Nationals 2008 - Trip Planner

so lets see. who's going?
Glenn Landrum
Matt White
Mason Melkowits
David Donovan

ride alongs:
Jeff Burch
Todd Covini
????

who plans on leaving when?
i want to leave on Sunday morning. mostly because i want to be there no later than Tuesday and i want a buffer day in case something happens. i plan on driving straight thru w/ several food/gas stops on the way. i could be convinced to leave Monday ifthere is just cause to wait. but it wil be at zero dark:30 AM.

the route i plan on using is from here to Memphis, then north just before Memphis towards St Louis and over to Indi and Cinci then north again to Lexington. its the flattest route (i've used both).

its 15 days till first on track day.

i also know Clifton and Adrian and Adam will also be there along w/ Jay and Shannon. i think Mixon is going too (unless his car is still busted).

i know for sure i want to travel in a group of some sort in case one of use needs help. if there are any other NASA TX folks that want to travel w/ us, lets co-ordinate w/ them.

FRS radios are the best way to communicate from rig to rig. i have a box of these in various states of condition. bring your own if you have one, but i have one you could use if you dont.

do we need to pick a meeting spot on the east side of DFW?
last time we meet at the T&A over off I-30 east of Dallas.

Leaving Tuesday at around 5am...I think. Depends if the neighbors are cool about loading that early. :oops:

Arriving mid day Wednesday...

bring the FRS radios because I am sure we will all be leaving MO about the same time.

I was starting my plan today to figure out where I am staying Tuesday night...might do straight through with rest stops as needed but would be nice to sleep in a bed Tuesday night.

Daron was leaving Monday I think...don't see him leaving at dawn though! :lol:

Since Burch is now riding with Glenn, I might bring my father for support if he can get away for that many days....otherwise, there is a seat in my truck available....

if you stop for the night, you will not get there by mid day the next day.
we drove straight thru one year and got there around noon the next.

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

if you stop for the night, you will not get there by mid day the next day.
we drove straight thru one year and got there around noon the next.

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I have made it to indianopolis in 15 hours...legally, 13.5 at elevated speeds! I was only 19 at the time! best I can tell, lexington is about 5 hours past there?

4am till 7pm day 1. 6am till noon day 2.... am I not going to be able to average 65mph?!

I am not trying to be on track wednesday, just arrive, unload, spread out, walk the facility and sleep well in prep for Thursday track sessions.

I will be at a disadvantage I guess for track time but also not going to pay the MO practice day prices for track time. From what Burch tells me and a what I read from MANY others is that MO is pretty damn easy to learn fast so I ain't going to worry about it.

you will want to use Wed for Walmart runs and fuel runs and resting up from the trip up. i would strongly encourage you to leave Monday sometime. and 65mph average is a strech while towing.

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Originally Posted by AI#97

I have made it to indianopolis in 15 hours...legally, 13.5 at elevated speeds! I was only 19 at the time! best I can tell, lexington is about 5 hours past there?

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Did that include stopping every 2.5-3 hours for fuel? ;)

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Originally Posted by mitchntx

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Originally Posted by AI#97

I have made it to indianopolis in 15 hours...legally, 13.5 at elevated speeds! I was only 19 at the time! best I can tell, lexington is about 5 hours past there?

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Did that include stopping every 2.5-3 hours for fuel? ;)

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Try even less...had an 80 year old grandma in tow.

I typically average about 70 while towing with the new rig...I don't have that big wind brake of an enclosed trailer like you guys have.

Actually thinking of hauling to Louisville for over night and haul in what equates to a Plano to Houston haul on Wednesday. Plenty of time to settle in but as we all know....best plans go to shit really quick sometimes! :lol:

Leaving Monday would be a nice luxury but I am already borrowing against vacation time on my current plan. all those trips to divorce court this year ate my vacation time in half....guess she did get half my shit afterall!!! :lol:

Daron and I are leaving on Monday afternoon. That's as early as I can leave. Boyd Davis, who was previously riding up with us, will fly in to Ohio instead on Wednesday evening. So, we do have plenty of room in the van if anyone needs a ride up. We aim to arrive no later than around 5pm on Tuesday. That should give us enough time to get the car unloaded and ready for Wednesday track time.

Glenn, if that's the flattest route, that's the one we'll be taking!

i'll get the route info up later.

I am planning on leaving Sunday, AM if we can...

Brooks is flying into Austin Saturday and helping me drive up...

We will be in my F-350 w/ 24ft enclosed trailer.

Last year with the motorhome Todd and I left on Sunday and arrived mid-day Monday... (I think, its all a blur)

DD

i'll caravan w/ ya David. keep me in the loop about your plans.

