Attending 12 hours at Sebring for the 1st time

pcoghlan · #1 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 05:51 AM

So I will be bringing the GD along to its first outing at Sebring. For those that see an odd looking RHD Cobra still in gel coat please be gentle with me. It is 7 years old, has a total of 83 miles on the clock and has weathered half a dozen winters in a barn in Ireland. It needs a little TLC.

I think it looks fairly well considering, although the yahoo that completed the build for me in Ireland had an attention to detail that was less than ideal, Anyway, that will all be resolved over the coming year or two as bits are cleaned, polished, powder coated or simply replaced.

As a new DSCC member I look forward to seeing some other members and their cars.

A quick question, any recommendations apropos lodging in the area? We will be arriving Saturday morning and staying over Saturday night, departing Sunday morning. I note that some are bringing RVs, does that imply that camping is available nearby? Which hotel have you stayed at that has safe parking considering the topless nature of the Cobra?

I assume the day consists of parking up, watching the racing, enjoying good company and food. Looking forward to it!!

Paul

jmimac351 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 07:47 PM

Paul, did you get a parking pass for the Turn 1 area? That area is fenced and secure and you can camp in there with us. It's a huge area that is on concrete - plenty of room. It's where the hangers used to be when it was a military base. Shelby had his cobras in those hangers right where we will be. Your cobra will be safe there.

Besides the paddock it's probably the most secure area in the whole place.

I wouldn't hazard a guess as to whether any rooms are available around there this next week. Sebring is not a big town at all and this race brings a sea of people. Granted, many are staying at the track.

Print out this map. Look where is says "Turn 1 Club Hospitality". That's where we will be with our RVs setup like a compound and you need a pass to get your car there.

http://www.sebringraceway.com/images...ckMap-2008.pdf

jmimac351 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 08:01 PM

Paul, if you go to the Sebring Raceway website

http://www.sebringraceway.com/

there is a banner ad at the top for golf villas that are available for race week.

http://www.springlakegolf.com/

Jim

pcoghlan · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. Camping for me equals tents and not RVs!

If they allow that then great! Otherwise it it looking like we will be driving up and down same day as the last hour hasn't turned up a single hotel room in or near Sebring. The golf villas are all gone too.

Well, that's what I get for booking late.

Paul

pcoghlan · #5 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 10:58 AM

Oh, and yes jmimac351 I do have a parking pass for the Turn One Hospitality area. Need to get a second ticket for the missus but am set other than that.

Look forward to seeing you all Saturday.

Paul

Gatorac · #6 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 04:21 PM

Your good to go for a tent in our corral.

Forget about getting a hotel room within 50 miles.

They are sold out months and even years in advance.

You won't be the only one in a tent either.

pcoghlan · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 06:03 PM

Cheers Jim, looks like I will be able to enjoy a beer or three then! :-)

Assume some of the corral is grass, for the tents.

Spent much of this evening trying to sand/polish out the flash lines. My prediction is that by Friday I will hate the thought of sanding!

A sudden thought...my ticket is the Saturday only ticket. Does that allow camping into Sunday morning?!?

Paul

Gatorac · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 06:41 PM

Paul

Don't sweat it. We've been there before. It is possible yours will be the only Cobra in the corral. I'm starting to feel guilty enough to ask Lorrie to drive our Cobra over.

I can't promise a grassy area. I never know for sure what we will find until I get there. It's always better then I expected though. While we didn't technically have grass in our area, there was a lot of grass that wasn't occupied.

pcoghlan · #9 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 06:49 PM

Thanks Jim. That takes some pressure off. If there is too much to be done we will simply jump in the regular car and hoof it up there!

We will bring the tent and if we can pitch it great, if not no problem.

Paul

Gatorac · #10 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 07:13 PM

Now I'm hurt. I just convinced Lorrie to drive the Cobra over. I told her I would be happy to drive it if she wanted to tow the camper over.

Your Saturday ticket will get you in the gate Friday at 8:00pm and you can stay until Sunday noon.

Tangible Toys · #11 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 08:27 PM

Hey I'm still trying to get Mary Ann to drive the RV so I can take the cobra.............. Like I said ..still.

CobraDan · #12 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 01:12 PM

You guys make sure Paul drives on the correct side of the road course.

pcoghlan · #13 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 03:05 PM

You mean there was an opportunity to drive the car on the road course?!

Looks like the Cobra wont be making it, clutch issues. I would have made it a bigger priority if I had known that

Ah well, I will relax with a beer then.

Paul