NG15 Announcements

[Lori]

There is still a SLIGHT possibility this could change, but I just can't wait any longer...

I’m very pleased and excited to tell you what’s been going on with the National Gathering since we finished NG14.

First, we’ve welcomed a new Committee Member on-board. Bridget Dillon (bridge) has agreed to join our team and help us out with planning and executing the National Gathering. Bridget has been a member of the community for far longer than I have, and has a great passion for the platform. She’s been helping on-site over the years, and more the past two with tech inspections and some of the more technical aspects that I don’t understand (car stuff). She’ll begin as a Sponsor Liaison, answering sponsor questions and concerns, reaching out to potential new sponsors, and making sure everything goes smoothly for the sponsors on-site. This will take a HUGE load off my shoulders, and allow me to pay more attention to the details that you’ve all come to know and expect. I couldn’t be happier about this addition to our team. Bridget, thank you so much for agreeing to be a part of our little group of nuts!

You’ve all been waiting very patiently for the following announcement, as I have, too. Choosing a track this year was very difficult. In the past, we’ve had a hard time getting some tracks to even talk to us. This year, we had 4 world-class tracks that we were talking to. I never dreamed that two of the four would be available and willing to have us. Another was trying to change their schedule for us. The third didn’t work out because it conflicted with another potential gathering. Because the decision was so difficult, we’re already talking with the ones we didn’t choose about holding NG16 at one of them! Woo-hoo for advanced planning!

The road course we’ve chosen (we always start with that because it’s the most difficult) is new. We will be using a portion of it, and will be doing road course for a full day (8am-5pm). That portion is two miles long, with 13 technical turns, two straights, and multiple elevation changes. It’s being built by one of the premier names in the auto industry. The location is… Bowling Green, Kentucky, at the National Corvette Museum. The track is brand new, just getting ready to open. They’ve modeled it after only the greatest tracks in the world, taking features of each into account in the design. It was designed with challenging features that are reminiscent of the famous La Sarthe in Le Mans, France. It is highly anticipated, and we’re going to be there.

We’ll also be renting a TEN-ACRE skid pad for the AutoX (for reference, St. Louis was about 3-4 acres). We’ll be allowed to set up the night before, and… wait for it… we get to use SPRAY CHALK! With the new timing equipment, we should be able to run at least two cars on the track at a time. While we considered not doing that for safety reasons, a track this large would certainly warrant running multiple cars.

I know visiting the Corvette Museum will be in the plans for many of you. I’m currently working on getting discounted tickets if we order as a group. If that works out, we’ll offer it in the registration process.

We’re still working on firming up the drags, car show, and go-karts, but those are in the works already. We just couldn’t wait any longer to tell you it’ll be June 23-28, 2015. There’s a slight chance we’ll start on-site registration on June 22, with an event on Tuesday night. That part isn’t decided just yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do.

As for registering for the event, you’ll be able to do so soon. For those who are trying to save up the money, why not consider purchasing Paypal gift certificates for use toward your registration? You can get them in any denomination, and Paypal holds the funds until you use it. It’s sort of like having a secret savings account. Once registration opens, you’ll also be able to register, then add events later. That’s another way to break up the payments. You can register and pay, then add an event later and pay for it. Just trying to help.

Bowling Green is only about an hour from Nashville, so we have MANY options for events for this NG. You know my mind is just going crazy with all the new things we can offer! Just keep watching – we’ll add details as we get them. The Committee is very, very excited about this location, and very proud that we’re able to go to such a great facility.