Daytona:)

[princess_fiona]

Hey guys Daytona is just around the corner.  Hope to see ya'll there!  (good times, good weather, and a safe return!) :D

[CRAZYBOB]

Anyone else find the limited info available on Daytona confusing?  I need some insight from peopel that have been there.  First the garage deal?  Open air, enclosed?  What the hell is an open air garage.  Sounds like a parking lot to me but please tell me.  Also, is there electic available?  Can you just park in a parking lot somewhere and not pay anyone?  

Also, I saw you can keep your garage almost to the next weekend.  Why?  Are you allowed to sleep in your garage or something?

How does the team hammer practice day work?  Are threre different groups?  Is it run like a track day? Is it worth it?  

Um, any info or good advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Can't answer all your questions, but here is some info.
Open-air garages are roofs on poles.  Enclosed garages are sheds with garage doors.  In either case, one roof is covering a community garage area that you have an assigned piece of.
If you work out of your trailer, you'll be out on the asphalt.  No stakes in the pavement, so you'll need to find a different way to tie down your canopy if you bring one.  When you have a garage either open or closed, you're expected to move in, then haul your trailer to the south 40 for the duration of the event.
Tow vehicles are not allowed in the pits.  Once you set up, the tow vehicle must be removed to another parking lot.  For the rest of the event, you're expected to park and walk in to your pits.
Everyone gets kicked out around 5 or 6 pm.  If you break your bike, you'll have to take it with you and find another place to work on it overnight.
Daytona managment is VERY serious about these rules, and has a fair-sized police force on-site to insure that they are followed.  This IS NOT your racer-friendly local bullring, bucko....
Hope that helps a bit!

[Eric Kelcher]

Hey Onwiler--you need to go back!  The open air garages are now quite nice enclosed structures.  No doors, but they're very nice indeed.

You can park your trailer in front of your garage now (if you have one) or you can park it somewhere else, space permitting.  Not usually a problem though.
Parking is much closer now, so it's not the long walk it used to be.
Everyone does still get kicked out one hour after the last checkered flag, however they do now offer camping inside the speedway.  You won't have access to the pits (there will be security keeping you out), but at least you won't have to worry about driving back to the racetrack with a hang-over.  :)
Daytona still employs our former war heroes and they DO AN EXCELLENT JOB (love ya Art).

Tiff

[spyderchick]

Hey Onwiler--blah blah blah...

Tiff

 ;D

Hey tiff...use your own sig name!

How's it going? Did the house fall into the lake yet or did y'all sell it? Inquiring minds... ;)

[TiffineyIngram]

Hi Alexa!  It's hard to know which one is signed in...but the next time a girl topic comes up I'll be sure to use Eric's name to comment.  The house is still alright, but the hole's still there.  The good news is that Eric and I are closing on a piece of land in Azle (about an hour from here but only 12 miles from the new CCS office) on February 17th so sometime soon we'll be building our dream home.  Our lawsuit is about to be filed against the developer/builder/City of Irving about the hole so we'll see what happens...

How are you?  I lurk on here sometimes but haven't heard about Rhiannon much.  Is she overseas again?

[spyderchick]

Congrats on the land. Nah, she's stateside, waiting for a discharge from the Guard. She'll be running a full season this year with <whispering> WERA, ;) and a few ASRA and AHRMA events. I'm sure you'll see her around.  :D

[steelcityracer]

I agree, the security at Daytona has become slightly more layed back, and the garages are definately improved.  Now if they would just bring back the high speed sweeper in the infield.

[CRAZYBOB]

So, Is there electric in open air garages?  How about closed garages.  Unless you want to leave all of your things out for the taking you have to trailer your bike out every night?  Interesting.  

[Fat_Nate]

I think you're okay leaving stuff there overnight.  They're pretty adamant about kicking people out at 5 or 6 -- never mind letting anyone in after hours.  Probably a good way to get shot.

Oh -- and don't bother bringing your bicycle!

[CCS243]

So, Is there electric in open air garages?  How about closed garages.  Unless you want to leave all of your things out for the taking you have to trailer your bike out every night?    

1.  Electricity is available in both the open and closed garages, as well as limited[/u] outlets along the paddock fence.  Outlets are only 20amp, so if you need lots of power or are in the middle of the paddock, you will need a generator.  No electricity is available in the middle of the paddock.  You can not run extension cords from either the fence or the garages to the middle of the paddock.  Fire lanes are clearly marked and no cords are allowed to cross.

2.  You stage your trailer either in front of your rented garage or get spotted along the fence or in middle of paddock on a first come first serve basis (T.O.P.S. excepted).

3.  The paddock is secure.  Everyone must leave one hour after checkered flag for the day, when the gates are locked and Daytona's staff roams all night.  Most leave their equipment in place.  

4.  Camping, both tent and RV, is allowed for a fee, paid to Daytona, in designated areas, not in the paddock.

5.  If you are competing in both CCS/ASRA & AMA events, you would want the garage for the full period.

6.  Practice time is limited.  Team Hammer breaks out sessions for typically 4 groups, 2 of which have been for racers, defined by engine size.

7.  Keep in mind that the AMA gets the NASCAR area and we are only in the Busch area, resulting in that 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag situation.

Heed K3's advice!  Ignore Eric's cheap shots at former war veterans, some of us might take offense!  Most are trying to do their job, for which they are paid a pittance.  If you stop and chat, you may be surprised at how nice they really are.  

[WebCrush]

I never had any problems with the Daytona security.  A friendly 'hello' in the morning and a few minutes of talk and they are pretty nice.  Bring em coffee and they really are nice.