Suggestion for two Round-ups...

Thats not a bad ideal Don. It is definitely more fun to have the track to yourselves, but for just starting out I think that would be the best avenue to pursue.

 

well i would love to have one out here in arizona.....if it is feasible....but i am sure that phoenix would be a great location.....just have it when it isnt so darned hot....

 

I agree that this should be kept somewhat to a minimum, a few activities and attractions to visit plus a site to park for photo ops, etc. I would be happy to do some checking around in Eureka by phone. If anyone else has other cities in mind then you can do the same and then we can compare them.

I'd really like to get the N. Cali rep (Corbin right?) to help out if he can. Maybe make some recommendations. I guess I can PM him.

I'm going to be out of town for a few days getting my Grabber but lets keep the ball rollin'.

 

I would be honored to help. I'll do some looking around for places, also existing shows like Craig suggested. I'll do whatever I can to get this going. The looking starts tomorrow...got to get to bed right now. lol norcalmavnut@hotmail.com
-Corbin

 

minimum show

I was thinking that way too. Concentrate on the racing, not worry about a show too much. A drag strip parking lot ain't a bad place for a small show and photos and general bs'ing, kill two birds in one bush, to mix my semaphores. Keeps it fairly KISS also, get a track, get a hotel, done, even if more expensive. If you don't want to race you still get the ambiance, and maybe we change some minds while there, get some people who have never been down a strip to give it a try, a lot less intimidating if you're just hanging out with some friends. Mainly I was thinking that way because we're talking about some awesome scenery areas, and cruising to some nice locations might be more fun than a show. One day with everyone in one location for racing and looking and yakking, one day for cruising. Tahoe, or a little coastal cruising to some cliff overlook place, etc. Maybe set up a couple/three mini cruises and let people hook up and choose what they like. I'm thinking most people would have a travel day there and back anyway, so might as well get two days there. Either Reno or Eureka are going to have lots of curvy, scenic roads around. I've spent more time at bike events and they are always about driving over sitting and looking at it, so I'm kinda biased that way, and there's still lots of stopping and looking at it and talking about it, and we're talking areas where people are going to be wanting to stop and look and take pictures anyway. And sure, the only way to do it is start now, get costs figured out, and then figure out the best way to cover it. Get people committed as early as possible(including the green). Used to do some big houseboat trips on the Colorado and into Lake Havasu, had to reserve a year in advance, 10 people/boat, everyone had to ante up a hefty deposit up front, non-refundable, we always had a full boat and a great time.

 

Gotta have Drag Racin'! Of course a show held within another show would be cool as well...although my car is not as much a show car as a daily driver. But a show will give us much better exposure plus we could get on their ballot for voting. I would think that if we eliminate one of the main activites people enjoy(Show or Drags) then that could influence whether they will attend or not...just my thought!

 

well out here in salt lake city we have rockey mountian race way(formerly the boniville speed way) and they have midnight drags all summer long on i think friday nights. we also have a group that sponcers some really big car shows that cost nothing to enter your car they have them like twice a week but the really big one happens at a movie theater the first wensday of the month april through october. just so you guys know what goes on in salt lake. i have to give my input on this, right?

 

All to ourselves.

