2009 National Meet Location Poll

[Al Navarro]

Well, it's that time again.

Time to choose a possible site for the next USA7s national club meet. Our first large scale meet was held in 2007 on the East Coast, at the infamous Tail of the Dragon at the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.

In an effort to make the next national meet more accessible to people from all over the country, I've compiled a list of possible locations that people have mentioned in the past. We'll leave this thread up for a few months, then make a final selection before summer 2008 is here, giving the organizers at least a year to prepare/plan.

Here's my 2¢ on how/why/when to cast a vote:

- Pick a place that you'd actually pay money to go spend time to see and hang out with other Seveners. In other words, although we are not accepting deposits yet, pretend we are.

- Don't necessarily pick a place based on its proximity to you. What's closest for you may be the farthest for others. Of course, you should plan for any travel/towing time when considering your options. People have discussed turning the caravans from the various regions meets in and of themselves.

- Keep in mind that the meet itself will be between 3 and 5 days long, and probably have an auto-x or track day thrown in at the beginning/end of it to satisfy the speed junkies. We will probably do more of a "moving roadshow" this time...with overnights in more than one location.

- In keeping with the "national level" meet spirit, it would be great to see takers from all regions...and car counts in 50+ range (hey, a guy can dream)

- I personally feel that our national meets should revolve around "significant roads". But of course, places with recreational and historic appeal are important too...especially for people who will be attending with family.

- I didn't leave an option for "Other"...if we don't get enough "bites" for any one place in this poll, we can open things up.

Want info on what you can expect at these locations? The site linked below is great:
National Scenic Byways Site (http://www.byways.org/)

[pierats]

Hi Al,

I suspect one thing that will effect each of these locations is the time of year. The weather is a large factor in a se7en!
:7rain:

Should we also have poll for the range of dates folks would prefer? or list the times of year each place *should* have the best weather?

Cheers!

Tom

[locost7018]

My picks in order of fun: Colorado (just about anywhere except Denver, too crowded); Fayetteville, Ark/Branson, Mo area; or Door County, Wisconsin (NNE of Green Bay) area although no tracks close by on the last two. Assuming some people trailer to the starting site, what do they do with the trailer and tow vehicle while they are out for those 3 to 5 days? Russ

[pierats]

Al, we did the San Juan skyway on the USA2005 tour. It was *very* scenic but I don't think it compares to something like the TOD for twisties! (although I did manage to still have some fun!)

[snettleship]

Al,

Yes, I think this is a great time to start the planning stages with recommendations from club members. As for places, I think sites can't help but be a bit regional. Also, folks who only have so much vacation to spend on family will dictate dates. There are of course exceptions say Easter week more towards the south, but I would suspect for these folks they will be somewhat restricted to mid June through mid August.

Also, seems like for most Sevens oriented roads tend to gravitate towards twisty mountians. Certainly not a requirement, but that seems like what folks view as scenic.

I think people should vote the "Places" they would be willing to attend. If all of the above, then vote for all of them. This would help in determining what are the places people are willing to travel to. Heck, might be that many people would be willing to travel a longer distance in some cases. Low votes doesn't indicate a low interest in a national event, maybe just lower interest in those locations. Every National Club has these problems, but auto clubs are bad since hopping on a plane isn't as much in the spirit (unless of course you have the local dealer willing to rent LSIS cars...).

I also like the idea of a "moving" Event, but the logistics of packing/unpacking hotels/trailers and having activities for the "non-Seven drivers" might be more difficult.

Finally, while the list here is very interesting, the most critical aspect is who is willing to host? Who will be finding and negotiating with hotels, parks, activities...? I would expect that people involved in hosting will be somewhat regional. Probably should be hosted by leaders of a "regional" part of the club. Al & Mazda did a great job at TOD even though they were a healthy drive from there. If there are people out there who would be interested in providing hosting help, I think you should contact Al, since he us such a good instigator, and insdicate if you are willing to help with any choices above, or if you have somewhere else in mind.

