Club Arnage

Who here is going to Sebring this year?

I'm thinking of flying out on or around the 10th, returning 21st.

Woolly.

I am afraid I will not be able to come over this year...

Kirsten & I will be making our annual trip south (driving this year, nice fifteen hour jaunt from Ohio), arriving early Friday morning, leaving Sunday.  We'll be camping at the circuit.
Fax

Not for me this year :'(

Should be booking this coming week hopefully. Coming out on Tuesday 15th, returning Sunday 20th

Orlando bound with my brother Nick on Wednesday 16th March. Picking up a rental RV with the Matt & Dave (Harper) + Seth which we can hopefully get parked close up to the Turn 10 action. My first Sebring was 2010 and I'm hooked. Fax - thanks for the VIP guided tour last year and looking forward to seeing you and Kirsten again very soon!

Great deals on flights with Virgin and BA at the moment if anybody in the UK is still undecided about going...

Great news your coming back Ricardo, and it'll terrific to see Nick again after all these years.  The Mrs & I will have our drinking boots on when we get there bright & early Friday.  We're probably going to pitch a tent, hopefully we can find a patch of to plant it on out by T-10.  Our we'll just end getting drunk and sleeping in the car ;)
Fax

Doesn't look likely :(

Looks more like a "who's out" topic like this. Include both of us in there too, no tengo dinero :-\

What he said.

Made a major investent to my apartment, and basicly all the cash went there....

Next year.

I want to go but have a lot of stuff going on around that time. It really will be a last minute decision and a case of turning up with a tent.

Booked today with Virgin, arriving Tuesday afternoon and departing Sunday evening.  :)

Likewise. It depends on a number of factors including a possible skiing weekend and also how England are faring in the cricket world cup!

Come on Andy!  K & I, the Harper Bros, and the rest of the T-10 crazies will be up for a Friday night head-wrecking session.
Gotta pull the trigger on it ;)
Fax

Hello everyone - this looks like we could have a pretty minimal Club Arnage turn-out for Sebring this year. What a shame, as it's always a treat to see you all enjoying the sunshine and hospitality of our close friends at Turn 10.
Aside from Woolly and Chris, is there anyone else, actually confirmed for Sebring from UK and Netherlands?
I ask, because, as ever, I'd like to roll-out the welcoming banners and refresh weary travelers as they stagger from their transatlantic flights.
There is a pretty solid rumour that the Fish on Fire, will re-open prior to St Paddy's (after the botched arson job, by person or persons unknown, but said to have been wearing orange and "talkin' all funny, like"). So, please advise, if anyone else is able to get over here.
Andy/Bob - let me know if there's anything we can do from this side to grease the skids - if you can get here, we'll take care of the rest, as I hope you know....
Fax - I'll be calling you to arrange the meet-up - we've gone all la-di-dah this year and organized an RV - but will still be dragging the grill, beer fridge, generator and temporary garage for Dave's porker. I anticipate we'll go for the same slot as we had the U-haul in last year.
Very much looking forward to this - it's so much better than recent Le Mans, in my opinion...   
 

I'm 99% not likely - first year I won't have been in Florida at race weekend since 2002, even though my Sebring attendance has become somewhat patchy.

I'm having to keep the decks clear just in case I land a job.

If it gets near to the time and there seems to be no prospect then the 1% may come into play.

It's game on from Indy.  Will be Thundering down I65 and then I75 on Thursday - early, so it looks like we'll be leaving ahead of you Fax (no need to check mirrors for silver Panzer Tank coming up on you moderately above the speed limit).  Traveling down with Alex, my brother-in-law who's attended about 35 consecutive Indy 500s but never been to a road circuit.  What a treat he has in store.  Will arrive at the track Thurs evening and fishtail outta there early Sunday.  Can't frickin' wait!!

It'll be great to see you Dave (and Matt & Seth of course), its been one bitch of a long, cold, snowy winter up here hasn't it?  It'll be fantastic to see Alex again after all these years, he's in for a real eye opener, Turn 10 is definitely not the Coke lot at IMS.  We're heading down on Sunday the 13th, but making the rounds of the retired, snow-bird Aunts & Uncles in Florida (Tampa & Naples respectively) before heading to Sebring. We'll be thumping up from Naples bright & early Friday morning, and heading straight for the Turn-10 area.
Fax

It's been a nasty winter for Texas with the snow and ice as well AND some cold weather for Florida could still be in play mid-March.  My advice, be prepared just in case.  Bring the long johns and something warm to sleep in.  Canada Phil should be able to give some good advice on how to prepare even if it is Florida.  Have fun folks, sorry I won't be there.

