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Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 07:40 AM

All,
I am currently looking for some suggestions for the 2005 MUSR site. I want to try to keep it to the NE Texas, SW Arkansas area. I think that getting it somewhere farther south will draw in more Houston/Austin people without forcing the Arkansas/Oklahoma people to not come.


Any suggestions?

Posted by: Stutgart46 Nov 14 2004, 07:53 AM

How about near Motorsports Ranch? I'm not sure what's in that area but we could we could use the track for time trials, d.e., etc.
Or maybe Fredricksburg, I've heard it's really nice.
There's my $.02.

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 08:09 AM

Damn Clay. I was just last night composing an email for the group to nail down a place. Here is better. Don't ya worry about the Oklahoma people. We'll be there. I think where is not as important as getting it set now. Although we had a great time at Western Hills, I wish we had more than six weeks to put it together. I agree that moving it a little farther south will open it up to more south Tx. people, but nw ark could draw some from Tn, Mo, Miss.

When should be a concern too. I would also like to attend Seans FFC, and some of those folks might join us if the dates don't conflict. First weekend in Oct. is PCA club racing at Hallett.

Curt

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 09:57 AM

I like the idea of Motorsport Ranch, but there's not much in that area other than that.

Fredricksburg is a little far south, but doable, If the OK and ARK folks will come.


What this board needs is an Event Calendar that can be updated with dates so we can see what doesn't conflict.

Doable?

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 10:01 AM

Hey admin, you should know, we already have a calender.

Where is Fredricksburg?

Posted by: spare time toys Nov 14 2004, 10:10 AM

Im in favor of the ranch. Hope I have the car done by then. MUSR at MSR

Posted by: seanery Nov 14 2004, 10:16 AM

yup, we's gots ones of thoses.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 10:23 AM

Ya know.. I have seen that link every time I come here, but it never registered...

Ok.. so I am a dumbasss.... give me a break. It's sunday and I am sitting inside on the computer instead of working on my 914.

Cant get motivated.

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 10:24 AM

Ok, I found fredricksburg. Not too far from Tulsa (about 9 hours), but won't that be in the area of Tony Chavez's spring tour? How about the Texarkana/Nacadoches/Lufkin area?

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 11:00 AM

Isn't motorsports ranch around Ft. Worth? Seems there should be lots to do in there, but aren't the roads in that area kinda flat and straight?

Clay, should we nail this to keep in on the first page?

Posted by: seanery Nov 14 2004, 11:46 AM

What you guys need to do is form a committee and we'll set up an area in the Event Planning forum.

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 11:56 AM

Sean, I don't think we want to set up a planning commitee just yet. That will probably be left to Charlie Davis and the sig group. Clay is just trying to get ideas on a location. I think we want this to be open to all who are interested in posting. For now, anyway.

Posted by: GWN7 Nov 14 2004, 12:23 PM

I liked the Belle Starr Lodge (even tho I missed everyone by about an hour) The roads up to it were interesting trailering a 914 and the view from the back of the lodge was great. It even stopped raining long enough to get out and walk around for a bit.

Posted by: Joseph Mills Nov 14 2004, 12:55 PM

Going too far south will lose OK/AR people.

Look at your map. Any of these three: northern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, or southwestern Arkansas, strike a very good geographical balance.

Timewise, I would suggest rolling the date back to September. First, it would present a larger time frame between two major 914 events (FFC & MUSR).

Second, there would be MUCH less chance of RAIN (3.7" in Sep as opposed to 5.2" in Oct). My bicycling group no longer schedules races in Oct. for this very reason.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 01:10 PM

I can only bring up the date suggestion to the group that actually does the planning. Charlie always pushes for later in Oct, but everyone else seems to want it earlier. The one year we had it on Halloween weekend, we ended up in the dark for everything.

I am strictly looking for site suggestions here. I will attempt to make sure that it doesn't interfere with the FFC, but I can't guarantee anything. Nacadoches would be interesting, but we need someone who can go check it out for roads.

Around here, all we have are freeways and lots of traffic. Not something that I would like for a ramble. Finding twisties here is like finding diamonds in a pig sty. The land is too flat so the roads get built in a straight line. It's cheaper.

Seems all the good roads are in the hills.

SE Arkansas sounds good too. But where?

Posted by: Lawrence Nov 14 2004, 01:19 PM

On topic... should we return to Hot Springs?

That one was *great*.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 01:27 PM

Rusty,

I don't think that we need a planning forum quite yet. I was looking for ideas. It seems the best location for the most people has the worst roads....

We did Hot Springs in 2003. Too soon to redo it. You were in-country, and missed the event.

Someone recently mentioned a place with good roads, one including a dropoff on one side and a cliff on the other. Who mentioned it and where was it?

