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MINI-NATS XXV |
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The planning of our 25th Mini-Nats in Willows, California and Thunderhill Raceway is taking shape nicely. This also coincides with the 15th anniversary of Thunderhill. We still have more to do but it’s time to let you know what the weekend will look like. First, the official dates for the event are the 29th, 30th, and 31st of August 2008. This is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. We will open up registration on Thursday evening for those of you who might want to come up to Willows on Thursday afternoon or evening to enjoy three full days of fun.
Please feel free to contact me for anything related to the Mini-Nats.
Richard B. Ravel
Mini-Nats XXV Chairman
(408) 234-4349 (Cell)
Richard@RavelFamily.com
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TRACK TIME ON FRIDAY MORNING Updated 6/3/08
There will be track time available on Friday morning. This will be a Test Session. The exact time frame will be posted shortly, however, I anticipate that it will be at least from 9am-12noon. There will be a $100 charge for this track time or $50 if you bring a car for the car show in town on Friday afternoon. I encourage you to bring your cars for the car show and take advantage of this “cheap” track time.
There are a few restrictions for the Friday morning test session:
- This is for Shelby club members only.
- All cars must be pre-teched and pass final tech inspection before allowed on track.
- NO YELLOW group drivers allowed in Friday morning test session.
- NO Walk-up registrations for Friday morning test session. You MUST be pre-registered.
- NO registrations for Friday test session ONLY. This is for Mini-Nats participants.
- There WILL be a Drivers’ meeting – time is TBD.
New Track Surface
Thunderhill is going to be re-surfacing the race track this summer and we will be one of the first groups on the new surface.
Family Oriented Fun
We realize that Labor day is often a family weekend and we want Mini-Nats XXV to fit into the plans for those of you that are looking for something for the whole family. We are planning some activities for children of different ages that will blend in with the rest of the car-related activities. More details on this will be forthcoming. If you have any specific suggestions we are definitely interested in hearing from you.
Registration Updated 6/3/08
Registration for Mini-Nats XXV is now open. You can register online or use the double-sided mail-in form included in the June issue of Driven. One side is the registration form and the other side is the Driver Application form. Only one registration form per car is necessary, however, each driver must fill out a Driver Application form. (Additonal drivers need only fill out the personal info on the top of the registration form if you are sending in the double-sided form.)
Sue Murray must receive all mail-in registrations by 15 August. After that date, no mail-in registrations will be processed.
Confirmation packets will be mailed to everyone registered by 15 August.
You may still register online after 15 August but you will have to pick up your registration packet at the track. Please contact Sue Murray (flytynmom@yahoo.com or 408-316-7436) to be sure your registration has been processed.
You may also register at the track. Remember, however, that this will be on a space-available basis only for all track and social functions and is much less efficient that being pre-registered.
Hotels
We have already blocked hotel rooms at the Best Western Golden Pheasant and the Baymont Inn, which are right next to each other. The Golden Pheasant will be our “headquarters” hotel but they are so close, it really doesn’t matter. You can begin reserving your rooms now. We have a larger block of rooms at the Golden Pheasant and they range from $59.95/night for 2 doubles, $64.95 for one queen or king, $99/night for a king suite (only 2 available), and the normal 2 queens for $69.95. The rooms at the Baymont Inn are all $79.95/night. Just be sure to tell them you are with the Shelby Club to get these rates.
If you have any questions or issues please contact Jan Orme at JanOrme99@aol.com.
The numbers for the hotels are:
Best Western Golden Pheasant 1-530-934-4603
Baymont Inn 1-530-934-9700
Lots of History – Request for Photos and Video
This event marks the 25th Mini-Nats. How many of them have you attended? Do you remember the “old” days? If you have photos or video of past Mini-Nats or other special club events from long ago and would like to share them with others, please forward them to Walt Boeninger at webmaster@norcal-saac.org.
This is also the 15th anniversary year of Thunderhill Raceway and we will be celebrating this with our good friends from the track.
At-the-track Registration/Sign-in
For those of you that will be coming up Thursday evening we will be setup for you to sign in and get your registration packets on Thursday evening. We are hoping to be setup at the track in the late afternoon, probably from 5-7pm (earlier if possible).
The registration area at the track will be staffed all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and will be the central hub for all questions and communications relating to the event.
Hospitality
At the track we will have a hospitality area setup next to registration with plenty of water to drink as well as snacks and a place to just sit and relax in the shade.
We will also have our traditional hospitality room setup at the Golden Pheasant each evening after the other activities. We are working on some plans to expand this area to accommodate a larger group of people.
Lunches at the Track
I am working with the caterer at Thunderhill and it is likely that they will be able to setup a special lunch at the track on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where you can pay them directly and go through a deli sandwich/salad line in the main building (with AC) which should move very rapidly, minimizing your wait time for lunch if you choose to purchase a lunch. More info later.