Hi John,
             sorry to hear you are not able to make it. Just send the Deer sausage then :)
I expect it will have warmed up by March though one should always be prepared for unseasonal weather at any race track.
Phil

I won't make it this year.  First miss since 2003.  :P

anyone want to give me a ride from DC? my poor old volvo will never make it.

I might be on one of my regular business trips to Detroit in that timeframe - which would be a complete coincidence then, of course ;D

But even if this works out it will be a Friday evening - Sunday noon then only - I'll know a couple of days before. What's the best way to catch up with CA/Turn 10 folks when arriving late Friday evening, say after 10:00 pm?

No problem Werner, just show up for the slide show and let Woolly know you are coming!

Meet me in Orlando airport and rent a shitbox Dodge?  ;)

(http://www.theblackninja.com/images/movie/blues_brothers/blues_brothers_police_officer.png)

Are you serious about this Andy? I may be on for a Friday to Sunday 8)

Sounds like a plan - let's stay in touch

Slide show ??? Woolly ??? ???

Turn 10 always has the Lee's infamous slide show on the friday night and Woolly (brethren) is going to be there this year. You could go to www.sebringfans.com and log on and get in touch with the amazing randy, I am sure he can set you up with a tent, matras and sleeping bag. Or I could ask Clay to bring my tent, which you could use for the duration of your stay.

Thanks for this :D

No probs, have fun!

you will enjoy it!!!

Hi Werner,
                Bed & Breakfast always available at CA Division of Camp Pidgeon.
In the infield behind the concession stands. beside Security compound.
You have my Cell# stay in touch.
 Phil

All advice is good so far, except the slideshow will probably be done by 10 pm, but other partying will still be going on around Turn 10 though at 10 pm. As Phil said, you will also be more than welcome at Team Pidge if you want a quieter area to sleep for the night.

Chris.............had no problems sleeping at Turn 10....you just driknk lots, sit/fall down and l into a deep sleep.......just ask Neil as he is an expert on the subject!!! ;D

Instant narcoleptic, for Chris, just add Jim Bean, for Neill, just add beer ;D

I would be quite happy to help any stragglers/latecomers, if I can.
I will be fairly non-functional by Friday pm - but my daughter is driving to the track from Orlando on Friday evening, so could be persuaded to help out, if needed.
I also have a ton of camping gear for use by huddled masses from the colonies - just shout up.
The Thursday is St Paddy's and one of our gang's birthday, so we are going to be hitting the black stuff harder than usual this year.
I have 300 cans of it in my garage right now with another 100 on order. We are hoping this will suffice.
So, Bob, Andrew, Werner or any other takers - let us know, we love having you over here for the spring races!!

Matt,
I may well be up for a beer and a meal at Fish on Fire if you fancy it on Tuesday night, before i head down to Sebring. Let me know if you are up for it. Get into MCO at 15.10 and will be around 5pm by the time I get out the airport probably.

Stay focused Chris, the Fish on Fire took it a bit to literally last year, and burned down. As far as I know, it hasn't reopened yet.

Keep up in the back Marius, it should reopen shortly, or has reopened as far as I heard!

What I saw, and just checked, is that ther is a "solid rumour" it will reopen before St. Paddy, so it's not reopened yet!

I rode my bike over to the FoF last night and owner Jay was there directing exterior painting. They are very nearly ready to re-open, but he doesn't think it will be before St Paddy's.
For a local tipple, I've been using the Showboat Pub on McCoy Road - walking distance from my home. It's a very basic biker-style bar, with no liquor license, so just domestic beer and wine - no food - other than pizza and hot dogs. This has been a long year without blackened grouper sandwiches and great chicken wings - i can't wait for the FoF to re-open.
Chris - I don't get home from a work trip until Tuesday night, so I'll have to pass, I'm afraid.
I'm heading down to the track, 1st thing on Wednesday morning to drop our RV off and get the bar equipped, then back to O'town to pick up two members of our crew (Ricardo and Nick) who're flying in from Gatwick.
If there are going to be any late arrivals, we are more than happy to help with logistics - let us know...
 