There, that is enough opinion for now.

[Al Navarro]

Thanks all for your input.

Timing would probably be Summer 2009. In terms of the locations on this list...part of the reason the list looks like it does is due to the fact that we have some folks near the areas listed who might be able to help out.

I left off places like Tail of the Dragon or Barber Motorsports Park because they aren't as central as they could be. I think the more coastal the location, the more fitting it is for a regional meet in 2008 or 2010 (the "off" years for the national). For example, I think the Northern NY area around Lake George could be a blast, but it's too far East to attract say Gert, Stan, John Ch, and company.....

That said, I should have put in two more options (and I tried just now but couldn't

#6 - Dudes, I'm down for whatever. Name the time and place and I'll be there.

#7 - Sorry, all of these options sound too far away for me. See you at a regional in 2008.

Unless Mazda can add these to a poll after the fact, I don't know how to do it.

---
We had a run on voting and now bupkis. Is everyone in New Hampshire today?!?

[slomove]

I voted for Beartooth etc. because it is among the closest locations for me and obviously very nice. But I would just as well go to the western Ozarks and would have thought people more prefer it due to better central location. This will be key at the end for participation because I think it is not realistic for many of us driving/towing much more than 1500 miles one way for what is effectively a 2 week vacation (e.g. 2-3 days towing up, 5 days (maybe 7?) meeting/touring/track and then 2-3 days towing back.

I believe we are asking people to vote right now on a target without sufficient information. Maybe we should for each potential target region have a short white paper including information about nice roads, tracks, family vacation options, sights, distances from major metro areas, tour route proposal etc.

I know that is a little work but not a problem if we divide it up. I would volunteer to research the Wyoming or Ozark region (or cooperate with local folks) if that sounds like a good idea.

Cheers,

Gert

[slngsht]

Al, I'll try to add those choices to the database tonight.

I voted Montana / Wyoming. We will probably make it a big month long family vacation if job allows it at that time.

AND, I'll be driving right behind Boxologist ALL THE WAY OUT THERE :thumbs:

[Hudson]

I talked to Intercity Transport following the PNW Tour and they were VERY open to discounting if we could fill a truck at one location and if there is flexibility in timing they get even happier. So best rates would be (guessing) seven or eight cars with secure parking for a few days at both ends.

Central collection points in the east and the west anyone? :)

Ed

[Keith]

If it's in Colorado, I can run an autocross and/or track event.

[MHKflyer52]

Pikes Peak would be a fun drive and Colorado seems to be fairly central.

[Davemk1]

Nice to see people are interested in seeing MT. I like it here.

The photo is taken from my home office window here in Bozeman. Another day in hell.

Dave


http://www.serotta.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35475&stc=1

[WestTexasS2K]

I would be game for anything other than Minnasota. That is about 2000 + miles for me. I will be game for most anything 1000-1500 mile range. I havent been to Yellowstone since I was a tot. That would provide a great excuse to go to the area and what better way to see it than a 7. Ozarks sound like fun as does Colorado. I have never been to the Black hills either so that sounds like fun too. Have car will travel to most places.

[BobDrye]

Using this data Westbygod or the mid west looks "great".


http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1353350272_thumb463x_speedenforcmentmap.jpg


:7drive:

[slngsht]

I like the way you look at this :yesnod:

[powderbrake]

I also am concerned about what to do with the trailer and tow vehicle if we move to a different hotel each night. Perhaps there can be a safe storage location for the trailer and tow vehicle, and set up a loop to return to the storage location. This is what we did on our Ozarks tour in 2006.

I realize that it may be too early to worry about this, but are the gas stations close enough together in the Wyoming and Montana areas? On the Ozark tour, we all traveled together and stopped together, on a pre planned mapped-out route. I tried to keep the mileage between gas stations to about 80 to 90 miles for those smaller tanked sevens, and we did about 200-220 miles per day for 3 days. Gas mileage is not too good with "spirited"driving, and some of the really small towns didn't have premium gas. Perhaps we shoud take a poll of the range that each driver feels "safe" in attempting on a full tank of fuel with spirited driving. I imagine this trip would involve "cruising" to see the terrain , rather than the more racy roads like the TOTD or the previous southcentral Missouri Ozark tour.