Sounds good... I'm pretty sure I can get loaded on Saturday and be on the road Sunday morning... in Dallas area by 9:00 - 10:00 am...

That will be the tenative plan so far...

DD

Occupational requirements have me watching the activity in the atlantic...

anyone got any rain tires for AI they want to sell? :shock:

Sure Matt....but they're VERY expensive. :)

Nats veterans, is a golf cart rental a) necessary to run around the pits b) another way to waste money?

Yes, very nice.
Almost a requirement.
Bicycle at minimum.

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Originally Posted by Mason

Sure Matt....but they're VERY expensive. :)

Nats veterans, is a golf cart rental a) necessary to run around the pits b) another way to waste money?

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Well, with all the hurricane activity in the gulf right now...I might end up having to tell my boss to shove it next week. They are talking about having us in houston and New Orleans after gustav hits and I told them no matter what, I am leaving Dallas on 9/9.... I didn't get a very good look back. Damn I hate mother nature. :mad:

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Originally Posted by AI#97

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Originally Posted by Mason

Sure Matt....but they're VERY expensive. :)

Nats veterans, is a golf cart rental a) necessary to run around the pits b) another way to waste money?

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Well, with all the hurricane activity in the gulf right now...I might end up having to tell my boss to shove it next week. They are talking about having us in houston and New Orleans after gustav hits and I told them no matter what, I am leaving Dallas on 9/9.... I didn't get a very good look back. Damn I hate mother nature. :mad:

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I thought you delivered mail?


JJ

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Originally Posted by ShadowBolt

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Originally Posted by AI#97

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Originally Posted by Mason

Sure Matt....but they're VERY expensive. :)

Nats veterans, is a golf cart rental a) necessary to run around the pits b) another way to waste money?

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Well, with all the hurricane activity in the gulf right now...I might end up having to tell my boss to shove it next week. They are talking about having us in houston and New Orleans after gustav hits and I told them no matter what, I am leaving Dallas on 9/9.... I didn't get a very good look back. Damn I hate mother nature. :mad:

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I thought you delivered mail?


JJ

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That is great!! :lol:

thats where he learned to drive.
i'm surprised his race car isnt right hand drive.

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Originally Posted by ShadowBolt

I thought you delivered mail?

JJ

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In a way I do...I make sure the lights stay on and there is a roof over the equipment that sorts it and there is a place for customers to buy stamps.

Beyond that, I just maintain the stereotype of mentally ill employees with lots of guns! ;)

They are talking about deploying to New orleans right now and I said I ain't going to the "demilitarized zone" without proper armament or federal law enforcement as an escort. Ain't no way I signed up to go deal with that bullshit.

mfw

http://www.denver-lender.com/wp-cont...nfeld_s9e5.jpg

I can see both of those guys in MFW.

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Originally Posted by Waco Racer

I can see both of those guys in MFW.

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I wouldn't disagree.... :oops:

At least I can get women compared to those two! 8)

get them? i thought you just lost one? :D

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

get them? i thought you just lost one? :D

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Paid through the nose to have one removed...sort of like a big wart. Dating one and trying to screw another right now...been sort of busy! :lol: Starting to like being single again!

here is my route guys. let me know where you think different.
1188 miles door to door for me.

I-30 E to I-40 E (Dallas to Little Rock)
I-40 to I-55 N (Little Rock to West Memphis)
I-55 N to I-57 N (West Memphis to 1/2 way to St Louis)
I-57 N to I-70 E (Effingham)
I-70 E to I-71 E (thru Indi to Columbus) I-71 runs more north than east.

DFW to MCI to CMH, pick up Hertz rental, drive ~62mi to Mid-O.

:D

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Originally Posted by Adam Ginsberg

DFW to MCI to CMH, pick up Hertz rental, drive ~62mi to Mid-O.

:D

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fly in and watch or drive up and race...... hhhmmmm that is a hard one. :wink:

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

here is my route guys. let me know where you think different.
1188 miles door to door for me.

I-30 E to I-40 E (Dallas to Little Rock)
I-40 to I-55 N (Little Rock to West Memphis)
I-55 N to I-57 N (West Memphis to 1/2 way to St Louis)
I-57 N to I-70 E (Effingham)
I-70 E to I-71 E (thru Indi to Columbus) I-71 runs more north than east.

