2012 BCA 500 National Meet Info

[NCReatta]

Glad I booked my rooms in July.

How many rooms does the hotel have?

[38Buick 80C]

How many rooms does the hotel have?

308

[38Buick 80C]

OK we are up to 49 cars and 57 registrants. So we picked up 8 cars this past month which is very good. Compared to the previous few meets, registrations were not at these levels until February. So hopefully this is signs of a large attendance of Buicks.

As for the Host Hotel we added 100 more rooms to the block , but despite that we are now at
81% of the Friday night room block is booked
67% of the entire hotel in total Friday night is booked to the BCA
82% of the total room block is booked.

Direct line to the host hotel Embassy Suites is 704-455-8200

Unfortunately I do need to inform everybody that zMax Dragway has canceled the Drag and Brag Series for 2012. This means we will not get to race our Buicks on the 4 wide strip. I know some will be disappointed with this news and unfortunately it is not something within our control as we were planning on using this event in lieu of renting the track, which is rather costly and presents problems with BCA's insurance provider.

[JohnD1956]

Just saw this and thought of you Stealthbob 75 Years of Buick Swing - YouTube

[Carlisle Rick]

Sounds like an awesome event! Hope I can be there to check it out (especially the HMS tour). It's the week after the GM Nationals (June 22-24) so perhaps I can get my stuff cleaned up after the show and head down there. I'll try!

I'll also offer an invitation for some special treatment at the GM Nationals to any Buick owner that would like to do both events. I'll provide the BCA with a club tent at no charge so all of you can gather together and enjoy the GM Nationals and finalize your plans for the cruise down to Charlotte.

Let me know if you are interested so I can begin to make plans and get your tent ordered. If you are, we are offering an additional $5 discount off the registration through midnight (EST) 12/31. If you cannot commit at this time, I'll hold that $5 discount for BCA members through 01/31/12. Just be sure to contact me by phone or email (RickM@CarlisleEvents.com) for your registration info before 01/31/12.

Best Wishes to one and all for a Happy & Healthy 2012!
Rick

[38Buick 80C]

Monthly update: We are up to 54 cars and 65 registrants. So we picked up 5 cars this past month which is good.

As for the Host Hotel we are now at
92% of the Friday night room block is booked
76% of the entire hotel in total Friday night is booked to the BCA
95% of the total room block is booked.

Direct line to the host hotel Embassy Suites is 704-455-8200

I've also received a couple inquiries about storing cars in the Charlotte area around the event time frame. Apparently there is an AACA show in TN a few weeks earlier and also some people are considering sending the car ahead. There are probably numerous options related to storage of cars or cars and trailers at or near the 2012 National Meet location. I guess it depend on the requirements of the car owner (i.e. must be indoors, security, free vs. pay, proximity to the host location, etc, etc) So call me and we'll see what you need and start utilizing the local Buick network to see what options can work for you. I do ask that you contact me as early as possible as the closer to the meet the less time I will have to help.

I will note publicly on this forum that there is a car storage location near by called the Autobarn. Their website is AutoBarn Classic Cars : AutoBarn Classic Cars. They also sell cars on consignment which is their primary business. They are in a portion of a large old textile mill and the space for storage of cars is indoors, climate controlled and spacious. Obviously this is not a free storage option and I believe they charge $100-$120 per month per car. I assume you could probably negotiate shorter terms. The Carolina BCA and Carolina GSGN clubs just held a combined Christmas party at the Autobarn. I could inquire with the manager for some sort of BCA rate but I honestly think all that if an interested individual mentioned it was specifically related to the BCA and this event they would take good care of you without any help from me. I understand this option may not be at all what SOME people would want to do for storage but it is an option I can publicly offer on the forum.

And in case anyone care no one with the Carolina Chapter, etc has any interest in the business they are completely independent.

[RICK YOUNG]

Hey Brian,
Lookin' good.
I stopped by the 2012 website today to double check event times.
You guys n gals doing a great job .
The "frequently asked questions" actually answered my questions.
Confirming travel times this week and sending in registration this weekend.
Double checking one question. $35.00 BCA Member entry fee is for both member and spouse/guest?
I know the answer, but checking for a friend.

Poured Concrete outside at the Ol' Phillips 66 today.
Today's temp in Iowa 55 F.

Regards,

R. Y.

[stealthbob]

We kinda had a run on booking some of the rooms over at 54Buick and now I believe there are no more BCA Rate rooms left for the Friday?

[MrEarl]

When I made my reservation last week I got Thurs and Fri night for the BCA $129 rate but had to cough up $179 for Saturday night. Somethin about it being the last room and is a corner room. So wtf difference does that make. Still scratchin my head about that one. Not complainin, just wonderin....

[stealthbob]

Geeze I hope we didn't get the same room???? heheheheh

Exact same thing for me, said something like its a larger room and its worth it.