This ( the Midwest or the Montana-Wyoming) being a pretty long trip for most people, it should probably have the ability to be a vacation spot for the non seven riders and kids. St.Louis has a lot of attractions besides the baseball team, and can be a good vacation spot, but it is 40 miles out to the beginning of the more "scenic" roads. Perhaps Branson in southwest Missouri would be a spot we could base from, and return to each night. It is on a big lake ( Table Rock Lake)with fishing and watersports and is family friendly, and of course it's hundreds of hotels and 86 musical shows and a theme park. There could be some good road cruises to the northeast and southeast out of Branson.
I looked at Microsoft's Streets and Trips , and it showed 167 hotels, 15 landmarks and 20 restaurants in a 5 mile diameter centered on Branson. Actually there are likely more restaurants than that, I haven't been there myself in quite a while.

Branson activities (http://www.bransonshows.com/activity/)
Branson's website (http://www.branson.com/)

slomove's idea of a white paper on the area, with proposed routes and locations and features that would help people choose woud be in order.

I'm voting for the Ozarks, but I am willing to go to Montana ( 1400 miles) or the Black hills (1000 miles even though I've been to the black hills & rushmore 5 times in the last 6 years, because I prairie dog hunt in South Dakota)

[jbanker]

I voted for the Ozarks. Location is fairly central and the area is great. One of our best family vacations was spent at Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake for a week. The surrounding countryside had lots to offer with great roads. We did not spend much time in the town of Branson it's self; a liittle to "touristy" for my taste, but has lots to offer for families with children.

Jaunts down to NW Arkansas are easy and close by. One of the best BBQ joints I have ever been to was near Oak Grove, AR. My daughters and wife did not want to get out of the car because the place looked so bad. However, the fancy cars in the parking lot and awesome smell of hickory smoke was sending a different message to my son and I.

We all had to laugh when we saw a sign nailed to the front door of the establishment which read..."Even my mom is afraid to come in here". The place was decorated "on purpose tacky" but the food fantastic. I wanna' go back!!!

Jack

[Kitcat]

Build it and I will come (Or at least try to). The Montana/Yellowstone site is wonderful but my memory is that there are lots of wide open spaces and straight roads out there. We drove Going to The Sun road in Glacier Nat'l Park and it's full of twisties but also full of mobile homes, bicycles etc.. Scenic, breathtaking, but not much fun to drive. Its also abt 1800 miles from Cincy-in a Seven? Yikes!

It's about 1100 miles from Cincy to Denver. Its hard for us Eastern types to get a feel for just how big the west is. Keith has kindly offered to run an auto-x or track day. But it is about another 4-5 hours from Denver to Grand Junction. Ditto Bozeman up to Glacier National Park. The farthest I have ever driven my Seven in a day was 380 miles and I felt like a hero. To get out west, I will have to double that daily amount, to stay within the time I may have available. And the car will have to demonstrate a level of reliability heretofore never experienced.

So I vote for the closest site to Cincy (the Ozarks) but will be happy to give the other places a shot.

Perhaps a Seven "convoy" could be arranged from the east and we could share spare parts, repair manuals, tow ropes etc.:). Maybe even a tow vehicle with an empty trailer??? Or a tow vehicle with a seven that could be swapped out for a broken down car and driven to the nearest repair shop?

[Davemk1]

As much as I love living here and can't imagine ever leaving it does have it down sides. I say this so that folks considering having the meet in this area can keep this in mind.