Paddock Parking
We should be able to begin parking in the paddock by 5pm on Thursday evening. As we have done in the past couple of years, if you have a group of 3 or more that you want to park with, you will be able to provide us with that information on the registration form and we can allocate an appropriate amount of space for you. We will have open parking areas designated for others on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thunderhill has a covered parking area and we will be taking reservations for $100 per space for the weekend. Each space will hold two cars nose-to-tail. I believe that we will have approximately 20 spaces available and these can be reserved when you register for the Mini-Nats. This is a good reason to register early.
Dave Lewellen will be our Paddock Marshall this year. You can contact him with questions at racerrie406@yahoo.com.
Vendors
Please contact Joe Praxel @ 408-321-4346 or praxels@comcast.net to reserve vendor space.
Tech Inspection
All cars that will run on the track will require a full tech inspection. It is highly recommended and preferred that this is done before you arrive at the event. Pre-tech sites will be published the July DRIVEN and on the web site. As always, if you are more than 50 miles from the closest pre-tech site, you can get fully teched at Thunderhill at no charge. If you are within 50 miles of a pre-tech site, then there will be a $50 charge for the tech inspection at the track. Thus, it is best to get pre-teched before you get to the track.
Once you are at the track, there is always a “final” tech inspection that requires the authorized pre-tech form and you will need to present your safety gear.
Your helmet must have at least the Snell 2000 certification. While we accept “M” rated helmets, we strongly recommend the use of “SA” rated helmets. The major difference between the M and SA helmets for 2005 is the fact that SA helmets use a Nomex or other fire retardant liner and inner materials. Since we are strapped into our vehicles in our sport, and may even have fuel lines running through the cockpit, the SA grade helmets seem to be an obvious choice, but you are the only one who really knows your budget, car and helmet use(s).
Please check our web site at www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otcentrl.htm for all of the detailed information on our track rules and safety equipment.
If you are planning on running a car on Friday morning, you MUST have your car pre-teched as there will be no “full” tech inspection available at the track for Friday morning. You will still be required to pass the “final” tech inspection.
Open Track
The Mini-Nats XXV Open Track Event will be held at Thunderhill Raceway. Open Track participation is restricted to Ford-powered cars and invited guests of the Nor Cal Shelby Club. Passengers with appropriate safety equipment (check our web site at www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otcentrl.htm ) will be permitted during selected track sessions. Passengers must be at least 18 years old, must sign a waiver, and must have the same safety equipment as the driver. All passenger waivers must be filled out at the Registration area.
Remember - Maximum sound limit is 103 dB(A). No open exhausts!
Open Track participants please note!
* A separate driver’s application must be submitted for each driver participating in the Open Track Event, even if sharing a car and run group.
*Open Track run group assignments are at the discretion of OTEC and event management.
* Each driver is responsible for reading and heeding the Open Track rules and tech/safety requirements! These rules are displayed on the Club web site at www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otcentrl.htm
Some highlights of the Open Track rules follow:
* Driver and passenger helmets must have Snell M2000, SA2000 or better rating.
* Drivers and passengers must wear non-melting, closed-toe shoes (no sandals).
* All cars must carry a 2-1/2 lb. or larger fire extinguisher with a metal mounting bracket.
* Maximum sound limit is 103 dB(A). No open exhausts!
* No open-wheel cars.
* All open-cockpit vehicles must have roll bars.
* No passengers will be allowed in open-cockpit cars with driver-only (Cobra-style) roll bars.
* Cars in poor cosmetic condition, or in obvious need of bodywork, may be denied entry.
Run Group specific minimum safety requirements
* Novice/Touring (Yellow): Drivers and passengers must wear long pants, long sleeve cotton shirts, and gloves (preferably Nomex).
* Intermediate/Fast Touring (Red): Drivers and passengers must wear long pants, long sleeve cotton shirts, and gloves (preferably Nomex).
* Advanced/Sport (Green): Drivers and passengers must wear long pants, long sleeve cotton shirts and gloves (preferably Nomex). All vehicles must have a minimum 4-point safety harness for driver and passenger.
* Experienced/Track Prepared (Blue): All vehicles, including closed-cockpit cars, must have roll bars. Drivers and passengers must wear fireproof suits and gloves (preferably Nomex). All vehicles must have a minimum 5-point safety harness for driver and passenger.
NOTE THAT WE MAY COMBINE GREEN AND BLUE GROUPS. IF SO, GREEN GROUP REQUIREMENTS WILL BE ENFORCED AND THE GROUP WILL BE CALLED “GREEN”.
Safety
For the safety, comfort, and convenience of all, the following policies will be in effect in the Thunderhill Raceway paddock during the event:
* Reserved, group Paddock parking will be assigned by the Vendor Chair and Paddock Marshall. Your cooperation is appreciated. Specific areas will be set aside for certain groups.
* Wheeled vehicles may be operated by licensed drivers 16 and up only. This includes mopeds, scooters, bicycles, etc...
