Club Arnage

Hi folks,

I'm planning for 2018 a little already, the 12h race in Sebring seems to be on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Anyone knows when they open the gates for the campsites? Is it Wednesday?

Werner

wednesday morning early indeed werner
regards

Absolutely Wednesday. Methinks 6 AM, 'haven't camped in years)
I presume you're already aware but what the hey.....  :)

http://www.sebringraceway.com/ (http://www.sebringraceway.com/)

http://sebringfans.com (http://sebringfans.com)

Yep, Wednesdaymorning 6AM.
Planning to go back next year too !

It is: https://www.sebringraceway.com/sebring-events/12-hour-race/2017-schedule-of-events (https://www.sebringraceway.com/sebring-events/12-hour-race/2017-schedule-of-events)

https://www.sebringraceway.com/fan-info-blog (https://www.sebringraceway.com/fan-info-blog)

I already booked my flight.  :o  ;D

There was an idea about an RV, with knetter and Steve B, let's discuss this in 2 weeks in a field in France. ;)

We are definitely going back again next year.
We joined the queue on the Tuesday evening in our RV.

When the "World Sportscar Championship" returns (:rolleyes:)...

....I shall return..... :)

i dont think i can make it, but never say never

We'll be back next year.
Fax

Yep, let's do this. Will you be at le Mans until Monday? We could finish off our beer on Sunday on BN!

Sebring is booked now: In: Orlando, Monday 12. March 2018 8:25 pm, Out: Monday, 19. March 2018 at 2:20 pm. Super Deal with Delta/KLM: 337 € return from Düsseldorf/Germany via Atlanta.

Cant't wait....

Well done Werner, you will enjoy Sebring immensely.  Very much looking forward to finally meeting you in person.
Fax

Yeah, I'm looking forward to meet you too in person. Can't wait til March...

Hi all,

Three quick question froma newbie  for the experts:

1. We'll arrive with 4 people in a 25 feet RV and want to stay from Wednesday when they open the gate. Thinking about what tickets we might need I had a look at the order from from last year, it's attached. From what I see a four-day supoerticket for each makes sense. For the RV: Is it better to buy the "General RV Parking" or is it better to buy the "North Paddock RV Parking"?

2. We'll fly out of Orlando Monday afternoon after the race. Is it possible to stay until Monday Morning with the RV at the racetrack or will we get kicked out on sunday?

3. Can we buy tickets at the gate on Wednesday morning or is it better to ordre before?

Questions, questions, questions....

Hi Werner,

Answers on a postcard, or in this case in italics

I'm guessing none of this has changed since I last attended a few years back...

Dx

Must take some time to have a few beers together then, last time was too short (and I was completely knackered after the race).

Agreed Kristof, we'll need to catch up over a few cold ones.  You did look pretty wiped out when you made it back to the campsite a couple years ago, I can imagine hauling camera gear around that place all weekend is exhausting.  I get worn out just lugging beer ;D
Fax

An FIA sanctioned World Championship has to race on FIA standard tracks. Sebring is many good things, but FIA standard isn't one of them, and short of destroying the circuit we know and love with 10 metre high fences and massive run-off areas (not to mention putting smooth tarmac on the rough concrete) there is little prospect of that happening in the short, medium or even the long term.

I love Sebring because it holds fond memories for me and I'll go back to the 12 Hours if I get the chance, whatever hardware they might be racing and in whatever series.

Understood; but I can't get into what's happening to the "sport". Rolling billboards (and the requisite BoPing) does not, and will not, turn me on. My passion is fading fast.

I live close enuff to Daytona and Sebring but it just doesn't do me. Evening the playing field is not my thang. I want to see the best earn their rewards. That simple. ;)

And I thought I come off as grouchy old guy sometimes?
Rolling billboards? Been that way since the late sixties.  Regarding BoP, IMSA has used a equivalency formula for decades, nothing new there.
I like to look at the past with rose-tinted specs as much as anyone, but I'm sure as hell not going to let it ruin my enjoyment of the contemporary incarnation of all sports, including racing.  We're off to Mid-O, in a couple weeks for the Indycar weekend, if I was bitter guy who's refused to go since the CART- IRL a split, I'd be missing a damn good time.
I know a sorry ass like that, he's also one of those guys who refuses to go to a MLB game since the 1994 strike ended season.
Life's too short to sit around being bitter, get to a race, have a beer and soak up the atmosphere, it's good for you.
Fax

Quite the assumption on your part. The man that met, who was it, Lauda, at Sebring?

I'm not bitter at all. 'Just don't like someone's thinking and hard work being "BoP"'d.

