Q: What payment methods are available?

A: Currently all payments are processed through square.

Q: How do I register for the Event?

A: Registering for the National F-Body Motorsports Event is very easy. Our web site has all the info you should require (if not, please contact us). When you click on “Register”, a new window from “Square” opens showing all the events. Anything other than VIP or Benefactor requires the “1required” item, if you don’t add this, we will contact you, no registrations (other than 1vip and 2vip) are valid without this item. Please include a “note to seller” with your car #, license #, make, model and year. Every single driver, spectator, guest, friend, family member, etc, must be registered and paid to get into the track facility.

Q: Can I just pay at the gate and get in?

A: –MAYBE–. Depending on available space we MAY allow gate registrations for events other than Road Racing. This is done on a 1st come, 1st served basis and may not be done at all, depending on attendance. If you want to come to the event, please consider registering in advance as your only guaranteed choice.

Q: Who can participate in the events?

A: Anyone! For the most part, anway. The basic rules are:

• Over 18
• Valid Drivers License
• Vehicle Must Pass Tech Inspection

Spectators of all ages are welcome, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. Children over 3 must be registered as a guest

Q: Do I need to be a Discussion List member?

A: No. In the past we required everyone to be a list member to register. This is no longer a requirement, but is strongly recommended to get the full benefit and comraderie of the event. You can join the list by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page. There is a digest version of the list if you prefer less email in your inbox.

Q: Can I bring a guest?

A: Yes, absolutely!…paid guests are allowed to come with you to spectate. If they are going to participate in any of the track events (with their own car or with yours) they MUST register separately in the appropriate racing category and choose a separate identifying number.

Q: What is the difference between a guest and a spectator?

A: None really. A guest is essentially a spectator that is registered by either a participant or spectator. Both have to be registered to get in the gate and neither one can participate in track events without registering for the specific event.

Q: What are the costs to participate?

A: Costs for each event are listed in the shopping car when you click “register”.

Q: What is the refund policy?

A: March 1st is the last date for a 100% guaranteed full refund. After that date we will accept refund requests on a 1st come, 1st served basis, depending on available funds after the event is over, and all costs are considered.

Q: What about car numbers?

A: Car #’s can be chosen during registration.

Q: Can more than one Driver share a single car for the event?

A: YES! Each driver of the car will need to register separately and get their own car number. Depending on the specific event, different car numbers are needed to keep track of who is who.

Q: How do I get an Event T-shirt?

A: Order event T-shirts when you register for the event. Sizes are available from Small to XXXL. T-shirts cannot be shipped due to excessive handling. The shirts will be delivered to the Event. Also, we will have a few extra shirts available for sale at the event as well. Sizes will be limited.

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: What is Autocross (Auto-X)?

A: If you have never tried autocross before, now is the time to try! We are pretty laid back when it comes to autocross at the NFME, and our rules with regards to classes are rather simplified: You probably will not be disqualified if someone happens to notice that your spring perch spacers are missing. However, we will not bend the rules when it comes to safety. Our courses tend to favor larger rear-wheel-drive cars, and we like them open and fast.

Q: Who makes up the Auto-X Support Team?

A: The one and only Patrick Joyce

Q: What are the Rules and Regulations for the Drivers?

A: Scoring and Competition – Cars will be run through a course laid out by either the Autocross organizer or the assistant organizer. The course will be as long as possible and the track allows us to make it very big. Each car will be allowed a minimum of three practice passes and three competition passes through the course for the duration of the event. The quicker we can get organized, the more runs you get. Runs will be timed, and the quickest run will be used for standings.

