In no particular order:
Intentionally or not, in the heat of competition, people do stupid things. Taking parts off a competitors car while racing without permission is not cool. This is a sport where most of the competitors are nice. If you car breaks, just ask for help.
Motorized toys on wheels will cost $50 extra per toy, but the place is so big, if you are there for the week, it is so worth it.
If you are going to rent a car, go ahead and rent a bigger car to haul stuff – large trunks help – like an HHR. Basically midsize or larger. There is a pretty good chance that you’ll use all the space – we did.
Pick either an uncommon or bright color for the car rental if possible. There will be many rentals there on site. It makes it easier to identify your own vehicle in a sea of rentals.
Unless you don’t mind being dependent on rides, rent your own car. Everything requires driving. Find somebody you are buddies with to split costs with. It’s also very helpful if you are in the same hotel.
Don’t over walk. It is physically tiring being here for a whole week and walking around the course during the day and also walking the course a couple of times.
If Bridgestone (or probably some other tire vendor) is present, there will be candy (or snacks) and water available in their tent, so you may not need to stock up too much. There is also vending on site, though you may or may not like the quality of food.
Bring something nice to wear – you’ll need it for the awards ceremony when you walk across the stage.
The Holiday Inn Topeka West has a great 3 story indoor slide and the water in the pool is nice and warm – Priceline early to get $55/night. Later users got the room for $75/night.
Verify the banquet times onsite. Different places may post different times. If you race on Thu/Fri and plan to walk after Wednesday is done - and you want to go to Wednesday’s banquet, ask somebody to save you a spot AND get you food. Otherwise you won’t be done walking in time to get there at the beginning.
Verify the mid day course walk time. It wasn’t posted on the schedule in the information center.
If it is your first time at Nationals, do try to arrive a few days early to see how things work and figure out where things are. It will give you a chance to settle in before you have to start getting ready to race. I found it very helpful.
If you aren’t towing your vehicle, have your car transported with the rest of the group. It makes the travel very relaxing.
Plan to leave the morning after your last day of runs. This gives you a chance to hang out at the banquet, get to know fellow competitors and wind down in general.
The size of the location makes hearing announcements difficult. Bring a radio so that you can tune in to the announcements. The announcements will be on two separate channels, one for each course. Tune in to the course that you are interested in. I saw some people with headset type radios so that they can stay informed while keeping their hands free – that looks like a great idea.
If you don’t have a garage and are parking your car outside, invest in a car cover. It will keep the car dry from any overnight condensation. There will be less work to get ready to run.
Post up travel information in a central shared location, like a forum. It makes coordinating rides and hotels a lot easier.
Avoid Steve Ekstrand like the plague - he's accident prone. In the space of 24 hours, he had around 5 accidents ranging from falling down the steps in his trailer, catching his finger in the screen door while opening it, bumping his head on the underside of a cabinet, having a bottle fall out of the fridge on him and hitting a deer with his truck. On race day, he also tweaked a shoulder.
Don't do what I did - walk around with a heavy camera and go click happy the whole week. I was lucky. My right hand started swelling and I was having difficulty gripping things - but this didn't happen until Saturday.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day 2 of STS competition (Friday, Day 6)
What a whirlwind of competition. Jason and I are ready for day 2 and the course is much more transitional. Being on the correct line is going to be critical today, even more so than yesterday.
Jason goes out for his first run and looks like he is right on the cones and runs a great first run. He's so close to the cones that I'm dodging them as a spectator. Unfortunately it's dirty. This run would have put him right up there with the leaders. Jason makes the rest of this runs and stays clean, but is not able to match the time on his first run. Now his final position will end up being determined by how other drivers do.
We did the same as yesterday, we make our runs and don't know what the other competitors are doing. We have no radio and we can't hear the announcer, so we just go out and do our thing. From watching the other drivers in different classes, I think that the course is really fast in sections and what is not a braking point for RWD cars, is a braking point for FWD. I make my first run and decide to see if I can get away with no brakes. I spin the car in the first fast right heading into the slalom. So much for this run. I go after the rest of the course to see what it's like and get the tail out again in another section. It's fast with lots of grip for turn in, but the tail seems to be looser than normal. I now have 2 runs left to drive. I make decent runs, but make enough mistakes that I don't go much faster. It's enough to move me up to 4th place. Of course I don't know this until we start talking to others in impound and the results confirm that I'm in 4th.
