Portland Test Scheduled [Archive]

Wabbit

02-04-05, 04:22 PM

pchall

02-04-05, 04:57 PM

Anyone ever go to one of these? Are the drivers and/or teams accessable?

I was at a test at Putnum Park last year when Coyne was testing Mezzacane and someone else. Kinda neat to see real race cars running in Indiana just a few days before Memorial Day. :D

Open tests at Mid-Ohio were always relaxed and friendly. PLN made me a sandwich from the team lunch table once while I was chatting him up about his films of Tennesee Williams plays. And almost all of the drivers are available to give hot chicks a squeeze...

RichK

02-04-05, 05:09 PM

Laguna Seca open tests were my favorite part of the season. We used to sit on the hot pit wall and watch the teams work right next to us.

After Alex Zanardi set an unofficial track record in testing, one of my friends on TCGR handed me a valve stem cap directly from his car. It's still on my key chain! :)

02-04-05, 05:22 PM

Open tests at Mid-Ohio were always relaxed and friendly. PLN made me a sandwich from the team lunch table once while I was chatting him up about his films of Tennesee Williams plays. And almost all of the drivers are available to give hot chicks a squeeze...
OK, Chop, time for another story about your days in the Diplomatic Corps! :laugh: ;)

Do they supply the hot chicks, or is it BYOBabe?

Michaelhatesfans

02-04-05, 05:22 PM

Anyone ever go to one of these? Are the drivers and/or teams accessable?
Last year was fantastic. You could walk right up to the pitwall, and the teams seemed excited and grateful to see how many people had cut out of work/pulled their kids out of school to come and watch them test. If you ever want to say hello to a driver, get something signed, or take some great photos, I can't think of a better opportunity.

Wabbit

02-04-05, 06:08 PM

Might be worth the day off and 2.5 hour drive :cool:

oddlycalm

02-06-05, 05:54 AM

Open tests with six teams should be awesome. Missing work doesn't get any better than that. :thumbup:

oc

dreamracer

02-09-05, 04:07 PM

The tests at portland are very open. You'll get closer to the pit action than you ever could at the races. Plus the crowds are non-existant. :thumbup:

I'll be there for both days of testing at PIR... camera in hand.. :)

Here's how close I got last year... (these are photos that I sent to AR1)

http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/RHR_prep.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/conquest_pits.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/RHR_pitlane.jpg

oddlycalm

04-04-05, 04:45 PM

Testing still on? Who's going? Hoping for good weather.

oc

Wabbit

04-04-05, 04:47 PM

Forcast for the next 10 days is saying showers and drizzle with brief periods of rain.

dreamracer

04-04-05, 04:48 PM

Yet the sun is shining at the moment. Classic Portland. You just never know.

I'll be there for at least one day...

Michaelhatesfans

04-04-05, 07:45 PM

I'm there. :thumbup: :cool:

Michaelhatesfans

04-04-05, 07:47 PM

Forcast for the next 10 days is saying showers and drizzle with brief periods of rain.

Weather forecast? What the hell is that? :p

This is Portland - ever heard that song Four Seasons In One Day? :laugh:

dando

04-04-05, 08:55 PM

Open tests at Mid-Ohio were always relaxed and friendly. PLN made me a sandwich from the team lunch table once while I was chatting him up about his films of Tennesee Williams plays. And almost all of the drivers are available to give hot chicks a squeeze...
Damn. And to think my most memorable moment @ a MO test was almost getting run over by Carl Hogan (RIP) on a scooter. Well, that and chatting with Mad Max and Kenny since I know one of the carbon fiber guys on FTR. The tests @ MO were almost better than race weekends.

MO = :cry:

-Kevin

Wabbit

04-05-05, 11:33 AM

Weather forecast? What the hell is that? :p

This is Portland - ever heard that song Four Seasons In One Day? :laugh:

I live outside Seattle, so yes, I know that story. On my hour commute home one day I saw hail, wind, rain, snow and sunshine.

Michaelhatesfans

04-05-05, 12:55 PM

Yes, Pacific Northwest Weathermen - the most overpaid men on the planet. :cool:

dreamracer

04-05-05, 09:52 PM

The worlds easiest cop-out forecast...