Anyone late for the competition on Saturday (or whatever day it occurs) will most likely get only half of the competition runs. Typically we run 6 competition runs in groups of 3. Three runs each for Stock/Street Prepared then 3 runs each for Prepared, then back to Stock/SP, etc…

If someone signs up for Auto-X, but can only attend for practice runs, they cannot ask for their competition times to be derived from the practice runs. This is to try and combat the possibility of differing weather conditions between days.(Indy 2003 is an example. Sunny and nice on practice day, monsoons on competition day)

Tips & Suggestions – The course will be available to walk before the races each day. The course might change from day to day (it has in many past years events) so you are highly encouraged to use this time to familiarize yourself with the course.

If you are new to autocross, make sure that you hook up with an experienced autocrosser while walking the course. Most people will be more than happy to share tips and techniques. Also, ask if an experienced autocrosser will ride with you to give you tips. Beginners may also want to check out the Solo II Beginners Handbook.

Cars with Two Drivers – Cars that two drivers are sharing shall have both driver numbers on the windshield. An arrow drawn with shoe polish shall denote which driver is behind the wheel. This will help solve a problem of timers trying to guess which driver is behind the wheel. Also, cars with more than one driver will have their runs split up. For Example, if the car has two drivers and is in the stock/street prepared class: one driver will run in the stock/street prepared class and the other will run with the prepared cars.

Helmets & Safety Gear – This event is for fun but that does not mean you can be reckless! All participants MUST WEAR A CERTIFIED HELMET THAT HAS A SNELL RATING OF 2000 OR NEWER. A helmet listed just with D.O.T. is NOT allowed. Allowable certifications shall be the same as what is required for Road Course School (for a complete list, click here then scroll down to “Non-negotiable Rules”).

Clothing should be loose fitting yet safe. Closed toed shoes should always be worn when competing in a motorsports event. Passengers are allowed as long as they have a helmet and a working seatbelt.

Q: What are the Rules and Regulations for the Cars?

A: Competition Tires – To keep things even, cars running a DOT-rated, competition tire (i.e. VictorRacers, Hoosiers, BFG-R1), will be assessed a 1.5 second penalty in their class. Street tires such as BFG KD, Goodyear GSC/F1, etc will be assessed no penalties.

Organizers may decide to modify these rules dependent upon weather conditions. If a competitor does not want to change tires to street tires during inclement weather, we may decide NOT to assess a penalty. Obviously, in rain, race tires offer no benefit. Of course, this will be a blanket ruling to all cars with race tires.

Tech Inspection – All cars will undergo a tech inspection by an experienced Auto-Xer before they are allowed  to run. Road Race Tech will be honored for the Auto-X event. Drag Racing tech will not.

Major items that will be checked include:

 

• Ball Joints.
• Battery Hold Down.
• Seat Belts.
• Floor Mats (must be removed).
• Loose items floating around in car must be removed.
• No fluids may be leaking.
• All wheel studs must be present.
• Rollcages are not required.
• Cars may run with their windows down (better to hear the groans of drivers killing cones), T-tops out, or convertible tops down unless there is water falling from the sky. .
• Tires and rims must be in acceptable condition.
• No loose body panels or parts that can fall off.
• Wheel trim rings and centercaps should be removed to prevent damage or injury.

For your safety and the safety of others, we suggest following all rules and regulations at all times and carefully listening to the instructors at all times.

It is recommended that if you are running street tires, you add +5 PSI over your standard pressure to the front tires for starters.

Q: What different Classes are run in AutoX?

A: We will have three separate classes, Stock, Street Prepared, and Prepared. Each car will be classified during tech. Classes will compete amongst themselves, with a winner derived from each class. Modifications basically determine which class a car falls into. Here are how we will determine the classes.

STOCK:
Allowed modifications in Solo II Stock classes:

• You are permitted to run -treaded- DOT approved racing tires (but rims of stock size and offset must be used).
• Replacement of the front anti-roll bar.
• Suspension adjustments possible without modification of mount points.
• Replacements (air filter, shocks, muffler, spark plugs) that are considered commonplace.
• Anything can be done to the exhaust after the catalytic converter.

Disallowed modifications in Solo II Stock classes:

• Ride height cannot be lowered and the computer chip cannot be replaced.
• The air induction system cannot be altered in any way.