The Showboat Pub, oh dear...
Have several very blurry memories of that fine drinking establishment.  Its only for the sophisticated drinker ;)
Yikes!
Fax

Hey John!
It's had a couple of changes of management since you last visited, including one who had a gun-fight inside the bar with a couple of unruly patrons, one of whom didn't survive. It's somewhat less dangerous these days - but still reassuringly skanky.
What is your Sebring plan? I ask, because it would be no trouble to take an extra tent, air-beds etc and establish if for you if that makes things easier. We are making a bit of a production of it this time and Seth and I will be setting our gear up on the Wednesday. It would not be a problem to factor you and Kirsten into the grand plan.
Dave and Alex were going to drive down on the Thursday - sounds like Wednesday night now.
This is shaping up to be the best yet - really looking forward to seeing you in just a few weeks.

Hi Matt,
Agreed, this one's a shaping up to be a riot.  It'll be great to everyone again, and I see a legless Friday night looming on the horizon. Richard was sold on Sebring last year and I suspect Nick, and Dave's bro-in-law Alex will feel the same.
Kirsten are driving down to Tampa on Sunday, spending a couple of days there, then driving down to Naples on Wed. We'll stay there until early Friday when we head up to Sebring, hoping to be there mid morning Friday.  If you've got an extra tent & air matress laying around, and have space to carry it, we could defintiely use it.  Big thanks if you can help out with that.  I was going to borrow one from a buddy, but we're going to be a bit tight on space, we're taking the Civic in the interest of fuel economy (with the sh*t hitting the fan in the Middle East, and fuel prices taking off), and will be taking a weeks worth of crap with us.  Space allowing I may try to stuff R2D2 in back, its been a while since that ugly little spud's been dragged around Sebring.
A shootout at the Sowboat! Now that's entertainment you can't find at your average, suburban watering hole.  Holy sh*t! Grab your beer & dive over the bar!  Glad to hear the place is still there, up here when that happens in a dive bar, they do the investigation, then usually roll in with a bulldozer the next day and flatten the place, especially if bike gangs are involved.
Can't to see you and the rest of guys,
Fax

OK consider it done - see you in T10 on Friday morning.....

If a shoot out broke out in a bar i was in, I know man has his priorities and such, but I would be leaving my beer wherever it was and just dive over the bar. Make sure I lived to drink again another day LOL ! ;D

Big thanks Matt, we'll see you Friday morning, drinking boots on...
Agreed Chris, let the beer take one for the team, it can be replaced.  Something like that almost happened several years ago at a place the Harper boys know well, Haps Irish Pub here in Cincy.  The place is a favorite hangout of the Cincy district 2 cops, and one of them was carrying on with a completely crazy girl, he eventually ended dumping her, and she showed up at Haps looking for him to express her displeasure...wielding one of his guns!  Needless to say we were diving behind the bar and fleeing out the back door, convinced she was going to take out Dave, and everyone sitting near him.  Fortunately some calm conversation cooled her off before she opened fire.
Fax

Hi Fax,
         It will be good to see R2D2 again..... and you and Kirsten ofcourse.
Phil

ive scraped some money from recent sales and i am going. Im deciding today whether to fly down or drive from Wash DC.

it will finally be my first time at sebring. it would be awesome to meet you guys, and Phil I owe you a Leffe from LM 07. Turn 10 sounds like a vision of heaven. and yes i will be bringing my drinking boots. big time.

Goodluck,

My first and only time so far was 2007........and all I can say is that the hospitality is bar none......It's like LM but completely different..no catch fencing and at Turn 10 you are just a few feet from the track...awesome!!!!

Andy

Hi goodduck,
                  Be happy to share a beer with you. Not a bad drive from DC. I will probably drive this year too.
 Phil

Getting my sh*t together and going on the road ;D my mechanic reports i should have a running car by Thursday.

Smokie I am loading sorting camping stuff ready to pack.
 Werner i will have spare sleeping stuff if you are able to make it.

Camp Pidge / Club Arnage will be in the usual spot.

