Big Willow in Feb

[Jad]

FYI, the first weekend in Feb apparently is the BIG soccer tournament, so all the hotels are basically booked. Call now and call around to find a room. See you there!

[GeorgeB]

Do you know where I can find the flyer for the event.
In other words, whats the exact date and when do I have to show up for tech? How do I register?

Thanks,

George

[martinreinhardt]

George,

Usually it is:
- Friday FINAL TECH and REGISTRATION AT INN OF LANCASTER (parking lot) – 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday FINAL TECH AT TRACK – 7 a.m.–7:45 a.m.– get there early.

Time Trial Calendar (Click on the date to download the PDF registration form):
http://www.pcasdr.org/porsche_events/track_events/timetrial/calendar/index.php

VERY IMPORTANT DON'T SPEED ON HIGHWAY 14 !!! (Don't ask how I know )

[993Panzer]

Martin,

Didn't you get that police officer on video?

[GeorgeB]

Thanks Martin.

I heard your speeding story... several of them... but yes , the one that happened in "the valley". Its not that speeding in the valley is the problem, rather just don't haul *** up to the rear of a chippy. They don't like that.

For some of you "the valley" means something different like the simi valley, or san jauquin valley but I unfortunately grew up in Palmdale and we called that whole lancaster, quartz hill,palmdale, little rock, and pearblossom "the valley". Some where along its history it got the name Antelope Valley but I had never seen an antelope there nor do I know anyone that had seen a antelope there... Oops I digress.
Only got one speeding ticket there my hole life. In my 73 Plymouth Fury comvertable , 318 motor, vacuum assisted drum brakes, plastic rear window that you couldn't see out of, and no side mirrors since some one broke them off.
But you are correct, they are hunting you. And I learned at a young age how to speed and not get caught because I was being hunted by the best. I really enjoyed gunning my 77 pontiac Astre (2.5 litre Iron duke motor, modified holley carb, header,glass pack muffler, lowered, koni shocks, and semi mettalic brake pads) down the mountain towards aqua dulce trying to top the car out. maxed out about 115 down hill i think. speedo went to 80 so I had to multiply the rpms to get my speed. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it had a automatic transmission. Couldn't afford a real car like a Chevelle 396... but at least the car had a rear spoiler just like the Transam! I later converted the auto tranny to a borg warner 5 speed.... Hmm. gots me thinking. Shure would like a 5 speed in my 930.

George

[martinreinhardt]

Martin,

Didn't you get that police officer on video?

I wish I had it on film, it could have saved me giving $400 to Starsky.

I heard your speeding story... several of them... but yes , the one that happened in "the valley". Its not that speeding in the valley is the problem, rather just don't haul *** up to the rear of a chippy. They don't like that.

Yes, I have some crazy stories and some where the cop only saw my dust. Don't try that in this country !!!

[kurquhart]

Don't try that in this country !!!

Yeah, well your country sent me a ticket in the mail, and got really nasty until I paid up. Never even saw the camera, much less a police car.

[martinreinhardt]

Yes, it's a special unit for speed traps, they use unmarked cars (mostly a dark blue or siver Opel's or a VW Bus at the time) using out of state plates and wear civilian clothes. If stationed they hide the tripod or put camouflage over it. They won't pull you over, just send you the ticket in the mail.

"Die Fliegende" (White BMW's with 2 cops inside) are similar to the CHP here and can go anywhere in their state.

[Pete Millikin]

Assumng you get there without a speeding ticket...

I called the Inn of Lancaster Fri 1/5 and they only had rooms for Friday 2/2. An alternative is Essex house at 661-948-0961 or a poorer alternative is Desert Inn at 661-942-8401. I'd suggest booking now or you will have a choice of fleabag hotels, sleeping in your car or begging for floorspace.

[Tim Comeau]

Ah, yes......speeding tickets....
Good times......
Hey, if you guys miss out on track time or just want some more, NASA is at Willow Springs the following weekend, Feb. 10-11, and there's a great racing school put on by Driving Concepts. Passing this school will get you a rookine racing license for NASA and the BMW CCA. It's also a shortcut for getting a POC racing license.

[Tawfik]

There are a few bigger hotels a bit further from the track (Just a couple more miles west on 14). I believe they are at the Ave K exit.
Mariott courtyard, Residence Inn, Holiday inn express, Sheraton, Motel 6.

[kurquhart]

I was looking at how to get to Willow Springs, and found this detour map:
http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/images/detour.jpg

Basically, off of the 15 they advise taking 395 to 18 instead of the 138 until "late 2007".

But when I look at road conditions on the CalTrans site, they report "NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS" for 138.

Has anyone been up there in the recent past? I would hate to see a repeat of the trip home from Pahrump.

[Tim Comeau]

In Dec., at the 15N to 138 exit, I saw a sign that said detour, but a friend had just gone that way (138) maybe 30m-1hr before me. He said he only had to wait for one way traffic once for about 5 minutes. I went through without stopping. The detour isn't terrible. You just go up 15N a little more then head west on 18.

[Pete Millikin]

There was a similar warning on the Cal trans site in November. The construction hours (M-F) were posted on the site and since I drove up Fri nght and came back Sun there was no delay.

[kurquhart]

Cool. I have also heard that it is quicker to turn north somewhere around Pearblossom instead of driving though Palmdale to the 14. What is the best route?