Driving for sport over some of the roads here in the summer can be a frustrating deal. The Beartooth has to be one of the coolest roads on the planet but during the summer (as long as school is out) there is a good bit of traffic and it goes slow. Folks are taking in the views. I've driven over the Beartooth a few times but never in my Seven for sport fun. It was a bit frustrating even in my VW station-wagon due to the motor-homes and the such. I imagine that if one were to drive it at first light it might be much better but keep in mind that the pass goes over 10,000 feet and it will be cold up there in the AM. Near freezing wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Something similar in Yellowstone proper. During the summer it's just plain crowded. Not so much that you can't have fun sight seeing but if you want to drive for fun it might not be that much fun. The east-west route across the northern section of the park (lamar river valley) would be the best bet and spits you out of the park into Cooke City and later Cody if you like. This section has the least amount of traffic/tourist and could be fun early in the AM.

Kit Kat has it right that there are many long straight stretches of road. It is very open here and if it's hot or it's windy then you'll be hot and blown around. Most areas have little or no shelter. There are very few tree lined back roads that will protect you in an open car. I can promise no shade and at altitude the sun is strong and hot.

When you get away from these tourist areas there will be no one. The population density is bizarrely low. With all the election hub bub recently it was pointed out to me that the state of New Hampshire has a higher population than Montana does. This combined with an east-west border to border distance that is about the same as Chicago to DC means that there is no one here. The folks are are in in the summer all go to a few spots and all drive Motor-homes with Apache written on the sides. With careful planning routes could be picked that have fun twisty roads mixed with long straight open sections that will have near zero traffic. Just keep and eye out for wildlife on the roads and you'll have fun.

Anyway..........I feel like I'm trying to talk folks out of coming here and that is far from the truth. I write the above so folks know what they can expect and plan accordingly. I just pictured us all stopped atop the Beartooth highway and getting lots of dirty look from folks who thought it would be empty.

Thanks for reading.

Dave
Bozeman MT

[Al Navarro]

Great feedback all.

In terms of the doing the "white paper"...a smart idea Gert. How about we leave this up for a few more weeks and then have the top 3 written up as white papers by various volunteers?

The great thing is that even for the 2 events that don't get ultimately selected, we have that information ready to go for future meets.

Jerry, great point about the gas. I have a 14 gallon tank and I still ran out! :ack:

Gert, I appreciate your offer to help with one of the white papers. I volunteer to do one of the others. If we have another volunteer with some experience planning an event to work with one of the locals, we'll be set.

In terms of "locals"...I'm sure we'd be able to pick the brains of the following forum members:

Montana - Dave Mk1
Ozarks - Powderbrake
Colorado - Skip & Keith

Again, thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

[Keith]

Keith has kindly offered to run an auto-x or track day. But it is about another 4-5 hours from Denver to Grand Junction.

I'm able to move around the state - if the track day needs to be in Pueblo or the autocross is going to be in Lakewood, I can cope :)

[scannon]

The Beartooth has to be one of the coolest roads on the planet but during the summer (as long as school is out) there is a good bit of traffic and it goes slow. Folks are taking in the views. I've driven over the Beartooth a few times but never in my Seven for sport fun. It was a bit frustrating even in my VW station-wagon due to the motor-homes and the such.

I drove the Beartooth a few years ago in my Miata on the 4th of July holiday. There was some traffic but nothing to slow me down.

I passed some sport bikes who tried to stay with me but could not. When I stopped at the top they stopped a few minutes later and headed for me looking none too happy. Thought there might be trouble but they were just unhappy with not being able to keep up. They wanted to see what I had under the hood guessing it was a 5.0 Ford. It wasn't, just a well tuned (on Keith's Rototest dyno :)) turbo 4 banger.
:7fume:

The highway was so much fun, I turned around and went down and back up before heading down the other side.

Skip

[Kitcat]

I notice that Beartooth highway tops out at around 11,000 feet. Assuming a normally aspirated engine loses 4.3% of its power for every 1000' of elevation, my little Crossflow would be making about 44 hp, at best, going over that pass. Look out coming down tho!