STREET PREPARED:
This is a class whose philosophy is to allow only a specific list of modifications that might be commonly found on street cars that have been hopped up in some way. Wider rims, rear anti-sway bar, cold air induction, and computer changes are some examples of changes that move you from Stock to Street Prepared. Power adders are not allowed in this class, nor are heads/cam modifications allowed. Subframe connectors are not allowed in this class.

PREPARED:
Anything that does not fit into the above classes will be placed in the Prepared class.

Q: What is the AutoX Schedule during the event?

A: TBA:  We will post a master schedule for all events.

 

Q: If I am signed up for the other events, especially drag racing, will I have time to do both?

A: Yes. In past years, only the drag race time trials have been affected slightly.

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: Who should I contact if I need more information on Drag Racing?

A: For any concerns regarding the dragrace event please contact use the Contact Us link.

Our goal for the Drag Race portion of the National F-body Motorsports Event is to provide the most dragstrip time possible in a friendly & sociable atmosphere. Although we have competitive events, the overiding spirit of the event is comraderie and good sportsmanship, enjoyable to newbies and professional racers alike.

Q: What vehicles can participate?

A: The Drag Race Competition is open to all sports cars registered for the event! (That pass technical inspection, of course)

Q: What are the Rules and Regulations for Drag Racing?

A: Pit Rules

• No burnouts or reckless driving in the pits allowed.
• Obey stated speed limits on return road and in pits.
• No judgement-impairing substances will be tolerated!
• No glass containers please.

Tech Rules

For all Dragrace related Events:

• Your NFME nametag will be used to confirm if you can particpate in the drag race event. Pre-staging personnel will ensure the proper entry on your nametag before you’re allowed to proceed to staging.
• Your NHRA Tech Card will be used as your dragstrip access card. Only cars that have a properly filled out & passed NHRA Tech card will be entered into the track computer system. This will stop un-teched cars at the water box when the staging personnel call for confirmation of your car number in the track computer system. Don’t be that guy, holding up all your fellow dragracers because you didn’t get properly teched!
• Long pants required by all participants – NO EXCEPTIONS! Do not pull into the staging lanes wearing shorts! This has been a problem in the past, with several participants continually breaking this rule. If you do this, you will be asked to leave.
• As of 2009, here are the minimum helmet requirements as described in the NHRA rulebook
• SFI Spec 31.1A = Snell SA, open-face helmet or, SFI Spec 31.2A = Snell SA, full-face helmet or, SFI Spec 41.1A = Snell M, open-face helmet or, SFI Spec 41.2A = Snell M, full-face helmet or, Snell 2000, 2005 and 2008 is acceptable in place of any Snell M-rated helmet.
• NHRA apparel rules apply, such as SFI 3.2A/1 jackets will be mandatory for all drivers in vehicles running between 10.00 to 11.49 seconds.
• NHRA general guidelines including battery tie-down, coolant overflow container, no missing wheel studs or lugs will be adhered to.
• A driveshaft loop will be required on all cars running 13.99 or quicker and utilizing slicks, except vehicles equipped with street tires running 11.49 or slower.
• Convertibles quicker than 13.49 and all other cars quicker than 11.49 require a minimum 5-pt roll bar.
• On any car running 11.49 or quicker, a flywheel and clutch meeting SFI Spec 1.1 or 1.2 and a flywheel shield meeting SFI Spec 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, or 9.1 will be mandatory.
• All NHRA general safety rules may be applied as appropriate for ET/speed of each participant’s vehicle.
• Cars intending to run quicker than 9.99 that do not have a Competition Licence, we have in previous years been able to allow you to run your qualifying passes and be signed off. So get those physicals and chassis vertifications done before the event!!!

