Drivers who want to get in some practice at Watkins Glen before NASA’s Eastern States Championships can do so on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20 and 21.
NASA alumnus Aaron Povoledo, who wrote the driving instructions for Watkins Glen in our July issue, is hosting two track days with a limit of 35 cars per day. Bear in mind this is not a NASA event. Registration fees are in addition to those of the NASA Eastern States Championships, and no refunds of NASA Championships entry fees will be given in the event of crash damage or major powertrain failures.
For details, visit: http://povoledotrackdays.com/wp/ or call 516-524-6200.
Registration Open for 25 Hours of Thunderhill
Registration for the longest endurance road race in North America opened on Friday, Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. PST. Be part of 14th annual running of the NASA 25hrs of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance on Dec. 3-4, 2016.
Will the Flying Lizard Audi sponsored by Toyo Tires be back to defend the title or will we have a new champion for 2016? If you missed the 2015 NASA 25 Hours, please check out the documentary titled “Survive the 25,” which premiered on the MavTV network. It chronicles the experiences of four race teams competing in the longest endurance race in North America held each December at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, Calif. You can watch the show in its entirety here:
Sign up for the hardest race you will ever run. Just finishing this race is a victory by itself. The 25 Hours of Thunderhill will challenge you, teach you, make you better, make your team better, and most of all give you some amazing memories of a unique accomplishment.
For more information on the 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance, visit www.nasa25hour.com
Restaurants and Lodging for Western States Championships
The “Motorsports Tourist” story in our August issue stated that Bakersfield was an hour away from Buttonwillow Raceway by car. The folks at Buttonwillow Raceway pointed out that it’s only 30 to 40 minutes away, and Bakersfield offers better alternatives for restaurants and hotels. So, they put together an additional list of resources for racers attending the Western States Championships.
Hotels
Hwy. 99 and 7th Standard Road
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bakersfield Airport
19480 Quinn Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-387-1678
Hampton Inn & Suites Bakersfield North-Airport
8818 Spectrum Park Way
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-391-0600
La Quinta Inn & Suites Bakersfield North
8858 Spectrum Park Way
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-393-7775
Central Bakersfield (closest to most restaurant variety)
TownePlace Suites Bakersfield West
8300 Granite Falls Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93312
661-589-2200
Courtyard Bakersfield
3601 Marriott Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-324-6660
SpringHill Suites Bakersfield
3801 Marriott Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-377-4000
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
3927 Marriott Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-377-8000
DoubleTree
3100 Camino Del Rio Court
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-323-7111
Hilton Garden Inn
3625 Marriott Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-716-1000
Four Points by Sheraton
5101 California Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93309
661-325-9700
Homewood Suites
1505 Mill Rock Way
Bakersfield, CA 93311
661-664-0400
Comfort Suites
3115 Camino Del Rio Court
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-325-8000
Downtown Bakersfield Hotels
Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center
801 Truxton Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-323-1900
The Padre Hotel
1702 18th St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-427-4900
Bakersfield Restaurants
Uricchio’s Trattoria
1400 17th St.
661-326-8870
Sorella Ristorante Italiano
7900 McNair Lane
661-396-8603
Mexicali
631 18th St.
661-327-3861
5601 California Ave.
661-327-5201
Steak & Grape
4420 Coffee Rd.
661-588-9463
KC Steak House
2515 F St.
661-322-9910
The Mark
1623 19th St.
661-322-7665
Temblor Brewing Company
3200 Buck Owens Blvd.
661-489-4855
Firestone Grill
3501 California Ave.
805-927-3194
Lengthwise Brewery
2900 Calloway Drive
661-589-7394
9000 Ming Ave.
661-665-2537
Buck Owens Crystal Palace
2800 Buck Owens Blvd.
661-328-7560
Tahoe Joe’s
9000 Ming Ave.
661-664-8723
Benji’s
4001 Rosedale Hwy.
661-328-0400
Frugatii’s
600 Coffee Road
661-836-2000
Johnny Garlic’s
9000 Ming Ave.
661-665-1860
Ask National
Q: Endurance racing regulations stipulate that “no more than 10 gallons of gas from two NASA-approved standard 5-gallon plastic fuel containers may be put in the car during any pit stop.” What if a car has a 15-gallon fuel tank? Why can’t a team fill it all the way?
A: That rule only applies for races that our six hours and longer, and only for the E0, E1, E2, and E3 classes. Those classes have more restrictive rules to help keep costs down and keep a level playing field. All OEM tanks will hold at least 10 gallons. However, only some vehicles have larger OEM tanks and they would have an advantage. For races shorter than six hours it’s of minimal advantage.
Q: How does a race director choose between a waving-green-flag restart, and one where all stations simply cease to display a double yellow?
A: One instance is called a “restart,” and one is called a “resumption.” Restarts are used for races. Resumptions can be used during practice and qualifying sessions, since there is no “leader” to give the green flag to.
