Another event location and ideas needed

[Bill Howell]

I really want to put on another event on......soon. Probably spring sometime. Here is the situation. I want it to be located where others that can not make Pigeon Forge could come. I am thinking somewhere in Indiana. Sorry, but we are taking baby steps here, can not come west quite yet. Anyone got any ideas on a good track? How far would you guys be willing to travel to an event. Maybe we can find a good location, located somewhere central to the most people and do this event somewhere other than my back yard.
Feedback wanted and needed, please post if you have something to add.

[ilovefirstgens]

awwww c'mon!

how bout a meetup in san jose and a haul over to highway 1 and down to laguna seca for some real racing!!!

[Tony Bolton]

I'll go as far as you drive me, Bill! I'm not big on driving long distances. :(

[bret]

Putnam Park is absolutely beautiful...and safe...and expensive. The challenge would be to amortize the cost over as many participants as possible. Obviously I am quite motivated to have an event in Indiana. I will definitely work toward that end.
A much less costly alternative would be a more traditional Autocross using a large parking lot or airstrip facility. There is such a possibility in Lawrenceville, Illinois which is on the Indiana border about an hour south of Terre Haute.
Yet another possibility would be a parking lot type event in French Lick, Indiana. They are opening a new casino there in December and will be actively persuing visitors. It is beautiful country [not quite Pigeon Forge, but nice] and the motel and entertainment situation would certainly be a plus.
Need an opinion from everyone...how important is the drag racing portion of an event like this to everyone? That answer will obviously influence the choice of location.
We'll keep digging.

[Tony Bolton]

Honestly, drag racing is fun but it's like a burn-out competition.............you can do that pretty much anywhere. A road course(or like the 411 oval track/autocross)gives the driver the opportunity to show off his skill along with what i'm sure most everyone has upgraded on this site...........SUSPENSION!

[Steve1968LS2]

Putnam Park is absolutely beautiful...and safe...and expensive. The challenge would be to amortize the cost over as many participants as possible. Obviously I am quite motivated to have an event in Indiana. I will definitely work toward that end.
A much less costly alternative would be a more traditional Autocross using a large parking lot or airstrip facility. There is such a possibility in Lawrenceville, Illinois which is on the Indiana border about an hour south of Terre Haute.
Yet another possibility would be a parking lot type event in French Lick, Indiana. They are opening a new casino there in December and will be actively persuing visitors. It is beautiful country [not quite Pigeon Forge, but nice] and the motel and entertainment situation would certainly be a plus.
Need an opinion from everyone...how important is the drag racing portion of an event like this to everyone? That answer will obviously influence the choice of location.
We'll keep digging.

French Lick, Indiana???

[steemin]

French Lick, Indiana???

Watch it Cali boy..

It could have been Floyd's Knob, Indiana!
Scott

[ProdigyCustoms]

HUM, Casino, Cars, Racing, OK, you talked me into it!

[steemin]

Bill,
Sound good to me.
An event in Indiana would be great!!
I am not really connected to the track scene, but surely there has to be some viable options in Indianapolis..
"The Racing Capitol of the World"!
Scott

[bret]

French Lick, Indiana???

I swear it's a real place. Sleepy little town that has decided to pump some life into it with a casino. It's about 25 miles from our shop in Jasper, In. About 60 miles northwest of Louisville, Ky. You know...God's country!

[jimhamptons]

French Lick, Indiana???

I believe that is where Larry Bird grew up...Is he behind the casino development??

[parsonsj]

Larry Bird = French Lick, Indiana.

jp

[trapin]

Indiana? In the spring? Have you forgot what the weather is like that time of year in the midwest? We got lucky this year...but I doubt the midwest will smile on us as she did this past spring. Usually it's grey, wet and in the 40's about every single day. At least in Michigan that's the case. Just a warning.

[Doug Harden]

Another vote for Putnam Park!!!! One of my favorite tracks!!


ORP has a road course layout too....along with drag racing (duh).


Both venues are $$, but worth it.

I kinda' like the French Lick idea, but no real road course kills it for me.

I'd throw out IMS, but they're a pain in the @$$ to deal with.... (I've done four major events there).....they frown on "spirited" driving.

[Doug Harden]

Indiana? In the spring? Have you forgot what the weather is like that time of year in the midwest? We got lucky this year...but I doubt the midwest will smile on us as she did this past spring. Usually it's grey, wet and in the 40's about every single day. At least in Michigan that's the case. Just a warning.

It's not so bad down here on God's country....but weather is always hit-n-miss.

Anytime >April - September< is OK.

[ssdeuce]

How about Nashville super speedway. It's south a little

[andrewb70]

Bill,

How about this?

http://www.barbermotorsports.com/rentalrequestform.php

Spring time is nice in Alabama.

Andrew

[tracar91]

Indiana has Putnam park and Indianapolis raceway park (recently renamed I believe)

A little farther north is Black Hawk farms outside Chicago
Road America in Wisconsin
Mid-Ohio in "Mid-Ohio"
Waterford hills in Michigan

Lots of other spots, just thought I'd heat up the discussion!

[dropit69]

yeah weather this weekend in indiana/illinois area was mild 70's ..some rain..i bragged it was 90 down there..irp (indianapolis raceway park) is now o'reily raceway park at irp very clever name..lol but wouldnt mind it being closer but still liked it down there too..that run in the hills was soo cool..

[mpozzi]

Hey Bill,

Go west, young man!! I like "First Gens" wish list but understand if it's too much real estate to travel over. It's P-T heaven out our way and I, for one, would love to play cars with you guys.

Mary Pozzi