Official: WEST COAST ADVENTURE (WCA) - June 7th-13th '08

[CalScot]

2008 West Coast Adventure aka AtomsWest
A CalScot Production  

The WCA is officially on the map. The Reno Fernley track is booked and paid for and plans are in place and moneys on the table.

I started this new thread to consolidate much of the original discussions into an informative/definative thread so we do not have to wade through too many pages to get the facts.


The two days at Reno are the centerpiece of the WCA. Geographically centered to the Western US, and hopefully not too far away for all US Atom owners to attend. The activities before, during and after the two Reno days have developed over the past few months, this kicks off the actual scheduling, requirements and obligations to secure these two key days and to inform you of other days you might want to partake in.

So here we go...whoo hoo.


Note: items in GRAY are suggestions  -  items in Black are confirmed - Most images are links to places with websites...
 ... everything is optional, everyone is invited.

[CalScot]

Dinner Thursday/ Lunch Friday at Fiesty's? For early arrivals (pretty sure some people might show up a day or to early just to do the tourist trap stuff that may not interest others) Thursday/Friday - Street Camping/Assembly at CalScot's in Dana Point (or Fiesty's 5 miles away near the San Clemente Pier)? Friday 6 Jun 4pm-? (Coordinator - Spaz): - Dinner at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, CA. (75 miles from CalScots) Good 'ol fashioned 'Murican food at a famous location with lots of cool cars.  The only challenge to this is that the place generally starts getting packed with hot rods & classic cars as early as 5pm.  You can get there whenever you like, though as this weekly gathering goes until at least 10pm.  Who knows, maybe Jay Leno would even show up with his Atom (he stops by this event fairly regularly). Here's the sub-thread discussing going to Bob's.

Saturday 7 Jun: (Spaz) 5am - 6ish: Donut Derelicts (20 mins from Cars & Coffee) For the early birds. Saturday 7 Jun: (Coordinator - CalScot) 6:30ish - 9am: Cars & Coffee Gather for departure for the road trip caravan at Cars & Coffee in Irvine. It's about 15 mins from CalScot's home.  Show up as a group, all packed and ready to go.  We might get a hero's sendoff.  After we leave from Cars & Coffee, we head to Buttonwillow (3.5 hrs away), Atoms could take the opportunity to drive cool local roads along the way, maybe terrorize Rodeo Drive (after all, it's not that far and we're not in any hurry to get there) Bigger rigs may need to take a more direct route.

[CalScot]

Sunday 8th Buttonwillow Ultimate Track Challenge Buttonwillow Raceway Park 24551 Lerdo Highway Buttonwillow, California 93206 phone: 661.764.5333 Arrive Saturday afternoon, UTC on Sunday, camp outside the gates Sunday night and leave Monday after the hangover wears off.

click for website

Travel Days  (Possible Side trip for Touring Atoms)

• Monday 9th - Travel up somewhere near Mammoth and dry camp on BLM land, see the sights have some food along the way...
• Tuesday 10th - Easy travel the rest of the way to Reno-Fernley

Accommodations for Reno-Fernley:
Best Western in Fernley
phone #: (775) 575-6776
Group Rates

The best rate I could get is for $82.99 + tax for a single room. $87.99+ tax for a shared room with two Queen beds. Please book you own rooms. Say you are with the Ariel Atom Group for the rate. It's the best I could get without using a stick.  The Best Western does have a half dozen RV hook ups in the side parking lot. This means the few RV’s and trailers that are coming will park there and the other Atoms could have company and some security nestled into the group. Some people may decide to rough it at the track but it for most we'll all go to the Best Western and you get a room and we RV out in the parking lot. There is extra space in the RV's. Speak up if you need it. I will be in the BW parking lot at one of the RV hook up spots, as will Wayne McManus so we will have reasonably secure parking.

[CalScot]

Wednesday 11th Reno Fernley Raceway Pro Control Drive School Fees: $350.00.  15+ $300, 20+ even less. (This gets you the required track certificate for open track running on the 12th. You cannot get on RF without it. The training is recognized by all West Coast Tracks and NASA) In order to run open tracking at Reno Fernley, all drivers must attend and pass the track certification. There may be some waiver for anybody holding a professional racing license, but for the rest of us not intending to join the F1 ranks or give up our day jobs anytime soon, we have to take the class if we have not already done so within the past 12 months.

After talking at great length with the chief instructor “Erwin Nagle”, it became clear that this would be fun and very productive for all of us. The day’s instruction will be “tailored” for the Atom Owner. This is not to say we will be setting lap records, but more along the lines of the Atom having some unique performance and handling characteristics such as very high performance, lightweight, rear wheel drive and rear weighted bias and the instruction will have a specific focus on the challenges and capabilities that this presents.