* No go-karts will be allowed in the paddock.
Vintage Exhibition
We are planning on a Vintage Exhibition race event again this year. This will be for Historic cars and vintage race Shelbys. Final entry will be determined by OTEC. This will be a separate group in addition to the Open Track run groups. They will have a morning practice session and an afternoon race on Saturday. Sign up for regular Open Track if you want more! Format is modeled after SAAC National except car prep level allowed. We want period correct cars... within reason. If in doubt, just ask Walt Boeninger at (408) 374-4258 or webmaster@norcal‑saac.org
Passenger Rides (Rides-R-Us)
For your family and friends that want to have a ride on the track during an open track session and you are not able to do this (car is not prepped with proper passenger safety equipment or some other reason) we will have several people that we can set them up with for a ride. Just send them to the registration area to request the ride and fill out the passenger waiver. All passengers must be at least 18 years old. Passengers must have same safety equipment as the driver. We usually have a spare helmet or two and some gloves.
Parade Laps
Parade laps will take place at lunch time on Saturday and Sunday. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and all vehicles must be approved by OTEC. (No motor homes or semis!)
FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
Track Time Friday Morning
There will be a drivers’ meeting at 8am and the track will be hot from 9am until noon. We have not yet determined the groupings for these track sessions as we need to see what the signups look like. In any case, all cars must be pre-teched to run Friday morning. The track will go cold at noon to allow time for participants to get their cars ready to go to the car show.
Car Show
We will have a popular-vote car show on Friday afternoon starting at about 2:30pm. This show will be in the town of Willows at Sycamore Park. We will line up all the cars at the track and will be escorted into town by the CHP and Willows Police starting at 2pm. The cars will be parked on the grass. There are lots of shade trees for people and nice open space for the cars. There is plenty of room and we will make appropriate accommodations for race cars with very low ground clearance.
We are planning to have some music and other family activities in the park as well as some of the local organizations setup to sell snacks and drinks during the afternoon.
This show will be open to participation by Willows residents as well.
We will be allowing into the Car Show, in addition to our normal Shelby’s and Fords, any Brand X contemporary and period correct muscle cars ranging from 1963 to 1972. This includes Shelby Club members as well as Willows residents.
Evening Program and BBQ Dinner
We will have the car show awards ceremony and a brief program in the park at about 5pm. This will be just prior to starting our BBQ dinner that will be put on by the Willows Fire Department Volunteers. You will need to pre-purchase BBQ tickets. This can be done when you register for the Mini-Nats. They will be $15 per adult which will include a full dinner of tri-tip or chicken, salad, drink, and dessert. It will be $5 for children which will include a hotdog as the main course.
Return to the Track / Hotel Hospitality
We will be escorted back to the track by the CHP and Willows Police at about 7:30pm. After this you can return to the hotel and finish the evening with videos, snacks, drinks, and plenty of over-embellished stories at the hospitality suite.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE
If your car is NOT street legal, then you MUST be in the escorted group, both from and back to the track, or you WILL be cited by the police.
SATURDAY ACTIVITIES
At the Track
We will have our usual drivers’ meeting at 8am and then begin our open track sessions at 9am. We will take a lunch break at approximately 12noon for an hour and will allow parade laps for about 20 minutes during the lunch break. Open track sessions will continue until about 5pm.
We will have other activities going on at the track for different younger age groups. More on this as we get closer.
Evening Program
We will have our Saturday evening banquet / program at the Memorial Hall in Willows. We will have a buffet dinner that will cost approximately $30. You can sign up for this when you register. We will have our traditional raffle, a guest speaker (you won’t want to miss this one!!!), and our Big Wheel Award.
After the banquet you can return to the hotel hospitality suite for all the bench racing you desire.
SUNDAY ACTIVITIES
At the Track
We will have our usual drivers’ meeting again at 8am and then begin our open track sessions at 9am. We will take a lunch break at approximately 12noon for an hour and will allow parade laps for about 20 minutes during the lunch break. Open track sessions will continue until about 5pm.
We will again have other activities going on at the track for different younger age groups.
Once the open track sessions are over, you can say goodbye to your friends and we’ll see you at the next NorCal SAAC event.
OVERALL COSTS FOR MINI-NATS XXV
Registration fee - $30 (required for Car Show and Open Track)
Covered paddock space - $100 for the weekend
BBQ Dinner (Friday) - $15 per adult, $5 per child
Saturday Banquet - $30 per person
Friday morning track sessions – $50 with Car Show entry, otherwise $100
Open Track - $250 per day (Saturday and Sunday)
Vintage Exhibition - $150
T-shirts - $18
Sweatshirts - $28
Travel Lodge at Willows (Golden Pheasant) - $59.95, $64.95, or $69.95 per night (self-serve breakfast included)
Baymont Inn - $79.95 per night (self-serve breakfast included)