We also have the pleasure of being one of the top 5 and brought over to the shed for a surprise inspection. Even though the car is legal, it's our first time at Nationals and we have no idea what to expect, so we are nervous. Once in the shed, we are told to remove the valve cover for an inspection.
Being comfortable wrenching, Jason is the first one off with the valve cover and Doug takes a look inside. There is nothing unusual to see. We are cleared and allowed to leave. We go pack up the car to be loaded on the transporter. When we are done getting the car ready for the transporter, some 45 minutes later, there is still one car missing for the transporter, we go to search for the car, which brings us back to the shed and we see that all the other Civics are still there. Kind of odd, but we don't go inside, we keep looking for our missing car.
We are not aware of anything else going on. We head back to the hotel to wash up before the awards ceremony. At the banquet, we start hearing word that there's been a protest and a competitor may be disqualified. No confirmed word. We also find out that if the inspection/protest is still in progress, no class trophies will be awarded tonight. It's later confirmed before our trophies are awarded that there is a disqualification and I'll end up in 3rd place. When trophy presentations for our heat come around, we are called up. I am given the 4th place trophy because they didn't have enough time to redo the 3rd place trophy. It's nice to have the opportunity to walk across the stage in front of everybody. Jr is the announcer and has some wisecrack of course.
This has been a most eventful Nationals. I think we have had the opportunity to experience everything that can go on at an event - all at the same event. What's next? Everything else is going to seem so boring after this one. Jason and I can't wait to come back and challenge for 1st place.
Videos...
Stephens Fastest Run
Click to play
Jasons Fastest Run
Click to play
Jason goes out for his first run and looks like he is right on the cones and runs a great first run. He's so close to the cones that I'm dodging them as a spectator. Unfortunately it's dirty. This run would have put him right up there with the leaders. Jason makes the rest of this runs and stays clean, but is not able to match the time on his first run. Now his final position will end up being determined by how other drivers do.
We did the same as yesterday, we make our runs and don't know what the other competitors are doing. We have no radio and we can't hear the announcer, so we just go out and do our thing. From watching the other drivers in different classes, I think that the course is really fast in sections and what is not a braking point for RWD cars, is a braking point for FWD. I make my first run and decide to see if I can get away with no brakes. I spin the car in the first fast right heading into the slalom. So much for this run. I go after the rest of the course to see what it's like and get the tail out again in another section. It's fast with lots of grip for turn in, but the tail seems to be looser than normal. I now have 2 runs left to drive. I make decent runs, but make enough mistakes that I don't go much faster. It's enough to move me up to 4th place. Of course I don't know this until we start talking to others in impound and the results confirm that I'm in 4th.
We also have the pleasure of being one of the top 5 and brought over to the shed for a surprise inspection. Even though the car is legal, it's our first time at Nationals and we have no idea what to expect, so we are nervous. Once in the shed, we are told to remove the valve cover for an inspection.
Being comfortable wrenching, Jason is the first one off with the valve cover and Doug takes a look inside. There is nothing unusual to see. We are cleared and allowed to leave. We go pack up the car to be loaded on the transporter. When we are done getting the car ready for the transporter, some 45 minutes later, there is still one car missing for the transporter, we go to search for the car, which brings us back to the shed and we see that all the other Civics are still there. Kind of odd, but we don't go inside, we keep looking for our missing car.
We are not aware of anything else going on. We head back to the hotel to wash up before the awards ceremony. At the banquet, we start hearing word that there's been a protest and a competitor may be disqualified. No confirmed word. We also find out that if the inspection/protest is still in progress, no class trophies will be awarded tonight. It's later confirmed before our trophies are awarded that there is a disqualification and I'll end up in 3rd place. When trophy presentations for our heat come around, we are called up. I am given the 4th place trophy because they didn't have enough time to redo the 3rd place trophy. It's nice to have the opportunity to walk across the stage in front of everybody. Jr is the announcer and has some wisecrack of course.