[locost7018]

Heck my Xflow started out new at 58hp (1979 1300cc). With age and the altitude I should be in negitive HP by the summit Russ

[solder_guy]

I dove the Beartooth .. in the AM in a rental car .. so not too much traffic .. But there was snow on the ground at the top in July!

Rob

[Kitcat]

What about wildlife? I recall eyeballing a buffalo from our rental car when we were out there that was about 50' away and was approximately the size of our Taurus. In a open Seven it could be quite a thrill.

[scannon]

What about wildlife? I recall eyeballing a buffalo from our rental car when we were out there that was about 50' away and was approximately the size of our Taurus. In a open Seven it could be quite a thrill.

I'd be more concerned about bears than buffalo. Fortunately, bears along the roads in Yellowstone are far more scarce than in the past.

I recall having one slap the windshield on my dad's 55 Mercury when we had to stop because it was in the middle of the road. I swear that glass moved in about an inch when the paw hit it.

[Al Navarro]

Ozarks closing the gap on Montana...maybe we'll only need 2 white papers after all...

[powderbrake]

As to the Black Hills:

No bears, but here is a pic of what to expect on the road to Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, wild donkeys that will stick their head in your window to get treats. ( alt 16 through Custer State Park.) Note there is some rain, but as you can see in the rear view mirror, the top is down, as it was for over 5400 miles on that trip.

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/240130578_DSC_0496 (Small).JPG

Another pic of the road to Rushmore which goes through tunnels that present a view of Rushmore.

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/977579021_DSC_0508 (Small).JPG

Here are some shots of downtown Deadwood

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/512074375_DSC_0521 (Small).JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1306526134_DSC_0539 (Small).JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1366023168_DSC_0540 (Small).JPG





As to Montana, it is an absolutely gorgeous state.

We were about 200 miles northwest of the Beartooth Highway 3 years ago on a "no interstate highway" trip from St. Louis to Seattle, to LA down the coast highway, back to St.Louis. I admit to the interstate from Oklahoma City to St.Louis)

Here is one of my wife & the vette at McDonald Pass, on the Continental Divide,( elevation 6325 feet) on route 12 about 10 miles west of Helena MT. ( I would not have made it off the gravel parking lot, and up the dirt path to the actual top in my seven, the vette has more ground clearance)
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1465325915_DSC_0600 (Small).JPG

Her is a road that we were traversing at an extremely high rate, look at the dot on the left, it's actually a house.
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/703020807_DSC_0585 (Small).JPG

now you can see it

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/682954986_DSC_0586 (Small).JPG

then the hills in front took us to this view

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/737477593_DSC_0588 (Small).JPG

[Mandurath]

For those traveling long distance using a transport, ie pickup and trailer that want to leave it somewhere safe may consider a storage lot. Relatively safe, most have security and fences. They seem to multiply in every suburb anymore so finding one where ever shouldn't be difficult. Heh, I know some in St Louis that are temp and air controlled.


I like the St Louis/Ozarks option. As there are also a couple of British car shows in the area, along with the prerequisite twisty roads. Though traveled in my semi, on some of them I could see my own trailer lic plate. Gotta love the early stages of computer mapping.

[slomove]

Aha, Ozarks are pulling ahead of MT/WY....Well, I am O.K. with that.

How about such a loop (click on the pic). Five driving days of ~220 miles:
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/678850216_Ozark2009Loop.jpg

Only 1500 miles from my home :rolleyes: and with Hallet's track at start and finish:
http://www.hallettracing.net/images/halletthomeimage.jpg

Gert

[Mandurath]

heh, it just hit me that i better invest in a bigger tank. Not sure my 8 gallon would be enough.

[JohnCh]

The Ozarks puts the tour out of reach for me (over 2100 miles away), so I am not pulling for it to win, but I must admit that those roads in Gert's route do look like fun!

-John

[Al Navarro]

The nice thing about having the two sites to consider is that we could do one in 2009 and the other in 2011.

We'll leave this poll up for a bit still.

