What else should I know about doing Nationals?

[Christine Grice]

In case you were wondering who to ask:

[Glenn Duensing]

[Steve Ekstrand]

Ah yes... The Girls of L2.

[Kurt Rahn]

Yeah, I think when all's said and done, that's all you really *need* to know, Mike.

[Michael Palero]

Do they take dollar coins?

[Ashley Armstrong]

Do they take dollar coins?

This was a logistic issue about which I was intensely curious when I moved to Canada.

[Curt Luther]

Do they take dollar coins?

This was a logistic issue about which I was intensely curious when I moved to Canada.

1. They do Michael, just make sure they're warm.

2. I've got a 2., but this is a family board...

[David Avard]

Getting back on topic:

If you are going across Hwy 40, whatever you do, don't buy gas in Needles. 20 or so miles up the road (I-40) at the Lake Havasu Pilot, the gas is typically $0.80 cheaper.

Needle prices, along with the adjoining Indian reservation.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Arizona I-40 Exit 9
Pilot Travel Center
Wendy's
Cleanish Bathrooms
CHEAP gas

[Curt Luther]

Arizona I-40 Exit 9
Pilot Travel Center
Wendy's
Cleanish Bathrooms
CHEAP gas

Stopped there on Friday going to Havasu. $3.97 reg., $4.19 premium.

[Bill Martin]

You might as well know some of the negatives. The lot would be roomy for one course, but pretty tight for two. But the designers are very experienced and they get a lot out of what they have to work with. Expect a LOT of slaloms.

The pavement has a lot of sand in it, and the sand continuously emerges. It's ridiculously slippery when unscuffed, and gets somewhat better as the event progresses. There's a glorified test n tune practice to help dial in for the low-grip.

Marginal spectator viewing of one course, and even worse on the other. Can't even see the course from paddock or pregrid. Crew get a good workout trying to be with you in the pregrid, but also wanting to watch your runs. Be sure to have an FM receiver as both courses are broadcast. You can seldom hear much depending on where you're trying to watch from. (Dueling PA's)

None of these are buzz-killers...just a little disappointing for a National Championship event.

-- Bill

[David Avard]

The pavement has a lot of sand in it, and the sand continuously emerges. It's ridiculously slippery when unscuffed, and gets somewhat better as the event progresses. There's a glorified test n tune practice to help dial in for the low-grip.

-- Bill

Of course, if the contractor hadn't cheated and had used the correct grade of asphalt, at least that part would be different.

[Randy Chase]

None of these are buzz-killers...just a little disappointing for a National Championship event.

-- Bill

The lack of grip for me is a buzz-killer. And two years of it is enough. See you at Nats in 2009. Not this year.

Good riddance to Heartland Park.

[Sebastian Rios]

I'm looking forward to a new venue too. I regret not going in 2005 for the last time at Forbes, now I'll never be able to try it.