MAZDA DAYS - GT LIVE @ Virginia International Raceway
 

Once again North Carolina Rotaries will be hosting Mazda Days during GT LIVE at Virginia International Raceway over the weekend of October 3rd -5th. Mazda Days is part of GT LIVE's fan festival and is open to owners of all Mazda vehicles, not just Rotarys. Last year we had around 100 people sign up. This year we want to make sure everyone makes it to our corner of the paddock area since we will have a special parking area set up with the race teams for everyone who registers.

Last year we met the crew from ROAR Racing (Grand Am KONI Series RX-8 team) who will be coming by to hang out with us, we had Nic Ham (Grand Am ROLEX Series Speedsource #70 Mazda RX-8) came by for a couple of visits, met Patrick Dempsey who was driving for ROAR, got to wander through the paddock area checking out all the teams and watched some great racing as well as all the other events. This is an event you don't want to miss. We'll post up more details as they come along about the event and registering.

More detail will be posted here and at North Carolina Rotaries as time goes by.

You can also email us at events@ncrotaries.com for info.


"GT Live is still the only place where you can get it all: drifting, road racing, time attack, karting, rides in race cars and drift cars, as well as plenty of opportunities for you to get together with your buddies on and off the track. Those of you who have been with us before know what we are talking about. Don't spend another year getting left out!"

October 3-5,the GT Live event brings the widest variety of events to a single weekend on VIR’s calendar with a pair of six-hour enduros for the Grand-American KONI Challenge sports sedans and sports cars; motorcycle stunt riding, drifting, track attack events, static displays, music, and never a dull moment. The KONI Challenge races feature cars from BMW, Porsche, Mustang, Chevrolet, Mazda and more, with star drivers from the worlds of auto racing and show business taking part. Past years have featured TV and movie star Patrick Dempsey as a driver, joined by racers whose backgrounds range from stock cars to Formula One.

I think the Central Virginia gang is on board. Our last meet this weekend had everyone excited about coming. What would it take, or would it be worth it, to combine our two groups? I haven't looked into the fees yet but I know there are some. It would be awesome to add more Mazda's into the same part of the paddocks!

Would love for you guys to make it! We already have it setup with GT LIVE so all we need to know is who wants to come really. We'll have plenty of parking (we can handle about 100 cars) plus we're also getting free karting and possible autocross for those who want to take advantage of it. I'll be getting more details on the paddock passes and other info from Steve from GT LIVE in the next week or so. We're also going to check this week on lodging around the area for everyone.The only fees are tickets which are cheap for this event. If you can co-ordinate between your group and me we'll make sure everyone gets in on the paddock passes and all. If you have any questions let me know and I'll post up here as more info come up!

You can reach me here - events@ncrotaries.com

Sounds great! At first guess I'd say we'll have 10 to 12 cars coming. Maybe after I talk it up some more we may get to 20. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for any of the info you can pass along.

Who wants to cover this for the RCCdigizine (www.RCCDigizine.com)?

Gt Live Info!!!!
 

Registration is now open!!!

Fan Festival Registration Page

Be sure to choose Mazda Days! This gets you into the paddock area to park with us!

http://www.gtlivetour.com/events/att...istration.html

GT Live/KONI Challenge Series Ticket Info

Ticket Info - Advance/Gate
3-day Super Ticket - $40/$50
Friday - $20/$20
Saturday - $20/$25
Sunday - $20/$25

Advance Ticket Sales

http://www.gtlivetour.com/tickets.html
http://www.virclub.com/2008-gt-live/koni-challenge/

Accommodations for GT LIVE

Camping at Virginia International Raceway

http://www.virclub.com/amenities/camping.html

S. Boston/Other Area Accommodations

http://www.virclub.com/area-info/s.-...ccommodations/

Danville Accommodations

http://www.virclub.com/area-info/dan...accomodations/

Driving Directions

http://www.gtlivetour.com/events.html
http://www.virclub.com/location-map.html

I'm coming for sure. I'll see if I can gather any NOVA Mazda guys to join me.

Stop by ROAR RAcing's area and take pics!

Who? These guys? ;)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...IN/CHIN033.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...PCA/CPA028.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...PCA/CPA123.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...PCA/CPA027.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...IN/CHIN056.jpg

Those are a few from when I first met them at an HPDE I did a couple of years ago. They were testing one of the cars. Since then I've gotten to know the guys pretty good so I'll be sure to get quite a few of them plus any other Mazda teams there!

I'll certianly take plenty of pics and have comments afterwards. Not sure if that qualifies as an answer to your question though. :confused:

Just got an email today from Steve.

So... now would be a good time to buy tickets hah!

Also if you did register yet and didn't get or did and didn't read this from 3 days ago...

So if they do move us to the hill instead of the paddock it looks like free camping in the car club areas and cooking out if you want. Also less dust than the paddock area which made it a pain last year to keep a car clean. I think they're also afraid we're going to over run the paddock area with car clubs and not leave much space for the race teams this yeah hah!

