Getting Ready for Monster

TrannyMan · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 05:55 PM

better not rain..

Loaded up the car today after changing out the valve covers, running the valves, changing the oil, checked all the fluids, washed and waxed the car, put the passenger seat back in, put fabric in the rear of the car to cover up the bulkhead....

Loaded the 4wheeler, race gas, generator, air tanks.

Think I am ready togo... Plan on pulling out a couple of days early in case of problems. Will leave Wednesday before noon and probably stay the night in Texarkana. I guess this is my first long distance haul for a race in twenty years. I used to tow my Corvette all over to hell and gone when I raced SCCA and Corvette Races with the NCCCA. Hope to have fun... bringing the Warden to keep me out of trouble.

Hope that Duct Tape holds,,,,,,,,

Old Hippie · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2009, 10:55 PM

My car still has all four wheels off and the rear axle dropped. Changed the brakes this weekend while trying to move out of the garage and shops. Need to get it back together on Tuesday, wash, wax, and load up -- along with washing the motorhome and trailer -- and loading it up.

We leave Wedesday morning at about 9AM -- but planning to get a lot farther than Texarkana (only 5 hours away). We're going to try to get 100 miles north of Memphis and find a Walmart to park in -- then leave at 10 AM. You need to be in line by late afternoon to get in Thursday before they stop letting you in (5PM). (You also have to have prepaid).

I'd try to get a little closer to Memphis to make it in time. I want to arrive at about 2PM so I don't get caught in St. Louis traffic at the River.

TrannyMan · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 01:55 PM

I think we changed our plans to make it north of Little Rock. Going to wait for Slim and Damon and Slim can't be ready till 2, going to caravan up there with him....

Should be able to make it from Little rock to the track by 2pm. (i hope)
I prepaid, got my letter printed, I got to be home Monday for,,, which sux I had the old lady talked into loading up the Harley and taking a little cruise on Monday.....

I have no idea how long it will take...google said it was 7 hours to Texarkana.... I know I made it from Dallas to St louis, and back to Houston about 7 years ago to pick up a motorcycle in one trip but I drove all night and I was in a truck-no trailer- and running the Dug way,,,,90mph till the tank ran out, refill and go....

I got the warden with me, so I am sure there will be breaks along the way and I think I will only be able to get 250 miles out of a tank anyway...

fugly · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 02:59 PM

Change 276.3.......Slim off early so as soon as I talk to Ronnnnn will revise time earlier

Old Hippie · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:06 PM

If you hustle it is 10 hours to Memphis and another 5-6 to St. Louis.

Texarkana is 5.5 if you don't stop and maintain 70 on 59N. Little Rock is about 7.5-8 hours from Houston.

Damon likes to take 67 -- which goes to the west of Little Rock and Memphis. That road is a little too rough (steep, narrow, diesel hard to get, low bridge) in a big rig -- so I take the Interstates. We run 5 over the speed limit and don't stop for anything (have a kitchen and bathroom in the motorhome) but to walk the dogs for ten minutes every 4 hours. We stop and top off with fuel and dump the tanks before we get to the track. Damon and Slim run a little slower (generally 65mph) and make quite a few short stops.

I think no matter how you slice it -- St. Louis is 15 hours of driving time at about 5mph over the speed limit. Add to that any time you've stopped.

Usually the earliest you can get out of the track is 3PM Sunday if you lose in the early rounds -- but it is customary for Texas Outsiders to stay until the last Texas Outsider is out. I plan on winning -- so you won't be out until 5PM.

TrannyMan · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fugly

Change 276.3.......Slim off early so as soon as I talk to Ronnnnn will revise time earlier

OK got the 411 on the .25 and .10....will meet 59n on 923@930

TrannyMan · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Hippie

If you hustle it is 10 hours to Memphis and another 5 to St. Louis.

Little Rock is about 7.5-8 hours.

Damon likes to take 67 -- which goes to the west of Little Rock and Memphis. That road is a little too rough (steep, narrow, diesel hard to get, low bridge) in a big rig -- so I take the Interstates.

I think no matter how you slice it -- St. Louis is 15 hours of driving time at about 5mph over the speed limit. Add to that any time you've stopped.

Usually the earliest you can get out of the track is 3PM Sunday if you lose in the early rounds -- but it is customary for Texas Outsiders to stay until the last Texas Outsider is out. I plan on winning -- so you won't be out until 5PM.

So I guess it will be me and you in the finals?

I hope I can make it at least one round, I am sure I won't be back till Monday. We will probably leave Sunday some time and head as far south as we can before 1130ish......finish up on Monday.... I got to drive by myself, my wife can;t tow that trailer and she drives like crap anyway. Yer in the car with her and you will be seasick in about 20mins...

Old Hippie · #8 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:16 PM

I try to get to at least West Memphis on Sunday -- and that puts me 10 hours driving time away. However lately -- Dallas and I have driven non-stop from Reading, PA., Milan, MI., Joliet, IL., and Charlotte, NC -- so I'm sure we'll drive all day and all night and get home under rush hour on Monday.

We have the Squawk and Hope with us -- and the whining doesn't stop until we get home.

Jimmy Ray · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:58 PM

See you guys Fri, mid-day. Leave room for the wagon train. We'll leave early Fri. AM, we're already about 20 mi north of Memphis (US 51>I-155 Dyersburg>I-55).

Still have to stock up the Bus w/ goodies and fuel (fuel is still going down, I'm not fillin up till Thurs! 2.23/gal. for diesel today!). Car's ready to go (BG just rebuilt the pump and I massaged the regulator). I'll give it a quick, spit shine at the track Fri.

Weather forcast (for what it's worth, 5-6 days in advance) is gorgeous! Partly cloudy Sat./Sun. 55-75 degrees! Big change from here....14" rain in the last 7 days!

See Ya at the MONSTER (with our off-brand Chebbie). Thanks for making a opening for an afirimitive action, minority entry!

Mad Torquer · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 11:12 PM

Not sure where you are getting your weather but I just got off weather.com and it's 50% rain on Friday, 40% on Sat. and 10% on Sunday. I was thinking of going to Montgomery AL and meet Mark, but it is 40-50% every day. All I've done this year is drive to races to watch it rain. If the weather is not looking good somewhere by Thursday, I'm staying home.
Jim N.