California Festival of Speed April 11-12 AAA Speedway Fontana, CA

[eric523]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

Good that the bridge and infield area was open for viewing !

Open Fri and Saturday. Security removed everyone watching on Sunday morning and it never re-opened which was a bummer.

[phigreg]

Timed sessions from CFOS TT sessions

Session B:
http://youtu.be/FJ0ARwIXuFM

Session A:
https://youtu.be/nawNSzoVlio

Greg

[uberklasse]

Lost my engine 4 laps in on Friday....ughh. We believe it was oil starvation on the banking.

Had to drive my street car which was an interesting trip all weekend....110hp and street tires.

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by eric523

Open Fri and Saturday. Security removed everyone watching on Sunday morning and it never re-opened which was a bummer.

Hate to say it, but this is deal killer stuff for me as a spectator. I've gone several years and wandered around the paddock trying to find ways to get a view of the actual racing. I even got chased away from the fencing near the autocross. Access to the infield is the only way to actually see the racing and I'm not willing to gamble anymore on whether the bridge and infield will be open. Sorry PCA. Really want to support the event, but without being able to see the racing it is more of a car show than a festival of speed.

Thanks to those that went and posted pics. Glad that it was fun for those that attended.

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by kevin993

Hate to say it, but this is deal killer stuff for me as a spectator. I've gone several years and wandered around the paddock trying to find ways to get a view of the actual racing. I even got chased away from the fencing near the autocross. Access to the infield is the only way to actually see the racing and I'm not willing to gamble anymore on whether the bridge and infield will be open. Sorry PCA. Really want to support the event, but without being able to see the racing it is more of a car show than a festival of speed.

Thanks to those that went and posted pics. Glad that it was fun for those that attended.

I guess I got lucky on Saturday with the bridge area being open. I agree that without the infield area being open to spectators...it is really just a car show and an opportunity for vendors to sell stuff. I dont know why sometimes that area is open for spectators, and sometimes not. Any PCA Festival of Speed honchos on this forum care to answer that. ? And I was told by the gal that had me sign the waiver at the front gate that there were TWO 917's present. Of course I didnt believe that ( its not Rennsport ! ). All I saw was a 917 replica. I don't know why PCA would lie about the presence of TWO 917's . As Kevin 993 says...it has become more of a car show than an opportunity to see any racing. For $10 admission. Oh...admission is free. I meant $10 for the privlege of parking

[Cajundaddy]

Always a few wet blankets in the crowd and haters always gonna hate...

[Cory M]

You can see pretty well from the top grandstand directly across from the starters box too. You can see practically the whole track except for the last part of the "playground" where it enters the oval. Not as up close and personal as the bridge but good visibility.

I think PCA does a great job making this an "event" and not just a club race. Lots to see and do.

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Always a few wet blankets in the crowd and haters always gonna hate...

Sorry Cajundaddy - one can have a good faith observation about something that could make the event better without being a "hater". I've attended and supported for many years. I've paid to park and volunteered. I've done the autocross and bought goodies from the vendors. I was just looking to be able to see the racing from a viewpoint that is closer than a football field away. Having been to POC and NASA events with better access and had a ball, it seems reasonable to think that perhaps PCA might benefit from some constructive feedback on that front. Without the racing, it is a car show and swap meet and a less compelling event that might otherwise be the case (to me at least). To each his own I suppose... As I said, I'm glad that those that attended had a good time. I think you can put the "hater" nonsense away.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by kevin993

Sorry Cajundaddy - one can have a good faith observation about something that could make the event better without being a "hater". I've attended and supported for many years. I've paid to park and volunteered. I've done the autocross and bought goodies from the vendors. I was just looking to be able to see the racing from a viewpoint that is closer than a football field away. Having been to POC and NASA events with better access and had a ball, it seems reasonable to think that perhaps PCA might benefit from some constructive feedback on that front. Without the racing, it is a car show and swap meet and a less compelling event that might otherwise be the case (to me at least). To each his own I suppose... As I said, I'm glad that those that attended had a good time. I think you can put the "hater" nonsense away.

It's not much of a swap meet- I think I saw 2 guys there. I guess everyone gets their swapping done at the Lit Show and Phoenix Club.

Edit: To be clear, I'm not complaining. I wasn't interested in the swap, this is just an observation.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Cory M

You can see pretty well from the top grandstand directly across from the starters box too. You can see practically the whole track except for the last part of the "playground" where it enters the oval. Not as up close and personal as the bridge but good visibility.

I think PCA does a great job making this an "event" and not just a club race. Lots to see and do.

I agree that above the pits isn't that bad for watching. Its annoying that the light poles are right at the same level as the cars though, which makes photography or videos frustrating. But the roof (SHADE!) and seats are very nice to have.

