RideSmart - Testing Interest - Event at Barber Motorsport Park in 2010

[ciaka]

11.16.2009 Update: Event Dates - August 14 (Satruday) and August 15 (Sunday)



We have thought about this one for a bit.
Made some inquiries, and we now have details of what it would take to stage a RideSmart Motorcycle event at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, AL.


The idea for this thread is simple. We want to be able to tell how many of you are seriously interested in going to Birmingham, AL for a weekend of riding at the Barber road course.
At the bottom of this thread, we will have a list for those who are really interested in doing this. If you are not serious about being able to pull this off next year, it would be better if you did not put your name down. This will give us a better view of how many people from this area are really thinking about doing this.
Also, you may notice this thread on several boards in this state. PLEASE do not put your name down in each thread. Please pick a forum to put your name down, and do not put your name down anywhere else. This will also give us a clearer view of how many are thinking of this.



I am sure you are dying to see the details. Well, at this time, we do not have every single detail, but we do have a rough framework in which we want to do this.
Here is what we have:


1. This event would take place at Barber some time in summer of 2010 (July/August time frame).
2. The event would be for Saturday and Sunday riding (2 days).
3. Price for each day would likely be minimally higher than our existing TWS dates (I would put the price in the area of $150/day for a total of ~$300 for both days. Of course this is preliminary, but that is what we are shooting for. Before we nail down all details, we will announce exactly how much riding fees will be.
This track is very significantly more expensive than any tracks in Texas, however we will do our best to keep pricing down to as close as we can to what it is at our usual events.
4. The price would cover registration for riding. There would be additional cost for travel, lodging and food. We would like to see and help in planning some logistics so that a bunch of us could go in a group from here, but this remains to be seen how much of such planning can be facilitated by us (when we have details, we will be in position to know more about this).
5. During the event (both days), there would be no formal RideSmart instructional school (we want all of us to go and enjoy the event). We forsee track drive in the am, as well as an informational session about the track (so that all of us going would have some good info about the track prior to going out), but after that, it would be riding time, with some control riders to ensure courtesy and appropriate behavior on the track.
6. We would have 3 groups riding separately - L1 novice, L2 intermediate, L3 advanced. Since we do not anticipate many first timers on this track, L1 roster would likely be composed of riders that are faster than usual. This could potentially be two intermediate groups (yet to be seen), one marginally slower than the other. We will have more info on this later as we get more details in. L3 would be a typical advanced level. It is our hope that all those who want to go, will go there with an appropriate mind frame (to have fun, and try to avoid crashing). Doing otherwise will not be a very wise idea so far from home.
7. There would be no Ty Howard race class as well. He may join us and there may be possibility of 1 on 1 for a fee (yet to be determined), but at this time it is too soon to tell.
Our idea of sessions would be 3 levels, each on track for 20 minutes at a time, in a rotation 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, etc.
8. We are thinking of people providing their own food (I am sure water/gatorade will not be an issue), we are trying to minimize the effort of hauling all the required stuff up and back down. Nothing final, just some ideas/thoughts.
9. Drive up there is about 800 miles, so if we manage to get carvans of attendees going, we could plan for leaving at an appropriate time to get there Friday. It is highly recommended that those who have not done so, go see the museum (Friday would be good???). This is just another idea.
10. If we decide to go with this, we would have some initial date, by which a portion of the registration fee was due. This would get your name on the roster and guarantee attendance. Some time later, there would be another deadline to provide remainder of fees. At some point we would have to make a go nogo date, after which, we won't be able to refund you money if you change your mind (but you can still get someone else in your space - they would pay you).
12. It would be great to see if we could somehow work with those who have trailers that can haul many bikes. I am sure costs would be split and it would allow us to go up there in a nice group for the weekend.
13. We are working on details for tire support, but we will be planning to have it.
14. We are planning for suspension support, do not have many details about it though...will update as we go.
15. Planning on having photographer/dvd video bike cam. Very preliminary now, will have more info about this as soon as we can. Photos would be of riders at track, bike cams would be per request (probably cost associated with requests to have it done - although I do not imagine any more than at our other events).


