Alabama Track time on the 28th

beamonk · 10-20-2003, 03:31 PM

All of you alabama guys and neighboring states, my friends and I are wanting to rent out the Talledega GrandPrix track on October 28tth. admission will be about $125 for all day unlimited time on this fun little 1.4 mile track. It will just be 5-10 guys, right now we only have four guys and we will not go unless we get five. If anyone is interested contact me at Beamonk@aol.com. It will be fun and a good break from the realities of work.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Where is this track (what town is it near)? How far from Huntsville?
Sound like fun!

Ron Broman · Ron Broman's Garage

The track is right off I-20 about 55-60 miles east of Birmingham. Take the Lincoln exit off I-20 coming from Birmingham and go south about 1/2 mile an turn left. The track is on the right. If you are coming from the other direction, the track exit is clearly marked but if you happen to miss it the next exit is the Lincoln exit mentioned above. You will be able to see the track from I-20 between these two exits.
Have fun!!

rbroman@cox.net

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Looked it up on the map. Looks like Talledega may be close to 200 miles for me. That's a bit much for one day. Are there any tracks within 100 miles of Huntsville? If not I wouldn't mind pulling the car down on a flatbed for a weekend of D.E. at that new Barber track.

Zeke · 10-20-2003, 07:05 PM

I've run that track in a kart. You will see the other side of 100 mph on the back straight depending on which way you run it. I'd run it counter-clockwise all morning and clockwise in the afternoon. I've run it both ways and it's totally different each way. The track is not wide enough for much passing, so keep your distance and have fun.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I've done probably 25 DEs at that track. It's a great track to learn on as it is pretty technical and not many places to do damage if you screw up.

RarlyL8 - It's a little over 2 hours from Huntsville. You can go down 65 and then take 20 over or if you're in SE Huntsville, take 431 down to Gadsden and take 77 down from there.

Mike

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

I'll look at that map again. I live on 431 (Big Cove area). Might not be that bad a drive.

IROC - Where are you at? PCA member? When/where is the next meeting?

ipapilot · 07:53 PM

FYI, the track Ron Broman is referring to is the big Talladega track. The track beamonk and everyone else is referring to is Talladega Grand Prix track aka Little Talladega and is not visible from the interstate but about 7 miles from it. It is a great track for learning and practicing on and this would be a great opportunity for lots of track time. Unfortunately I'll be out of town, but i hope some of you can take advantage!

PS.. Rarly, you just missed the DE a couple weekends ago! Next PCA DE is not scheduled til around March or April of next year.

beamonk · 10-22-2003, 07:54 PM

In other words, Brian will be at his Mom's eating cookies and watching the soaps.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Yes I missed the Driver's Ed. Please don't remind me. I've got to look at the '04 PCA schedule and get my money in before the good dates close out.

HOWEVER - practicing at a small track would be a lot of fun. Are you still open for participants?

ipapilot · 10-22-2003, 08:04 PM

haha.....
I'll probably just be surfing Pelican while UPS rakes in another $730million in quarterly net income...Glad I can contribute!

Any interior work (seats) this week John?

beamonk · 10-22-2003, 08:14 PM

Seats are on the way, not sure if they will be here b/f next week. I ordered my rollbar from Kirk, Bill in merdian wants to see it and modify it if the mounting is not up to his standards. I would have had him make it but he has no bending stuff, but he can modify it any way humanly possible. guy was delivered as a youth with a Dr. who had on welding gloves or something. Anyway, this is the last round of mods, well maybe balljoints and cooling ducts for the year. Have to ready for the holidays etc.

As far as TGP, we have 7 or so brave souls who want to go and have a little fun. Doc is way fired up, the 914 problem was really stupid and he will be ready, hopefully to shake it down some. For me, I have had my fun I just want to get off of work! Well, maybe one last blast for year. The mad scientist Wayne, may bring his Bentley for a few laps. Wish you could come ! We still have alot of room.

