SAVANNAH
We have today been advised by H.S.R. that their Savannah Historic Grand Prix, Savannah Harbor Race Course event on the grounds of the Westin Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, Huchinson Island, GA scheduled for 3-5 April 2009, will NOT take place on that date. The PGA, whose tournament is scheduled two weeks after the event, and after giving H.S.R. numerous assurances that this would be agreeable, have reversed their decision and refused to approve the scheduled event. H.S.R. are working to reschedule the event. Details to follow as they become available.
While we share your disappointment with this situation, if the new date becomes a reality, this could be a blessing in disguise in terms of fit, weather and logistics, the latter certainly for the West Coast based HGP teams. Thank you for your understanding.
Entry forms
We have overhauled our entry form procedures; I will explain each here:
Membership 2009 form: This form needs to accompany your dues. Please keep a copy of this form as this is proof of your membership with HGP, a not-for-Profit 501c(3) organization and your dues are tax deductible.
Annual Race Entry Application Form: This form offers up all the information we need to process your entry for each event and will be kept in your file for each race you enter. On the backside of this form you may list your crew/guests. If your crew/guest list changes for each event, copy this page as many times as needed, indicate crew/guests and the event and submit as usual. A confirmation letter of your entry will be sent by e-mail and an entrant packet will be sent to you by postal mail prior to each event you enter and will indicate your car number and other pertinent information.
PLEASE BE ADVISED, THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRE YOU TO COMPLETE THEIR FORM AS WELL: HSR for Savannah, KIC for Road America and SVRA at NJ Motorsports Park.
Payment Plan:
We encourage you to send in your check for all the events you wish to enter now, however, if you prefer, you may submit payments individually, but keep in mind , each payment must ARRIVE in our office no later than 30 days prior to the event and you must indicate on each payment which event the payment is for. Please be sure to submit your worksheet now, however, with your intentions so we can move forward with planning and marketing the events, knowing your participation is in the offing.
Refund Policy :
To receive a full refund, cancellation notice must be made 30 days prior to the event. After that, it will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Special Transport Deal: We have assurances from Hudson Historics in Ossining, NY (914-941-8559) and Lee Chapman Racing in New Milford, CT (860-354-4479) - both just an hour north of NYC, that there will be no problem storing cars or transporters or providing work space and facilities or whatever is needed. Some West Coast transport companies and prep shops are offering a discount package deal for the four races of Savannah, Lime Rock, Mt. Tremblant and Road America trip if they can fill their trucks. Be sure to check with your team about the possibility of doing the East Coast race swing. Call Rebecca or Phil if you need further assistance and/or information.
Number of Races per event: We will have two races per event this year; 1 each Saturday and Sunday (or Monday in the case of Lime Rock).
Hotel info by event:
Savannah Stay tuned for information forth coming regarding the new date. There WILL be a host hotel.
Lime Rock (NO HOST HOTEL) Options to consider:
Interlake Inn (minutes from track) 800-222-2909
Wake Robin Inn (mins from track) 860-435-2000
Google: Sharon, CT – B&B’s only – limited availability (15-20 mins from track)
Google: Great Barrington, MA Hotels (20-25 mins from track)
Google: Torrington, CT Hotels (30+ mins from track)
Google: Waterbury, CT Hotels (45 mins from track)
Google: Danbury, CT Hotels (1 hour from track, but easy drive up NY Route 22)
Call Rebecca if you need more info on hotel or B&B options in the surrounding area – she lives here and knows the area pretty well now!
Mt. Tremblant (HOST HOTEL)
Fairmont Tremblant 3045 Chemin de la Chapelle, Mt Tremblant, Qbc 819-681-7000
STATE RATE QUOTE # HIST06O9 FOR PRE-NEGOTIATED RATE
50 rooms @ $209 CDN + tax and resort services fee
Road America (NO HOST HOTEL) Options to consider:
Siebkens – 920-876-2600
Osthoff – 920-876-3366
Google: Elkhart Lake area B & B and vacation rental homes
Google: Kohler, WI Hotels (30 mins from track)
Google: Sheboygan, WI Hotels (45 mins from track)
Infineon (HOST HOTEL)
Quality Inn 5100 Montero Way, Petaluma, CA 94949 707-664-1155 (about 15-20 mins from track)
BE SURE TO SAY YOU ARE WITH THE HISTORIC GRAND PRIX GROUP
25 Rooms @ $159.99 per night + tax
11 rms non-smoke dbls; 4 non-smoke queen; 6 smoke queen; 4 smoke dbls
OTHER OPTIONS:
Courtyard by Marriott, Novato 415-883-8950 (10 mins from track)
Best Western Inn, Novato 415-883-4400 (10 mins from track)
Wyndham Hotel, San Rafael 415-79-8800 (15-20 mins from track)
Embassy Suites, San Rafael 415-499-9222 (15-20 mins from track)
NJ Motorsports Park (HOST HOTEL)
Wingate 2196 West Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 856-690-9900
BE SURE TO SAY YOU ARE WITH THE HISTORIC GRAND PRIX GROUP
30 Rooms @ $89 per room per night + tax
ANOTHER OPTION :
Ramada Inn (right next door) 2216 West Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 856-696-3800
No group rate set up; call for arrangements
Ted Wentz - comments on Savannah:
The Hutchinson Island track has real potential to become a favored destination. Significant support from the city of Savannah, HSR and the management of the Westin Hotel should assure that the few changes required to make this a fully raceable racetrack will be accomplished before next spring's events.
Currently, the track has a good combination of wide sweeping turns and challenging late apex, medium speed corners and passing opportunities. Only two turns are substandard (right angle, way too slow, crowned road exit) and both will be easily fixed by adding a few feet of pavement to the inside radius. Simple change and inexpensive, so I expect it will be done.
Access to the infield is still problematic, requiring that the track go cold to allow ingress on the track itself. A tunnel or bridge will alleviate this, don't know if that will be done for the spring races, but it is really more bothersome for the organizers than the racers, who have access via an existing pedestrian-golfcart tunnel.
This is a novel location within walking distance to the Westin, where ferry service runs to Savannah's River Street every 20 minutes. Not the same old same-old.
I look forward to racing there again.
Nigel Mansel - comments on NJ Motorsports Park: This is the first track I've visited in a long time with zero Mickey Mouse corners," Mansell said, referring to gimmicky, tight, low-speed turns many tracks feature as a means to slow cars down. "To have a circuit like this from the get-go that has what I call 'quality corners' is a great achievement." Mansell was also impressed with the bustling airport in the background and the woodsy setting of the track. "The thing that they've done here, which is very difficult, is they created character and atmosphere," Mansell said. But after seeing the track, Mansell wants to do more than just watch his sons speed around the circuit. "The punch line is," Mansell said, "I want to race this weekend."
