Clois Harlan Hard question. Gateway has been GREAT to this event for many years. They have been VERY EASY to work with. Even when we have had a FULL MOON and done some REAL STUPID things on and off the track they have looked the other way, giving you a mulligan and get you get back on the track. SAFETY is number one for this event, everything else is second. I like to think it is the great people and fun you have over the 3 days and how everyone trys to help each other in maken better drivers, better handling cars( Thanks Morris ) better and stronger motors, ( Thanks to Keith Craft and George Anderson and others), getting parts at great prices ( Brent B.) and the long term friendships over the years.
Dan and Tim are great people and it's hard to say it's time. I am ready for a track change to another one. I liked the Mid-Ohio R&G, the road course was big and fast. I didn't race on this one. We didn't have autocross at this track. Parking lot was not that big and alot of dirt there.
If I had a choice and it is another 200 miles more for me to go to each way, I would like to race on the new MPH track in Neb or Mid America one. This one is a little more travelling to me. I solo drive and am not getting any younger. I am looking to buy this year a new enclosed trailer so I don't have to rap up my car after racing. for the long drive home.
I don't know how many more years I will be racing the car, at lease a couple more. I would like to go to MPH next year. That's my vote for next year. 1 Question, How hard are the safety issues going to be ENFORCED??
Other tracks are not going to be as leanent as Gateway. Wearing the correct and updated clothing, the correct and updated helmets,( this means Nomex not motorcycle helmets) padded roll bars, and other small infractions that happen every year. Other track will sit you out for a day with a safety infraction, no ands, ifs or butts.
Speed at St Lious on the roadcourse is about for most cars inthe 130's to 135 mph coming down the front stretch. Pro's are faster in the 140's and low 150's. Again talking pros. There is no real run off areas at St Lious off the front stretch but to go around the outside of the track which I do every year and like this. Car is happier too. Going to another larger track is going to increase the speeds, if there are larger run off areas or corn fields thats great. Most of the guys racing here are limited drivers with BASIC driving skills, like myself. In my 18+ years of going to R&G no major accident where someone was killed or permaniently hurt. I would like this to continue in the future. I know speed kills, I wouldn't want to see this happen at this event ever. This would have me stop racing and sell my car and do something else like boating.
My vote is for MPH next year or Mid America. I would like to see an east coast event at Millville NJ or VIR some time. Both have 2 different road courses. There are others. Rick L.