Update on the Transporter to Nats

[Richard Jung]

8/07/08 Update for the multi-car transporter to the Nationals:

Final Filled list

List of confirmed parties:
1. Derek P.
2. Mihai S.
3. Max H.
4. Rick J
5. Jason F.
6. Barbara B.
7. Brian Peters – AZ
8. Doug Rowse - AZ
9. Schillings
10. Ron T.
Contact Mihai, Derek Punch or myself for more info.

Thanks,

Rick J.

[Jason Flores]

so we are sure we can pack our cars to the brim with tires and tools before we put them on the transport?

[Steve Ekstrand]

That looks like a killer deal!

[Randy Chase]

That is a very good deal and to me a no-brainer if I was going this year. Last year we did it (two years ago) was great. No long drive. Save on gas, food, wear and tear, hotels. A good part of your cost would have been eaten up by those things and you also spend an extra 5-6 days on the road.

[George Schilling]

I won't decide until next week whether to go or not. But if we do, you can count me in if there is space left.

[Michael Palero]

I'm going around to all the VW owners I know begging for a codrive...

outlook looks muy malo right now.

[Richard Jung]

so we are sure we can pack our cars to the brim with tires and tools before we put them on the transport?

I'll check again, it looks like the transporter's insurance covers the cars, but your own insurance would need to cover personal items in the car.

Rick

[David Avard]

That is a very good deal and to me a no-brainer if I was going this year. Last year we did it (two years ago) was great. No long drive. Save on gas, food, wear and tear, hotels. A good part of your cost would have been eaten up by those things and you also spend an extra 5-6 days on the road.

Let's see. How much does it cost to do this?

Transporter
$1200 for transport
$300+ for round trip airfare (you may be able to do better).
$100 for rental car (shared with 3-people for 10 days)
$50-100 airport parking
---------
$1650-1700 total

Towing (3200 miles +/-)
$900-2000 (gas/diesel - 8-16mpg at $4.50-5.00/gal)
$150 for two nights motel room
$300+/day for extra vacation day/lost work
--------
$1350-2450+ total

Driving
$480-800 (20-30 mpg at $4.50-5.00/gal)
$150 for two nights motel room
$300+/day lost work
----------
$930-1450+ total

Looks pretty good, especially if you have limited vacation time. The other factor is how tired you'll be after 24 hours of driving, much of it boring. And as Richard said, you also have to factor in wear and tear on your car, possible increased insurance (if an extra 3k miles puts you into the next mileage range).

[Richard Jung]

That is a very good deal and to me a no-brainer if I was going this year. Last year we did it (two years ago) was great. No long drive. Save on gas, food, wear and tear, hotels. A good part of your cost would have been eaten up by those things and you also spend an extra 5-6 days on the road.

Let's see. How much does it cost to do this?

Transporter
$1200 for transport
$300+ for round trip airfare (you may be able to do better).
$100 for rental car (shared with 3-people for 10 days)
$50-100 airport parking
---------
$1650-1700 total

Towing (3200 miles +/-)
--------
$1350-2450+ total

Driving
----------
$930-1450+ total

Looks pretty good, especially if you have limited vacation time. The other factor is how tired you'll be after 24 hours of driving, much of it boring. And as Richard said, you also have to factor in wear and tear on your car, possible increased insurance (if an extra 3k miles puts you into the next mileage range).

Thanks David and Randy,

Actually it would be less than that:
$ 260 for airfare with Southwest
$ 0 for airport parking if you carpool to the airport or we could rent a one way van.
$ 0 for a rental car if you have a ST car there.
Plus add the cost for 12+ meals on the road if towing or driving.

So it could add up to just $1,360 - 1,460 to transport.
As opposed to $1380-2480+ total to tow.
Or $930-1450+ total to drive.

[David Avard]

Thanks David and Randy,

Actually it would be less than that:
$ 230 for airfare with Southwest
$ 0 for airport parking if you carpool to the airport or we could rent a one way van.
$ 0 for a rental car if you have a ST car there.
Plus add the cost for 12+ meals on the road if towing or driving.

So it could add up to just $1,330 - 1,440 to transport.
As opposed to $1350-2450+ total to tow.
Or $930-1450+ total to drive.

You still need to get from KC to Topeka, and unless you have someone to drive you to the airport before you leave. And you haven't priced airline tickets recently, as they've gone up quite a bit. The cheapest you can fly, from LAX, is $280. Add $60-120 for the other LA airports. It's still a pretty good bargain, unless your name is James, and don't use motels.

If I still lived in LA, I'd certainly be tempted.

Of course, I could also just co-drive with Mr. Ekstrand.

[Steve Ekstrand]

You have to have good manners like David to co-drive with me.
You know like rolling over at El Toro just to tease the car owner into thinking he could beat him.

[Randy Chase]

The two largest factors are not really calculated.

