Heads up for those attending OPTIMA

[Spiffav8]

Just noticed that the OPTIMA Challenge is being held the same dates as the Air Show being held at Nellis Air Force Base. Nellis uses the parking lots at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for attendees, so there is sure to be some confusion. The airshow draws a massive amount of people and traffic is always backed up especially at the freeway off ramp. Las Vegas Metro Police officers are always on hand to keep things flowing as best they can, but it still gets kinda crazy. You may want to give your self a little extra time to navigate through the confusion.

Hope to see you all there.

:captain:

[Payton King]

That is going to be a mess for sure

[Spiffav8]

i just found the schedule for the airshow. It starts a bit later than Optima, so things might not be to hectic getting in. Getting out maybe another thing. There are two on/off ramps that can access the Speedway. The second one might allow us to bypass the bulk of the traffic. I'll look up the numbers/names and post them.

Here's the schedule for the airshow.

The annual Nellis Open House is the largest free public event in Nevada.

This year's Open House is scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9.

1000 - Buses Start/Gates Open
1100 - Opening Ceremony
1115 - Start of Flying Show
1545 - Flying Show Complete
1630 - Gates Close

[GregWeld]

Im going to have to rig out there in support of HellFire... looking like The Siegmeister and I will just spend Friday night out there in it!! Good catch Curtis!!!

[Sieg]

Im going to have to rig out there in support of HellFire... looking like The Siegmeister and I will just spend Friday night out there in it!! Good catch Curtis!!!

Thanks Curtis :thumbsup:

GW - We may have fallen into a great side show! I thinking possibly Friday evening practice activity?

[GregWeld]

Thanks Curtis :thumbsup:

GW - We may have fallen into a great side show! I thinking possibly Friday evening practice activity?




You just have no idea how wrong that sounds......

[PTAddict]

Im going to have to rig out there in support of HellFire... looking like The Siegmeister and I will just spend Friday night out there in it!! Good catch Curtis!!!

Wait - are you saying you're part of the support crew for Stielow and Hellfire, or just cheering him on? If it's the former, I'm really jealous. Actually, I'm jealous either way :) I'd determined to be there this year, but work intervened.

[Flash68]

GW - We may have fallen into a great side show! I thinking possibly Friday evening practice activity?

You just have no idea how wrong that sounds......

Yes he does.

Consider yourself warned.

[GregWeld]

Wait - are you saying you're part of the support crew for Stielow and Hellfire, or just cheering him on? If it's the former, I'm really jealous. Actually, I'm jealous either way :) I'd determined to be there this year, but work intervened.


Yes I'm Mark's support vehicle at the OUSCI - was last year too... I guess it must be the hot dog bbq that got me back this year. Trust me when I tell you he sure as hell doesn't need any help I could offer. I just run and fetch when he asks for a wrench. The part I'm hacked off about is that last year I got to pick up Mayhem and deliver it to the Optima booth inside the hall - which means I got to drive it 100 feet at idle. That was okay with me. I couldn't handle what it's got anyway...

That's why I retired the minute I could! That whole work thing just kept interfering with my social time.

[GregWeld]

Yes he does.

Consider yourself warned.



I thought once you became a Daddy -- you'd be a kinder, gentler, Flashy thingy.

[Sieg]

You just have no idea how wrong that sounds......
Guess I do now.......... :sieg:

Yes he does.

Consider yourself warned.
Didn't even cross my mind actually.

Least he doesn't have to worry about pregnancy or STD's. :lol:

I thought once you became a Daddy -- you'd be a kinder, gentler, Flashy thingy.
I'm betting he becomes a horny thingy before any of that.

[Flash68]

I thought once you became a Daddy -- you'd be a kinder, gentler, Flashy thingy.

Workin on it.... and not workin out very well yet is it.

Guess I do now.......... :sieg:


Didn't even cross my mind actually.

Least he doesn't have to worry about pregnancy or STD's. :lol:


I'm betting he becomes a horny thingy before any of that.

I'll pass on this for now.... in the name of the kinder Flashy thing.... :lol:

[Sieg]

http://www.lvms.com/documents/thumbnails/RBAR-TrafficMap%202014_page_1_800x600.png

http://www.lvms.com/documents/thumbnails/LVMS_facility_map2013FEB_8_page_1_800x600.png

[formula88]

Just noticed that the OPTIMA Challenge is being held the same dates as the Air Show being held at Nellis Air Force Base. Nellis uses the parking lots at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for attendees, so there is sure to be some confusion. The airshow draws a massive amount of people and traffic is always backed up especially at the freeway off ramp. Las Vegas Metro Police officers are always on hand to keep things flowing as best they can, but it still gets kinda crazy. You may want to give your self a little extra time to navigate through the confusion.

Hope to see you all there.

:captain:

Thanks for the info Curtis. Will be sure to get an early start.

[Richio1]

Yeah thanks Curtis. Any guidance you locals can provide on best way to get there from the strip hotels and which entrance to use, etc. would be greatly appreciated. looks like there are a few more options than at Pahrump.

Do we need to send out a scout to check it out?

Looking forward to running in to many of you guys.

[GregWeld]

Yeah thanks Curtis. Any guidance you locals can provide on best way to get there from the strip hotels and which entrance to use, etc. would be greatly appreciated. looks like there are a few more options than at Pahrump.

Do we need to send out a scout to check it out?