This has been a most eventful Nationals. I think we have had the opportunity to experience everything that can go on at an event - all at the same event. What's next? Everything else is going to seem so boring after this one. Jason and I can't wait to come back and challenge for 1st place.
Videos...
Stephens Fastest Run
Click to play
Jasons Fastest Run
Click to play
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Day 1 of STS competition (Thursday, Day 5)
We finally get to race after cooling our heels for almost a whole week. It's a beautiful day and we are hearing that the surface is not the same as it was last year. It's a lot better.
We run in the 4th heat when it is nice and warm. I don't know if this is typical, but it is probably close to 80 degrees. We are in a big class and with the schedule requiring work, preparing the car and driving, I didn't take very many photographs. Michelle took a bunch of photos for us in heat 4 - thanks Michelle!
We are located in the far grid and it seems like it takes forever to drive out to the start line run for 40+ seconds and then drive back to the pit. With no radio and no easy way to see what others are doing, we just go about doing out thing. Jason takes his first run and comes back with a 47+ - case of event nerves. We go out and run a decent 1st run, but it's dirty. Ken tells me it's a stupid cone because I wasn't pushing hard enough. Next time, drive harder, so I do.
Jason goes faster in his second run, breaking into the 45.6 second range. Nerves are calmer now. My second run gets me down to a 44.41? and I think it's decent, but I have no idea where I am. Somebody tells me that I'm in the top 4, but not sure where. OK. Whatever. I'm not in first place. I need to go faster.
Jason takes his third run and takes another 1/2 second off, finishing with a 45.1. My third run is a greedy one and I end up going slower. I'm still not sure where I am until we are in impound and everybody is comparing times, then I find out that I'm in 2nd place. Andy Hollis is in front and Heyward is right behind me. In another 7/10ths, there are another 14 drivers. Talk about close competition. Very cool.
It's been a long day. Time to rest for tomorrow.
Videos...
Stephens Fastest Run
Click to play
Jasons Fastest Run
Click to play
We run in the 4th heat when it is nice and warm. I don't know if this is typical, but it is probably close to 80 degrees. We are in a big class and with the schedule requiring work, preparing the car and driving, I didn't take very many photographs. Michelle took a bunch of photos for us in heat 4 - thanks Michelle!
We are located in the far grid and it seems like it takes forever to drive out to the start line run for 40+ seconds and then drive back to the pit. With no radio and no easy way to see what others are doing, we just go about doing out thing. Jason takes his first run and comes back with a 47+ - case of event nerves. We go out and run a decent 1st run, but it's dirty. Ken tells me it's a stupid cone because I wasn't pushing hard enough. Next time, drive harder, so I do.
Jason goes faster in his second run, breaking into the 45.6 second range. Nerves are calmer now. My second run gets me down to a 44.41? and I think it's decent, but I have no idea where I am. Somebody tells me that I'm in the top 4, but not sure where. OK. Whatever. I'm not in first place. I need to go faster.
Jason takes his third run and takes another 1/2 second off, finishing with a 45.1. My third run is a greedy one and I end up going slower. I'm still not sure where I am until we are in impound and everybody is comparing times, then I find out that I'm in 2nd place. Andy Hollis is in front and Heyward is right behind me. In another 7/10ths, there are another 14 drivers. Talk about close competition. Very cool.
It's been a long day. Time to rest for tomorrow.
Videos...
Stephens Fastest Run
Click to play
Jasons Fastest Run
Click to play
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Allstars take home Top Time of the Day at Dubfest 2008 ~ Drivers: Drew Staveley, Stephen Yeoh, and Jason Flores
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Irwindale CA
by Bill Montgomery
It was a great day for the International Allstars Marketing company,
from the race cars to the spokesmodels and the display set up. We
did not know what to expect as our plan was to test the race cars
and build on teamwork with a few new members before a real race
or show. Our expectations and results were excellent and we got
treated very well by the promoter and the staff of Irwindale speedway
a professional venue that we have grown to love. Our sponsors
would have been proud to know they were represented first class
the way we the Allstars do it time and time again, we aim to please
and over deliver and this weekend was a perfect example of that.