If they are not going to open the bridge then I would tell PCA that they need to do away with the silly radio station thing, or at least get rid of the speakers up above the pits. The music was fine (suited my tastes mostly) but it was very loud when I was up there, and I wanted to get videos of the cars screaming by on the front stretch but the DJ's chit-chat would mess up the videos so I went down to the bridge to see if it was open. They were interviewing some girl as she was about to take a ride in a pickup truck on a track tour, not something I had the least interest in, especially being broadcast right behind my head at 100dB when I'm trying to use my nice sensitive microphone to get all the juicy engine noises.

Please take that as constructive criticism.

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by kevin993

Sorry Cajundaddy - one can have a good faith observation about something that could make the event better without being a "hater". I've attended and supported for many years. I've paid to park and volunteered. I've done the autocross and bought goodies from the vendors. I was just looking to be able to see the racing from a viewpoint that is closer than a football field away. Having been to POC and NASA events with better access and had a ball, it seems reasonable to think that perhaps PCA might benefit from some constructive feedback on that front. Without the racing, it is a car show and swap meet and a less compelling event that might otherwise be the case (to me at least). To each his own I suppose... As I said, I'm glad that those that attended had a good time. I think you can put the "hater" nonsense away.

I agree with kevin993. Constructive feedback is not hating. From the seats above the pits, you need binoculars to see any real action on the infield. That infield is a long way from the front straight. And Flieger is right about that really annoying radio noise. Not what I care to hear at a racing event.

[Cajundaddy]

Well apparently the grass was open all day on Fri. and Sat. so if you boys got there early you got your fill of infield grass but lets get real for one second now my friends. This event isn't about the infield grass, never was about the infield grass, never will be about the infield grass. I don't know why AAA Speedway Security closed it for part of Sunday but I'm sure they had a valid reason, it is their race track, their security team, and their prerogative, not PCA. I can only guess it was in the interest of safety considering the size of the festival crowd but that is just a guess. NASA and POC both run fine events there but let's be honest. There are 500-600 people tops and all of the spectators are there with a competitor. Virtually zero public attendance so very different events compared to CFOS which draws a large crowd from all over CA, AZ, and NV.

Massive wet blanket strawman from a few cranky folks who seem to have missed the entire event so they could come in here and whine about the infield grass being closed for part of the day on Sunday. Pretty weak boys. Pretty damn weak. Time to go take a dump on someone else's parade.

Meanwhile the other 10,000 or so attendees were driving shiny new 2015 PCNA Porsches in the mini AX, driving their street cars on the track during lunchtime tours, chatting with the boys from Pelican Parts, watching the racing action from the VIP seats, strolling the garages taking pics and talking to the teams, buying goodies in vendor row, picking out their next Porsche from the "For Sale" display lot, checking out the GT cars on Saturday or the Supercars on Sunday, or maybe even driving competitively in the event. I'd say most everybody had a great festival weekend there but if you really don't get your fill until you get a guarantee of unlimited access to that "magnificent infield grass", maybe this event is simply not for you. You just can't please everybody.

[Flieger]

Guess the event can't get any better...

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Well apparently the grass was open all day on Fri. and Sat. so if you boys got there early you got your fill of infield grass but lets get real for one second now my friends. This event isn't about the infield grass, never was about the infield grass, never will be about the infield grass. I don't know why AAA Speedway Security closed it for part of Sunday but I'm sure they had a valid reason, it is their race track, their security team, and their prerogative, not PCA. I can only guess it was in the interest of safety considering the size of the festival crowd but that is just a guess. NASA and POC both run fine events there but let's be honest. There are 500-600 people tops and all of the spectators are there with a competitor. Virtually zero public attendance so very different events compared to CFOS which draws a large crowd from all over CA, AZ, and NV.

Massive wet blanket strawman from a few cranky folks who seem to have missed the entire event so they could come in here and whine about the infield grass being closed for part of the day on Sunday. Pretty weak boys. Pretty damn weak. Time to go take a dump on someone else's parade.

Meanwhile the other 10,000 or so attendees were driving shiny new 2015 PCNA Porsches in the mini AX, driving their street cars on the track during lunchtime tours, chatting with the boys from Pelican Parts, watching the racing action from the VIP seats, strolling the garages taking pics and talking to the teams, buying goodies in vendor row, picking out their next Porsche from the "For Sale" display lot, checking out the GT cars on Saturday or the Supercars on Sunday, or maybe even driving competitively in the event. I'd say most everybody had a great festival weekend there but if you really don't get your fill until you get a guarantee of unlimited access to that "magnificent infield grass", maybe this event is simply not for you. You just can't please everybody.

