? for FSAE WEST teams

[Steve O]

This year for the first time, our team will be attending the west competition in CA.Over the years, we have learned the ropes of Michigan and know where the hotels, restaurants and, of course, bars are. Since we are not going to Michigan this year, we have to start from scratch!

Can any teams that frequent the west competition recommend 1) an airport to fly into, and 2)some hotels that aren't going to break the bank and still keep us from getting shot and/or getting some disease of sorts?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[Yellow Ranger]

Fly into Ontario (ONT), it's less than 10 miles west from the track in Fontana. Between those to locations, you can pretty much find any type of food available with plenty of bars and hotels and hotel bars (not recommended). We stayed at a Quality Inn last year, about $90 a night, but there's Motel 6's that'll run you $60 a night- and you shouldn't need your Kevlar for that one.

[Michael Hart]

You can also fly into LAX (slightly cheaper) and rent a car to drive out (which you'll probably need anyway - driving is pretty much mandatory for getting around in SoCal). It's about an hour or so (I think...if I recall correctly) from LAX to the Fontana area if you don't try to do the drive during rush hour

as for restaurants and hotels...well, I know they're there, but I can't tell you how to find them really. There's a big mall in the area that has a Dave and Busters, Olive Garden, and several other similar establishments. Not to mention In-N-Out burger...

[Charlie]

Skip LAX if you can help it; ONT is so much closer and traffic from LAX to Fontana can be simply mind-boggling at the wrong times of day. It is worth paying more for ONT.

That said, if you do fly into ONT, make sure you leave some time to drive south to see the Pacific and other parts of LA/OC! Fontana is not the prettiest place you'll find in SoCal. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Wes Johnson]

Just wanted to note to stay away from Angel's Gentlemen's Club in Corona, skeeettchhy.

Where's the after party this year?

-Wes

[Steve O]

THANKS GUYS! I appreciate all of the tips! Wes, when it gets closer to comp its probably not a bad idea to come up with a plan for the after party!

Steve

[Kirk Feldkamp]

Originally posted by Wes Johnson:
Just wanted to note to stay away from Angel's Gentlemen's Club in Corona, skeeettchhy.


... or any other "gentlemen's club" in Riverside County or San Bernardino County...

[Michael Palaszynski]

West 2007...not a cloud in the sky the entire stay.

and the sun is an awesome tire warmer!

[J. Vinella]

Originally posted by Michael Palaszynski:
...not a cloud in the sky the entire stay.


Except the smog. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Michael Palaszynski]

yea, so true. 07 was the first time i've ever even seen smog, let alone california smog. Man was it crazy.

now i understand just how bad the air is and why they only have 91 octane...

[Kurt Bilinski]

Originally posted by Michael Palaszynski:

and the sun is an awesome tire warmer!

That's the other thing, prepare for hot weather! 2006 was 100F+, and 2007 about 10-15deg cooler. Traffic can be really bad, especially during the week around 4-6pm, as in nearly motionless. I drove my mid-engine Mini up on Saturday when I worked (cone bitch) and it wasn't as bad then. Oh, and it can be pretty windy too. Fontana's getting near the desert so yeah, if you want to see something nice during your visit, head west first.

[Mike Sadie]

If you guys are looking for a microbrew to gather at, check out BJs Brewhouse. Its pretty close and its kinda similar to Big Buck (beer and beef).

[S. Race]

There are a bunch of food-like places on Tippicanoe road. It's off the 10 a few miles from the track. Can't forget a name like that either.

[Mike Cook]

We stayed at the best western right near the ONT airport. It was about 70 a night. Very nice place, no problems. Has a bar on the premises. I would recommend flying into ONT, LAX can be a pain in the ass. The hooters near the competition site is very nice [ Hooters of Ontario Mills
909-989-2209 ]. gentlemen clubs are almost non existent, and don't serve booze. The nearest kart track I could find was down south in murrieta (http://www.racep2r.com/). It was so crowded when we tried to go we couldn't actually even run so you might want to call ahead. Traffic sucked. This was on a sunday. We went to laguna beach after that which was sweet.