bigblockbeater

does anyone have plans involving cars this weekend? i am going to do what i always do unless someone have a better idea. i hang out at the Gandy Bridge. either side.

cyber_drone

whats the age range of people that "hang out" there?

mysql101

it was about 50/50 for kids in highschool and college. It looks like the majority of the cars were 5-10+ years old.

cyber_drone

hmm.. ok... not my cup'o tea then. thanks

bigblockbeater

cyber, do you have any suggestions?

cyber_drone

Honestly, no. Not because I am a schmuck.... but I just moved to the area about 3 months ago. So I am still not sure what/when/where fun places to go are.

If it were up to me... I would start an Autocross club. You can get all the little gandy ricers to shutup and put up. Charge the normal rate of 25 bucks and rent a decent lot and supplies to play with for the weekend.

Its amazing that with all the people in Tampa, that no one has started one yet. Fort Myers, which is super small in comparison has one of the best tracks, if not the best in Florida.

bigblockbeater

cyber, check this site out. www.sunridersmotorsports.com its a miata club but anyone can join. or you can just join the autocross club. its 30 for the full membership or 20 for the autocross. they meet sat. mornings in st. pete. the site will tell you all you need to know. i am going to be joining up myself

patiwood

I'm a low key person, married with a kid, in my 40's. Hanging out at the bridge really doesn't appeal to me also. I'm out in the Brandon area and avoid Tampa at all costs. A resterant parking lot seems like a better idea for us. And not really late at night. Any suggestions from anyone in East Hillsborough county?

cyber_drone

isnt this a car club? why would everyone want to "hang out" when you can "drive about" ?

doesnt make sense.

thanks for the link to sunriders too... i WILL be attending an event there to see the track. I think its at st pete college... not sure they have a big track or not... small tracks are not worth the full day you spend there to go 3 times. i would rather drive to fort myers.

bigblockbeater

i understand where your are coming from. i think a restarant would be a good idea. i live near busch gardens but i don't mind driving to Brandon, or anywhere in the bay area for that matter. if we can come up with a compromise and find a place everyone will agree on that would be great.

Mantis

My husband meets with the Sunriders (an older group) and the East Side Miatas (younger and more Brandon loc). We have been to the events that they have in St Pete. Here is what it is.....it is held in a large paved area where they train police to drive their cars. They put out a mess of cones and you have your times scored and you have to pay. The course is pretty tight and fun to watch. You will need a helmet to drive and a chair to sit it. Lots of mosquitoes. The Sunriders are pretty hardcore as far as the auto rallys go. The East Side Miata group is more about tech sessions and are friendly to RX-8's so far. Maybe it's cuz I'm a girl.

Personally I am interested in finding a huge parking lot and testing my car out. My husband does a lot of natural drifting in his car and we are not about the race. I have not found a place to really stretch my arms and dis-engage the no slide button that has been screaming at me every time I take a sharp corner. The East Side Miata people have mentioned that the Track (horses or greyhounds) out in Oldsmar has a large parking lot and is far enough out that you may not be bothered. I am down with reserving the same place that the Sunriders use if anyone else is up for it. There is a Miata shop in St Pete called Just Miatas. and the owner keeps the Sunriders Rally booth at his business. I will call him tomorrow and get a contact number for the place that they use for the rallys. Sometimes they have the meets in the evening which is pretty fun. A RX-8 would be the largest car out there.

What say you. As if I didnt ramble enough........I really want to know my cars limits. I am up for anywhere. Legal is always better I suppose....

cyber_drone

I am up for it. I will have the fat slow car :P

Try calling the track to see if its possible to use. Also, ask the sunriders if they have tried to use it before and the outcome. They might have been able to but declined due to traction limitations with pavement. Its hard to find a good medium with pavements.

for example.. the pavement down at homestead's parking lots used at ER's autocrosses will eat tires up REALLY fast, and doesnt do a whole lot for traction..while the pavement at Fort Myers autocross track is GREAT for tires as it take many sessions to see wear, and also provides decent traction too.

bigblockbeater

Mantis, i am there. let us know if you find any new information.