TRACK DAY CERTIFICATION SCHEDULE, JUNE 11th:

• 8:00am-8: 30am Registration
• 8:30am -9:00am Chalk Talk
• 9:00am-11: 45am Car Control Clinic
  Ergonomics
  Steering Techniques
  Threshold Braking
  Obstacle avoidance
  Decreasing Radius Threshold Braking
  Trail Braking
  High Speed Handling Oval

Between exercises there will be a short chalk talk
 

• 12 noon – 1:00pm Lunch  (Potluck - See this thread)
• 1:00pm – 1:30pm Chalk Talk Track briefing and Safety
• 1:45pm – 4:30pm Lapping and Evaluation

Each driver, upon evaluation and display of responsible performance, will be issued a track certificate.

Wednesday 11th - Evening after Track Day Virginia City Drive - Individual Dinner $28 a head We finish the day at 4pm. At about 4:30, we need to be ready and we head off to Virginia City. About 34 miles from the track. 25 miles are just open highway. The rest is a great driving road up the mountains to one of the most historic little towns in all of the Western US. We have a meal booked at the Gold Hill Hotel.

This is a neat place. They host the annual Ferrari Hill Climb meet each year and a number of other auto group runs. It’s got history, class and it’s perfect for parking and overall destination. Food can be off the regular menu or a set menu, which will get us served much quicker. We can pick meat; chicken, fish and veggie dish off the regular menu and that will be the set menu for us. It will be about $30 a head for the whole meal. Drinks are separate and from the bar. I visited every place in town. This was better than all of them and was recommended as well as being one of the nicest places anywhere in the region. I met with the head chef and I was really excited by the character of the place. The early run then let's us walk through town and have beer in one of the really cool original old western bars.

• Thursday 12th - Reno Fernley Exclusive Atom Track Day

The following day, we have the track to ourselves. The run groups will be broken up into newbies, nearly newbies, and not quite newbies.  There will be so few of us relative to the track size, it is basically going to be run when you like till you run out of gas or energy. The neat thing is the Pro Control staff will be present the entire day for assistance. They will help us with the lines, heel & toe braking, high-speed handling and whatever driving assistance we want. If you do not want any help, no problem, it’s your day to run and play all by yourself if you like.



OPEN LAPPING, JUNE 12th
 

• 8:00am – 8:30am Morning Briefing-Safety
• 9:00am – 11:45 am Open Lapping (20 min Sessions)
• 12 noon - 1:00pm Lunch (Potluck - See this thread)
• 1:00pm – 430pm Open Lapping (20 min Sessions)

 
Costs for this event are split equally among all the participants. The instruction day and the track day are both run through PRO CONTROL. This was the only cost effective way to do this. The track rental by itself is $3700 direct. However, this requires many mandatory extras, such as separate liability insurance, track workers, on-call paramedics and so on. Total cost would be in the $7K plus range if done this way. Going through PRO CONTROL for both days is cheaper as we only cover the $3700 for the track fee. All the other items are already covered for them under their own contract with the track.

The instruction/certification day fee assumes a minimum of 15 sign ups and is $295.00 This is a $50.00 discount. This fee will require over 20 sign ups to get a further break.

The open track day is $246.00 per person based on 15 sign ups. ($3700 / 15 = $246.00) If we get more, the track day cost goes down proportionately. If we get less than 15 sign ups, we have an option. Increase the fee we pay to keep it exclusive to us Atom Owners, or allow the track to open the day up to others as well, which would cap the track day at the $245.00, which is the standard open track day fee to the public.

So assuming 15 participants, the two day cost is $541.00
If we get more sign ups, it gets cheaper! So call all your Atom buddies and get them to RENO.

I have paid the $50% deposit for the 15 participant level for the two days as it was just easier to do and less messy. Now all you have to do is pay me the deposit.

I paid 50% of the total cost, so please pay me your 50%, which is $270.00 and make the check payable to:
 
Peter Thomas
33548 Valle Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

At the end of the day, you will get a refund if we get more than 15. The math is easy to figure. All receipts will be copied and provided to all participants showing the costs on this so you know where it all went.
 
To Sign up with the Track, please Click Here : Download the packet, print and complete forms. In the cost/payment sections, just fill in "Paid by P. Thomas for Atom Event"

Mail only the event registration form to:
Pro Control, LLC
375 Nicole Drive
Sparks, NV 89436

Complete the rest of forms and bring to event registration on June 11th.
 
All rules and regulations apply as stated in the RFR contract.

THE DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE AFTER MAY 11th.

Thursday 12th - Evening Event - Atom Drive 36 miles to National Auto Museum in Reno - Private Tour, Hourduerve Reception, hosted by the new North American Ariel Atom builders Trak Motorsports Description: I am very excited about this. We have a catered meal booked at the National Auto Museum Basically the museum is exclusively ours for the night. You have to check this out online. The car collection is fantastic! We will be treated like VIP’s with our food served amongst some of the rarest autos in the world. This is sponsored by TMI. TMI will be giving a presentation during the event. Parking is ideal and it’s a really special thing all round. I think this could be one of the highlights of the entire trip.