[tnttim]

I lived in Tulsa and Broken Arrow for two years. It sucked. Not that it isn't nice compared to some places but I am sorry as far as a tourist location it is lacking.

Lake Eufaula (OK) was nice and they have a wonderful State Park and swimming. But If we were going to be in that area staying more towards the Ozarks and Table Rock lake would be nicer.
Also just south of Branson there is a place called Silver Dollar City. Large lot there we may be able to aquire a section of during the week. (See their maps, Beautiful Outlot).

I remember that there are alot of twisty roards through there and beautiful scenery.

Table rock lake has lots of camping and would offer a places to store trailers and such. Maybe if we agree to use Silver Dollar City as our base they will allow us to keep our vehicles on grounds? ($)?

A nice run to Springfield to the Bass Pro shop there is always fun. That place is a two hour tour for me. Lots of interesting stuff there.

Tim.

[Al Navarro]

Jerry E (Powderbrake) led a smaller tour of Sevens through the Ozarks and forwarded me what looks like a great itinerary....I'll forward that to whomever writes the "white paper".

[slngsht]

Aha, Ozarks are pulling ahead of MT/WY....Well, I am O.K. with that.
Gert

I'm cool with that too.

IS IT 2009 yet? Let's go already :7drive:

[Boxologist]

hmmmm.... full days drive from the Dragon to fayetville, Ar:7head:

[Al Navarro]

Dude, would you swing down that way on your way West? If so, bring some water from the Cheoah to the meet.

[slomove]

I lived in Tulsa and Broken Arrow for two years. It sucked. ..............

According to some route descriptions the nice part of this route proposal is indeed east of Muskogee. Tulsa and the western loop is only in there to accommodate the Hallet race track. Although, Keystone Lake and Keystone State Park (has a bunch of cabins and campsites (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+7344) and only a few miles from the track) might be a usable operating base. But any meeting point west of the Ozarks should make it feasible for most of the Left Coast people (...very selfish, I know). I understand that it is still too far for the Seattlites.

Gert

[slngsht]

Sooooo.... if we end up at Hallett... will we be renting the track for a day or two during the week? :bigears:

I wonder if we can have an Atom on hand for target practice :rofl: :jester:

[Boxologist]

Aha, Ozarks are pulling ahead of MT/WY....Well, I am O.K. with that.

How about such a loop (click on the pic). Five driving days of ~220 miles:
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/678850216_Ozark2009Loop.jpg

Only 1500 miles from my home :rolleyes: and with Hallet's track at start and finish:
http://www.hallettracing.net/images/halletthomeimage.jpg

Gert

anywhos and anyways, three SCCA regions cover that area. I'll use Fayetteville as the central location. Ozark region, Arkansas region, and Northeast Okalahoma. their usual autoX site with travel time: 1) OR- Ozark, Missouri, 2 1/2 hours. noise restriction mentioned; 2) Arkanss Region, Little Rock, 3 hours; 3) NE-OK, Tulsa, Ok, 2 hours.

I like NE-OK. i can hassle Pat L. and see what he can organize.

[S1Steve]

Gert,
Nice photo of Hallett race track. Mapquest puts Tulsa OK. 1300 miles and 20 hours, I just wanted to get some idea of miles and time, so I picked Tulsa. I would plan on more time with 7 in tow, whats a few thousand miles on my friends enclosed trailer. First ? he asked me.
I would like to get to Hallett for the day, 7 open track day is my idea of fun !!!

Thanks Steve :cool:

[slomove]

Gert,
.....I would like to get to Hallett for the day, 7 open track day is my idea of fun !!!.............

Well, that was on my mind. Track rental is very reasonable @ $2500-3000 per day. If we only get 20 people that is $150 per car. Otherwise there is probably not much interesting in the immediate vicinity of the track, maybe except the before mentioned Keystone Lake and state park. But then, the nice curvy roads area of the Cherokee Country and the adjacent Ozarks is only an hour or two east of Hallet's.

