Midwest Meet 2019: August 16-19th, South Haven, MI

Discussion in 'Meets & Events Section' started by Maisonvi, May 15, 2019.

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  1. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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    Hey everyone,

    Im back on working to plan this year’s Midwest meet this is going to be a long post, so buckle up and get to reading. (also, Im doing this at work so I didnt proof read this all haha)

    Starting out for those who don’t know, it will be the weekend of August 16-19.

    First up; lodging. I know pet friendly has been a must have in past years, so I want to do what I can to keep with that. As I see it right now we have two options. I have not gotten cost for either of these, but will be doing that soon. First up Sun and Sand Resort. We have stayed here in the previous years, it might be a bit more pricey would be my guess, but its still a low key resort that has an out door pool, fire pit and has always been chill with the Nator group doing Nator group things while attending.

    Second there is a Comfort Inn right off the highway in town too. Ive been in it, it’s a bit run down, and not exactly a Hilton, but my guess it it might be cheaper accommodations. For a place to crash each night, it for sure will be functional. If you have a preference on either of these let me know. Otherwise I will attempt to get pricing on both and post it up to help people decide.

    There are also multiple local camp grounds if people are interested in that as well.


    THINGS TO DO
    A quick rundown of possible events. I would really like to get peoples opinions on as well these before I start booking places and what not.

    Friday night: Not sure how much interest there is as this is when most people are getting in, but I wanted to put it out there. The “local” drag way has a test and tune that night. Cost is $25 to run, $10 to spectate. Ive never been here so I cant say much about it. I know some people like driving in straight lines so I figured I would see what we could do to accommodate them. Its about 55 minutes from South Haven.

    https://us131msp.com/seasonal-schedule/


    Saturday Day: There is a new karting facility (not the one we have previously gone to) in Grand Rapids Ive been talking to. We could do a day of karting there much like we did in Indy last year. Ive already spoken to them about renting a room and doing lunch. Cost of a room for 3 hours, 3 karting sessions and lunch (pizza, salad, desert and drinks) would be about $75 per person at this point. That is for an assumed 25 people. If we do less or more the price would go up or down respectively. (approx. $57 a person). So if we want to do this, I will need to get money ahead of time as they require a deposit of 50% a month in advance. We would likely start around 11am and end around 2pm, also about a 55 min drive from South Haven.

    http://grandrapidsgrandprix.com/


    Saturday night: Working on setting up a place for dinner. There are a few options, but it largely depends on number of people we have going. It’s a small town and restaurants are not really set up to handle super large crowds. We will try and do something together, but we may end up requiring a deposit there too, so if people would rather fend for themselves that’s fine by me. While the restaurant scene in South Haven can be lacking for this type of event, the bar scene can be a good time, so Im down to lay out a bar crawl if that’s what people would rather have.


    Sunday: There is an autocross at the Tire Rack facility in South Bend hosted by the South Bend SCCA. I have personally done a few here and I can say its well run and well set up. It can be a bit crowded sometimes, but they know what they are doing from what I have seen and do what they can to get everyone as many runs as possible. They have an actual test track that you run on, so it will be smoother than 99% of the parking lots you typically run on. Pricing for an SCCA member is $30 in advance, $35 on site. Non SCCA members can get a weekend membership and its $45 in advance, $50 on site. Funny enough, google also says 55 min to this site from South Haven.

    http://www.sbrscca.org/new/autocross/


    Monday: Gingerman Raceway has a CGI event this day. These events are great for anyone in any skill set. Its broken up in to 3 (typically) run groups based on skill level (not speed of your car level). Beginners and first time people can get an instructor (highly recommended). You will get (7) 20 min sessions and it’s a non-competitive environment. It’s a ton of fun and a great way to learn the limits of your car. Cost will be $230 for the day, and beginners will need an instructor for $50 extra.

    https://cgimotorsports.configio.com/pd/339/august-19?source=search&cid=504


    For those looking to fly in, the nearest airports are Kalamazoo, South Bend and Grand Rapids. All are about an hour or less to South Haven. Larger airports in Chicago and Detroit are closer to 3 hours away.