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 01:39 PM

Yeah Rusty, I knew that. And I am not!! Just finding tour routes and banquet location was enough stress for me. However, it was my pleasure to show you guys my little corner of the world.

I agree. It's too soon to go back to Hot Springs. Anyone know anything about the Wright Patman lake area outside of Texarkana?

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 02:10 PM

I like the idea of NE Tx. could bring in folks from different areas

Posted by: Joseph Mills Nov 14 2004, 02:21 PM

At this year's Ramble, we had beautiful countryside, cool "touring" roads and an autocross event. Difficult to find this combination each year. But maybe we don't have to do all of it each time. Let each year have a different emphasis.

I think Motorsport Ranch sounds GREAT for an MUSR! It would provide an extensive "hands on" driving experience for 914 drivers. It would be an MUSR "Goes to the Track" type of event.

We could have a classroom AND in-car, instructor/student event by itself. Followed by a skidpad & braking distance pad that would be very valuable for most teener owners in tweaking their car setup - not to mention being fun. And we could call on some of our 914 gurus for some hands on mechanical tech sessions. And top it all off with an AX and/or Track Event.

Doesn't the area offer plenty of facilities for lodging, dining, shopping, etc?

This would be at the expense of not having such an ideal "scenic" touring opportunity for the event (although we could still have our rally - which is loads of fun).

So maybe the following year we could return to Talemina Drive or Arkansas and focus on scenic tours.

two cents Fort what it's Worth

Posted by: cha914 Nov 14 2004, 03:20 PM

I think MSR would be cool...but we really need to look into cost, as it seems that if we wanted to actually get on the track it would really drive up the cost of the event, which might turn alot of the non track types away...

personally though, I think it sounds like a great idea...I don't know what the roads are like around the ft worth area, but it sounds like a good excuse to drive up there and find out...

Tony

Posted by: James Adams Nov 14 2004, 04:14 PM

Grandbury would be a good location to stay if we wanted to do it at MSR. Lots of B&Bs and some touristy stuff. The tour roads are kinda lacking unless we go a little south, though.

Posted by: Joseph Mills Nov 14 2004, 04:22 PM

Good point Tony. I have no idea what the cost would be. But maybe if that track is too expensive, we could find other venue sites in the area that would offer ample space at a reasonable cost.

Do we have "non track types" in our group?

Just seems to me, a "day at the track" idea would be a great way to celebrate 914s.

Posted by: dakotaewing Nov 14 2004, 04:48 PM

For those of us who are either non-track types, or don't have a track car, there are not really any enjoyable "touring" roads in the DFW-MSR area... To summerize, it is
FLAT!!!!!!!
This is just my opinion, and I have expressed it before, but from a driving (touring)experience, the DFW area, meaning that within 150 miles in ANY direction, does'nt work... - Just FYI, I've been here about 40 years.... (Rant Off)
Also, from a planning standpoint, if we plan the event in Sept.,to avoid conflict with the FFC, a northern location will give us an advantage as far as weather...
Jimmy Wilkenson spoke of an area near HWY 23 in SE AR that he thought would be awesome, and Charlie agreed... Anybody know more about this local?
Just my .00002....
-Thom

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 04:59 PM

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, wouldn't it have to be classified as a DE in order for PCA insurance to cover it?

I'm betting $125.00 minimum for a one day event, and we would have to triple our annual attendance numbers. Hallett is 125 for 1 day, or 225 for 2 days, and that's with 100 plus cars. Qualified instructors would also have to be on hand.

Yeah, we got some non track types in the group. Not everyones car will pass a tech, and some are too nice to subject them to track use. Road couses can be very hard on unsuspecting cars.

That said, Count me in! I love DE! gonna do Hallett again in may.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 05:01 PM

A day at the track would probably keep a lot of the core MUSR folks away. About half of the group that has traditionally come to the MUSR would not be interested in a track day. Plus, finding an open date at the Motorsport ranch, plus experienced instructors would be two other problems. Plus everyone would have to have SA helmets, fire suits, and the proper required licensing. See

http://www.motorsportranch.com/

IIRC Maverick region charges 125.00 an entry for a DE at Motorsport Ranch, and there is a waiting list for the novice run group.

To do it individually it's 2500.00 for a membership initiation fee, plus monthly dues of 75.00 and 20.00 a pop for each 25 minute session.


I love the idea, but it's really not feasable. To put it bluntly, Charlie Davis is very frugal with the SIG money. I had a hard time selling him on the extra cost of the trophys this year. In the past they budjeted 7 (seven) dollars a trophy! Bearing that in mind, there is no way they will spring for a club type membership for Motorsport Ranch, and the Maverick region DE group is not going to give up one of their days for the 914SIG. Plus the insurance costs will make it impossible if we did not use the SIG.