Our cars and drivers also had the fastest times of the day with good
competition and over 30 cars on the track. Mazda makes great cars
and were very proud to show people what we can do and how they
can also do similar things with the right products and companies
alike.
See you next time at the track and visit us at www.teamallstars.com
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Dubfest - an unbelievable day
This is the second year that Jason and I have helped out at the Dubfest autocross. The turnout was smaller than last years, but it was a great time for all - as far as I can tell. This was also going to be a very special treat for Jason and I because Jason and I would have a chance to drive the Rally Innovations Evo X and also the Cosworth prepared MX-5's that the International Allstars Team races at Drift events and recently also at Time Attacks.
We started out riding along with some of the noob drivers and also driving their cars (2008 R32, STi, Audi S4). I also took some run taxi runs in the Rally Innovations Evo X that was kindly lent to us by Rally Innovations since our car is on it's way to Topeka.
Having a car to play with is nice and I shouldn't complain, but I'm going to anyway. The car was nice, especially when on boost. However, the Fuzion tires are lousy. No amount of electronics can help when there is no grip. There should be a law or something put in place so that you aren't allowed to pair up crappy tires with high performance cars like this. I was running in the 65's with 4 people in the car and down to 64.2 with 1 passenger. Not bad, but not good. I'd find out how bad the tires were later.
The MX-5's from International Allstars came down into the oval with the second run group. They got lots of attention - they were VERY loud and when the spokesmodels showed up with their umbrellas, that was just totally over the top. A big thanks to Jennifer, Erika and Aki for the shade on this hot day.
Drew came down and did a bunch of laps, dialing both cars in and in the process, getting down to somewhere either in the 60's or low 61's. I went for a ride and Drew is fearless going up close to the wall at speed.
The rest of the day is pretty much a blur with very little rest as there aren't many volunteers helping. I had a chance to drive Levi's stock Evo X on the OEM Yokohama Advans (I'm assuming they were Neova's). I hammered the first run and lost it coming towards the finish, so I shut it down. I was pointed at the wall and wasn't going to risk the car. I took a second run and drifted that same turn and finished with a 63.1. A full 1.1 seconds faster than the other Evo X. Tires make a BIG difference.
The highlight was at the end of the day when the MX-5's came back down for a second stint and I had my very own umbrella girl assigned to provide shade. I could get used to this. I had no chance to get to know the car, just get strapped in and go. I'm still not sure how the car was set up, but it definitely wasn't the way that I'm used to our car being set up. The clutch is grabby, the brakes have no pedal feel so I'd keep missing the slow turns by not slowing down enough and the back end felt like it always wanted to be in front. I found out just how much it wanted to swap ends at the far wall when the tail stepped out and I went #$%@$^@&^ and shut it down. I wasn't going to risk the car so close to the wall when I wasn't sure what it would do. Aki had come along for the ride, so hopefully I didn't scare her too much. Subsequent runs were much better after I had a chance to feel out the car and started knocking time off. By my last run, I was down into the 62 second range. Still quite a ways off from Drew's 59.9? run.
Hat's off to Drew. The MX-5's are clearly very fast, but they are very demanding of the driver if you wanted to go fast. It was Drew's first time at an autocross and Drew made the necessary adjustments to go fast at an autocross and was absolutely flying. It was also nice to hear that Drew found it challenging to practice car control at the event. It's different from what he's used to doing. It was very challenging for both Jason and I to drive the MX-5 fast too. Neither one of us are used to a car built to rotate so eagerly.
I hope we get to play again soon Drew. Until next time...
Thanks to Mike Graf for inviting us back to this event and giving us a chance to play with the MX-5's.
A BIG thanks to Bill Montgomery and the International Allstars for helping make today happen. I had a ball and can't wait to do this again. A hot, tired and sore driver - signing out...
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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