For Burnout Contest Only:

• Tires will be inspected for defects, cuts, and dry rot.
• Snap on hub caps must be removed.
• ALL N2O bottles must be removed from the cars.
• Street tires must have 1/8 tread depth across the tire.
• Street slicks and slicks are allowed but must have wear indicators.
• No fluid leaks – a leak is defined as fluid observed dripping from the vehicle at a rate exceeding one drop every 10 seconds.

Q: What is the “Quick” Competition?

A:The “Quick” competition will be open to all GM vehicles. Although the NFME has the F-body as its roots, we all know and acknowledge that fun and excitement can be had in any performance vehicle. Now, sometimes we have done quick 8, and sometimes we have done Quick 16, and here is the deal, if you a 10 second pass with sticky tires or a 12 second pass on real street tires, you will qualify. If we have a Quick 32, then so be it!

Q: What different Classes are run in Drag Racing?

A: The Drag Racing classes are:

Real Street Tire Class:
This means 100% street tires and does not inclue road course/autox tires, drag radials, nor slicks.

Sticky Tire Class: Slicks & DOT sticky racing tire (M&H, M/T, Hoosier, Nitto, BFG drag radials, road course/autox tires, etc, etc, etc).
Manual Tranny Class: Self explanatory, any tire.
Real Street Quick 8/16/32 Class: This means 100% street tires and does not inclue road course/autox tires, drag radials, nor slicks.
Sticky Tire Quick 8/16/32 Class: Slicks & DOT sticky racing tire (M&H, M/T, Hoosier, Nitto, BFG drag radials, road course/autox tires, etc, etc, etc).
No electronics can be utilized in competition, such as delay boxes or throttle stops. Transbrakes and 2 step rev limiters are fine. If you have electronics, they do not have to be removed from the vehicle, this is a gentlemans event (we are not sure about some of us, but you are probably ok) so just do not use them.

Q: What is the Drag Racing Schedule during the event?

A: Here’s the current schedule, but it’s important to remember that the schedule is subject to change in the event of inclement weather. It is the goal of the organizers for everyone to have as much fun as possible in the sun or rain, but it’s important to remember to be flexible and kind to the organizers in the event of rain.

The dragrace program will consist of the following activities:

• Two 1/2 days of Full Tree (.500 light) Test & Tune
• Class-style Full Tree (.500 light) bracket racing
• Overall bracket vs bracket finals
• Quick 8 -Street Tire- and -Sticky Tire- heads up racing on a Pro Tree (.400 light)
• TBA

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.
Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: What are the Rules and Regulations for the Drivers?

A: Pit Marshall is King. Pay attention to him before your lap, and during your lap sessions. Watch the corner workers also since they might be conveying important information using the flags talked about on this page.

Q: What is the Road Course Schedule during the event?

A: TBA

Q: What different Groups are run on the Road Course?

A: The 3 road course groups are broken down into group 1 (Instructors), group 2 (Experienced), and group 3 (Intermediate and Beginners). This is a guideline for who gets placed in what group. It is not a statement of who is better or faster than who. Also, if a pair of drivers are sharing a car, please let the road course organizer know and we will accommodate as best as possible to give the drivers (and the car) time between sessions.

Q: What is the Driver’s Log book?

A: A driver’s log book should be kept with the car at all times during the session. These books are to be used by the instructors to fill out observations made during the previous session. Both positive feedback as well as negative feedback should be provided by the instructor right after the session ends. This will help the student know what they are doing both right and wrong and will give them some things to work on as the event goes on. This will then inform the next instructor of what issues they should focus on for that next session. The books will highlight:

1. Safety
2. Driver’s Position
3. Visual Awareness
4. Line
5. Overall Driving Skills 6. Solo Sign-Off

 

Q: How long do I need to have an instructor?

A: It is mandatory for the beginner groups to have an instructor ride along with them for both days unless you get checked off solo. The beginners can also opt to take a few laps in the instructors’ cars as a passenger (this is highly recommended). Additionally, for the first day we will mark brake points, turn in, apex and exit points with cones to help the beginners get used to the track more quickly. Of course these cones will only mark suggested points as each driver has a different style.

