a couple of years ago and will testify to it's nastiness.

La Quinta is a little (not much) better, but has the benefit of having The Fish on Fire Smokehouse and Grill in the parking lot. For some visitors this is a major deciding factor.

I'm guessing that your RV Company is Road Bear on Narcoossee Rd. I haven't used them before, but they look like a good option.

Tuesday afternoon/evening in the staging area outside of the track is lively, with a significant number of RVs, travel trailers and other contraptions all lined-up waiting to get in as soon as the gate opens at 6.00am Weds.

North Paddock RV parking is good because it's on concrete and it's a lot quieter at night (if that's what you want), but the real party is in Green Park, for which you need a General RV pass. Bear in mind that once you are in, unless you park-up right next to a paved road, you will invariably be blocked in until Sunday morning. There are no electric, or water hook-ups and you can't get your black tank emptied in Green Park - you'd have to drive out to do that. Careful management of your RV toilet is important, assuming you don't want to be sleeping in a sewer-like environment.

A lot of the CA/DfH/Brethren folks camp in or close to Turn 10. It's a great spot with a hugely friendly bunch of people.  If you choose to camp in T10 you will definitely be blocked-in.

You will need to be off the property by around noon on the Sunday after the race - when do you need to return your RV? You can park-up free of charge in any Walmart parking lot on Sunday night if needs be.

Turn 10 Core team has a planning meeting in late Jan, during which, we (attempt to) figure out what the hell is likely to happen for the forthcoming race week - if there is a big enough group planning to invade, we'll need to be aware, so that we can accommodate you all.

Let me know if you'd like me to receive your race tix.
Best wishes to all.

3

General Discussion / Re: 100th edition of the Indy 500 in 2016 - Anyone else planning to go?

« on: May 18, 2016, 08:29:59 pm »

www.mikesspeedwaylounge.com

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General Discussion / Re: Looking for a passenger for Le Mans

« on: May 20, 2015, 12:18:34 am »

It's official. There is indeed a fate worse than death.

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2014

« on: March 01, 2014, 08:12:53 pm »

Please forgive my hijacking of this thread.
My understanding is that only a limited number of people are coming over for the race this year - but that you will be stopping off for a lager shandy at The Fish on Fire before heading south to the track.

Any and/or all of you are reminded of my wife's insatiable appetite for PG Tips tea bags. If you have room for tea bags in your luggage, I will compensate you with Beer on Fire and hot-wings by way of trade. The more tea bags I harvest, the more brownie points I earn with the old bag, so I am hugely motivated to reward those who might help me out.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to seeing you Mon/Tues of race week at the Foffer - and later in the week in Green Park.

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General Discussion / Re: It's a small world,as they say.

« on: August 27, 2013, 12:22:40 am »

I don't come on here very often at all anymore - not even sure why, maybe because Le Mans is a little less relevant to me these days, but felt compelled to comment in this thread.

Brian "Stan" Hackford has been a close friend of mine since the late 70's. He was in the RN with one of my bezzie mates from school.
I took Stan to Le Mans for the first time in 1988 in a brand new Espace that I borrowed from Renault UK, which was a client of mine.
It was a highly amusing trip and the start of a pretty regular attendance by the big fella.
A couple of years later we rented an RV and Stan made us stop at the Maccy D in Alencon, because he was feeling 'peckish'. He ordered and scoffed THREE Big Macs. He said he was going to order four but didn't want us to think he was greedy.

We've had so many totally hilarious Le Mans weekends with him in our group - and it was always handy to have him around when the fisticuffs started (when we were young and (more) stupid).

He came over to the US for Sebring in 2012 and it sounds like he'll be back over next year - really looking forward tto seeing him again.
He's a top bloke.

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2013

« on: February 01, 2013, 11:18:52 pm »

Hello all - hope your Sebring plans are all coming together - and am interested to learn who's planning on coming over this year - and if anyone needs any help organizing RV's, colonial beers, airport transfers etc. etc.
I've had a couple of Facebook messages but it would be useful to get a feel for numbers, just out of curiosity.
We have a much reduced presence for 2013 - Dave is driving down from Indy and Seth and I will be taking a (smaller) RV + the usual acoutrements in on Wednesday and staying for the duration this time (rather than heading back to Orlando to pick up stragglers and returning Thursday).
As usual, our grill will be hot and our Nigerian will be frosty cold - it will be a treat to see old friends.
Best wishes to everyone - and sorry for not contributing more on this forum.

By the way - the game of chance that Brad refers to is called the Bimini Ring Toss. Offer to take on Seth for large denomination notes - he too is totally crap at it.

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: February 24, 2012, 03:36:49 pm »

Leave this in Ohio......