10 South Lake Street Reno NV  89501-1558 775-333-9300

After the Museum, we could do a downtown Reno drive through on our way back to Fernley. Reno is 36 miles of straight highway to the museum.

[CalScot]

List of Attendees to date(VERBAL):                 Desposit recieved
Calscot                                                      YES
WmcManus                                                    YES
Fly Low                                                        YES
Nicholas                                                        YES
Randy Lamp                                                  YES
Rick Lamp                                                     YES
Synergy, Kyong                                             YES
Sharpatom2                                                  YES
Cactus Bob                                                   YES
Dial911                                                         
Fishkiller                                                      YES
Darthchicken                                                YES
DP35                                                          YES
Positron                                                       Paid in full
Shinoo                                                       
The Masked Spaz                                           YES
Fiesty
NormLarson                                                 YES
Bill Gilis                                                        YES
TMI                                                      YES


To add or remove your name, please PM me.

             




[reserved for future update]

[Driver]

Just made this sticky and added the week or so to the Forum Calendar.

[CalScot]

Update on the shirts!
The following description and prices are for the design discussed earlier. Namely this design on the back of each shirt.





On the front of the shirt, left chest area,  is a small logo with "WEST COAST ADVENTURE" text and the same Atom image without the mountain background. Appx 1" x 5" in size. Each shirt sleeve has the Ariel Logo on the right and the TMI logo on the left. The shirts are all white. None have any pockets.

Description:
Regular T shirts. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Long sleeve T-Shirt.  S-XL         $24.75
Regular T shirts. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Long sleeve T-Shirt.  2x-5x       $29.00

Regular T shirts. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Short sleeve T-Shirt.  S-XL         $22.50
Regular T shirts. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Short sleeve T-Shirt.  2x-5x       $24.00

Regular Polo Shirt. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Short Sleeve shirt.  S-XL         $48.00 (more than I was hoping but they are nice shirts)
Regular Polo Shirt. GILDAN brand. Ultra Cotton. Short Sleeve shirt.  2X-5X       $48.00

These prices include(d) CA sales tax and the Logo design and are were based on the participants all ordering at least one.

Regarding the moisture resistant shirts as requested by a few guys. Two problems with these. The first is they are microfiber polyester. You would not be allowed to wear them on a track unless under a cotton shirt or race suit. Second problem is they have a minimum order of 50 to get the prints done as it requires an outsourced process. We only have two weeks, so they would also not be ready in time.

These are done, they are collector items if you placed your order because that's it!!  

DEADLINE:  was  Friday - 5/30/08 -

[Driver]

BIG BUMP

Please Re-Read this entire thread as items have been clarified more.

[wildwhl]

THANK YOU PETER (wow, I'm really stooping low to thank a scot! lol)

I really appreciate the *barely molecules* gang for letting me join you at RFR in my lowly Lotus.


Wonderful group of whacked out gearheads. Hope to see SOME of you again soon   

WW

[DarthChicken]

Thank you for coming out wildwhl, it was nice beating up on you 

Thanks for everything Calscot.  Today my son starts the recovery process of not having a buddy to hang out with 24 hours a day.  I would imagine half the folks at WCA didn't even know we had our boys with us 

[NormLarson]

I must admit that I was surprised to see them appear well into the event, ... blinking in the bright lights as they came outside

[Driver]

They did emerge like sleeping vampires at least few times, mainly for a cold drink or to say they were hungry and that was about it. No sunscreen was required for them. I however sit here shedding a layer of fried skin off my arms all over Waynes keyboard as we truck down the road.


REQUEST: If anyone has pictures or video please mail me a disk with them on it (original files please) to my house (PM me for address). I'll assemble a disk with everything and it'll be available on request and/or I'll post them to the Gallery over time. Thanks!

[CalScot]

I had a great time and it really was an adventure. Thank God I am off on Vacation next week though!

Thanks to all the participants. Everybody was a great help. Nick brought a bunch of meat and salad stuff & the main BBQ. Wild Bill brought about 25lbs of steak. Norm brought half a ton of drinks, Mark had a ton of stuff, including a kitchen sink. Cactus Bob had chairs, tables & stuff. Feisty & Hamster did the shirts for me. Scott brough a bunch of stuff. The list goes on. Everybody volunteered and helped out.

Driver was a great help behind the scenes. Always running errands and taking care of stuff. I would have lost it without all his help.

Thanks also to Tom and his crew for coming and showing off Bolus's Atom. They are a great group and are a terrific resource to all of us.

My deep appreciation to all for coming, for being safe and having fun.

[shinoo]

Peter/All Y'all,

It was a great time for sure!  Thanks for organizing a super event.  I slept all Sat to recover from all the fun....or was it all the driving? 

[j.vick125]

Hope you guys had a good week(end). 

My brother saw two of you guys cruising along North Tahoe Blvd.  Not sure what colors, but he called me right away asking what kind of car it was.  I was on my way up to our house there for Father's Day.  Too bad I was a few hours back.