"Partly cloudy with a chance of showers"

Covers all the bases :D

Michaelhatesfans

04-05-05, 11:38 PM

I suppose it's not as bad as when I lived in England. I swear to God that one morning while reading the forecast the weatherman called for "chances of brightness." :saywhat:

oddlycalm

04-06-05, 03:07 PM

OK, so I've been give the dates for the test as April 12-14 and also May 12-14. Which is it?

oc

dreamracer

04-06-05, 03:07 PM

It's next week. They've rolled up here after the LPGB for the last three years.

Unless they're coming twice? :saywhat:

oddlycalm

04-06-05, 03:13 PM

Great, that's what I thought.

oc

Michaelhatesfans

04-06-05, 04:24 PM

Check your local papers, or call Global Events, but I read somewhere that they are stopping off in Medford and Eugene for some promotions. Sorry I don't remember the source - it was an article where I was following something else and it was a small part of the story...

Michaelhatesfans

04-11-05, 01:30 PM

Bump!

EDIT: The original e-mail I received showed Tue-Thurs, but it looks like now it's Wed/Thur only.
Who's going?

oddlycalm

04-11-05, 01:49 PM

Here's the text of the message:

Teams that are confirmed to be testing in Portland next Tuesday – Thursday @ Portland International Raceway include Newman/Haas, Rocketsports, RuSports, PKV, and Walking Racing. Times are set from 9am – 4pm. Teams are subject to change if the weather does not cooperate or other factors come into play. The best day to catch all teams may be Wednesday, April 13th, but no schedules are set in stone. The cost is free – so take a few minutes out of your day and come out to PIR.

We will be having a Meet the Teams Party at the On Deck Sports Bar and Grill next Wednesday, April 13th from 7-9pm. The teams coming to On Deck will be confirmed after Long Beach and we’ll keep you updated. Come by and grab autographs, ask some questions and have a good time with some Champ Car Drivers. On Deck Sports Bar is located at the corner of NW 14th & Kearney in the Pearl. Not bad, open practice then a party with the teams. :thumbup:

BTW, if you need help with tickets and have specific seats in mind, Jeremy will handle it for you and do it with a smile. Global events is a small outfit and they treat their customers right. jeremy@globaleventsgrouppdx.com

oc

Michaelhatesfans

04-11-05, 01:55 PM

"We will be having a Meet the Teams Party at the On Deck Sports Bar and Grill next Wednesday, April 13th from 7-9pm"
Dammit! I've got a class that night. :(

Wabbit

04-11-05, 03:36 PM

"We will be having a Meet the Teams Party at the On Deck Sports Bar and Grill next Wednesday, April 13th from 7-9pm"
Dammit! I've got a class that night. :(

Tell me more. I have Wednesday off and am driving down from Seattle.

dreamracer

04-11-05, 04:04 PM

On Deck Sports bar is the new, non-smoking, urban , "up-scale" sports bar.

It's in the Pearl District, on NW 14th and Kearney St. It's a rooftop bar with about 40 flat screen TV's...

www.ondecksportsbar.com

I've eaten there once, and it was good.

I'll try to be there. I hope the weather holds for at least one of the 3 days they are scheduled to run here. So far, Thursday is looking the best, weather wise.

Last year was great, after the fog burnt off.

This year is looking less good. Currently 53 and partly cloudy with showers all over the area.

NismoZ

04-11-05, 05:09 PM

Luckily I DON'T have a class that night, but then I live 2000 miles from there so I guess I'm a no show.

formulaben

04-11-05, 05:28 PM

Bump!

EDIT: The original e-mail I received showed Tue-Thurs, but it looks like now it's Wed/Thur only.
Who's going?

I'll be there. Did anyone go to the bar for the race? I had a bad feeling the Masters crowd would take over, so I stayed at home.

NismoZ

04-11-05, 05:46 PM

Yeah, I guess The Masters and NASCAB can be a pretty tough nut to crack...LB got an early .8/2 share.

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:11 PM

I couldn't help myself - I know the test isn't actually until tomorrow, but I had to go down there for a quick look today! Hey, it's been a long offseason! :thumbup: :cool:
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQ

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:13 PM

I thought they were starting today? I was gonna go at lunch...