You've got it. I don't believe in socialism. :)

(BTW, can you spare a dime??? What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine...;))

Wasn't me that said he met Niki at Sebring, got the wrong CA member there.  Trying to remember that guys name?  He was a old timer, he knew some of the NASCAR originals like Marshall Teague.  He hasn't posted in a while, oh well.  Its a free country, go ahead and stay away from Sebring.
Fax

My apology for the error on my part. If I recall correctly, you were in that thread, no? Never did hear from them regarding Niki. 'Wonder if search'll bring it up. 'Can't remember what the thread was about and why Lauda's name came up....senilty is for the birds. :D

Anywho, I appreciate your blessing regarding my "staying away" from Sebring (not so, I still get up there often. 'Like the town and am thinking of moving there for my final years) 'Was up most recently for one of the test days prior to the 12, and SCCA Nationals are coming up soon. ;) :)

edit: The search worked. 'Was your "Rush" thread.  gatordad.

Again, my apology.  :-[

But I still don't like spec cars and BoPing....drivers "ratings"....'never will. :)

Hi Werner,

I'm not sure how I will be getting to Sebring this year.  I think it may work out cheaper for me to go via Toronto again travelling down with Phil.
Who knows I might find another 24oz nugget of gold on the way.  LOL.   Mind you you the last 24oz nugget hasn't proved that profitable.
For sure it would be good to meet up for a beer or three before you set of for Sebring.  Will you be staying at La Quinta in Orlando?

t

Hi Tom,

currently the plans is as follows: Arrive Monday 12th March at 8:25 pm evening in Orlando, stay at Quality Inn Airport (was cheap). Next day, tuesday pick up RV at 2:00 pm somewhere near Orlando airport. Then walmart to stock up the fridge, drive to Sebring, pick up the hopefully pre-booked tickets at the so called "Will Call" located in Registration at Gate #2 before they close at 6.00 pm.  Then I don't know. Wait in front of the gate before they open next morning, wednesday at 6.00 pm? Shall we meet there? What are your plans? Should we set up our camps together? What is it like to meet at the gate the evening before?

Werner

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.

Werner,,

You will struggle making it to Sebring for 6 pm if you are picking up your RV at 2 pm as its at least a 2 hour drive when you are familiar and in a car, add to that the pick up and hand over tour of RV and stop off for supplies etc. However once Will Call closes, they move all the tickets to the small hut to the right hand side of the main entrance gate, so you can still pick up your tickets after Will Call has closed. Alternatively send them to Matt Harpers place.

La Quinta is as Matt suggested a good option as its a stagger back from Fish on Fire Restaurant.

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.

*fingers crossed my annual conference in St.Pete's is around Sebiring next year*

Hi Werner,
Good call on Turn 10, you won't be disappointed.  The campers out there are gregarious, fun company. By the end of your first day you'll be familiar with all of the legendary campsites, and their occupants along the run down to T-10, including Chuck, the Stumble Inn's rooster.
Matt is a expert at steering newbies from on abroad in the right direction, so you won't go wrong in his hands.
As for Daytona? It's been a few year's since I've been there, but there's a museum, and entertainment complex called Daytona USA adjacent to the Speedway that you may find interesting.
Matt, if IRCC the fine establishment in Daytona you refer to is called Lollipops. One year while taking a break from a evening monsoon that hit Rolex 24, we ended up there.  Matt & I had one of the lovely dancers there convinced I was a Swede that spoke no English, with some amusing results.
Fax

Can't go to Sebring without heading off to the Fish on Fire & La Quinta  ;D.

I'm looking into gettting to Düsseldorf and/or parking options down there right now, don't like to leave my car at an airport parking for 10 days.  Flights are down to 333,33 € (with long layovers in ATL).
Plan right now is to fly out on the 8th and return 19th. First stop will be Amelia Island concours d'elegance. Hope to get credentials again like 2 years ago.

As for Daytona: stopped there last year, there's no museum anymore > everything has been shipped to Nascar hall of fame in Charlotte apparently. 

Hi Kristof,
I wondered if Daytona USA was still there.  I haven't been to DIS since the '08 Daytona 500, and even back then Bill France's baby was definitely showing its age.  They did a massive, multi-million dollar facelift over the past couple of years, and I was curious what what went, and what was added.
Fax

They've got the whole new "Daytona Rising" project with new grandstands (except the one on the backstraight which is completely gone now) & hospitality stuff. Everything else basically stayed the same (infield, garage area, ...).
Last time I saw a race down there was the 24h and 500 in '09.  Passed down Daytona several times before or after Sebring, but never went back for a race. 

Sounds interesting.  ;D ;D ;D

Booked !
In: Orlando Thursday March 8th 10.30 pm
Out; Monday March 19th 3.20 pm

First Amelia Island (or maybe Indycar in St Petersburg), then Sebring. Probably "camp" in the car unless an opportunity in a camper comes up. Should be able to get credentials again as 2 years ago.

@Werner: we'll probably be on the same flight from Atlanta to Düsseldorf on the 19th.

For those sure of their plans and not getting Sebring newsletters, tix are on sale, early bird prices until Sept. 8th.... https://www.sebringraceway.com/

https://tickets.sebringraceway.com/online/index.php3?shopid=103&language=9

Conference in St.Pete's confirmed for 12-14 March, so looks like SEBRING 2018 is a "go!" for me!  8)