Now... I had proposed a "Rambling Ramble".

We all meet in a town on Thursday, and we stay the night. On Friday morning, we get up and drive to our next stop. Max of 4 hours on the road. Then we spend the afternoon and evening with tech sessions, tech quiz ect. One of the legs moving to another location could be the rally, etc.

I had suggested Paris (TX) to New York (TX). Lots of senic roads, but not really a twisty setup.

Posted by: dakotaewing Nov 14 2004, 05:20 PM

Clay,
As it was stated previously, the rambling ramble requires everyone packing up their cars on a daily ongoing basis, which would most likely get old for most of the SO's that attend these events... Have you driven the roads from Paris to New York..? Are they worth taking 3 days of your time off work to enjoy driving twisty's, that these events were designed for..? I'll put my tough in-my-cheek here, but this is also a serious question -
-Thom

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 14 2004, 05:27 PM

Clay, I like the rambling ramble idea, but I travel very light, and never really unpack the car anyway. I'm the minority. Kinda tough for the ones that are trailering. Kerr Lodge to Bell Starr lodge was a fiasco.

Ok, forget MSR. Join me at Hallett.

Tom, 23 runs north and south thru most of Arkansas. It's the main road thru down town Eureka Springs. Very good road. Lots of interesting stuff south of I-40 also.

Posted by: Lawrence Nov 14 2004, 05:32 PM

Next year will be the 7th Annual MUSR. With the exception of the weekend that spilled over into November, it's traditionally held in October.

I think moving it to earlier in the year (September) to accomodate the fledgling FFC will be a hard sell to the group. Not trying to start a fight among group organizers... just saying how it is.

-Rusty

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 14 2004, 05:37 PM

Actually, If you include the Renegade 914 club meets that were the predecessor of the MUSR, this would be the 10th year.

Ok, Let's get back to WHERE to go....

Posted by: cha914 Nov 14 2004, 08:04 PM

I know of good roads around Austin and San Antonio...but I am guessing those would be too far south for most ... DFW is the concrete wonderland, we might be able to get a good AutoX site though, and we could go for late night runs where we get five wide on the hiways and see who has the best 60 to 120 pulls

Are there any interesting roads around Waco? Never really been around that area other than on the hiway...

How about texarkana again just another place that I have gone through on the hiway...

Posted by: spare time toys Nov 15 2004, 12:16 PM

If we do this in the DFW area I will help find sponsers. If my car isnt done Ill help work the track or check points in a road rally.

Posted by: Lawrence Nov 15 2004, 12:17 PM

DFW was a good ramble.. but it was focused on and around the autocross. Autocross classes, autocross day, etc. The Solana was far out enough that there wasn't HUGE amounts of traffic.

Not that I really remember it much... I was so jetlagged, the only thing that is really clear was the adrenaline rush of my first AX.

-Rusty

Posted by: Pam Nov 15 2004, 12:44 PM

Hmmmm......hadn't seen me in 10 months and the thing he remembers is the AX??

-Pam

Posted by: Lawrence Nov 15 2004, 02:37 PM

Uhhh...

Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 15 2004, 09:31 PM

I know it's in NW Arkansas, but can someone check out the Eureka Springs area? It might be a location we could investigate.

Also, is there someone who can suggest a location in NW Louisiana? Are there any good roads there?

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 15 2004, 10:09 PM

Did that this year. Eureka is too crowded. too much traffic, and the wrong time of the year. That's why we went to Western Hills.

Posted by: dakotaewing Nov 15 2004, 10:58 PM

Clay,
Call or email Charlie, or for that matter the MUSR group that had going pre-MUSR,
and let's see what Charlie's thought's were in regard to the southern part of
HWY 23... Or for that matter, I will do it tomorrow if no one objects...
Thom

Posted by: vsg914 Nov 18 2004, 01:19 PM

Tom, anything to report about conversation with CD?

Posted by: dakotaewing Nov 18 2004, 03:34 PM

I have not had the chance to even think about sending the email, and the only reason I am answering this I am on hold with a flood cert company on the phone -
I will send out the email to the "group" we had going before the MUSR... Or anyone who was on the list previously can do it... Tony Chavez -please send me your email -

This week is crazy at work, and on top of it all Heather and I found a house (BIG) in DeSoto that we made an offer on over the weekend.... Inspections tomorrow -
Close the 10th of December...
-Thom

Posted by: jr91472 Nov 18 2004, 04:49 PM

I know you all already did Hot Springs, but I think if you want twisties, that is the most "central" to the area you are considering.

but I'll go anywhere.

Posted by: dakotaewing Nov 19 2004, 08:11 AM

Email was sent last night.. I expect ALL to reply... LOL
Please let me know if you did not receive it...
-Thom