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: February 23, 2012, 12:17:14 am »

A bit of a storm in a teacup - everyone keep hold of your wigs and keys, the panic is over.
We decided to able down to the FoF for a late beer last night - and as we rounded the lonesome corner of Detweiler and McCoy we noted that 4 pumps from Orlando FD were storming into the parking lot, like a scene from The Towering Inferno.
Naturally, we all had a "Phoenix Nights moment", assuming that the FoF was, once again, about to become fully engulfed.
Turns out they were turned-out for the hotel next door - but that too, was remarkably uncharred.
They had a bit of a poke around, muttered something about a dodgy smoke detector and shipped out, so rest easy - the La Quinta flea pit is still standing proud and unsinged, adjacent to the Smokehouse and Grill. See you in there for a pint, in the not too distant...   

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: January 22, 2012, 05:22:52 pm »

No problem, let me know if there's anything I can do.

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General Discussion / Re: Be it Sebring or just the US Don't forget the ESTA

« on: January 22, 2012, 05:22:03 pm »

I could be wrong, but I thought it was because you get a visa to stay for 3 months, which can be extended to 6 months if you can prove you're holidaying.  I always thought it was because it's much harder to facilitate a new passport from outside your country of residence, so they work on the basis of it being valid for as long as the maximum amount of time you could legally stay in the country.....but I can't quote sources - just the reason I thought they did it!

All ESTA is, is an electronic version of the I-94W - that green form you used to fill-out on the plane, stating you weren't a Nazi or were on your way over here to overthrow the government. It is also your declaration that you abide by the rules and limitations of the US Visa Waiver Program. In doing so, you surrender your right to challenge the decisions of US Immigration, Customs and Border Control.

This is not a visa and it doesn't actually entitle you to anything. The CBP agent can grant you up to 90 days admission - that said, he also has absolute veto - he could grant you 10 days, or he could decide he doesn't like the cut of your jib and refuse you entry entirely - and under the VWP you have zero recourse - visa waiver (waiving the rights offered by a visa).

Nor can you adjust status, whilst using the VWP - i.e. decide you'd like to stay longer - or apply for a visitors visa (B2) that allows certain individuals up to 6 months per stay. However, if you qualify for VWP it is very unlikely that you would be granted a B2 visa.

I'm reasonably well versed in the subject of US immigration, so let me know if anything needs clarification

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General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: January 17, 2012, 05:08:55 pm »

Right!   now I've sorted out my moving dates for my new home,  I'm booked VS27 to Orlando on 13th arrive 17:00 returning on the Sunday evening VS28.

What Race ticket do I need to get?


T.

That'll be a 4 day Superticket, Tom. Price is $90 (inc. tax) before Jan 31, after that it's $120.
You'll also need $40 for a car (in Green Park) and $85 for an RV.
Ticket info is at www.sebringraceway.com
You can call +1 863 655 1442 and buy with a credit card and collect your tix at will-call (at the main gate).

13

General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: January 14, 2012, 09:58:54 pm »

Hope you and Kirsten can make it John.
Great pics Richard - damn, those ribs were good.
RV's booked, Guinness ordered - buying the tickets next week. See y'all soon.

14

General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: January 14, 2012, 12:02:40 am »

Wooooooooooow...easy tiger...I never used the word lightweight....and when I said English invasion, I meant in terms of numbers rather than drinking capacity    

That said...I can't see us being light on the beer....   

Ha! I'm just rippin' on you a little.
Frankly I'm not proud of the amount of booze I consume - and I certainly don't do it to impress anyone other than myself.
I'm sure you will have a great time and fit in well with the American crowd - just don't lose sight of the fact that some of these guys have been partying hard at Sebring since before a good number of us were born (not me sadly) and have seen many a party-animal blowhard lying in a puddle of his own piss by race day morning.
Looking forward to seeing you all again.

15

General Discussion / Re: Sebring 2012

« on: January 11, 2012, 03:36:11 am »

Ok, decision made, I'm flying out to MIAMI from Amsterdam, for € 484. the Virgin flight from Gatwick costs 496, and then I still have to spend about € 100 for travelling to the UK. Also means I'm flying home on monday instead of sunday, but I'll find a bench to sleep on somewhere.

Just spotted this. Marius - you've always been friendly to me - and in 2008 you handed me a large case of un-drunk Guinness before departing back to the Netherlands - and I don't forget people who've got my back.
If you need a ride back to Orlando on Sunday, we have a place for you - and you are most welcome to sleep in our bad-ass RV overnight Sunday, outside of my house (I wish I could provide a bed indoors, but have a houseful of UK-based family, post-race). We will be having a bit of an after-party that you're welcome to  join, if you're not too wrecked.
We can also deliver you to the airport on Monday, if you need the ride. You been good to us - we be good to you. Deal?