    I will continue to work on this all as much as I can and keep everyone up dated. Other things I will be working on is a raffle, so if you know anyone willing to donate to that, let us know (all proceeds will go to a to be determined charity), and I know people like to get together to sometimes do group photos, so I will see what I can do to get something like that set up. (logistically I know that can be awful)

    If you have any questions let me know.
     
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  2. Jspencer81

    Jspencer81 Greenie Member

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    Definitely going to be planning to make it out there! Cant wait and thanks for taking this on Ken
     
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  3. Big SC

    Big SC I feel pretty. BANNED Greenie N00B Member

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    bummer, i'll be in texas by then.
     
  4. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    Anyone who is going to this and plans at staying at the Sun n Sand, let me know asap!

    Rooms are about $330 for Friday check in and Sunday check out (the days I am planning on attending). It's $450 for a 4 person room and would probably be even cheaper for a foursome.

    I would love it if we could get a group to get a room and split the cost, would be awesome!
     
    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Jul 22, 2019
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  5. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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    Yeah I posted in the FB group but meant to post in here, get your rooms booked up if you want to come people!

    Im going to get a hold of the group running the track day monday and see if I can get us a group discount (I very much doubt it)
     
  6. mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie Silver Member

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    I'm really bummed I can't make this one. This is the weekend before my law exam.
     
  7. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    Yolo it
     
    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Jul 25, 2019
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  8. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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  9. SharksInSpace

    SharksInSpace Planets and shit. Silver Member

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    OKAY GUYS. So I had presumed Mrs.Sharks was going to hard-veto the idea of me possibly making this trip due to a European vacation we have coming up this fall. But she just gave me the ol' "it's up to you," indicating that maybe I do still have just a small amount of free will to exercise despite being married.

    That said. If I decide I can make it, I will require but two things for certain:
    1. A place to sleep (@_Mazdarati do you prefer big or little spoon?)
    2. One of you native MI license-holding hooligans to hook me up with as many dispensary goodies as I decide I can afford
     
  10. _Mazdarati

    _Mazdarati I just want my car back Greenie Member

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    The only problem I am facing right now is a room. The hotel everyone staying at is booked besides a 4 person room at the moment and is about $500 for Friday-Monday. I am also leaving Sunday.

    There is Mr. Hayes that has a spare spot in his room I may have to steal, but I don't know yet since Tom doesn't even know if he will have his passport in time to make it down here.

    I would love to finally see your beard IRL if you decide to make it, because I'll be there no matter what, even if I have to sleep in my car LOL

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
     
    _Mazdarati, via a mobile device, Aug 1, 2019
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  11. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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    There are other hotels that arent too far away, if there is no space at sun and sand, we can book other people over flow at those.
     
  12. Maisonvi

    Maisonvi Platinum Member

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    (Copied from my FB post to here)

    I look forward to the annual Midwest Meet with all my car friends every year. This year attendance was a bit disappointing, but I want to say a huge thanks to the few who made it out. I still had a ton of fun.

    Took the number 1 spot in the day for karting Saturday, and then got to hang out with @LynzeC, jason, and @Funkster777 .
    Due to car trouble and then ultimately weather, autox didn't happen Sunday, but the track Monday was great.

    My car on the other hand had a bit of a rough weekend. Breaking down 2 or 3 times, the last time being a season ending engine issue, made for a long weekend. But it did manage to click off a new PR and hit my 1:49 goal at the track (just). So it wasnt all for naught.

    Either way, big shout out to @VTMongoose for making the hella long drive out, and @_Mazdarati for making it out too. Next year hopefully people can commit sooner and everyone's lives are a bit less crazy. If Im planning it again we will try and make it an even better event.

    Now to get to work fixing the car over winter to get it ready for next season.
     

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