FCA 09 Nationals - PICTURES

Thanks. I think there's a contact name on the registration form, I'll contact them. Might make a separate thread here for questions, too.

The track touring requires F1 or F2 registration in addition to the $100 touring fee. So a minimum $595 investment. No helmet needed for touring, but that's OK, now that I have it I can do other track events with other clubs and cars.

I'll figure out a way to attend. I'm thinking sleep at home, get a F2 registration, enter my car display only in the concours on Thursday, skip Friday, spend Saturday and Sunday at the track and run the touring session both days. Still have to figure out how to accomodate a spouse or guest.

 

Jeff,
Hopefully I can answer some of your questions.
Spectators and or guests without an F1, F2, or JR (Age 15 or under) package can visit the concours and Mercato at the Osthoff on Thursday at no charge. There is a planned concours lunch that day but it is reserved for Formula 1, 2, and JR. package partcipants. The Osthoff is within walking distance to town so they could either have lunch in town or the Osthoff may have a snack bar.
They can also come to RA on Saturday and Sunday to view the action at the track. The cost is estimated to be $35/head per day, and tickets would be purchased at the track. The FCA is working out some details on this.

The guided driving tour of RA on Saturday or Sunday will require at least an Formula 2 package + $100 to participate.

Although we would like to have you stay at the Osthoff, there are other options you might want to explore. Birddog posted he has some great B&B suggestions above. Be sure to allow yourself extra travel time. Many of the events such as the concours have cut-off times to participate. The Oshkosh experimental "fly-in" is also scheduled that week so you might want to avoid that area due to congestion.

Hopefully that answers your questions. Please feel free to post any questions, send me a PM or e-mail. My e-mail address is in the concours section of the site.
Hope business improves so we see you there.
Dave

 

Yes, indeed Got some schemin' to do.

Thanks for the answers, Dave!

Two last questions for now - does the the track touring fee get you out there Saturday AND Sunday or just one of the days? And - On the Saturday and Sunday track sessions are passengers allowed with solo-approved drivers and appropriate safety gear? i.e., if I bring my helmet and look sufficiently pathetic is it possible to mooch a ride from a sympathetic new friend?

BTW - The Osthoff has a snack bar and a casual restaurant and the prices are quite reasonable.

I'm going to be there with my 328 one way or another!

 

Hi Guys,
Please do not make the mistake of many and NOT stay in the village of Elkhart Lake at night. Walking around at dusk, amazing cars slowly cruising past folks on the way to dinner at many of the great restaurants, strolling along the lake, bar racing at Siebkens...that IS the whole charm of the town and what makes it unlike any other experience in the country.

I can tell you that there will be a lot more ancilliary acitivity going on in the village than what is listed on the FCA agenda....you have to be there to discover those moments though.

Everything is basically about one or two blocks away from everything else in the village. Lots of great restaurants, bars and vistas. This town is a Victorian resort town; people have been coming there since the turn of the century...before there were cars! It's a very unique town apart from the track.

One last plug, if you have not read the original Burt Levy book "The Last Open Road", it has a chapter or two that describes in fantastic narrative all the history and charm of Elkhart Lake. It will really get you pumped up for the convention, and it's a great tome on early road racing.

for other lodging or dining:
www.elkhartlake.com

 

Not sure. But I think the $100.00 buys you one session at both Sat and Sun. Wasn't exactly sure how long one session was. Wasn't really spelled out. One 20 min. lap sesion each of the two days? Or 1/2 day session for 2 days? Thats why I took F1 ticket for unlimited tracking. If I knew for sure that I could get two half days of tracking for $100.00. I would have taken an F2 ticket. But if I overpaid at least I know the money goes to a good organization the FCA. My own question becomes can my 10 year old who is signed up as a junior member or my wife as an F2 can ride with me. If so do they need any safefty gear of any kind or special clothing?

 

Good question. $100 for both Saturday & Sunday. The guided track tours are usually conducted by the track staff, so we may not have all the rules/details nailed down yet. I've been on at least two of these track tours at past FCA meets and they are fun but restricted as far as speed, with no passing rules, following a pace car (guided). As far as passengers, I would think you can, but I can't confirm that at the moment.
Dave

 

If it's the Road America pace car driver (it usually is for other clubs and events)...he is a Ferrari owner and I doubt that you will have much to complain about regarding his pace.

 

Totally Agree!!! You've got to stay at the Osthoff, the Victorian Village, or one of the in-town B&B's if you can. (Most of the B&B's have nice relaxing places to sit and watch the cars and people go by - and I believe an F-Chat member owns one of them.) The cars cruising around, the nightlife, the restaurants, and just the feel of Elkhart Lake at night is not to be missed.

And "The Last Open Road" - great book (series of books) by Burt Levy and I agree that it'll let you know a little about the history of the town in a historical fiction sort of way.

Not to knock Sheboygan or Plymouth - but staying right in Elkhart Lake really lets you experience the whole trip.

 

I just registered my 328 GTS for the Concours and driving school. I have been looking forward to this event since it was anounced last year. I have a room in the Osthoff overlooking the lawn/lake (Concours). I can't wait for this thing to happen!

 

Oh great - a guy that used to race a corvette and who has one of the nicest 328s I've seen is going to be in the driving school and in the concours too! You're just trying to make me look bad aren't you! Just kidding - glad to hear you're signed up and here's lookin' forward to seeing you (in my mirrors)

 

Birddog, why are your mirrors pointing to the front? Is that so you can look into the future and dream to be like the rest of us? Just kidding...NOT! Looking forward to a great time this summer in Chicago with our cars. Hope to see many of you at various events over the next several months.

 

I would suggest the following web site for the history of the old track(s), a map, etc. It really is a beautiful drive.

History: http://www.historicracecircuits.com/race_history.html Map: http://www.historicracecircuits.com/location.html

Also, in Burt Levy's book "The Last Open Road" it describes the old course from a driver's perspective and some of the historic highlights of a weekend at Elkhart Lake. It's a great read, and available from his web site: www.lastopenroad.com (The author is from Oak Park too, and a pretty interesting guy.)

 

Oh - forgot to mention that on the 51/52 circuit the stretch between the start line and the finish line is now a pedestrian walkway between the lake and the Osthoff. You have to drive around the Osthoff and then pick up Lake street again.

 

Just a few photos from previous FCA national meets. The one taken through my Boxer's windshield was taken during the track tour at Indy 2005. It reminded me of going to a rock concert for the first time.

Dave
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That Pirelli girl was right in the way of the picture you were trying to take of me. Just ruined the shot.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing!

 

I can offer a room N/C for one night to one person/couple on the far south side of Milwaukee (Caledonia) if anyone in a Ferrari that is passing thru on a long trip to this event. I am about and hour or so south of Road America. Just off of I-94 just before you enter Milwaukee county. I have a garage stall (I'll park my MB outside for one night) and you can even wash your car if you like here before moving on.

Rodney Dickman
1990 348 TS

 

My wife, my folks and me arrive at the Osthoff on Friday. I'm bummed that we are missing the happenings on Thursday! Anyways, my family is really looking forward to spectating at RA and seeing all the beautiful Ferraris at the hotel & around town, not to mention Sal's for Steak & Fried Shrimp followed by Siebkens for drinks.

Wondering if this is an event that Jim would bring one his spectacular cars to?

 

I thought she was buffing the car.