Looking forward to running in to many of you guys.



I'll be in the big white trailer....



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[ironworks]

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/ironworksspeed001/10599208_810700988964271_376828163332604570_n.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/ironworksspeed/media/ironworksspeed001/10599208_810700988964271_376828163332604570_n.jpg. html)


This was posted on that FACEBOOKEY book tiny booper site.

Enjoy.

[Ron in SoCal]

^ Hoping that's the Autox track. :sarcastic-font:

[Spiffav8]

Based on the different start times for the events, I think we will be alright with taking Exit 54. Just make sure you get the right parking and expect the confusion.

The events will probably end about the same time and that's where we could have a real delay. All depends on the parking I suppose. We can always jump on N. Las Vegas Blvd and head North a few mile and then jump on I-15 at Exit 58. I think there is a road around the Speedway that might allow us to bypass some traffic. Again, it all depends on where the parking is for the different events. Hope they don't mix the two!

Maybe Greg or Sieg can give us a heads up once they get out there on Friday night.

[Panteracer]

Our Pantera group used to run that track
before we went back to pahrump
Remember a guy running off the end of
the front straight because they shortened it
from the year before So much for taking it
easy on the first lap

Panteracer

[chetly]

What's gonna be interesting is if they hold the cruise portion on Saturday after the festivities. That's when I think it could be at its worse. Are they going to give competitors a special exit so they aren't stuck in traffic. Trying to collect poker cards while sitting in traffic with tens of thousand people would suck.

[GregWeld]

It is --- THE Optima Ultimate STREET CAR Invitational



I agree - it would suck - but it also separates the men from the boys....

[Ron Sutton]

It is --- THE Optima Ultimate STREET CAR Invitational



I agree - it would suck - but it also separates the men from the boys....

Well ... I don't know if separates the men from the boys ... :lol: ... but it will help separate the drivable street cars from not so drivable race cars. :)

[GregWeld]

Well ... I don't know if separates the men from the boys ... :lol: ... but it will help separate the drivable street cars from not so drivable race cars. :)






Men prepare -- boys dream.....



:>)



Actually IMHO --- compared to what they put Drag Week guys thru -- This is pretty much a cake walk.

[Ron Sutton]

Men prepare -- boys dream.....



:>)



Actually IMHO --- compared to what they put Drag Week guys thru -- This is pretty much a cake walk.

LOL

P.S. Hey guys ... I'll have milk crates for rent at the track ... :goggles:

[chetly]

You know what's funny. Everyone says that Maier's car isn't a street car because of the motor that's in it. I remember back at Laguna Seca when we were doing the cruise passing multiple cars that were on the side of the road broke down.

My questioning of this isn't about streetability, its about time. If they only give you a said amount of time like Laguna to finish the drive then there might be some people not making it because of the traffic.

[GregWeld]

Personally --- And I'm 100% positive that neither Jimi or Cam care what I think --- I'd like to see the STYLING points go away -- in favor of a vote for "Which car would you like to drive daily".


Oh -- that would separate this into a "race car" vs Street Car shootout in a big hurry.

[Ron Sutton]

Personally --- And I'm 100% positive that neither Jimi or Cam care what I think --- I'd like to see the STYLING points go away -- in favor of a vote for "Which car would you like to drive daily".


Oh -- that would separate this into a "race car" vs Street Car shootout in a big hurry.



:thumbsup:

[SSLance]

In my personal experience with this, I was parked next to and judged one right after the other a car of the same vintage as mine. Both cars are very capable street cars and are driven regularly on the road. Both cars performed almost exactly the same on all three performance elements at the event. One was on a stock chassis, with a nice factory appearing exterior and interior. The other was on an aftermarket chassis with a nicely done LS swap and a host of other bolt on goodies. One scored 19.767 points in the D&E portion, the other scored 21.433 points, 23rd and 13th respectively...out of 30 entries. 1.666 points difference. I ended up finishing 1.256 points behind the other car overall at the event (18th and 20th overall).

I'm not sure what I could do to my car to make up those 10 spots in this element, I didn't have any deductions for missing "street car" attributes, I just didn't have all of the bling showing under the skin that the other car had. I don't know whether you call that "styling points" or "Design and Engineering" or whatever. I understand why that part of the competition is there and I think it should remain to punish the full blown race cars with headlights somewhat. But in my case I may have been punished a bit because of it as well, and my car doesn't get any more street car than any other car that was there that weekend.

Maybe I'd like to see the D&E judging to be done last, and have the results of all of the other competitions be considered in the D&E portion. Kind of a verification to see if all of the bolt on bling really does help the car perform better or not.

[Panteracer]

Last year at Optima we left Sema and drove 6 miles down
Las Vegas Blvd at 4:30 friday in bumper to bumper traffic.. then turned
around and went 7 miles back to the Freeway before we headed
to Shelby.. only one car broke.. I heard the rear end let go
The ride tech sponsered truck was wondering if he had enough fuel...
850 hp small block with about 3 miles per gallon

Show cars vs race or drivers
I also think there is too much value on the show cars
Yes they are awesome and can be driven but most
of them only scored points in the Design and engineering

A little bird told me that first and second place were only one point
apart two years back when 2nd place won two out of the three driving events...
seems a little off to me but it is an points system and that
is what they do.. actually love the fact they have opened this
event up all over the country.. way cool for everyone

Panteracer