Hiya,

Anyone planning to go to this event? I noticed Andy McKee has already signed up...can't wait to see him run! Is Gary Thomason's 20B event-ready yet? Any advice for a tour noob?

I know I'll be DFL but just so overly excited to see these guys perform their magic. In 2K1, a bunch of the NWR top dogs used to pay us Canucks visits to prep for Topeka cuz we run on concrete. Just wow, watching Dietz, McCormick, Bauer, Hernandez, et al. lay a whooping on us. Of course, we had Milligan/Cheng so at least they didn't take home ALL the trophies.

 

In my experience the Tours run like any other autox with one exception: They run like clockwork and if you're not where you're supposed to be nobody looks for you or waits around, they just DSQ you. Be certain what heat you're running and what heat you're working and make sure you're there on time. First heat on Sat is typically 9am and Sunday 8am. Be early and be ready. The National staff is very friendly so if you are not certain what you should be doing and where you should be doing it, ask!

If it's your first Tour get there on Friday afternoon to check in, get teched and make some runs on the practice course and walk Saturday's course. Then all you have to do Saturday is show up and drive. Sunday's course is often Saturday's course run backwards with a few changes. Walk it Saturday evening and again Sunday morning. Tours have LOTS of marbles on course. If you're not running first heat you're going to have to run the line that's clean, not necessarily the one you would like. Do Not Get In The Marbles. Other than that the only things really different are grid and impound. You will have an assigned grid spot and should have your car there the heat before you drive. After you drive each day you'll have to park in impound until released by the officials; about 30 mins or so. This is so everyone can find the illegal stuff on your car and protest you

Seriously, it's a blast. You'll have a great time.

 

That's actually my wife's 20B, Beth McClure-Strelnieks. Unfortunately, she let me tune it and at about 500 miles of break-in, I broke it. :-( Should be back together by the Denver Pro for its maiden runs, but we won't be going to Packwood. Spotting Andy 140lbs and 1" rubber per corner may be tough, though.

 

D'oh...sorry Erik. So this isn't encouraging...your car + your driving abilities = still tough to catch Andy. How much talcum powder should I bring to sooth my deriere?