King Ray going to Laguna Seca this weekend

[King Ray]

I'm going to Laguna Seca this weekend to see the Historic Races and all the special Corvettes that are going to be there for the 50th celebration. Corvette is the marque this year, and 3 of the 5 original 1963 Corvette Grand Sports are going to be there and actually race on Sunday against 427 Cobras and other classics! An original Grand Sport is worth well north of one million dollars.

If anyone else is going to be there, let me know and I will PM you with contact info. I want to spend the days at Laguna Seca and take lots of pictures with my digital camera.

I haven't decided if I'm going to drive my Z up yet or not. I live in the Santa Barbara area and it's about a 220-240 mile drive. Last September when I went for the ALMS race there, I had to park my car (not a Vette) in the field and it was covered with a layer of dirt at the end of each day, since the field was dirt and grass and it was very windy. I mostly want to go to see the other Corvettes and I'm not sure that I want to be worrying about and detailing my Z all the time. Supposedly the earlybird Vettes get to park in Corvette Corrals each day (limited to 1200 total or so). Another worry is that you have to go offroad a little at these things and the Z is pretty low.

There is going to be a parade lap on Saturday with a Corvette from each year; those cars have already been chosen. On Sunday I hear that they are going to have a parade lap for Vettes that are picked from the Corvette Corrals by Larry Hayes from the NCM. They are going to try to get as many Vettes in the parade lap on Sunday as they can; it would be worth it to drive the Z up there if I could do the parade lap, for sure, but the odds sound like about 1 in 10 or so.

What do you guys think? Anyone else going? Are you going to drive your Z? I personally don't like leaving my Z unattended in urban or busy areas, but maybe I am being too careful.

Hopefully I will see some of you there! I'm planning to try to get some banner shots. Corvette Mike helped me get a room at the last minute via a friend of his named Andy, so I definitely owe him and Andy one. He said to bring cigars!!!

[King Ray]

So, is anyone else going to Laguna Seca this weekend? (I started this thread late last night, so I'm refreshing it by posting again.)

[King Ray]

Man, this is a lonely thread... Is anyone out there? Or are you all already at Laguna Seca?

[mgarfias]

I'd go, but I'm in New Mexico...

Take the Z, you'll be happy you did. Last year I went to Sears Point for the ALMS race, and really missed having the Z there.

We had to take my buddy's car as there was no where to put his 2 year old in the Z.

[King Ray]

Maybe you're right, maybe I should drive it there. What better time than the 50th celebration at Laguna Seca? I am just a little concerned about all the dirt and crowds, and I don't know how I will be able to detail it and keep it clean while I'm there. I really want to spend all my time at the track and in the paddock looking at the Grand Sports and other vintage Vettes.

[BLEWZ06]

I'll be at Laguna Seca sometime Friday and thoughout the
weekend. The last time I went there, i too had to park in dirty
dry grass and the vette was totally covered with dust/dirt/etc.

I ordered just for the Historics the Flagroom tickets with great
parking. Previously, Season Ticket holders (SCRAMP stopped having season tickets several years ago) had parking (paved) near the SCRAMP admin offices, a short walk away from the media
center, so I specified that parking lot when ordering tickets.

I do not know if they have any additional parking at this lot (R2 is
the number), but you might call and find out if they do. This lot
fills up fast, especially on Saturday morning, so the earlier the
better.

Take the vette, You'll have fun even if you have to park in the dirt.
Take the cal duster with you. There are car washes off del rey oaks road (hwy 218???) in Del Rey Oaks and there is one at a Shell station in Salinas and more in the area.

[King Ray]

Blew:

That's good info. If I take the Z I will try to get in early enough to try to get into the corral. Still debating driving it or not. It's pretty foggy here in SB right now. I'll PM you with my cell phone number. I plan to be at Laguna Seca Fri/Sat/Sun from as early as I can get there until 5ish after all the races, but I may leave a little early on Sunday.

Maybe I'll see you there!

[Gleb Arshinov]

I am planning on going one of the days. Probably Sunday -- I'd like a better chance of parking on the corral and parade sounds cool.

Oh, and I'd take the Z, if I were you.

Gleb

[Silver Ghost]

I was at Laguna Seca for the World Superbike about a month ago. I was supposed to take the Z, but it was in the shop at the time. Take it, you won't be disappointed. I would be going except I just got back from my second trip up there this month about a week and a half ago. Just too soon to go back. A lot closer than the NCM though. MAke sure you don't forget your V1 so you can enjoy the ride with peace of mind.

BTW. If you haven't been before, cannery row (about 15 minutes from the track) is a great place to go. That's where everyone was hanging after the races I went to.

[King Ray]

Thanks, guys, you convinced me. I'm planning to take the Z now. I'll PM you guys later with my cell. I gotta run now and get the Z detailed.

[Silver Ghost]

Make sure you bring a bottle or two of Zaino Z-6 and a couple clean soft cotton cloths to keep it looking purty.

[King Ray]

Silver Ghost:

Haven't switched over to Zaino yet, but I want to soon. I think it'll take a whole weekend to Zaino the first time!!! Right now just using carnuba, but I'm bringing some cleaning supplies. Just got it detailed and will be on my way by 7pm hopefully.

[Silver Ghost]

Lucky dog. I would be there too if it wasn't 500 miles away.

[King Ray]

Blew, Gleb, you have PMs . Blew, sorry my inbox was full when you tried to PM.

I made it fine last night, no problems. Passed a TR Z (not sure what year) somewhere north of Pismo Beach; he got off shortly after I passed him; I waved like crazy!

Left about 7:30pm last night and got to the hotel about 11:15pm . There was a lot of traffic the first 2/3's of the way. It was about a 235 mile drive, so Silver Ghost, 500 miles shouldn't stop you!!!

At one point drove behind a pickup with a 10 foot high stack of hay in it with the tailgate down ! Got around him fast. Not the kind of vehicle you want to drive your Z behind!

When we got to the hotel, they had overbooked , so they upgraded us to the Presidential Suite for no extra charge for the whole stay !!! Not bad, being on the 12th floor with a balcony and great ocean view!!!

We were both a little tired so we will probably head to the track for a little while late today. Not much going on today, just practice and qualifying.

Blew, Gleb, hope I can catch up with one of you guys while I'm here.

There are a lot of Vettes driving around; so far I've seen a number of C2's and C1's, and C5's . I think I'm going to be in Corvette Heaven for the whole weekend!!!

I'll try to check email and PMs every night. Going to try to get to the track by 7am on Sat and Sun. Maybe I can get in on a parade lap!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'm not sure what the Corvette Corral situation is, whether you have to have a ticket or not to get in, or whether it is first come, first served. The NCM seems to have sold tickets, so it may be sold out... Hopefully not.

I'll keep you guys posted!!!

[Silver Ghost]

Take lots of pictures please