Ok. I've never rented a dragstrip but I think this is going to be hard to beat. Top Gun Raceway(http://www.topgunraceway.com/) is run by a non profit organization with all volunteers. Lots of dates open. And the corny factor is off the scale. We can have a weekend day all to ourselves for $1200-$1500, and most of the expense is the insurance and ambulance(for the youngsters of course). Race who you want, when you want, hang out and yak it up in between. Sounds pretty laid back. But that is because it's out in the middle of nothing of course. $1200 to $1500 is 30 or 40 guys willing to pay a normal entry fee at a track where you're going to get 2-4 runs and wait around to do it. Sounds like a SMOKIN' deal to me. Think how many runs you could get all day with 30 cars there. Consessionaires are on call if we want them, but maybe a big BBQ, a little tail gate action?. It's actually 15 miles south of Fallon out in the desert, but at 4000 feet our odds of getting a real hot day are pretty slim. Late June, or any part of July and the weather should be sweet.
So here's a suggestion, lodging in Carson City, the capital of Nevada, mining town, lots of history and still the casino thing, but still a little quaint, right up against the Sierras. Rooms aplenty, Tahoe 10 miles away. Strip will be about a 70 mile drive. I'm a small town boy so I always choose the smaller city but Reno is an alternative for lodging but not so close to Tahoe, and only a little closer to the strip. Carson for me is the more attractive town unless you just want the glitter, which is not nearly like Vegas in Reno. Cruises to Tahoe, where you can circle the whole lake or cut off down to Truckee and then back to Reno and still hit the glitter area, and then a short easy cruise back to your hotel. Lots of ski areas too that I'm sure run a few lifts in the summer. Looking down on Tahoe from the top of the mountains ringing it is an awesome view. Looks like you are going to fall in from a couple thou. up.
Rooms just won't be an issue in Carson or Reno so if this becomes the plan that will be a piece of cake, and the choice is the best casino to taking over some old retro motel. Also, I was thinking if we really wanted to cut the cost on the track we could split with some club out of Reno and really do it cheap. Awaiting comments....

 

The tracks that have been rented this side of the river for the round-Ups have ranged in price from $500 to $750 for the day/nite. We have averaged anywhere from 10 to 25 "racers" to divide up the cost.

Not to rain on your parade.....but for a first time event....I don't think you want to commit to a $1200 drag strip.

 

Why do you have to rent the whole track? Couldn't people meet at a track during test and tune for the drag race portion of the event? Does the Roundup have the whole event at a drag strip or are there 2 locations?

With an option do go drag racing, more people may show up. Nevertheless, I agree that the simpler you make it the first time around, the more successful it will be.

 

I think I need to add my 2 cents worth. Part of the success of the Roundup is it is a family thing. It's at places with shopping facilities and attractions that would interest the whole family. It's not just the drag strip. Although I know many men would disagree with me. I would think the whole thing would be alot easier to pull off with the support of your wives if they knew it was going to be a fun time for them, too. Alot of the wives look forward to coming each year to meet old friends, new friends and do a few things together - as a family. Okay, I'm done now. Don't tell Wilbur I posted this, he thinks I come just because I love the Mavericks! Susan

 

I concur with Susan 100%. The drag race is a very very small portion of the Roundup. Get out your shorthorns and study the Roundup itinerary. Roundup is a FAMILY event. It wont succeed with a bunch of guys just doing guy things. I dont think people will travel far and wide alone, though I have done it. Having the family and meeting the families, building the relationships is what roundup is all about. Family styled outings are geared into it, and really the car thing is evening parking lot or cruise in stuff. Sure we caravan the cars to the family events and that is a blast. But for me and I am sure anyone who has attended roundups,,, its the people!!!!!!!!!!! Show day is great,, just hanging out with all the families, it is so relaxed and casual you meet someone and an hour later you feel you have known them forever. I think if you stay with the same formula as Roundup you will succeed. In reality if someone could find the 2001 itinerary it would be an ideal setup for a west roundup.
Dan

 

I can't speak for anyone else in the "Great Northwest". But, if I have the date & place of a roundup, I can put in for vacation that week. But, I need to know by Feb (that's when I have to put in my 4 weeks vacation). In other words, I need to know far in advance...And I'm guessing one day drive to get there & one day to get back. I vote for Nevada (not a real long drive). I'll keep listening to this post.
I agree with the family theme. The Mini Meets we have at car shows here, are geared toward meeting family's & talking (you don't need a show car to join us). When the day is over, you always seem to stay in touch & can't wait to get back together. Maverick/Comet people are the greatest! You'll never find a tighter bunch of people. All willing to help one another out, in anyway they can...Drag racing is just icing, on the cake...

 

I'll say it again. First time out......hold it at an already established event. A Fun Ford Weekend for example. That way....drag racing is available for those that choose to do so. We had drag racing "available" at the first 7 Round-Ups because of this concept.

 

One more thing to get off my chest. When talking about coming to the Round-Up, or any future Round-Ups where ever they may be, and talking about how much is going to be going on does not promote a "family" atmosphere. Many, many people read this board and get an impression of us as a group and organization. This is not the impression we want to leave with people.

My 2.5 cents.