Right now going from Texas to Florida and back seems like a terrible idea. I'm holding off on calling it, but in past years my in lawas have come down to watch my kids while I drive back and forth. They can't do that this year. That would leave my wife taking off work to run kids around, or not, because nobody knows what school will be. Planning is hard.
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
I've noticed that you've been avoiding me since I gave you that hug at the Challenge. Have you not told your wife about us yet?
In reply to eastsideTim :
I've ventured as far south as Georgia in the past 3 weeks to pick up drivetrain components and vehicles and south of Richmond, I've observed that prior to late last week that much fewer precautions were being taken (with the exception of the golden triangle of NC). This week though mask usage seems to be up, Wilmington NC was very masked up this morning. I haven't been south of NC this week though.
I'm currently on the fence about this year, sadly as I'll have at least one vehicle ready to boogie. If it were just me and my immunity coming, I wouldn't hesitate. If our host would appreciate someone with immunity to come down to help do some of the dirtier work, from assist with registration to clean up and or anything in between, I'm there. But the plan had bring to 2 cars and have 3-4 of us come down. 2 of the parties that'd be joining me are mothers and neither they nor their children have been exposed, one is a nurse. I can't in good faith suggest an 830 mile road trip anywhere with them right now, and that's in having compete faith in GRMs abilities to safely host the event once there. Sanctioning bodies in all levels and forms of motorsport are at their core about risk assessment and management. If I head south it'll be solo, driving the escort, likely on the tires that I'd be utilizing in the competition. Think if gastropod went from high school taco bell trip, to kid you're driving off to college in isolation during a pandemic. And if doing so, this year at least, I'd be doing so primarily to assist our host in whatever manner I could. If it means missing runs or not participating, that'd be 100% fine. Heck if it means they run the car entirely throughout the competition and I do what they were planning on having to do through out the weekend in some capacity, even better. The learning process and effectively auditing the class before coming top to target a top 10 next year would be a worthwhile venture.
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to eastsideTim :
I've ventured as far south as Georgia in the past 3 weeks to pick up drivetrain components and vehicles and south of Richmond, I've observed that prior to late last week that much fewer precautions were being taken (with the exception of the golden triangle of NC). This week though mask usage seems to be up, Wilmington NC was very masked up this morning. I haven't been south of NC this week though.
That’s good to hear. I am also hoping that with how things are going in FL right now, it’ll either burn itself out by October, or they’ll get a handle on it. I trust GRM to not put us at undue risk once we’re down there, just have to hit the point where I think the trip isn’t too risky.
Yeah... our current numbers are not good. At this point, though, October is too far away for this wave of new information to be relevant.
I do want to let everybody know that we're keeping an eye on things, and will be in much more frequent communication once we get a better picture of what things will look like during the event.
My concern with the event is not Gainesville nor GRM's handling of the event.
My concern is the competitors.
200 or so people traveling through many states stopping at truck stops along the way, drinking a lot of alcohol (mask can't be worn), judgement clouded, hanging out at Stampie's bar telling fish stories...
I love you guys, but I am not sure I trust that scenario.
I am completely confident in my ability to protect myself and the people around me. But that would mean disengaging from almost all interaction with competitors (which is the best part of the event).
My decision is not made yet, but...
In reply to Tom Suddard :
Tom, what will the refund policy be for registrants?
In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
In the rules it shows that your registration paid can be pushed to next year's event up to a week(i believe) before the event, after which you forfeit your entry if you don't show up. Makes registering for next year simple because they already have my money
In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
I suspect that a good portion of Stampie's bar may be a zoom room of people flooding the same hotel WiFi and coordinating socially distant runs to the ice machine.
I forgot to mention, I can provide bottles of hand sanitizer for all parties that attend courtesy of the distillery if I attend. It really only helps so much, because airborne water droplets, but it's something.
In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
I don't know if this is sad or not but I've considered a camel back for masked drinking.
In reply to Stampie (FS) :
I like where you are going with this.
In reply to Stampie (FS) :
It's not sad, it's intelligent. Necessity is the mother of innovation. I'd be far more comfortable if that were the protocol and standard procedure. Course working on a hot day or in the pits, in addition to evening socially distant socializing. I'm 100% on board with this. It's honestly one of the most ingenious ideas to adapt to a covid world that I've heard.
As much as I want to make it to a challenge, it's not going to be this year. Although I have real concerns about catching this crap while traveling, my biggest reason to stay away is because I don't want the pandemic version to be my first experience with the event.
I've heard all the stories about late night builds, Stampie's bar, swimming pool hijinks.... you guys are the best friends I've never met in person, and I want to be able to hang out, hug, shake hands, and all the social stuff that make this event the thing it is. If I had built a car for it or if it was my 10th year I might do it. But this isn't t how I want to pop my 2k Challenge cherry.
Stampie (FS) said:In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
I don't know if this is sad or not but I've considered a camel back for masked drinking.
I'm really surprised "bendy straws" aren't a more popular workaround. Give it some time!
mazdeuce - Seth said:Right now going from Texas to Florida and back seems like a terrible idea. I'm holding off on calling it, but in past years my in lawas have come down to watch my kids while I drive back and forth. They can't do that this year. That would leave my wife taking off work to run kids around, or not, because nobody knows what school will be. Planning is hard.
I'm coming from North Idaho and this is my current thinking as well.
Of course the original plan was a road trip with my Australian friends across the USA with my dog too so......yeah......none of that can happen
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Stampie (FS) :
It's not sad, it's intelligent. Necessity is the mother of innovation. I'd be far more comfortable if that were the protocol and standard procedure. Course working on a hot day or in the pits, in addition to evening socially distant socializing. I'm 100% on board with this. It's honestly one of the most ingenious ideas to adapt to a covid world that I've heard.
I used my camelback at nationals a couple years while working course. It was pretty sweet. On top of having cold drink handy it was a cool pack on my back in the heat of the day.
Stampie (FS) said:In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :
I don't know if this is sad or not but I've considered a camel back for masked drinking.
That's how we used to get booze to the haunted house. Wearing a coat, outdoors, in October...no notices if you look a little thick.
So what you guys are saying is coats and camel backs for the course workers equals no cones called.
You people are brilliant.
Stampie (FS) said:So what you guys are saying is supplying coats and camel backs for the course workers equals no cones called.
Corrected.
bobzilla said:You people are brilliant.
Never underestimate a man and his determination to put his life in mortal danger.
Mndsm said:bobzilla said:You people are brilliant.
Never underestimate a man and his determination to put his life in mortal danger.
You just described over 80% of my dating history.
We haven't been to the Challenge since '12 but have our Balloonfire XL almost ready to go. Entering would involve driving our creation all of the way across the country - and back - if it's still running and in still in one piece! We haven't registered yet as we are waiting to see what happens in the world. If not this year, it will be ready for next!
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:Mndsm said:bobzilla said:You people are brilliant.
Never underestimate a man and his determination to put his life in mortal danger.
You just described over 80% of OF ALL MEN'S dating history.
Fixed for accuracy
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