Sebring 2005

[Matt Harper]

What's the weather in sunny Florida at the mo?  We're currently swapping between sleat, snow, thaw, drizzle and frost.

Not so chipper here either Steve, High 50's overcast with a little rain to come later this afternoon.
It does change quite rapidly at this time of year though. Once this low pressure system moves out (f**k*ng hell, I sound like Michael Fish!) it'll be back into high 70's with clear skies Sunday/Monday.
By the time you guys get here it should be very pleasant.

[Chris24]

Well, two weeks from yesterday I will be on my way to Sebring.  We will be driving about 700 miles to get there on Wednesday, March 16 and should arrive about 6 or 7 PM.  Why don't we start a list of who is coming and when they plan to arrive.  It would be helpful to know how much camping space is needed for those getting there early to save some spots.  Also, if anyone needs something that they can't bring on the plane over that some of us here in the States might be able to provide.   I'm bringing an extra tent and sleeping bag if someone needs them.
John Evans

John, Have you prebooked your tickets, if so have you had them posted or are you planning on collecting them from Will Call. If Will Call, you had better check what time the Will Call window closes on the 16th. If you are arriving between 6pm and 7 pm, it may be shut !

[Fax]

Hi Matt,
Yep, I will be bringing R2 as usual, however I will need to give him a good check-up at some point, seems one of his front wheels has developed a bit of a shopping cart wobble.  Also he's in dire need of a good bath, wearing a fair amount of Sebring sand, Mid-Ohio mud and Road Atlanta clay these days.
Fax

[johnevans3]

Yes, we have already purchased the tickets and they are being sent by mail.  So we won't need to worry about the Will Call operating hours.  

I will be bringing at least  1 extra sleeping bag, 1 extra tent (possibly 2).  We will have a 10x10 canopy/gazebo, 4 folding chairs, and a small table as well.  We have a small cook top (camping gas bottle).  I will have ant poison, Amdro.   Anything else, if I can get it, let me know.

Whoever gets there Wednesday morning and thru the day needs to try to corral (Texas speak) some space for all of us as we trickle in thru the rest of the week.

Looking forward to seeing some of you guys again and seeing new folks I didn't get the meet at Le Mans.

[smokie]

Re parking for the pickup - Phil and I will make out usual mess of parking on Friday and straighten them out so there is space on Saturday for the pickup...

[Matt Harper]

Appreciate that Smokie - thank you. When do you arrive in Daytona?

Fax - the wobbly wheel, I can fix in my workshop, I'll get the parts. The dirt adds character, I feel. (Dunno if Delta baggage handlers share that view - but I care even less!)

SB/JPC/AZ - I can also help out with camping gear if needs be.
That well known multi-national car rental conglomorate E-Z Cars is located in my neighborhood. Would you like me to enquire of their tariff?  

[jpchenet]

Yes please Matt. I thin we wnat to ensure we are fully ensured which may load up the price somewhat.

If you have some camping gear too Matt then between you and John it may save us buying a tent when we get there. Only problem is that Steve snores!!!  

Sleeping bags are easy as they roll up small. I'm assumiong airbeds are cheap in WalMart?

As for marking out the area, I'll bring some "Police Line - Do Not Cross" tape. How much do you think we'll need??

[johnevans3]

It's my understanding that you can't "rope" off an area for camping.  It's in the www.sebringraceway.com   rules.   However, we can pitch our tents and place our cars in a circle like the wagon train folks did when they were under attack.  Circle the wagons.  Anyway that's my thought on the deal.  Maybe someone else knows better.

[Matt Harper]

Yes please Matt. I thin we wnat to ensure we are fully ensured which may load up the price somewhat.

If you have some camping gear too Matt then between you and John it may save us buying a tent when we get there. Only problem is that Steve snores!!!  

Sleeping bags are easy as they roll up small. I'm assumiong airbeds are cheap in WalMart?

As for marking out the area, I'll bring some "Police Line - Do Not Cross" tape. How much do you think we'll need??

OK Mark
When you say you need full insurance coverage - I'm assuming that you know what you're letting yourself in for......
This would include Collision Damage Waiver, Uninsured Driver, Personal Injury Protection - the list goes on... EZ Cars have a field full of Kia Sorrento's, Diamonte's and Sedona's plus Chevy Astro minivans and Cobalts. The insurance could end up costing more than the car rental. Why do you require such all-pervading cover - are you planning a little off-roading - or maybe a bank robbery?
I'm presuming no nasty endo's or convictions - how old are you all - or are you planning one designated driver (probably a bit cheaper to do it this way) Alternatively we could just call in on the way from the scareport - I'll call 'em for a general idea on rates.
As for how much space my truck occupies - I'm not sure. It's a Dodge Ram 1500 quad-cab. I'd say it was about the size and width of a Ford Transit - maybe a bit longer - and er, a bit wider.......

[Fax]

I didn't think they allowed roping off of camping areas anymore.  Most circuts nixed that practice along time ago when you always had a few dick-heads who decided they needed an acre for their two man tent. Your best bet is to strategically park your cars to give yourselves a bit of room.  On Saturday morning the parking becomes a three ring circus as all the Sebring vets are familiar with.
Fax

[hgb]

Tüt tüt...   I know it's still some time and far from the ongoing discussion but please, for those fortunate enough to be there (yes, I'm jealous) plruurease, could you go to Rollcentre and wish the King of Wang the very best of luck from the "german cake man".  They will be taking the two Dallaras. The Nissan engined car will enter the race, the second chassis will ba a spare one. Joao Barbosa, Didier Theys and Michael Krumm will be driving.  Thank you, the lot...  

Edited to say: (yes I'm jealous) Have fun and behave yourself as always  

Now off to Robbo...                          

IMPORTANT ... READ ROBBO'S MESSAGE BELOW ... IMPORTANT

[Robbo SPS]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread....


Can i just check these people need their post first as they are leaving the country soon

Smokie
Andy Zarce
Steve Brown
JP Chenet
Rick

If thats so,  Zarce good chap, i need an address please.

[jpchenet]

Robbo, Rick Cutler isn't coming   (he almost was on the dance floor at Chicago Rock Cafe last week but that's another story!!!  )

If it's easier/cheaper, you can always either send Andy's with mine or mine with Andy's!!

[smokie]

Robbo - leave Rick on the list, just in case...  

Mark, how many tents d'ya need??? Pidge has one, maybe two. Haven't you also got John bringing one? Phil is bringing me one so I can fart and snore to my heart's content.

Matt - George (gab) and I arrive in Miami on Thursday Next Week (Yessssss!!!). We stay with his bro for 1 night then to Daytona on Friday. I think C Phil will also be there then. Bike Week here we come... Spring Break here we come...  

[jpchenet]

Mark, how many tents d'ya need??? Pidge has one, maybe two. Haven't you also got John bringing one? Phil is bringing me one so I can fart and snore to my heart's content.

Well, now you mention it, I'd remembered Steve's snoring, but somehow forgotten about his methane production. So maybe individual tents isn't such a bad idea!!

I'm sure we'll be OK one way or another. I thought Pidge's spare was allocated to Chris24 and you? He offered to provide another but we were concerned he might be buying one just for us to use! If necessary we can just nip to WalMart for one. Or we might pack one and bring it with us.

I guess the more tents we spread out the easier it is to save space for Matt's Monster Truck