Author Topic: Let The Sportscar Season Begin! (Read 18205 times)

Canada Phil · « **Reply #30 on:** February 05, 2004, 11:57:28 pm »

Hi Smokie, Defintely cheaper to have a reservation. Play the websites against each other on US site they ask for country of residence. it has never changed rate for me between US and Canada but may for UK
Canada Phil

Dave H · « **Reply #31 on:** February 06, 2004, 01:02:06 am »

Smokie:

Do the car man - even if there was a Greyhound route (which I can't believe there is) it would send you via Miami or Toronto and be a complete pain in the ass. Plus you're going to need a car to hide in from the deluge we'll probably have again!

Florida renters are usually cheap and have the benefit of not stinging you on one-way drop-off charges so you could pick it up and drop it off in different markets. Let us know what your game plan turns out to be. I'm flying into Orlando on the Friday night and Matt and I will be heading over first thing Saturday morning I expect.

dh

Fax · « **Reply #32 on:** February 06, 2004, 02:51:30 pm »

I'm thinking about doing a Canada Phil and driving down on Friday then take a few days to drive back after the race. Swing by Augusta, Georgia on the way north and visit little sis and her family for a few days. We've got the same pit box as usual.
John

Dave H · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:39:52 pm »

Nice one Fax - and it sounds liuke Matt's got the pits credentials again too. Not sure if you need to break out the firesuits from your collection so we can walk around on the hot side of the fence, or is that just at RA? Somehow I don't think I'd fit into any of your collection.

I just can't face that 17 hour drive dude or I'd come with you. I'll land in Orlando around 5ish - got a pretty cheap fare on ATA out of Indy - couple of hundred notes - maybe you should think of that?

Fax · « **Reply #34 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:56:13 pm »

I'll look into the flights out Indy and see whats there. Maybe thunder over I-74 and head down with you. I'm not sure if the ALMS requires everyone pit side to be kitted out in Nomex or not.
Always looks that way though. There's not a snowballs chance in hell that I would be able to get into that Pironi/Ferrari firesuit and the seams were screaming for mercy when I tried on that Tambay/Silk Cut Jag suit.
John

Dijon Mustard · « **Reply #35 on:** February 09, 2004, 05:09:30 pm »

Just thought I would offer my advice.

There are a couple of ways you could search for the best deals.
1. You could go to google.com and type in any of the car hire company names and add the word coupons after it and see what comes up. There's usually lots of deals around.

2. You could go to bnm.com. They specialize in car hire deals.

3. You could go to each car hire site and look for specials/hot deals. they all have a tab at the top labeled this way. When I checked the rates at Alamo for someone coming from the UK for a week the rate was $149 for 7 days in a compact car. If you add insurance, I believe it came to $335.

Cheers and good luck!

Robbo SPS · « **Reply #36 on:** February 09, 2004, 06:31:01 pm »

Smokie

I havent looked but if you try sixt.com i have an "express" card which gives 10% discount and delivery to a place of your choice.

If you want the card details i can PM them.

smokie · « **Reply #37 on:** February 09, 2004, 08:45:36 pm »

Thnaks guys. It's the insurance which makes the headline prices go from very reasonable to not so cheap.

Anyway, I found a Neon for about £170 then just enquired what a convertible Mustang would be (with Hertz). OK, it was more expensive, but how can you "do" Florida with a roof over your head?

Dijon Mustard · « **Reply #38 on:** February 09, 2004, 08:53:33 pm »

you can't. I went down last year and insisted on having a convertible. It was all good.

Matt Harper · « **Reply #39 on:** February 09, 2004, 09:20:07 pm »

Quote from: smokie on February 09, 2004, 08:45:36 pm

Anyway, I found a Neon for about £170 then just enquired what a convertible Mustang would be (with Hertz). OK, it was more expensive, but how can you "do" Florida with a roof over your head?

Hi Smokey
re. the ragtop - unless you can rent a V8 'stang (and I seriously doubt that you can) go for a Chrysler Sebring 'vert. It's a much nicer and quicker ride.
If you've time in your schedule to get together for a few beers pre or post race, let me know. Tampa is an hour one way, Daytona 40 mins the other - and of course, there's plenty to see and do in O'town.
Dave and Fax get in on the Friday evening and we usually partake of a pre-race warm-up sesh (just a couple of light ales and a scotch egg apeice, you understand).
Matt

smokie · « **Reply #40 on:** February 10, 2004, 12:45:00 am »

Dunno what "'stang" it is, I suspect the cheap 3 cylinder one, but it looked a bit less girly in the pic. I could have had the Sebring for about £20 less...

I'll be "on track" from Wed afternoon with Pidge, Les and Phil etc but could easily scoot off for a beer or three one night. Before Wed I have no agenda except to do just what I like - no Mrs Smokie deciding what I want to see and whether I've drunk too much...no Smokettes worrying to go to the parks...bliss... Will be in touch a bit nearer the time...

Brian(Liverpool boys) · « **Reply #41 on:** February 10, 2004, 12:56:52 am »

Smokes, you forgot no Mark to hold you back.

Matt Harper · « **Reply #42 on:** February 10, 2004, 05:33:59 am »

Sebring's nicer, roomier, faster and less thirsty. V6 Mustang is a bit lame and cramped and it's trunk shrinks to Hornby sized when you drop the roof.
Do give us a holler when you're ready, Smokey, 3 nights at Hendrick Field is a bit of a trial, even for a dyed in the wool motorhead.
Anyone heard what the Moose's Sebring plans are yet?
How'bout it Phil?

Canada Phil · « **Reply #43 on:** February 10, 2004, 07:10:10 am »

The suspense is killing me too

Canada Phil

smokie · « **Reply #44 on:** February 10, 2004, 11:05:49 am »

Cancelled the Hertz Mustang in favour of the £20 cheaper Sebring ("or similar") from Dollar...and not only is it cheaper but I don't have to return it with a full tank...

Roll on March!!!

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