Q: Can I have a passenger OR can I be a passenger?

A: Passengers – Rides with Instructors will be available first for drivers in the beginner, the intermediate, then the advanced group. After all drivers have been placed in a car operated by an instructor, any one else wishing a ride can request one. It is the up to the discretion of the Instructor as to whether or not he/she takes a passenger who is not signed up to drive the road course. Passengers will be allowed for all drivers who have been checked off solo. All passengers must wear the same protective clothing required by the driver (long pants, shirt, socks, shoes, & helmet) and must be strapped in with at least the same restraints as the driver is using. Most instructors and veteran road course drivers are happy to help spread the addiction to speed and will be happy to let someone ride along.

Q: What happens if it rains?

A: In Case of Rain – The road course event runs rain or shine but due to the treacherous conditions that rain on the dragstrip front straight causes we will alter the use of the road course. The front straight will be at a constant yellow as long as the pit marshall and road course organizer feels the track is wet and treacherous. All drivers will continue like this until the front stretch is deemed dry enough to run on again.

Q: What are the NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES?

A: Non-negotiable Rules – The following lists behavior that will not be tolerated. This behavior will get you expelled from the event – no exceptions:

• DO NOT PISS OFF GLENN 🙂
• Use of nitrous on the road course.
• Not using a seat belt.
• Not using an approved helmet. Cannot be older than the current rating or the previous 2 Snell rating periods. In other words, if the year is 2009, then your helmet must be rated either an SA/M’05 (current), 2000 or ’95 (previous 2 ratings).
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages at any time at the track facility.
• Failure to observe/follow corner worker flags.
• Driving in an unsafe manner two or more times in a day, ie; two black flags per day.
• Passing under a yellow flag.
• Passing anywhere other than passing zones.
• Reckless Driving.

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: What is the Car Show?

A: Chris and Tammy Ritter are the organizers for the event, but this is not your normal car show here! No Q-tips or cotton balls, no 1000 point judging system, no drive-em-off-the-trailer-only Trailer Queens. These cars run as fast as they look good! YOU are the judge, not some snob in a tweed jacket with white gloves, a dental mirror and a magnifying glass.

Q: What is the Car Show Schedule?

A: The car show will begin first thing Friday and into the evening in the hotel parking lot then continue until the end of lunch, 1:00PM, on Saturday. – Throughout the event there will be “Car Show Rows” setup in high traffic areas both at lunchtime in the paddock and in the evening at the HQ hotels parking lot. – All ballots must be turned in by the end of lunch, 1:00 PM, on Saturday.  – Ballots will be tallied Saturday afternoon to determine the winner. – Winners will be announced at the banquet Saturday evening.

Q:What are the Rules and Regulations for the Car Show?

A: Entering the Car Show show is free – however you will have to pay the “misc fee” that is applied if you participate in any event, car show included, to cover the cost of trophies.

• You will receive a dash card at the welcome desk. Anytime your car is parked, put the card on the dash. The card will contain your registration number, owner name, vehicle information, and any outstanding features.
• All owners will receive a ballot at the welcome desk to fill out and turn in anytime from start to finish. There will be a ballot box in the paddock at the NFME HQ pop-up tent, or after racing see Chris, Tammy, Joe or Megan.  Only one ballot per vehicle, please.
• Throughout the event there will be “Car Show Rows” setup in high traffic areas both at lunchtime in the paddock and in the evening at the HQ hotels parking lot. It is not mandatory for your car to be in “Car Show Row” to be voted on, but it will help exposure for your car.
• All ballots must be turned in by the end of lunch, 1:00 PM, on Saturday. Ballots will be tallied Saturday afternoon to determine the winner. To reinforce the motorsports nature of the NFME, 2 bonus points will be given to cars that compete in each of the 3 on-track events (dragrace, autocrosss, road course) for a maximum of 6 bonus points. This will hopefully help balance the field between the folks who come and race and the 100% showcar, garage queens. The only caveat is that you must receive at least one non-bonus vote for your votes to count (in other words, you can’t win a trophy with bonus points alone; somebody’s got to vote for you also).
• Aside from the “Best of Show” trophy, no car can win more than one trophy.