I have never been to this area so am not sure if the Lake would be something interesting enough for the family to stay for a few days while the Seveneers are doing a multi-day loop but it may be worthwhile to explore.

Maybe another stop day for AutoX somewhere else, very nice :yesnod:

Gert

[slomove]

BTT

No more votes? kind of disappointing :nonod:

[slngsht]

I can only vote once (well, if I don't cheat ;) )

[Al Navarro]

I think that we could count on more people than those voting to show once we officially announce.

I'll post over on Se7ens.net again...and if the various members of the marque forums would remind their members to chime in, that would be great.

-Al

[Cherik]

I just voted for Montana. It's very unique compared to the many other possible locations in my opinion. We've been there a couple of times (in '82, some time before the great fire and after in '93). The scenery is just phenomenal. North of Yellowstone is Red Lodge and the legendary B.T. mountain pass. Matches Totd twists and bends pretty well, albeit a very different scenery.
May need to tune for high altitude if you have carbs.

It's about 2000 miles from here, but it should make for a nice drive in the 7. I may just put in some fresh oil for the occasion.

Cherik
'99 dD/WT Caterham - 2.0Zetec - 72k miles

ps: today temps climbed to -1F from -10F this morning... I've covered the 7, so I don't have to look it in the eye...

[snettleship]

As a part of the decision, I figured I'd post some maps. I picked a very arbitrary 800km (500 mile) radius around some points. I wasn't too exacting on spots so there is margin of error. The 3 places I listed are, St. Louis, Montana (Billings in this case) and Niagra Falls where there has been an offer to host. I used the radius of what I thought was a maximum single day driver (you milage will vary). This is simply in the food for thought category when considering where to host next.

Of course having someone to host and provided the considerable work that goes into it is a great deciding factor.



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1889955641_mapradius- STL.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/569964462_mapradius- Montana.jpg
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/610343979_mapradius- Buffalo.jpg

:7fume:

[Al Navarro]

Thanks Scott, that's awesome...

BTW, did I miss the Buffalo suggestion somewhere?

(As an aside, Buffalo would be great for me, but I think part of the goal for the next meet is to make it more accessible to more people from all over the country.) We'll keep this going for a bit, then set to work on the "white papers" for the top 2.

[Kitcat]

Al:

The Buffalo proposal came from Tony V on the Sevens list, where you re-posted this topic today.

Mike

[Al Navarro]

Tx. I get updates from the Se7ens.net list on a daily basis, not per message (I'd get even less work done if I didn't get them batched!). I'll see it tomorrow AM, I'm sure.

I think Niagara area would be great, but for a Northeast meet, not National. I'd also love a Lake George area meet. And if we were to do a larger East Coast meet again, I'd go for Tail of the Dragon again...I dream of that road and didn't drive half as much as I should have last July.

[Boxologist]

i'd be more than satisified with the Ozark region our. I'm sure Tony V has all his notes from the LOGs he organized, but it would be unfair to the west coasters, and I would consider it pretty selfish to ask for it to be that close. I'm sure eventually it could swing closer to the Atlantic again, buts its not right in a national meet. especially in a fledgeling organization.

Like I stated in one of my earlier posts, I think Pat Lipsinic can muster some good events host NeOK region. with both AutoX and track site CLOSE by, most needs will be met. Besides, i'd get a kick out of seeing Anne Vogel and her miata basically crush the entire club on an autoX:ack:
and the plains in Modified alley. I would not be surprised to see members from D/E mod yahoo list make a weekend excursion.

I expect most of us to hold onto a se7en for many years, so I'm sure tehre will be many different sites that we will get a chance to sample at our national meets as the years march on.

[geewiz1]

Sorry I pressed the wrong highlights and voted for South Dakota by mistake
Should have been Ozarks

Graeme

[Pe7e]

Well, I plunked for Montana, etc. on the grounds that it would be more of an adventure (for me, a Right Coaster) and it would balance the East Coast bias of the T.O.D. event. I'd be perfectly happy with the Ozarks as well.

