Hello, Like title say's Me and my wife are coming down south to visit some friends on the east coast. I made a motion to start the trip at this years challenge and she agreed to it.
Quick highlight is the Challenge then up to Savannah, Georgia for a couple days. Then to Wilmington, NC then down to Atlanta then back home.
Mostly looking for places to stay at in Gainesville or if there is a a place where most of the contestants stay while there. Any information on places to visit in the other cities would be great as well.
tb
Dork
7/10/22 3:03 p.m.
The group pretty much all stays at the Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville. A large percentage of the event is hanging out there with everyone. Stay there or miss out on a lot...
It is a decent hotel and they know us after all these years and somehow still put up with us. The pool deck is safe and inviting for spouses and kids. The rear parking lot is, too, but can host everything from fabrication to silly stunts depending on time and alcohol consumption.
Over the years there have been official events like the awards banquet and game night there, but it has been varied over the decades and the hosts are very much into following cdc guidlines.
Yeah the host hotel is the place to stay. Since the Challenge is Saturday/Sunday this year Friday night should be the best car show ever. We take over the back parking lot and do car stuff. Consumption of alcohol not required but not frowned upon either. I've learnt some neat things standing at my bar and just listening to the smart people talk.
When Stampie says, "...standing at my bar," that's a literal statement. He sets up a bar.
This year there will also be camping at the racetrack for the first time. Who knows what will be going on there.
I attended in 2020 just to help with the autocross, missed out on everything else but still had a great time. Last year, I stayed in the hotel and had a fantastic time just listening to the long term participants talking.
Tom Suddard
Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
7/10/22 5:28 p.m.
Awesome to see so many new people coming this year!
Here're details on the host hotel:
https://2000challenge.com/host-hotel