Diminished value and wear and tear on the vehicle being driven. 3200 miles is not free. The vehicle is worth a bit less on the used market when you eventually sell it. There will be more maintenance costs. Specially if the vehicle is the car you compete in. It can be hard to quantify this cost, but it is there.

Time lost. This one you can't say because everyone has a different value and it would depend on your work situation (or vacation time). For me, I would be glad to pay a certain amount per day to not be driving and to be able to work instead.

And as mentioned, the other hard to quantify number is the personal toll of driving. The first time I flew into Kansas City and rented a car to drive to Topeka, I could not wipe the grin off my face. OH DEAR GOD how awesome it was to NOT drive 1500 miles.

[David Avard]

You have to have good manners like David to co-drive with me.
You know like rolling over at El Toro just to tease the car owner into thinking he could beat him.

And that practice last year where you were a second faster than I was. Of course, it was bad form to run almost 2 seconds faster than you on Sunday, but at least I ran in SM instead of STS.

[David Avard]

And as mentioned, the other hard to quantify number is the personal toll of driving. The first time I flew into Kansas City and rented a car to drive to Topeka, I could not wipe the grin off my face. OH DEAR GOD how awesome it was to NOT drive 1500 miles.

And here I thought you took a certain joy in seeing how fast you could drive each way.

[David Avard]

And with the Protege, it didn't really do much to hurt the resale value since it started with 184k miles and a salvage title prior to it's first trip to Nationals. And does the extra mileage on a 250k mile Civic make a difference?

But with a new car or truck, you definitely have a point. Also running out of warranty that much faster. Or if it's leased...

[Bob Beamesderfer]

Thanks David and Randy,

Actually it would be less than that:
$ 230 for airfare with Southwest
$ 0 for airport parking if you carpool to the airport or we could rent a one way van.
$ 0 for a rental car if you have a ST car there.
Plus add the cost for 12+ meals on the road if towing or driving.

So it could add up to just $1,330 - 1,440 to transport.
As opposed to $1350-2450+ total to tow.
Or $930-1450+ total to drive.

You still need to get from KC to Topeka, and unless you have someone to drive you to the airport before you leave. And you haven't priced airline tickets recently, as they've gone up quite a bit. The cheapest you can fly, from LAX, is $280. Add $60-120 for the other LA airports. It's still a pretty good bargain, unless your name is James, and don't use motels.

If I still lived in LA, I'd certainly be tempted.

Of course, I could also just co-drive with Mr. Ekstrand.

Cheapest Southwest flight out of Ontario is $360 But the parking's cheaper.

[Jason Flores]

IS THIS transport planned on leaving to get people there in time for pro solo as well as solo?

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

The two largest factors are not really calculated.

Diminished value and wear and tear on the vehicle being driven. 3200 miles is not free. The vehicle is worth a bit less on the used market when you eventually sell it. There will be more maintenance costs. Specially if the vehicle is the car you compete in. It can be hard to quantify this cost, but it is there.

Time lost. This one you can't say because everyone has a different value and it would depend on your work situation (or vacation time). For me, I would be glad to pay a certain amount per day to not be driving and to be able to work instead.

And as mentioned, the other hard to quantify number is the personal toll of driving. The first time I flew into Kansas City and rented a car to drive to Topeka, I could not wipe the grin off my face. OH DEAR GOD how awesome it was to NOT drive 1500 miles.

Hey the drive out and back is the only part of the trip I consider vacation.... No wife, kid or work for two days each way. It is meditation behind the wheel for me.

[Max Hayter]

It is masturbation behind the wheel for me.

[David Avard]

IS THIS transport planned on leaving to get people there in time for pro solo as well as solo?

The last one had the cars there the day before the Pro Solo and left at the end of Nationals. IIRC, they loaded cars the weekend before (or maybe the Monday) and then unloaded the Monday following. If you aren't there, you need to arrange to have the car loaded/unloaded.

So, if this is your daily driver and you aren't going to be there the whole week...

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

It is masturbation behind the wheel for me.

That is why you asked to ride with me huh. You said you were a great towel boy, and here I thought you were talking about waxing the car.

[Richard Jung]

The cheapest you can fly, from LAX, is $280.

If I still lived in LA, I'd certainly be tempted.

True, SW is $129 ea way, not counting extra fees.

The additional cost estimate was for folks that are strapped for $, so they could see if they could budget for it. Couple of people hitched a ride to and from KC airport and topeka with me last time and used their own cars out there.

Plan is to have the transporter there for the Pro and leave Fri/Sat after Nats.

I'll update the sign up list.

[Mihai Surubariu]

Bump this thing Up !!! C'mon people get on this thing !!!!

[Richard Jung]

We now have the minimum to book the transporter! There is 1 more spot left open if anyone wants to get on board

Rick

[Richard Jung]

Updated list on the top

Transporter broker is starting the process.

Please discuss any details that need to be addressed.

Thanks,

Rick