It's the Sleep Inn & Suites and the location is: 1483 South Boston Rd , Danville, VA, US, 24540 | Phone: (434) 793-6090

I picked this place because it was recommended by Phil Wicks and was cheaper than the Holiday Inn and is also closer to VIR. They will also be doing the safety/pre-inspections Sunday evening at this location according to Phil.

I'm not sure about caravaning down...maybe if it's not super early

 

We'll probably leave around noon or so on Sunday. We aren't planning on taking the scenic route. If anyone is interesting in caravaning with us, we can plan a spot to meet up.

 

JustDandy - that is the correct address for the Holiday Inn Express

I'm staying at the HI Express and would be interested in a caravan. I'm close to 28 so the "scenic" route (28 south to 15 to 29) is the short route for me. There is a rest stop just west of 28 on 66 that might work as a meeting point.

 

I would be interested in hooking up and caravaning down via the scenic route. I am staying at the Holiday Inn which is only about 2-3 miles from the Sleep Inn. We all should try to meet up somewhere locally and discuss the trip

See ya, Brian

PS I am in the Chantilly, VA area.

 

Anyone bringing a pulley tensioner for the R53 MCS? I remember our session at Summit Point and someone broke a belt and got stranded for several hours (though some really awesome members helped get him fixed and on his way).

Anyway, I picked up a spare belt today and wanted to make sure someone had a tool (and knowing how to use it would be especially nice, since I'm clueless.... hey now! ).

What other bits can you think of? I've got:

• Folding camping chair to sit on
• Tarp to put loose crap from car on ground in paddock area and then cover it in case of rain
• Wheel chocks to hold my manual transmission car in place between runs, without using the parking brake (I'm told that hot brakes plus parking brake = warped rotor)
• Tire pressure gauge
• Torque wrench for lug bolts (along with 17mm socket)
• Tire repair kit & a can of Fix-A-Flat (for my non run-flats)
• Sunglasses, suntan lotion, bottled water in a cooler
• Camera
• Zaino Z-6 Show Car Detailing Spray and rags - seriously? seriously!
• Windex & paper towels
• 2-way radios for caravan trip down/back

That's about all I can remember at the moment. Submit some ideas and I'll add 'em to the list!

 

I'd be up for joining a NON-scenic caravan. I was also going to leave around noonish, so I can just join up with GreenCactus.

I also asked Phil re: if SCCA Level 1 and Level 2 were enough for intermediate and he moved me to intermediate without asking me

 

How about an extra pair of undies for when you soil yourself the first time out? omg...i'm so crass...

Anywayz, do you think they have air pumps there? If not then those canisters that hold pressurized air are cool.

JustDandy, thanks for reminding me on the chocks. Can I just get those from an auto store or do you know of a good place to get them?

As with auto-x you may want to take out anything that is loose inside your car (change, umbrellas, sunscreens, tissue boxes, etc) that you might not need because they will most likely make you take everything out that is not fixed down. Or, you could just leave that stuff in your hotel room.

 

I booked two nights but haven't made plans for the trip I 'll start thinking about it around the 15th or so.

 

I too am staying at the Sleep Inn in Danville per Phil's designation of it as the "official" motel. I believe his hope is to get some of the car inspections accomplished Sunday evening at the motel so as to streamline the process the following morning. The sooner the inspections are done Monday morning, the sooner we can hit the track - and that means more sessions for everyone! Mayhaps the rather large HI Express contingent can cruise on out Sunday for a "tech party" at the Sleep Inn - I believe we're about 3 miles east of you out by the airport on the same highway (Rt.58/360).

 

I think they generally have a decent size air compressor at the tracks, but if someone knows for sure, can they chime in?

I got a set of plastic ones from Advanced Auto - lightweight and super cheap.

I forgot to add radios to the list for the drive down/back.

I started a list for Caravan A as a non-scenic caravan leaving around noon from the DC area on Sunday with Green Cactus and Play Play.

 

Hey JustDandy,

Please add me to the Caravan B group since I prefer the more scenic less major highway route I'm an early riser so the starting time is not an issue with me. I would like to arrice at the Holiday Inn earlier so that I can chill out by the pool and maybe have a frosty beverage.

Thanks B.

PS I will work on a route but I am not a good coordinator.

 

Ok, got it!

 

Hi,
I see Caravan A is the "non-scenic" route--but exactly what is the route? I-66 then I-81 until we get to somewhere around Roanoke, or what? I presume Caravan B would just take mostly Route 29?

Looking forward to the trip!

 

I just did a quick Mapquest search and from Chantilly the route did use 29. The estimated time was 4.25 hours and approximately 230 miles.

B.

 

Google Maps had me taking 95 to Richmond and then cutting over, but Streets and Trips has me on 29. So, we'll be taking 29.

 

Google Map said the same thing, but I don't like the heavier traffic on 95 (and isn't as interesting, scenery-wise ). I've always preferred to take I-81 whenever I'm going in that general direction.

I had assume the 29 route was the "scenery" one, although probably not as twisty as we might like.

We can always take the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway down to somewhere around Roanoke as the "scenic" run, but it'll take quite a long time (maybe all day?).

What do you all think?

 

For those of you that have the registration packets, is there any scheduled events/activities on Sunday? Are there hours listed for the inspection at the Sleep Inn?

Should we plan on trying to meet up for dinner, regardless of how we're driving down?

All questions, no answers

Mini_Voyager - I, too, thought the scenic route would break off from 29 and hit some of the roads in the mountains/hills. I know the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive can be frustrating roads to motor due to the low speed limit, but some of the other roads alongside or leading up to and away from it can be kind of exciting. I don't know them well enough to plan a route, but thought I'd mention it.

I can see 3 non-scenic routes -I-95 (south, then west), Rt 29 (west then south), or I-81 (further west, then south)

 

What registration packets? I sent in my check and application months ago (Feb? March?). Give us the spoiler.....

Also not to mention other drivers who are taking their SWEEEET time and refuse to look at their rear-end mirrors and pull over when they can. Not that I'm saying we should go over the limit, but still...

 

This is starting to sound like more and more fun! John, thanks for helping to get things a little more organized with the caravans. I might just have to take one of the scenic routes down...I just don't know what the best routes are yet (and travel times).

btw - I was going to buy a helmet from safedrives.com but are there any other places people recommend?

 

You guys are so organized !!

can one of you put the time - roads - tolls (if any) for each route (scenic and plain)



Before buy on line I suggest you try it in person.. not all hemets fit the same

 

Near Sterling:

http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/1-Dr...Helmets/Page=8

 

I agree. You definately should find a place to try helmets on first. I ride motorcycles and Shoei is the only brand that fits my head confortable. If you plan on ordering online, do it early so that you have time to exchange if the sizing is wrong.

B

 

I ordered my replacement here after mine was stolen and had no problems whatsoever. They had the most competitive price for my particular helmet:

http://soloracerdotcom.stores.yahoo.net/hjcsi12.html

I also tried it on first at OG Racing and bought the first one there. They are nice people. Sometimes they have helmets on clearance. I also recommend trying on first because I went in to buy an open face helmet, but they squeezed my face like no tomorrow, so bought something else.

I am still hoping that someone will buy the ARAI PHIL READ VECTOR helmet that I saw somebody wear at an auto-x class. I wll be envious of you.

 

Dave and I are getting the helmets from Phil Wicks. They are $75/each to buy or $25 to rent. We decided to buy them. You guys are making me nervous buying all of these fancy helmets...

 

no....only im the idiot buying expensive helmets lol