Q: Who makes up the Car Show Support Team?

A: Pollsters – Their job is to get out the vote and collect ballots. & Car Show Row setup – Their job is to help cordon off and setup “Car Show Rows” in the paddock and at the hotel parking lot Chris and Tammy Ritter

Q: What different classes are in the Car Show?

A: Trophies will be awarded for winner and runner up in the following classes:

• Best of Show
• Best Non-Fbody
• Best First Generation
• Best Second Generation
• Best Third Generation
• Best Fourth Generation
• Best Fifth Generation

 

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: Where can I find more information or discussion on caravans from my area?

A: Our friends at the FRRAX forums have created a forum for event participants to discuss their caravan plans. If you’d like to see what caravans have formed already, you’ll want to go to this thread. If you don’t see your particular area covered already, you can start a new thread to get the ball rolling.
Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: What host hotel will the NFME be using?

A: We will be using the Hilton Memphis. Our group code is “National Fbody Event” and the rate is $129/night (+tax). Security will be provided for our separate, designated parking area, and the welcome meeting will be held here as well. Their info is: 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard Memphis, TN 38120 (901) 684-6664 We have a contract and are responsible for a certain # of rooms, please remember to book using our room block info above

Q: How would I go about finding someone to share a room to reduce my costs?

A: The best way to find a roommate to share housing costs is to join the mailing list and post a message.

For the most part we will be at the track or bench racing in the parking lot, so you won’t be spending much time in the room anyway!

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click the button below to join the Event Mailing List.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Q: How much does it cost to put this event on?

A: Around $15k

Q: Do the organizers make any money from the event?

A: No, we are all volunteers. For 2015 we have instituted a “benefactor” group of long-time, dedicated attendees that have all put significant $ up well in advance to try and guarantee the event can happen.  Don’t think that means it’s all paid for…we only cover about 1/3.  Your registration helps to cover the rest.  Without advance registrations the even will not happen.  For many years the event has been a zero-sum or losing proposition money-wise, but it’s a fantastic thrill and a great vacation and those of us that contribute do it because we love it.  If you are interested in an all-events-included, SUPER VIP package, please use the “benefactor” membership option located in the registration page.

Q: Is there a flyer I can use to tell other people about the event?

A: Yes! You can now download and print a 8.5″ x 11″ pdf flyer for the event.

Remember that the purpose of these marketing materials is to drive traffic to our web site, so they are simple and to the point.

Q: How do I get more information if the question I have is not listed in the FAQ?

A: The best way to ask a question not addressed by the FAQ is to join the Event mailing list.

The list is available in digest form if you don’t want to receive each post to the list as a separate e-mail.

Click here to join the NMFE Discussion List

Barry S. – Ont.

My first event was Memphis 97, I had a fresh 455 HO motor in the Trans Am and shattered the harmonic balancer on the Friday afternoon. I hitched a ride will a fellow Canuck to try to track down some parts in Memphis and left my wife at the track with the car. We got stuck in Friday rush hour traffic and got back to the track just as a torrential down pour hit. What do I see but my car leaving the track on someone else’s trailer. Seems a bunch of the boys from Texas pushed it onto Jack W’s trailer and Jack was driving his 69 Camaro in the downpour with no wipers (and no gas as it turned out). I was out in the rain the next morning, under the car still on Jack’s trailer changing the balancer. BTW – I had just met Jack for the first time that day.

Pete S. – IN

My first event was in 03 as a complete drag race rookie. Thanks to the great folks there I was taught what I needed and had a blast ever since.