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Is there a particular reason for taking that route even though it shows it to be nearly an hour and a half slower? You mentioned it's more flat, but is it also due to having more frequent gas stations, more cities for possible break downs or ??? I am still planning on the faster southern route through nashville and then up.


so far I have dodged having to go to SW Louisiana for the Hurricane crap but I am on the second wave team to go. biggest issue is they aren't letting our guys into any of the towns, there is no power to pump gas even if they had it in the stations. Still a huge cluster but I hope I don't get a phone call soon to go...that would suck balls.

the difference is 40 miles your way. we went that way the last two years. then last year for the return trip, we went the above listed route. way easier on the truck. almost no hills. going thru Memphis sucks ass. i was stationed there for over a year. that place is a crime ridden hole. the hills out of and into Nashville are just crazy. the roads out of Nashville are very narrow, foggy and you hit that spot about 2-3AM. very bad place to nod off and go off the road.
Mixon tried to tell me the above way was better, but i didnt listen. you probably will not either so why bother. i'm giving you my advise, and its worth what your paying for it. i've done the trip 2 times round trip now and i'm taking the northern route at this point.

That's good info Glenn. I didn't know about the Hills and stuff near nashville. I don't have the big rig like you have so I don't think the hills will be a big deal on the truck. That gas motor you have running the enclosed trailer would be the suck for sure. A diesel would be much better. My little rig runs pretty good and doesnt seem to strain much at all....but I do miss my cummins and 900 ft/lbs of torque! :oops:

I am going to relook at what time I am supposed to be into those areas but it would be before dark...but might be during rush hour.

Either way, the car is ready to rock and roll. Will bleed the brakes when I arrive and bed pads/new rotors.

See ya'll at the track!

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

the difference is 40 miles your way. we went that way the last two years. then last year for the return trip, we went the above listed route. way easier on the truck. almost no hills. going thru Memphis sucks ass. i was stationed there for over a year. that place is a crime ridden hole. the hills out of and into Nashville are just crazy. the roads out of Nashville are very narrow, foggy and you hit that spot about 2-3AM. very bad place to nod off and go off the road.
Mixon tried to tell me the above way was better, but i didnt listen. you probably will not either so why bother. i'm giving you my advise, and its worth what your paying for it. i've done the trip 2 times round trip now and i'm taking the northern route at this point.

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Memphis may suck ass but since it gave us Elvis it's not all bad. We used the gps to get around last year when we went for Elvis week and it took us through parts of town where I was afraid to stop at the stop signs.......I just slowed down and drove thru.

JJ

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

here is my route guys. let me know where you think different.
1188 miles door to door for me.

I-30 E to I-40 E (Dallas to Little Rock)
I-40 to I-55 N (Little Rock to West Memphis)
I-55 N to I-57 N (West Memphis to 1/2 way to St Louis)
I-57 N to I-70 E (Effingham)
I-70 E to I-71 E (thru Indi to Columbus) I-71 runs more north than east.

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That's the route we typically take when we go to visit my wife's family and when her brother comes to visit us. IMO its definately the best route (not to mention you can stop at Sikeston for Lamberts!!)
FYI, probably taken that trip about 10 times in the last 20 years...we've done different southern routes maybe 4 times and had *issues* everytime.

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Originally Posted by BlueFirePony

FYI, probably taken that trip about 10 times in the last 20 years...we've done different southern routes maybe 4 times and had *issues* everytime.

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Please define "issues"... not enough toilets, crappy roads that shake the shit out of your car? Construction delays? Interested in making an informed decision! ;)

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Originally Posted by GlennCMC70

fly in and watch or drive up and race...... hhhmmmm that is a hard one. :wink:

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Did it 2 years in a row.....no regrets.

I'm more than a spectator this year......I'd suggest being more "hospitable" towards your Race Director.

:D

.....and you to him 'cause he don't know he's hauling your bed yet :wink:

jb

Adam already told me, but it hasnt shown up yet. only two more days and i could be gone.

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Originally Posted by AI#97

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Originally Posted by BlueFirePony

FYI, probably taken that trip about 10 times in the last 20 years...we've done different southern routes maybe 4 times and had *issues* everytime.

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Please define "issues"... not enough toilets, crappy roads that shake the shit out of your car? Construction delays? Interested in making an informed decision! ;)

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We typically go during August and December and we've hit torn up roads everytime, weather twice going the south route - uhmmm can you say hurricane corridor?
The northern route that Glenn listed has not failed us yet -...check construction notices along the way 'cause you'll get those no matter where you go when you are driving 10+ hours.

What are you guys doing for food while you are up there? Is anyone bringing a grill, or is dinner easy enough to come by that you can eat at the track or go out instead?

Less than a week to go...MFW has had his car done for 4-months and I'm sure Glenn has been ready for a while. It sounds like David and we are testing this weekend. For our part, the 2008 Mid-Ohio aero package is nearing completion. For those of you stopping by MSR this weekend, you may get a sneak peak.

So what's the word David, still wrenching? :) I'm looking forward to hearing about the new setup.