RACER911RS · 10-22-2003, 09:02 PM

John,

I did try to call you today. In court huh? I will be there on Tuesday as a prep for the ARRC at Road Atlanta in November. I have told a few people about the event. Maybe 3-4 people may show. We'll see.

Paul D.

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

Wish I could join you guys but running Peachstate DE at Road Atlanta this weekend then car goes into body shop for repairs after the SUV hit me leaving Barber a couple of weeks ago. John & Brian - expect to receive my RUF rear bumper from Brad today.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RarlyL8
I'll look at that map again. I live on 431 (Big Cove area). Might not be that bad a drive.

IROC - Where are you at? PCA member? When/where is the next meeting?

From the Big Cove area, you're probably looking at just under 2 hours to the track parking lot.

I'm in Harvest, technically - just north of Madison. I'm a member of the Alabama Region and don't generally attend the Heart O' Dixie meetings (although I know a bunch of the guys...). I'm not sure when their next meeting is.

Mike

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Didn't know there was an "Alabama Region". When I renewed my PCA membership they assigned me to "Heart O' Dixie". What's the deal?

2 hours is doable. Now if I can get away on a Monday..............

Elombard · 10-23-2003, 05:24 PM

Rarly Its a Tuesday!

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Tuesday? Man I'm lost. I was suposed to be on a business trip in Chicago this week. Sinus infection side lined me. Between the sinusitis, antibiotics and the decongestants my brain has shut down. Getting better by the day though.

OK - I have a calendar and a map in front of me. Yes, Oct 28 is a Tuesday. According to the net-weather it's gonna be cold. Good for a turbo with IL cooling system.
Now for the map. OK you take 431S to Gadsden. Check. Looks like a fun drive. Then 77 to Talladega. OK. Then where is the track? Is it on 77 between I20 and Talladega?

What safety equipment do we need? Pretty sure my helmet Snell rating has expired. Motorcycle helmet OK?

ipapilot · 10-23-2003, 07:23 PM

Track info as posted on our Alabama Region website:

From Atlanta:
Take I-20 to exit 185 (Oxford) and travel south on highway 21 for approximately 12 miles. TGPR is on the left.

From Birmingham
Take I-20 to exit 173 (Eastaboga), also known as the Stuckey's exit. Head south on highway 398 approximately one quarter mile. Take a sharp left immediately past the Shell station on the left onto Highway 399. Bear to the left to remain on 399. The road to the immediately right as you make the turn is highway 005. It will get you to TGPR but it takes longer. Stay on highway 399 until it dead ends into Highway 21 (approximately 7.5 miles). Take a left onto highway 21 for 2.5 miles. TGPR is on the right.

From Talladega
Take highway 21 north approximately 8 miles. TGPR is on the right.

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, located near Talladega, AL (specifically - 33°30.16N, 85°59.94W), is a 1.3 mile road course which incorporates eight turns, and two 1100- foot straight-aways. It is an excellent learning facility for first level drivers and for advanced drivers to hone their technical skills. It boasts plenty of runoff areas, limited barriers, and a nice variety of types of curves: increasing radius and decreasing radius corners, and slightly-banked curves in addition to having a full skid pad. It is "slow" compared to some longer race tracks, but that is because it is intended for focused technical skills in handling the various types of corners.

This track is also used by the SCCA, Ferrari Club, British Car Club, Miata Club, shifter karts, several motocycle groups, Unique Motorcars (Cobras) and others. Harley-Davidson uses this track for some testing, as do some professional road-race teams for tweaking their vehicles and to sharpen basic curve-handling skills. It has a two-story air-conditioned building at the pit area for classroom use (or for relaxing spouses). An average lap time for a street 911 at this track is 1:12; for a 935 it is 59 seconds.

beamonk · 10-24-2003, 04:53 AM

Just bring a helmet, we are not picky and for the limited number of people, it will not be crowded at all, we just ask everyone to be safe and have fun, being aware that there is going to be various levels of experience on the track. If there is a number of rookies, we will most likely have different run groups, otherwise, it will be on the track when you want to go. We will have no marshalls, so it will be up to everyone to be safe and pitch in when they are not on track.