Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

[Lego Maniac]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

I will finally be making my first appearance at NT this year, thanks to Fab's incessant nagging :P thanks Fab!

any prep/packing/other suggestions for an uber noob?

Cheers!
Zach

[SumAznGuy]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

I will finally be making my first appearance at NT this year, thanks to Fab's incessant nagging :P thanks Fab!

any prep/packing/other suggestions for an uber noob?

Cheers!
Zach

Get there early. Best is thursday night and get a good night's sleep. No Packwood casino.
Get some practice runs in on friday morning to get use to the grip levels at Packwood.
Try to get the car teched and ready friday night and walk the course if you have time.
Here comes the most important part.
Friday night get a good nights sleep and get to the pad early on saturday. The pad is going to be huge. Each course walk will take a bit of time. Do not think you can get away with 2 course walks and don't think you can get 4 walks in the time allotted. It goes by very quickly.
Saturday night same thing. SLEEP.
Sunday is even more hectic.

And remember to breath.

[Jaker]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

And remember to breath.

Aaaaaa... Who needs to breathe?

Like Edwen said, course walks are key. I try and walk at least 5-6 per side (Saturday/Sunday). Sometimes that means checking out early from the social Saturday night. The courses are long. If memory serves me right, it takes upwards of 20 minutes to complete one walk without stopping for corner analysis.

And make sure either your room mate does not snore, or you bring earplugs. Otherwise sleep will be difficult.

[Vancouver Special]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Here is my Packwood tour run during my Novice year, first year of AutoX ! Although I didn't get good results, but it was still fun ! the atmosphere there is great ! So yeah, it is a great event for novices to attend, and understand how the big/national level events out there are like

For drivers who have never been to U.S. events; please note the two white lines on the edges of the course. Almost impossible to DNF compare to courses locally. However, only three runs to get it right. Championship driving at its best.

Joe

[SkyShepherd]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Lots of good advice here so far. It's the little things that you'll find helpful too:
Don't forget your passport/travel documents!
Make plans to drive down with others; it's more fun, safer, and you have immediate assistance for roadside emergencies.
Have your SCCA membership paid up and card available.
Have any contingency programs registered for and stickers before you head down (Purple crack stickers become like hen's teeth. DON'T count on them being available trackside)
Find a pit spot near your fellow VCMCers; problems that come up are often assisted by many hands (I heart my club!!!)
Be prepared for a more tightly controlled event. From numbered and assigned grid positions, to pre-assigned work duties. As well, Every car is recorded at each station, including car number, class, cones or dnf, and the number identifying each cone struck (yes, they are ALL numbered!).
With the advent of double-pad events, we are getting a taste of higher speeds locally, but you may still find it spooky to be doing some serious manoeuvring at the speeds you'll see.
Be prepared for any kind of weather. Fronts can sweep up the valley quickly, and with moist marine air pushed up to Packwood's 1057' elevation, that can mean some pretty intense rain. Katiabatic winds sweeping down the valley from Mount Ranier can cool things off quickly too.
Bug spray. Bring it!
Cell and data coverage can be iffy/non-existent. If you need Internet access, the coffee shop has a hotspot, and many available accomodations offer connectivity as well.
The Packwood community is very pro-Motorsport. It's a great feeling to be there
I thank Matt for this tip: make sure you don't squander the opportunity to learn who the fast guys are, and really pay attention to their runs, ie braking points, lines, etc. Balance that against not worrying about them, let them worry about you!
Last tip, bask in the experience of being part of some the most highly skilled drivers and competition you'll see short of Lincoln!

[Slushbox]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Rehashing my list of stuff from last year's thread:

http://www.vcmc.ca/forum/showthread.php?10874-2011-Packwood-National-Tour&p=83330#post83330

Probably a bit late to get one now, but a NEXUS pass would be a god-send since it's the Canada Day / Independence Day weekend. Crossing the border in the wee hours is another good way to avoid the monster line ups. Also, never mention to the border guards that there's anything of monetary value to be won at the event.

[Jaker]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Katiabatic winds sweeping down the valley!

You tower weenies are such geeks !

[SkyShepherd]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Yes we are, but we are geeks with a view!

[Vancouver Special]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

I have Hoosier decals if anyone needs them for their car. SCCA staff will take photos of your car to submit to Hoosier if you are claiming contingency award afterwards. One for the front and two for each side of the car.

[Arnold68]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Joe, what colour are your decals? I need a set of black ones.

[PDM]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

And in these tough economic times, Hoosier contingency has required 5 entries for 1st place only, and 7 deep to go into 2nd place.

[510]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

And make sure either your room mate does not snore, or you bring earplugs. Otherwise sleep will be difficult.

Yeah that would really suck

[Jaker]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Yeah that would really suck

Now that you mention it, that's 3 years that I didn't sleep: 2005 with Steve Kibble, 2006 with Don, and then you in 2010. My best sleep was last year in the trailer with Maggie!!!

[Vancouver Special]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Joe, what colour are your decals? I need a set of black ones.

I have LOTS of black ones. Both large and medium sizes. Only 4 or five in white medium. Small ones are all gone.

Call me before coming over.

Joe

[Derek128]

Re: Packwood National Tour & Pro Solo 2012

Now that you mention it, that's 3 years that I didn't sleep: 2005 with Steve Kibble, 2007 with Don, and then you in 2010. My best sleep was last year in the trailer with Maggie!!!

bring earplugs with you LOL