This is our very preliminary outlook. We have a rough ballpark date, a rough ballpark pricing, now we would like to get a measure of how many of you would really be interested. Please remember do not put your name down on the list in more than one online forum. This will make our jobs easier.
Spread the word to all your friends, see if you can get your buddies to come along. If this does work out, it will surely be a landmark event. Help us spread the word. The more people we know will attend from this area, the more seats we will have reserved for fellow riders. Extra spots will most likely go to local riders who will frequent the track.


So let us know if you are interested.
Below are 3 levels, please put your name down for only 1 of them per day, and only on one forum. Greatly appreciate your help in making this the most spectacular RideSmart event ever!!!!



Interest:





SATURDAY:

L1 - Novice:

1. Your name here



L2 - Intermediate:

1. Your name here



L3 - Advanced:

1. Your name here





SUNDAY:

L1 - Novice:

1. Your name here



L2 - Intermediate:

1. Your name here



L3 - Advanced:

1. Your name here

[Loyd]

I'd like to see more concrete info. Definately interested in intermediate level both days.

Wouldn't have a problem using my truck for hauling duties...provided the logistics all work out.

Been looking for an excuse to make this trip for about 2 years. Guy and Tom coming back and rubbing it in how awesome the place was hasn't helped...

[ciaka]

...info is preliminary only for now...that is why we called it testing...looking for type of interest we will have. We have a tentative date set but we will want to see interest before even thinking of commit. More info will come forth once we are pretty sure this will be a go. If anyone is on the fence about this, as in 50/50, it would be better they did not sign up...we really want to get an accurate gauge here. Thanks.

[blackhawk]

I would be interested.

Cannot answer for which days, it would depending on the finalized dates. If you happen to pick dates that I am on vacation, then both Sat and Sun.... if not, then Saturday only.

As for the level, if this events Level 1 would be composed of the fastest guys from lvl1 and the slower guys from lvl2 , then level 1. Otherwise level 2.

I too, have been looking for the excuse to go to Barber, and this would be it! I would hate to go all the way there just to see the museum and not ride that track!

[connick]

I would love the chance to ride at Barber. If this happens, I'd be in for L2 for the full weekend, provided that I can find a trailer slot with someone (no, I'm not going to ride to a track 800 miles away...).

[msnyder755]

Most definately unless something weird happens and I have trailer space for two more bikes.

SATURDAY:

L1 - Novice:

1. Your name here


Michael Snyder

Sunday

L1 Novice

Michael Snyder

[budzrex]

I would be up for this as it is my favorite track. I have done several days
there with NESBA in the past. Get the dates set, hey email Tim @ 29 dreams
he may do something for you for camp sites and cabins for the track day.

Tell him Bud from Texas sent you his way,

[vfer]

I would be up for level 1 both days

[leeroy]

Level 3 both days.

[Txagharrison]

I did two track days at Barber a few years ago. Best facility I've ever been on.

I'd be interested and would try to "sell" two of my buddies on it as well.

[DancesWithCurves]

I don't know how I'd be able to afford it, but I am keenly interested. I'm a solid level 2 at MSR but would probably go L1 for this shindig. May as well go both days, eh?

[msnyder755]

I talked about this with my normal riding buddies and they are willing to pony up as well so please add 9 more people interested probably 5 level 1, 4 level 2

Thanks

[ciaka]

More info to follow soon.
We have nailed down the dates (as shown in originating post).
As we finalize all details, we will release them to you. Should be in the next week or so.
Thank you for this great interest you all show for this event.

[macktruckturner]

I would be quite interested in L1 (never done a track day) both days, and also willing to drive my truck there for any possible recovery needs for anyone in the Houston area. I wanted to ride Barber bad when I was stationed at Fort Benning, but the training/deployment schedule only let me get there once to watch an AMA race. I'll go for sure.

[ShafT]

I'd be down for Level 2 - both days. It is a way out on the calendar and much could happen 'tween here and there, but put me down as seriously interested.

[derf]

L3 for both days - can't to ride my new pony the rumble bee

[connick]

Any ideas as to when registration will be open?

[Boxercup Dave]

I'm in for L1 both days

[jaredkuper]

Saturday:
L2
Sunday:
L2

I have seen some races here and would love to get on the track!

[nchristie]

It is scheduled and on the Ridesmart website - mid-August. SO GO SIGN UP!