Live from the Winternationals
 

Hello, everybody. We're here at the 51st annual NHRA Winternationals. We get to get a taste of that sunny Southern California weather that a certain V10 Challenger owner is always bragging about. The Weather Channel is calling for a 40% chance of rain and Friday, 60% on Saturday and 30% on Sunday. They haven't had to postpone the Winters for a couple of years now. I hope we're able to get it in this weekend.

Not much happening today. Just people getting teched and getting their credentials. I hear that Mike and Paula Cotten made it here after their run in with Barney Fife. Glad they made it. Congratulations to Mike on his win at Phoenix.

I saw one rig get pulled over on my way here. He was speeding, but I doubt that's what he was really pulled over for. He had to be at least 70 feet long.

I'll go around later and see if I can get some video. In case you missed it here is the link for the folder with all the video I posted for the Phoenix LODRS:

http://www.mediafire.com/?s5svccv6x5475


I'll be making a new folder for the Winternationals. I'll post that address later.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Good luck Toby and thanks for.the updates and pics. Maybe you can show us northeast folks some sun and green grass since I am seeing snow and feeling the cold wind.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Anybody able to find out what time they will let racers in tomorrow morning. I would greatly appreciate it.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Toby,
I can't seem to get the video, only the audio of your fantastic posts. Any thoughts on that?

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Did you install the codec pack?:

http://www.cccp-project.net/download.php?type=cccp

If that doesn't work you will probably have to use VLC player. Should be easy to find on google. Sometimes there is something installed that prevents the player from using the correct codec. VLC player has the codecs built in I think. I've tried VLC player before I didn't like it because it associates all audio and video files to it. You can always uninstall it later though.

If you are using windows media player, you should be able to right click on the video and select properties and it should tell you which codec it is using. It should say ffdshow video decoder or H264.

I'll go ask the pit workers what time the gates will be open for competitors. I'm guessing 7:30, but I'll go check to make sure.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Much better. Thanks.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

I talked to Harold and Gary and they think the gates don't open until 8 AM, but they're not totally sure. They also think you'll have to come in through gate 15. Will be kind of hard to get pitted and teched in time to make the first qualifier if they don't open the gates until 8.

They said they would check and find out for sure. I will go ask them later.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

The drag is that they close at like 5 or 6pm tonight because of noise curfew, or I would just come after work. At the finals I can't remember what time they let us in on Thursday, but it was pressed to get teched in time. Please let me know what you find out, or if they will be open late tonight. Thanks.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Jeff,

I talked to them again and this time they radioed up to somebody that knows what's going on. According to the guy on the radio, you come in the same gate you normally would (Gate 17) and line up there. They are supposed to park you at 7 AM.

Sounds a lot better than what they were saying before. :)


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

With an 8:15 start time tomorrow and weather threats/early noise curfews I would hope they would give us more than 15 minutes to get in and get warmed up! We aren't sure what time we can start engines, if anyone knows and can pass it along....like Toby with gate times, no one here seems to give the same answer twice. We heard 8 a.m. but not sure. :confused:

I will try to help Toby in his reporting and take some pictures tomorrow as well. We are thrilled to be here, but a bit nervous about the forecast. Today's wind is a serious factor protector. There must be a steady 20+ mph head wind today, sure glad we aren't racing elims into that!