Pete

[slngsht]

i'd be more than satisified with the Ozark region our. I'm sure Tony V has all his notes from the LOGs he organized, but it would be unfair to the west coasters, and I would consider it pretty selfish to ask for it to be that close. I'm sure eventually it could swing closer to the Atlantic again, buts its not right in a national meet. especially in a fledgeling organization.

Like I stated in one of my earlier posts, I think Pat Lipsinic can muster some good events host NeOK region. with both AutoX and track site CLOSE by, most needs will be met. Besides, i'd get a kick out of seeing Anne Vogel and her miata basically crush the entire club on an autoX:ack:
and the plains in Modified alley. I would not be surprised to see members from D/E mod yahoo list make a weekend excursion.

I expect most of us to hold onto a se7en for many years, so I'm sure tehre will be many different sites that we will get a chance to sample at our national meets as the years march on.

:withstupid: er... i mean :iagree: :D

[locostv8]

My prefference would probably Montana or Colorado though the logistics of attending will have to be looked at. A strong suggestion would be to pick a location where there is more to do for the non auto significant others that dosn't require a 200 mi round trip.

[Caterham99]

WOW, it's great to have so many good options!

I appreciate Tony's invite to upper New York. It has been on my "must drive" list for several years. However, I think it's in the culbs best interest to hold its next national event in a completly different location to attract even more members. The further west the better. Thats why I voted for Montana in spite of the distance, and very real traffic worries. Sniffing the tail pipe of a Winabego is not my idea of fun.

The Qzarks are great. For the past 4 years I have spent 3-4 days exploring southern Missouri and northern Arkansasin in the 7. It's a good location with some great roads.
I would have voted for it, but on a very personal note, I am looking for a new adventure.

Colorado is another good choice. It is one of my favorite places to take the 7. I haven't driven the west Colorado / Utah area, but I am sure there are plenty of good roads their too. Geographically it could be a better western location, but I know nothing about it.

I really like the idea of a "white paper". It will help the decision making process. However, I count me in regardless of where we go. I can hardly wait!

Phil

[Al Navarro]

Thanks for the recent round of input, both in the poll and comments.

I think we can say that there are 2 good options on the table that we'll do "white papers" for. Keep your eyes posted for this update sometime in late February.

Thanks again everyone for your input and enthusiasm. It'll be great to see many of you again in 2009.

[Kitcat]

Al-

Thanks for working on this. After spearheading the '07 gathering, with Mazda, and working your butt off the entire 4 days of the event, I was afraid you would say:"Never again!"

Much appreciated!
Mike

[locost7018]

Don't forget the Midwest Se7ens Gathering already scheduled for Kansas City over Labor Day weekend 2008. Russ

[Al Navarro]

Thanks for working on this. After spearheading the '07 gathering, with Mazda, and working your butt off the entire 4 days of the event, I was afraid you would say:"Never again!"


Thanks for the kind words, Mike. But I don't think I'll be as hands on as last time...that was a lot. Right now, I'm just trying to keep the momentum going...I think because of the remoteness of the sites in play, we'll need some strong local support just like last time (Thanks Bill & Marcy Power!). Maybe even more so.

Also, if the 2009 is more of the traveling show that we're considering, there should be a lot less "formal" stuff to plan. I think.:ack:

[Al Navarro]

Okay folks, thanks to Gert B. & Jerry E., we have some additional detail on the two leading national meet destinations for 2009.

I will be creating two new threads in this section, one for Wyoming/MT and one for the Ozarks. This will allow people to comment on both independently and also to vote independently (it's not an "or" situation...some of us -- myself included -- might be up for either).

In my first post for each, there will be a downloadable document that contains info and route maps for both destinations.

Note that we are looking into transportation from the coasts to make it easier to plan the trip (by shipping your car, you won't have to take into account the days it takes to drive to the meet site).

Is it Spring yet?

-Al