4/23 Thill last call before ......

[Hrant]

Folks,

We are at a critical juncture regarding whether we have to cancel this event or not. As of this writing we have only 13 confirmed registrations, and 9 pending payment. Many regulars are missing from the list, many others who wanted a more flexible program - which we are offering this time around - have still not registered. See status list at: http://sacramento.nsxca.org/Events/ThunderHillDocs/Statuslist.htm

If by this Friday, March 22, we do not hit 40 confirmed students with payment (use PayPal), we will be forced to cancel this track event. We want to give THill as much lead time as possible to rent the day so that we do not lose our $1500 deposit. Even then, there are no assurances that we may get a full refund.

We have had many inquiries with assurances that they will be registering but time is of the essence and we cannot take the risk of running such a quality program at a loss. We have already opened the registration with invitations to the BMWCCA Central Valley and local Porsche and Audi clubs, as well as the BMWCCA GGC for over a month ...... the BMWCCA is having a 2 day Laguna Seca event in May so we are losing a core number of otherwise regular attendees.

As you know, we always offer goodies from our sponsors some for free and some we raffle to help the club put such events. With only 20-30 NSXs at best, the odds of getting or winning something is almost assured! We have also attracted accomplished NSX instructors/racers who will be attending our track event for the first time. Comptech is most likely going to bring one or two cars for testing (with all their goodies), Niello Acura our sponsor will introduce some goodies as well, ..........So how about it, why not come and enjoy your car in a safe environment.

If this does not pan out, we do want to hear from you as to why you did not register (besides noting it was on a Tuesday). This will help us when we refocus our effort towards the annual NSX exclusive Niello Acura sponsored September 3 track day.

Cheers,

Hrant Kouyoumdjian. NSX-T 98
NSXCA Sacramento Chapter, Member #495
VP and Director of Performance Driving
[email protected]

 

[Hrant]

Well, after going through some nail biting moments, we finally are going to bite the bullet and commit with a go thanks to many generous people and ideas.

As of this writing we have 41 registered students and we expect a few more in the coming days thanks to last minute arm twisting, schmoozing, etc., .... all because a few unfortunate people showed up at our club meeting tonight ........ LOL! Yes it was that close, we went to the meeting with a consensus that the event should be canceled, but then the emotions flowed and some felt guilty and others let their testosterone rule, we even tried to pressure the wives to pressure the husbands ........ hey whatever works to get to 40! And we had to make a formal motion, seconded, opened for discussion and finally vote on this - it was a unanimous vote with no dissent!

However, we are not out of the woods. At 41 we are still running below our targeted budget. In order to meet the targeted budget, the organizing committee will take some serious cost cutting measures with amenities and frills - most of which will be hardly noticeable to you. We are working on having the lunch be donated by caterers - this is the single most expensive item next to the track rental fee, we will use Action Writer (a Ken Sax suggestion heh heh) instead of purchasing car numbers - unless our sponsor really wants to donate these, and cutting other smaller expenses that may get us closer to a break-even point especially if we secure additional students.

I have also received a few private e-mails where people volunteered to donate an extra $50 in order to help us keep the track date given the estimated costs. We truly appreciate this gesture of support and confidence in our program, and yes, we will unabashedly accept such and any other voluntary donations to defray the costs. Please use PayPal or send a check in the name of NSXCA Sacramento Chapter. Others can volunteer to bring soft drinks, water for the instructors, etc. ....... it is your track event, so ask, contribute ........ And if you want to be recognized, we will be happy to do so both publicly and on our web.

So stay tuned for more details, and remember to schedule you cars for Tech inspection. Niello Acura is offering free tech inspection during the week of April 15. Please make an appointment before you show up.

Cheers,

Hrant Kouyoumdjian
On Behalf of the Sacramento Chapter and Organizing Committee

 

[Hrant]

Don't forget to make your hotel room reservations by April 8th in order to secure the group discount rate at Best Western Golden Pheasant 530-934-4603; ask for the NSX club rate ($53/room 1 person).

Also, so far we have only one paid reservation for dinner for Monday night! We plan to give many of the free goodies to those who attend the Monday night dinner (those who attended the 9/01 event will remember how much fun it was). There will be raffle items on Tuesday - the proceeds help the club put such events.

The Santa Fe Grill has really gone out of its way to lure us back with a great selection from their revised menu: salmon, chicken lasagna, and prime rib entrees with rice pilaf, vegetables, baked potatoes, soup, salad, garlic bread, desert and soft drink ...... open buffet style all you can eat for $20! If nothing else, attend and support the organizers and meet the instructors. We need to let the chef know how many dinners to order.

As of yesterday, we have 44 students who have registered. And there will be 41 NSXs at the track (including NSX instructors)! In case the word has not gone out and around, I think this event may host one of the few times that you can see and hear the performance of many different supercharged engines:

Comptech 6 psi boost (several ........ )
Comptech 9 psi boost
Mark Basch SC - ScienceofSpeed edition ....... and Greg Hardee just informed me his is a "special" tuned by Basch for a few more ponies!
Hennesy SC which Comptech dynoed at 385 RWHP (one of only 4 or 5 made) and if you are lucky you may see some flames thrown from the exhaust on the front straight
Turbo experiment - Dan Tobie is yours done yet ?
We need a Zanardi and a SC Zanardi to attend ........ we know there is one in the Bay area with very few miles on it

And there is a rumor that Comptech may bring a few cars for testing but they are being mum about it for now .......... perhaps a SC Mini?

Registration and details are available at our web site:
http://sacramento.nsxca.org/Events/thunderhill_driving_school_4-02.htm

And check the new reading materials regarding car tech, suspension tech, and NSX handling .........

Cheers,

Hrant