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:16 PM

That was the original plan, but they revised it to Wednesday and Thursday.

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:16 PM

BTW, nice pics MHF! I'm buzzed about the test.

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:17 PM

That was the original plan, but they revised it to Wednesday and Thursday.
Shoot, good thing I went to OC to see your post.

I was gonna head up to the track in about 20 minutes.

Now what am I gonna do! :D

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:18 PM

Well, you can sit at Burger King, or you can wander the paddock and watch the teams prep... Your call! :laugh:

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:20 PM

who all is there?

I see Coyne, PKV, Walker, Conquest, Rocketsports...

hard to tell who else...

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:26 PM

It looked like everyone was there, with the exception of Jensen. Either I missed them, or they are still on the way, because I thought that they were confirmed for the test - and god knows they could use it! I didn't see any drivers, but then again everyone was so bundled up it was hard to see who anyone was! I passed by Coyne, he looked like he was wearing arctic survival gear - I take it he's used to a warmer climate! :laugh:

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:30 PM

Coyne lives in Chicago no? He should be in shirt sleeves :laugh:

Jensen NEEDS to come. Is Newman Haas down by the media building?

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:33 PM

Yeah, NH is past Walker/Australia, at the far end.

dreamracer

04-12-05, 02:34 PM

:thumbup:

Maybe I'll go anyway. I need a fix.

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 02:35 PM

It did me a lot of good, I can tell you that! Likewise, there's nothing like parking at the foot of the bridge! By the time you get there it wouldn't surprise me if you hear an engine or two fire up.

Michaelhatesfans

04-12-05, 03:23 PM

:thumbup:

Maybe I'll go anyway. I need a fix.
Oops! :laugh:

12:20 and the wind is howling and it's pissing down with rain... I've got to go back and edit my threads so that it looks like it was his idea to go down there... :laugh:

Michaelhatesfans

04-13-05, 12:23 AM

Michaelhatesfans

04-13-05, 02:52 PM

Pics updated - I'm off to get more!
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQ

nrc

04-13-05, 04:27 PM

Thanks for sharing. Glad to see the changes in the Festival Curves. Should have been done a long time ago. As long as it's still a hard enough braking point to provide passing opportunities it should be a big improvement.

Michaelhatesfans

04-13-05, 04:30 PM

More pics added... :thumbup:
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQ

dreamracer

04-13-05, 07:25 PM

Oops! :laugh:

12:20 and the wind is howling and it's pissing down with rain... I've got to go back and edit my threads so that it looks like it was his idea to go down there... :laugh:jeez...the weather SUCKED. We lasted 10 minutes in the hail.

I went today at lunch and it was awesome. Everybody is there except Jensen and HVM.

Is it me or were there more people than last year?

dreamracer

04-13-05, 07:28 PM

Ok, Wed morning I'll have a gray cap with "1969" on it. Come say, "Hi!" I'll probably have my four year old daughter with me most of the time - she'll be sporting big rifle range style earphones, you can't miss us. :thumbup:

Shoot. I hand't read this thread again until now. Will you be there tomorrow? I'll likely be wearing an orange windbreaker and maybe a champ car hat.

Unless it's hailing, then i'll be in my car watching at the exit of the festival :laugh:

Michaelhatesfans

04-13-05, 07:37 PM

Shoot. I hand't read this thread again until now. Will you be there tomorrow? I'll likely be wearing an orange windbreaker and maybe a champ car hat.

Unless it's hailing, then i'll be in my car watching at the exit of the festival :laugh:
I'll be there tomorrow, same hat. :)

dreamracer

04-13-05, 07:49 PM

cool.

Some other fans from my office will be headed there later, so feel free to join us if I'm with them. I will likely be alone much of the day.

don't laugh but I look like this... FYI, so you can find me. :laugh:

http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/bgboat.jpg

Wabbit

04-14-05, 11:49 AM

jeez...the weather SUCKED. We lasted 10 minutes in the hail.

Glad to hear the weather sucked. In Seattle they kept saying it was going to rain up here, so I stayed home not wanting to drive 300+ miles in crappy weather. It turned out nice up here, and if it was nice in Portland, I would've killed myself for not driving down.