Dorrie R. – VA

Our first event was St. Louis ’99. We have always had a blast at the events – at the track, the hotel parking lot, dinners… I’m glad we are heading back to Memphis this year. I’ve enjoyed hitching a ride on the road course… first ride was with Randy B. in the E-Ticket… what was that speed down the drag strip… 135? 140? Then Eric in his Z06, Dean in his Comp. Looking forward to hitching a ride again this year… hmmm who has the fastest car???

Then there was the time it was raining in Memphis and about 20 of us were all huddled under two tents when Joe C. says… all we need now is hail… and the skies obliged. 🙂

Mike M. – MT

I think it was 1998. Memphis and Joe doing a burn out under the canopy at the Holiday Inn. The tire smoke triggered the automatic doors to the hotel lobby and in went all the smoke on the freshly painted lobby. Needless to say we were not invited back the next year.

Another Memphis event was when a group of hungry event goers decided to make a trip down the street to the local Waffle House. It was raining and not wanting to get wet they took one of the pop up canopies and huddled under it then picked it up and made their way to the Waffle House. They did use the proper hand signals when making turns.

[ed note: we strongly discourage hotel burnouts now since there aren’t that many hotels left.]

Jim H. – NJ

I *think* it was the 02 event and I *think* it was in Memphis. My TA was broken (still is) so my brother Bill and I drove his 4 door, black, 4 bangin’ Cavalier to the event to do some spectating. In the hotel parking lot, surrounded by some powerful f-bodies and a few big ol’ Diesel tow rigs, the mighty Cavalier came to the rescue and was used to jump start a tour bus. All of the raw power of that car netted me a nice speeding ticket somewhere in VA on the way home from that event.

I also remember something about “The 4” (Indy, maybe 05?) but I’d rather forget, I’m sure Joe C. can fill in all of the details I’ve erased from memory. Lesson learned, it’s easy to pickup (insert your own unpleasant adjectives) mid-western chicks when you’re Big Pimpin’ in a barely running TransAm. 🙂

Rob R. – VA

My big Jim H. moment was in Indy. Something about an old man in a 3rd gen….

Lined up and I hole shotted him and it was over just as fast. I kind of remember hearing something about being beat by an old guy as I crossed the beams.

BTW, for those that weren’t there or too old to remember, this was a foot race to the 60′ mark

Bock F. – FL

My favorite memory is Marcus S. suckering me into running my 69 Z on the road course. It started a terrible addiction which I cant seem to quit.

[Ed Note: I seem to remember Bock’s first ride on the road course with Randy B. Bock ended up lying down in the infield grass for about 20 minutes holding his head and stomach. Ha!]

Joe C. – MI

I have soooo many memories that I just can’t even put them all down….

1 is my burnout in my truck until the tires were 2 inches deep into the parking lot and we had 2 balls of rubber the size of softballs (I still have 1) at the same hotel that Jeff C. ruined the stone under the canopy with a burnout… same hotel that we left under the ez-up going to the awful house to juggle eggs…also, one of the things that are in common with all of these things is that Steve D. from Performance SS was either present or fleeing in all instances, including the creation of the original “_affle house” sign.

That was a good year, but so were all the rest…..

TJ K. – MD

(5? 8?) car group burnout in a tunnel in Memphis (under the airport runway IIRC)

630 miles in 8.5 hours door to door. Only slightly impressive (and not at all given the record set by the Cannonball crew) but I was in a caravan with a guy driving a ~ 13 year old firebird with an iron duke that couldn’t break 90 except drafting downhill. 😀

Open collectors runs around the track, resulting in gunshot sounds as I hit the rev limiter coming out of the first turn

Dean F. – MI

Well, my first year was ’98 in St. Louis. I had an absolute BLAST! I’ve never given so many people rides on an auto-X course in my life. Since then, I’ve never missed an event and hopefully never will.