Phil

I'm just having a coffee before taking Woolly to Gatwick for his flight to Orlando, where he'll be deposited into the culpable hands of Messrs Harper. May God have mercy on his soul.

Originally was going to shoot for wednesday night to get there but now i am finalizing my plans. What is the best day/ time to get there? are the race events / practice sessions that happen before friday worth your while? is it hard to find good spots after a certain day?

thanks

Attached is the schedule, looks like a pretty full day of track activity Wed, Thurs, & Friday before the race on Saturday.  Weather looking very pleasant too.
The Mrs & I make the 14 hour drive south this Sunday...
Matt, big thanks buddy for the help with the gear, I owe you some steaks & beverages when we get there.
Fax

Looking forward to seeing all of you guys again.

Try to get here early enough for night practice,and the WFO party.

sounds like a plan!

thanks ive been looking at that. i thin im going to shoot for a wednesday arrival. either coming with a rental car or with my buddy in a sweet honda odyssey. look out

Hi Phil

Have a safe journey and please say 'Hi" to Pidge for me. Missing his breakfasts already.

Put my Guernsey flag up if possible as there will be a Guernsey presence there with Andy Priaulx driving a BMW.

>Martini...LB

I thought Priaulx was from Jersey? ;D

There could be trouble ahead, but what can you expect from a Scotsman...

>Martini...LB

He made it safe and sound - we had a couple of 'welcome back' beers last night (well, maybe more than a couple). He then demolished a gigantic steak, before being whisked-off into the night by his somewhat horny cousin.
He's a top guy - brought tea bags, Resolve Extra - and bought the beer - which I'm annoyed with myself for being too pissed to argue about. I will reciprocate with curry and Jack Daniels at the track.

just read that the 19th of march will be the biggest full moon in 18 years.

That'll make for some great photos, the weather forescast is for warm, clear weather all next weekend.  That gorgeous Sebring sunset (if you've ever been down by the Porsche Platz & Corvette Corral outside Sunset Bend opposite the pit entrance, and watched the sun go down, you'll know what I mean) followed a giant full moon...Oh baby!
Fax

ill be the guy wearing this shirt with a beer and cigarette in hand

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5518193112_ca99138b5e_z.jpg) (http://www.etsy.com/listing/69835661/ayrton-senna-mclaren-mp44-shirt)

So we are basically looking for a headless man ? Should be easy to spot ! ;D

Have a safe journey and please say 'Hi" to Pidge for me. Missing his breakfasts already.

Put my Guernsey flag up if possible as there will be a Guernsey presence there with Andy Priaulx driving a BMW.
>Martini...LB
[/quote]
Hi MArtini,
               Will do. We always hoist your Guernsey flag. Most years someone asks what it is. Munchen also will be flown in the " missing friends" section.
Smokie is coming...and staying for the race. what a concept :)

Will try and see Andy for you.
Phil

When you aiming to arrive Phil, Wednesday as per usual ? If so, do you fancy a meal at Chili's again as per usual on Wednesday night.

We're driving south at 0630 tomorrow morning, everyone have a safe journey and we'll see you Friday morning.
Fax

Do you have a Kiwi flag for the missing friends section? 

Dx

LOL

If you want a peaceful life, then you may want to tell Fax that the McLaren is Prost's!

Not as easy as spotting a legless man.

So Bob, no last minute plane tickets then?  :(

I'll hand your complete keytag collection off to Wolly for safe passage back to your little Iasland.

-Lee

Can me and Melissa have a set too?

I'll be sure Wooly has a handful of this year's to bring back to the UK with him.

-Lee

Thanks a million Lee you are indeed a gentleman 8)

I'm seeing Woolly first as I'm picking him up from Gatwick!!  ;) I'll see if there's a spare one for you Bob!

Don't forget the Dutch...  :'(

Hi Chris,
            Arriving wednesday for sure. Dinner for sure Chili's for maybe ;D
1 to 2 pm most likely
 Phil
 . Will look in th e same spot as last year.

Still feeling the urge to hop on a plane Friday morning to Orlando and fly back home on Sunday ... even managed to find a hotel not too far from the track last night ... if only the budget and spare holidays wouldn't be that tight  >:(

just crossed into florida. almost 700 miles down 250 ish to go. gonna nap for awhile and shoot for 7am. see yall there