LOL. For $10 parking fee it was a good event.
Hey. where were the TWO 917 s that the gal at the gate told me were there ? I guess I missed seeing those somehow. Send me your pics of those 2 cars please.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

LOL. For $10 parking fee it was a good event.
Hey. where were the TWO 917 s that the gal at the gate told me were there ? I guess I missed seeing those somehow. Send me your pics of those 2 cars please.

You mean the gal whose husband club races with PCA, POC, PRC and NASA but she comes out to volunteer for this one big event and doesn't know the difference between a 917 and a B-17? That gal? Ignore.

Whiner

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

You mean the gal whose husband club races with PCA, POC, PRC and NASA but she comes out to volunteer for this one big event and doesn't know the difference between a 917 and a B-17? That gal? Ignore.

Whiner

That must be the one I am so over it now. I will probably be back next year. 917 or no 917.

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Massive wet blanket strawman from a few cranky folks who seem to have missed the entire event so they could come in here and whine about the infield grass being closed for part of the day on Sunday. Pretty weak boys. Pretty damn weak. Time to go take a dump on someone else's parade.

Maybe your computer shows different postings than mine, but nobody is "taking a dump" on your parade or the event. Nobody bypassed the event in order to "whine". Geez. A Porsche enthusiast happens to enjoy going to a race track that has race cars and seeing the RACING. Not sure why that's such a novel concept. I also enjoy photography which becomes more difficult with the addition of distance. It is pretty damn weak to dismiss the aspects of the event that aren't important to you.

This is kind of like going to a baseball game and saying the souvenir stand has some good stuff, you saw some friends, you got a photo with the mascot, and it was great to see the bullpen and on-deck circle. If you can't see the game, then the outing becomes less interesting than it could be. Why not consider the possibility that the game might be pretty fun to see as well?

I look forward to sharing a beer someday and we can move on to more interesting things to talk about.

[Cajundaddy]

FYI: I passed on your questions and concerns to the volunteers that dealt directly with the racetrack. They said that special arrangements were made to keep the infield grass open on Saturday and they had to pay $$$ for extra security to do this. Otherwise AAA Speedway says no-go at CFOS.

Also, just as we discussed last year on this topic, photog passes are available in advance by contacting the organizers and getting your name in. Basic safety rules will apply like orange vests and barrier protection but if someone was seriously interested in getting the very best shots, this is the way to get unfettered access. There is no charge for a press pass as long as it is arranged well in advance so you can get your tags.



There are ways to get this done if you are serious about getting the best racing action shots and many did so this year. You will never get as close as the off road rally fans in Finland but maybe as close as Laguna Seca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZBjMtFnDjs

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

FYI: I passed on your questions and concerns to the volunteers that dealt directly with the racetrack. They said that special arrangements were made to keep the infield grass open on Saturday and they had to pay $$$ for extra security to do this. Otherwise AAA Speedway says no-go at CFOS.

Also, just as we discussed last year on this topic, photog passes are available in advance by contacting the organizers and getting your name in. Basic safety rules will apply like orange vests and barrier protection but if someone was seriously interested in getting the very best shots, this is the way to get unfettered access. There is no charge for a press pass as long as it is arranged well in advance so you can get your tags.



There are ways to get this done if you are serious about getting the best racing action shots and many did so this year. You will never get as close as the off road rally fans in Finland but maybe as close as Laguna Seca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZBjMtFnDjs

Thanks for the info ! And I would NO WAY want to get as close as those crazy rally fans do. Those guys are nuts
I value my body too much . It aint much but its the only one I got.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

FYI: I passed on your questions and concerns to the volunteers that dealt directly with the racetrack. They said that special arrangements were made to keep the infield grass open on Saturday and they had to pay $$$ for extra security to do this. Otherwise AAA Speedway says no-go at CFOS.

Also, just as we discussed last year on this topic, photog passes are available in advance by contacting the organizers and getting your name in. Basic safety rules will apply like orange vests and barrier protection but if someone was seriously interested in getting the very best shots, this is the way to get unfettered access. There is no charge for a press pass as long as it is arranged well in advance so you can get your tags.



There are ways to get this done if you are serious about getting the best racing action shots and many did so this year. You will never get as close as the off road rally fans in Finland but maybe as close as Laguna Seca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZBjMtFnDjs

Good to know, I don't remember hearing about the press passes.

I didn't know about the extra money. I think the thing that has people perturbed is not so much that the infield wasn't open, but rather that it is not posted whether it will be open or not beforehand. It is a bit of a long drive for some people so if they were expecting the infield access like Saturday then got there and were disappointed, that would be rather frustrating.