It’s the final day of road course action of Memphis ’00. I’m passing everybody like they’re parked and have quit looking in my mirrors. I’ve been signed off, so there’s no instructor with me, and I’m enjoying the ride as I gobble up the track and the other drivers. Because there’s always a lull in the action on the main stretch, I go through the (now standard) routine of checking gauges and my mirrors. Gauges are all OK, but when I look in the inside rear-view, I can see nothing but black WS-6. What the…? I give the pass signal and he passes me like I’m using a walker! No problem, I dog his butt! I pushed the gas to the floor, as if that would help. Within half a lap, I’m wondering where he went.

After the session, I went to find out who that “masked man” was. Turned out that Nick S. had “borrowed” a car, apparently just to teach me a lesson. He did! Always check your mirrors, cuz you’re NEVER the fastest car on the track!!!

Dave Z. – DE

1. Trailering “down the mountain” in the dark, on the way with some Molly Hatchet turned up to 60. Next time, I’ll just choose to catch up in the flat sections.

2. Coming off turn 2 (Memphis) with a student who executed an absolutely bueautiful track-out(that I was NOT able to duplicate myself), with an almost involuntary “WOOO!”. I learned that I should warn students ahead of time that if they were to actually do something 100% right, that the way they need to deal with the next section of track is DIFFERENT than when the previous section is done 80% right.

3. I took a ride in the 600HP vette to breakfast.. “It’s not scary– once the tires break loose all you can use is half throttle anyway” -yeah, that was comforting.

4. The part of the announcment on the radio that said “If you are in a mobile home, GET OUT!”. 😮

Chris A. – NC

Doing carb tuning at the Memphis event one year, I made about 15 passes where I would shut down the engine and pull off on the return road to check my plugs. Every single car that went down the track stopped to ask if I needed any help.

What finally sunk in is that once you attend the event you become part of a family. The family is often dysfunctional, but a family nonetheless. 🙂

Another favorite memory was when a group of event guys were doing burnouts on a service road a couple blocks from the hotel. Tony R. asked me to do one in his car since he just couldn’t seem to do one. I proceeded to take about 15,000 miles worth of rubber off his tires then reminded him that he needs to turn off his traction control first.

Pat J. – IN

I think it was in Indy, but a few of us were hanging out in the hotel parking lot and someone’s kid was riding around on a Razor scooter. Since nothing was going on, I threw a few cones out in the parking lot and made a slalom. Being the responsible adults that we are, we “borrowed” the scooter. Before long, it turned into a 15 turn scootercross course, we added numbers and a cupholder to the scooter and added the little-known, SCCA approved mandatory shot or guzzled beer halfway through the course. As night fell, drunken racing on a child’s toy in the dark was ruled “not dangerous enough”, so the sanctioning body deemed that all competitors must run the course with two large lit bottle rockets strapped to the scooter under your feet, and they would explode right about when you tried to make the second or third turn. After much heated competition, Kevin D. was crowned “Grand Master Scootercross Champion of the Midwest” by virtue of finishing the course 14 times out of 18 attempts, but making it through the drink station on 17 of them.

Joe M. – OH

Jove M. realizing that although the Janis Joplin 8-track would play, he couldn’t hear it over the exhaust.

Doug J. learning (and proving that we are never too old to learn) that the best way to stop a spinning trailer tire is NOT to use your hand.

Half of the caravan taking the REALLY long way around Louisville, and then driving like the wind to catch up with the rest of the caravan that took the short way. (I was trying to guide them, but it was like herding cats)

Tom B. trying to find something in the bed of his truck and accidentally setting off his fire extinguisher

Team Classic BBQ’s

Oh hell, the whole damn thing’s just a blast!

Larry M. – OH

How about cajuns [Steve D.] doing burnouts with their cars still strapped on their trailers?

How do I get in on all this fun?

Click “register” on the left side of the page and add the events you want to participate in. (Remember, unless you choose one of the VIP options, you MUST ADD 1REQUIRED in addition to your choices of events.