Blytheville Tour and NeDiv Championship

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2010 12:53 pm

I just wanted to post up to congratulate all the local North Carolina drivers from this past weekend.

Eric and Karl went up to Fedex Field in DC and from what I heard Eric coned away the win in a very deep field of over 15 people in BS. Karl had some cone troubles to from what I heard. Anthony and Suzanne Hodges won FSP and FSPL up there as well.

At the Blytheville Tour in Arkansas, Eric Sienkiewicz and Chris Cline took 1-2 in STX. Dave O'Maley took 1st place in ST in a big way over a couple National Champions. Jadrice took 1st place in BS and Jim took 2nd in DS but appeared to have some cone troubles. I hope that Gwen and Bernie had fun despite what appeared to be some cone and DNF troubles.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2010 9:09 pm

As usual, we had a great time. Nerves and pushing way too hard on Saturday caused me to miss a gate on my first run, and misjudge a gate on my second. Finally got it right on my last run and at least was able to be the fastest gal in the open class with that run. (No ladies class.) Sunday was a much better day. Nerves all gone, I did much better, but the bust on Saturday kept me from moving up over all. Met some great people, including some of my expected upcoming lady competition in Lincoln, and, without a doubt, the fastest HSers in the country. And, I laughed my a$$ off more than once.

Even with the long drive and the bad day Saturday, until you've done one of these events, you really can't believe how much fun they are. The courses are so much different than what we are accustomed to. It's difficult to explain, but with the site being so much larger, everything is way more spread out. There is so much space between elements that the opportunity to be stupid is WAY more than you'd think. Next stop, Finger Lakes. And maybe DC Pro.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2010 11:26 pm

Gwen Baake wrote:

And maybe DC Pro.

Yes! You guys should go. That lot is a RIOT.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:15 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

Gwen Baake wrote:

And maybe DC Pro.

Yes! You guys should go. That lot is a RIOT.

Supposedly it's on a never-before-used lot this year. *shrug*

--Donnie

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:02 am

If you want into the DC Pro, I'd get on the waiting list NOW. - AB

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:08 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Supposedly it's on a never-before-used lot this year. *shrug*

--Donnie

I think they used the lot this past weekend for the Divisional or so I was told. It should be a lot of fun, now I just need to make sure I have a ride for the event. :lol:

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:19 am

Aaron Buckley wrote:

If you want into the DC Pro, I'd get on the waiting list NOW. - AB

So we were told Sunday. We'll see what happens.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:27 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Karl Shultz wrote:

Yes! You guys should go. That lot is a RIOT.

Supposedly it's on a never-before-used lot this year. *shrug*

--Donnie

It's the lot Eric and I ran on this past weekend. It's not as large as the E-F lot we were on last year, but it's still plenty big, with neat elevation changes. The divisional course was in the 50 second range. I can't predict how it'll be to run two courses concurrently, but the locals seemed to think it'll work out well. One criticism I have of the lot is that there are drainage "ditches," up to half an inch deep, built into the pavement. Lee (Piccone) did a good job of laying out the course such that when we drove over them, we were at speed and going straight. I didn't even notice them.

Paddock space is very tight, and the way in is a small access road. We were told that empty trailers would end up parked in a different area, which should help some. Still, I think it's going to be pretty tight.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:19 pm

Ah, cool. Good that they were able to run an event on that lot already, then.

Sucks about paddock space. I'll be in a large rig. *sigh*

--Donnie

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:22 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Sucks about paddock space. I'll be in a large rig. *sigh*

--Donnie

x2. Sounds like getting there *really* early might be a requirement. - AB

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:37 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Sucks about paddock space. I'll be in a large rig. *sigh*

--Donnie

x2. Sounds like getting there *really* early might be a requirement. - AB

Yeah, get there early. I was thinking about you guys while negotiating an eleventy point turn to position the truck. It could be a false alarm, though, and it won't be as bad as I think. When Eric and I got there, we were told to park my rig in one of about five rows near the top of the hill. It was way crowded up there. Once the Evo school guys were out of there, though, and it was just the NEDiv, the bottom 25% of the hill was pretty open. So maybe it won't be as bad as we think. Still, though, I'd plan on getting there early, just in case.

If you want to see the lot, here's some video shot from my car:

Karl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QkEuaAp1A8
Eric: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDPrSkwMm0Q

If you're in a hurry, watch Eric's video instead of mine. It goes by a lot quicker. :lol:

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:16 pm

My problem is I can't get there early. In fact, I'll be sort of late. I have a board meeting in Raleigh that goes until right at noon and my plan was to drive my rig to that and leave from there.

--Donnie

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:54 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

My problem is I can't get there early. In fact, I'll be sort of late. I have a board meeting in Raleigh that goes until right at noon and my plan was to drive my rig to that and leave from there.

--Donnie

Bryan and I are getting there pretty darn early, so I bet I can hold you a spot. - AB

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:44 am

Gwen Baake wrote:

As usual, we had a great time. Nerves and pushing way too hard on Saturday caused me to miss a gate on my first run, and misjudge a gate on my second. Finally got it right on my last run and at least was able to be the fastest gal in the open class with that run. (No ladies class.) Sunday was a much better day. Nerves all gone, I did much better, but the bust on Saturday kept me from moving up over all. Met some great people, including some of my expected upcoming lady competition in Lincoln, and, without a doubt, the fastest HSers in the country. And, I laughed my a$$ off more than once.

Even with the long drive and the bad day Saturday, until you've done one of these events, you really can't believe how much fun they are. The courses are so much different than what we are accustomed to. It's difficult to explain, but with the site being so much larger, everything is way more spread out. There is so much space between elements that the opportunity to be stupid is WAY more than you'd think. Next stop, Finger Lakes. And maybe DC Pro.

If you think tours are fun (and they are!) then you REALLY want to try ProSolo!
Glad you two finally took the plunge into NTs, now go register for Lincoln!!!! It's the fun x 10.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:06 pm

Our plans include Lincoln. Looking forward to it.

THSCC Forums

Blytheville Tour and NeDiv Championship

Who is online