[slowTA]

I'm thinking about going to the Devens Tour this year but have a few general questions.

What hotel does everyone usually stay in?
How secure is the site at night? Can we leave the cars and trailers on-site instead of dragging everything to the hotel Friday and Saturday nights? I think I would rather leave my tire trailer there than an unsecured hotel parking lot. Can you tell I'm a bit paranoid?
How hectic is the schedule, such as... do the organizers get ticked off if you don't head to impound exactly on time? I haven't been to a national event.
Are the tech guys looking for any reason possible to kick cars out, my 5 point is about 8 years old. It has Y shoulder belts and I want to do a roll bar and individual shoulder belts when I replace them.
Any advice for a first timer at a national event?
Lastly... is anyone traveling through northern Jersey with a (half-empty) two car hauler to get there?

I still haven't decided if I want to go, the 4 hour drive has something to do with it. I'm not sure if I can procure a car trailer for the weekend. Also, I'm not all that competitive locally so I would be going just to be beaten by a different group of people... yet no one has registered in CP yet!

[Jeff97FST/A]

Tech should be just like your local events. They will (should?) have the required stickers at tech as well. Some free, some a nominal charge. Know your wheelbase and min weight, I think P classes are weighed at impound, correct?

There may be a car or two in CP that'll register at the last minute.

Bear in mind that there is a very strict sound limit at Devens. From our region website:

1. The required sound limits will be 90dBA measured at 75'.

2. Sound may be measured from any side of the vehicle at any time and includes such noise sources as intake noise and tire squeal.

3. Vehicles such as those in FM and CM which have a GCR-mandated maximum length may exceed that length for the purposes of installing an alternate muffler or exhaust system. The additional length may serve no other purpose.

This limit is virtually the same as the NMHS limit of 94dbA measured at 50'. Enforcement will be very strict and competitors are strongly encouraged to do their best to be significantly below these limits.

The violation policy is as follows (these will apply at both NMHS and Devens) :

1. After the first violation, the competitor will be required to demonstrate that an effort has been made to reduce sound levels before being allowed to make a second run. This determination will be made by the event chair or a designee.

2. If the second run is still in excess of the allowed sound limit, the competitor will not be allowed to make any additional runs at that event and the competitor will be required to again demonstrate that improvements have been made before being allowed to participate at further events.

3. Event staff reserves the right to red-flag a car in excess of sound limits and no re-run will be given.he sound control folks will be keeping a detailed log of sound levels at every event. This is part of our compliance agreement.

Competitors should recognize that we are implementing this policy as an effort to maintain continued use of our sites. The risk of losing Devens due to sound problems is *VERY* real. We cannot afford to be lenient about this whatsoever- whether it's an AM car or an HS car, if it's too loud, the car will not be allowed to participate until the sound level is reduced. *This is a non-negotiable item and the Solo Chair will not entertain discussion on this during the event if a car is determined to be in violation of these rules.*

As for where to stay, this is pretty much as close as you can get.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/boss...-common-center/


These aren't too far away:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/h...equestid=528337

http://www.super8leominster.com/

That's just a quick search. Decent areas. I worked in Leominster, stayed at the Super 8 once. I think Jim Garry stays there when he comes to events.

As said earlier, bring OFF! and rain gear. I'm not sure what the mosquitoes eat when they can't get human, and there have been storms at Devens that have rivaled the Bible. There have also been picture-perfect days. If it's sunny, you'll also need sunscreen and shade/hat. It's very exposed. Plenty of water, too. There is usually bottled water there for the Tour, but you can't be too careful with hydration at Devens.

What weather will we get this year? Anyone have a pair of dice we can roll?

The only activities Friday evening (probably after 5pm) are reg, tech, and course walks. No practice courses, etc. It's hard enough to get onto the site. We aren't allowed to run Friday

One of these summers we're going to have to have a FRRAX get together at the Devens Tour. Every year from here on out could be our last at that site. Seriously. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)