Michaelhatesfans

04-14-05, 12:01 PM

don't laugh but I look like this... FYI, so you can find me. :laugh:

http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/bgboat.jpg

Here's a recent one of me. I won't be wearing a suit, obviously, but it might help you to find me.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/71/039_68101.jpg

:laugh:
Ok, since having kids, I'm always behind the camera. I'll have my grey "1969" hat, though! I'll keep an eye out for you.

Michaelhatesfans

04-14-05, 02:32 PM

Updated!
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQ

cameraman

04-14-05, 02:36 PM

Wednesday practice times are here (http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=8904)

Wally

04-14-05, 03:25 PM

So I am guessing Jensen is a no show?

Gnam

04-14-05, 03:29 PM

Yeah, him and HVM had an equipment failure of sorts...their wallets are broke. :p

rabbit

04-14-05, 03:45 PM

Updated!
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQhttp://community.webshots.com/photo/321056566/321754712qGUnqd#
Nelson Phillipe seems taller on tv.
:)

Michaelhatesfans

04-14-05, 03:55 PM

http://community.webshots.com/photo/321056566/321754712qGUnqd#
Nelson Phillipe seems taller on tv.
:)
You roped me right in one that one.
"I didn't take any pictures of Nelson Ph - Ohhhhhh!" :gomer:

Michaelhatesfans

04-14-05, 07:26 PM

Dang, sorry I missed everyone today. We strolled the paddock for a while in the morning, then went to the chicane grandstands where my son promptly put his head in my lap and fell asleep! He had his rifle range style ear protection on, and I assume that it produced a nice white noise for him, or something. Either way, he was toast. I had to take him home and we didn't get back to the track until around 1:30 or so.

Michaelhatesfans

04-14-05, 07:27 PM

Ok, I added a few more. That's all I've got.
http://community.webshots.com/album/321056566SnEqdQ
Who else got photos? I even heard talk of some video? :cool:

dreamracer

04-14-05, 11:36 PM

We missed you! I was there all day, but i was all over.

I have some killer video to upload.... I need some time to get the clips done.

Oh, and for those that didn't come becasue of the weather, I actually got a sunburn today.

It was awesome.

Did I say I got some killer video? Oh yeah... :cool:

Ankf00

04-14-05, 11:41 PM

mhr == fugly

no wonder i hated "snatch" so much :gomer:

Michaelhatesfans

04-15-05, 12:05 AM

no wonder i hated "snatch" so much :gomer:
Oh, the places I could go with that...

Michaelhatesfans

04-15-05, 12:08 AM

We missed you! I was there all day, but i was all over.
Yeah, same here. My kids have pretty firm ideas as to where they want to go, and wherever that place is, they won't stay there very long. The paddock was particularly fun. Every time I stopped to take a photo I'd turn around to see that my son had taken a souvenier from the nearest toolbox. :o So, as I said, we were on the move a lot! :laugh:

dreamracer

04-15-05, 01:32 AM

Ha ha! Gotta love kids. They know not what they do...

OK... the first couple vids are up... so many to do, so little bandwidth....

Justin Wilson stalls, then burns out of the pits.... TURN it UP! (http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/Justin_Wilson_stall_and_burnout.wmv)

Tag comes through the new festival turn...you won't get any closer, unless you're a driver (http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/Tagliani_in_Festival_Turn.wmv )

I had pretty much unprecedented access today...many thanks to Lon Bromley for letting us get right down to the corner.

Ankf00

04-15-05, 05:30 AM

Oh, the places I could go with that...
:D

shhhh: I'm trying to give OGorman some material to work with, if we all luck out, he'll work himself into a lifetime ban ;)

Michaelhatesfans

04-15-05, 10:26 AM

Tag comes through the new festival turn...you won't get any closer, unless you're a driver (http://home.comcast.net/~bronsongraff/Tagliani_in_Festival_Turn.wmv )

I had pretty much unprecedented access today...many thanks to Lon Bromley for letting us get right down to the corner.
Man, I saw that they were letting people down there... I couldn't have pulled it off with the kids in tow, but I really wanted to stand there!