Speaking of ROAR Racing... when we were hanging out with them last year Nic (I8U) got Patrick Dempsey to sign a rotor. We're not sure if he knew what it was LOL!!!

http://www.racewithroar.com/imagesPatrick/image_3.jpg


And I have no idea why we didn't think to take any pics with Nic Ham when he was hanging out with us at our tent site in the paddock Saturday night. Also had quite a few other team members come by and sit and chat with us for a while... yes we were up very late having fun.

So anyway... we'll see what and who happens by this year.

What's with the second car registration? I didn't get an email requesting that. Is it just for a certian group?

I forget what Steve told me but you can re-register again just to make sure.

Also got this from him today.

The WRX Track Attack is the "autocross" event, and you drive one of their cars!

The TLS is the Tarzan Lapping Session which I'll see if I can get more info on.

We also will get free karting.

Is the only auto-x the WRX one? I was under the impression they'd have a legit auto-x run by SCCA for our own cars?

I re-registered for mazda days anyways...

Only autox will be the WRX one. With all the races and other events both the main course and the Patriot course will be in full use all weekend. The only place left to use at VIR is the skid pad and there's not enough room to have 100 people showing up with cars to do it so you get to use their cars. I'll abuse a WRX for free!

Also there are cheap rooms left in South Boston Va. at the Days Inn on HWY 58. As low as $46 a nite. Or... you can sleep next to your car!

And there will be two cars there from ROAR Racing, and one will have models. :)

Not confirmed yet, but we are crossing our fingers.

-- Adam

yeah!! THAT roar racing!!

I do believe Patrick Dempsey knew about the rotor. How can he not know?

I guess I could bring a blow up doll...

Anyway, can't wait to catch up and hang out with you guys up there. I already told Nic I'm gonna throw stuff at him over the fence during the race hah!

-I can't do that. I don't know what the hell you're talking about.
How do you mean that?
- I don't know much about cars.
Neither does any other driver.
-No, I really don't know. A turn here? A wedge there?
- I don't know.
How can that be?
-They told me to get in a car and drive. I'd like to help out, but I can't. I don't have the vocabulary.
Well... we're just going to have to figure one out.

Huge Update!!!!
 

Here is the current news we received from Steve of GT Live.



So, we now have our own exclusive base camp for our group! The area called The Gallery is located just over the bridge and behind the Patriot Course staging area. Steve really worked hard on this for us. I hope our turn out can make all this worthwhile.

Bringing as many as I can from Central VA!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...livebanner.jpg

GT LIVE 7 @ VIR
FAN FESTIVAL AND TARZANS LAP BATTLE PARTICIPANT INFO
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
OCTOBER 3-5, 2008

Event Location
Virginia International Raceway
1245 Pine Tree Road
Alton, VA 24510
434-822-7700

Directions are on the GT LIVE site at: http://www.gtlivetour.com/events.html

Venue Access
You must enter VIR through the main gate. If you haven’t already done so, you must purchase a
ticket. Single day tickets are $25 at the gate and the weekend pass is $40.

Parking
If you are with a car club and are parking together, please use the map to proceed
directly to your assigned area.

If you are participating in Tarzan’s Lap Battle, please park in either general parking, with your
respective car club or in the area designated “Tarzan’s Lap Battle” at the Patriot Parking.

Tarzan’s Lap Battle Check In
If you are driving in Tarzan’s Lap Battle you must check in at GT LIVE HQ no later than 9:00. GT
LIVE HQ is located in the Patriot Tower (red barn) in the Patriot Paddock. At the time of check in
you must sign a waiver, hand in your vehicle self inspection form and you will receive a wristband
and number board. A blank vehicle inspection form is included at the end of this document. You
must participate in a chalk talk session prior to your first session in order to receive information on
track etiquette an vehicle staging.

Lodging & Camping
It is notoriously difficult to find a decent hotel within reasonable driving distance of VIR. However,
we do list those we are aware of on the web site at:
http://www.gtlivetour.com/events/about_vir_acc.html

Camping is a viable option at VIR. Showers and restrooms are modern and clean. If you are with
a car club and you registered online, your camping is included. If not, prices are as follows: RVs
are $50 for the weekend and tents are $35. Camping passes can be purchased at the main gate
and must be displayed at all times. VIR security patrols the grounds 24/7 and they will throw out
any camper without a pass.

Gate Hours
Starting 7:00 on Thursday, October 2 the main gate is open 24/7 until the conclusion of the event.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...tlivemap-1.jpg

Mazda Days Members will be parking in front of The Gallery building shown on the map!!!

Free Karting!
 

This was the only pic I could get today of ROAR Racing...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/...6f55cd.jpg?v=0










JK, I took lots of pictures of this car since I spent the afternoon cleaning it so it could be used in the Mazda Days setup we have. I'll get pics of the two cars they're racing tomorrow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregsta...7607709462804/

hi there im just here to ask if when is the mazda days? i wanna have a go kart. :o11: