Gauging Interest: FSAE West at Laguna Seca

[Pennyman]

After competing at West this past June and visiting the Germany event, a few of our team members have been throwing around the idea of potentially organizing an impromptu event or even relocating FSAE West to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

SJSU's team is in a unique position in that we have a few very important contacts both with SCRAMP (organizing body for the track) and SFR SCCA (largest one in the nation).

Benefits of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are the on-site camping, brand new pit garages, 10min from the beach, 10min from the Monterey airport, and 15min to downtown Monterey

I'm just curious how much more interested you would guys be in attending the West event if it was held in Monterey, CA instead of Fontana, CA.

[Pennyman]

After competing at West this past June and visiting the Germany event, a few of our team members have been throwing around the idea of potentially organizing an impromptu event or even relocating FSAE West to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

SJSU's team is in a unique position in that we have a few very important contacts both with SCRAMP (organizing body for the track) and SFR SCCA (largest one in the nation).

Benefits of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are the on-site camping, brand new pit garages, 10min from the beach, 10min from the Monterey airport, and 15min to downtown Monterey

I'm just curious how much more interested you would guys be in attending the West event if it was held in Monterey, CA instead of Fontana, CA.

[exFSAE]

Where would you actually run the events?

[The Neck]

On the Corkscrew

[Pennyman]

The paddock is easily as large as that at Hockenhiem in Germany, though the overall size is smaller than that in Fontana.

The corkscrew would be awesome, haha. Perhaps a parade lap would be in order http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Mike Macie]

Well more important than location is insurance and rental costs to worry about. I would assume SAE has looked into moving an event to a lower cost venue to avoid the increased fees. It would be easy to debate if we knew the cost breakdown of hosting an event. I'm positive you don't need close to 1/4 million dollars(total of teams fees for MIS) to hold an event outside of MIS but that's a separate issue.

[js10coastr]

You'd better make sure you have everything because there is nothing in the area...

[Pennyman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by js10coastr:
You'd better make sure you have everything because there is nothing in the area... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you mean hardware stores I beg to differ.
Hardware stores in Monterey CA (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hardware+stores&sll=36.608362,-121.79409&sspn=0.136144,0.308647&ie=UTF8&radius=8.56&rq=1&ev=p&ll=36.60037,-121.822929&spn=0.136158,0.308647&z=12)

[exFSAE]

Not that it's anywhere near, or even a potential FSAE West replacement, but it'd be cool to run cars at the infield at Lowe's

http://www.bing.com/maps/defau...e=22685982&encType=1 (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pwrhps888tf8&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=22685982&encType=1)

http://www.bing.com/maps/defau...=0&phscl=1&encType=1 (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pws444888wk0&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=22683760&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1)

[Nihal]

I think the running costs at Laguna Seca would be higher than at Fontana. The hotels etc. are more expensive there. In addition SFR is thinking of dropping the venue due to high costs of renting the track. Although it would be awesome for Cal, SJSU, and Sac State to have comp that much closer to them.

[Pennyman]

Footage from last weekend's uncorked event

First FSAE cars on Laguna Seca (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVKJ4trjIiQ)

[exFSAE]

That is cool.

[Cory M]

Have you talked to your SCRAMP contacts about the 92db noise requirement?

Laguna only has a handfull of open sound days and those are reserved for pro events. The recent "uncorked" event only happened because one of the races (AMA?) was cancelled. Laguna is probably the most difficult and expensive track in CA to rent too. I love the track but for FSAE all you really need is a big parking lot and there are plenty of options for that with a lot less red tape than Laguna. Nice idea but not likely to happen.

If things get moved from Fontucky I'd push for Vegas: lots of big parking lots, race track, hotels, stuff to do after the comp, etc. The SKUSA karting Supernationals have been there for several years (Sam Boyd Stadium and the Rio) so they aren't new to these types of events.

[D Collins Jr]

Well, as long as we're throwing out locations that would be convenient to get to for our team, I'd like to suggest Texas Motor Speedway as a good spot for an event. We've been there for SCCA events before, and it's fantastic. It also has the large parking lots that are desirable. DFW airport is certainly large enough to fly teams in, house them at hotels nearby, etc. That being said. The event being in Fontana is fine, other than the fact that we're inside instead of outside of the speedway and paying alot more to use the facility.

As far as moving the event to somewhere like Vegas, I'd venture a guess that you might have to look for a new pool of volunteers for West http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Ben Jamin']

I have never understood why an FSAE event isnt held at Indianapolis. Racing capital of the world, tons of race teams with engineers who could act as judges available in the area, and who wouldn't want to drive on one of auto racings most historic grounds. It is also pretty centrally located with plenty of hotels and attractions nearby and an international airport about 2 miles from the track with a FEDEX shipping hub for anyone shipping their car or equipment by plane. Any interest in that?

[Bone R]

I think that having the FSAE West event at Laguna Seca is a great idea. It's closer to one of vendors and that would help out alot. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Pennyman]

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs249.snc1/9625_1207735268357_1077931174_667318_2184584_n.jpg