[38Buick 80C]

Hey Brian,

Double checking one question. $35.00 BCA Member entry fee is for both member and spouse/guest?

Correct, $35 for Member, Spouse, Guest(S) and children too!

[38Buick 80C]

When I made my reservation last week I got Thurs and Fri night for the BCA $129 rate but had to cough up $179 for Saturday night. Somethin about it being the last room and is a corner room. So wtf difference does that make. Still scratchin my head about that one. Not complainin, just wonderin....

I'll see what I can find out.

[38Buick 80C]

We kinda had a run on booking some of the rooms over at 54Buick and now I believe there are no more BCA Rate rooms left for the Friday?

The BCA room block at the hotel is very very full. The hotel itself has about 50 rooms left but they are not in the BCA room block at this time. I hope to have an announcement on the hotel situation no later than Friday night.

[stealthbob]

I guess this goes under the "good problems" column eh?

Sounds like this will be a very well attended National, very excited as it will be my first.

[38Buick 80C]

I guess this goes under the "good problems" column eh?

Sounds like this will be a very well attended National, very excited as it will be my first.

Bob,
Certainly I'd rather be dealing with this than the opposite (not having enough people booking rooms), but I don't like "problems" of any kind.

[NCReatta]

Heck y'all, I made my reservations back in August! Got all my rooms for $129.

If the number of rooms booked is any indication of the number of cars coming, I think we're all set!

[bhclark]

We're confirmed at the Suburban Extended Stay around the corner from the host hotel.

[CarolinaBuick2012]

The BCA room block at the hotel is very very full. The hotel itself has about 50 rooms left but they are not in the BCA room block at this time. I hope to have an announcement on the hotel situation no later than Friday night.

Alright here is the latest.

The host hotel, Embassy Suites, is completely sold out on Friday night of the event weekend. The BCA has 265 or so rooms of the 308, the rest belong to general guests. So any rooms booked (on Friday) from here out will be due to some one cancelling.

I had hope to be able to announce a BCA rate at an alternate hotel by today, but we're just not quite there yet. We have been negotiated with a hotel and have an agreement in principle, but just have to dot the i's and cross the t's on the contract. As soon as the BCA rate at the alternate hotel is available, we will let everyone know. We were caught a little off guard thinking we could get more rooms blocked at the host hotel not realizing they had booked so many to general guests. Our fault for this little hiccup but hopefully it should be resolved quickly and will only be a minor inconvenience.

Besides this alternate hotel that we are negotiating with there are about 7 or 8 additional hotels within a half mile of the host hotel having 1400 rooms so there is plenty of hotel space.

Thanks for the understanding and thanks everybody for planning to come, we do take this as a good sign that this will be a nicely attended meet!

[38Buick 80C]

OK here is a fun update.

In the race between the Divisions we have
Riviera's and Reatta's tied for the lead with 8 registered cars each
'36-'38 Division with 5
1959 Division with 3
and
1954 Buick Highway with 2

Still along way to go to the finish line!

[1957buickjim]

I'm booked at Springhill Suites in Concord. Reasonable rates and 2 miles form the Speedway. Just finalizing my form to send to you Brian! Looking forward to meeting all you guys there!

[jscheib]

Brian,

I guess I missed the Division contest. Is the Pre-War Division included? None yet regustered. Of course, this begs the question. Does the registration of a 36-37-38 count as part of that group and the PWD. Afraid this may be difficult competition to measure. Just wondering?

John

[38Buick 80C]

Brian,

I guess I missed the Division contest. Is the Pre-War Division included? None yet regustered. Of course, this begs the question. Does the registration of a 36-37-38 count as part of that group and the PWD. Afraid this may be difficult competition to measure. Just wondering?

John

There is no REAL contest. I guess it started with the '36-'38 Division wanting to get the 58 different models from those three years in attendance and then see the prior discussions where the '54 Buick Highway folks (Mr. Earl , Stealthbob, et al) said they were going to get 54 -'54 Buick and then Brian Clark said the '59 Division needs to get 59 Buicks to the event and Marck made mention of needing a large number of Reatta's.

It's all just fun (and bragging rights) and actually the Riv's and the '54's aren't event true BCA Divisions (but we still love 'em!!)

That said the remaining divisions not mentioned PreWar has 11 cars (including the 36-38's so far). Modified has 5, 53-54 Skylark has 1, and the BDE has.... I have no earthly idea...let's count the drivers class towards BDE though this is not an accurate representation, so 3.

So I guess PreWar leads.

[buick5563]

I think that just means the Pre-War folk are better planners.
I got my hotel registration last week (paying regular price / non BCA rate) 'cuz I lollygagged.
I SHOULD mail Roy my registration, but knowing me I'll wait.
I will be "display only"....start a new category Brian.

[38Buick 80C]

I will be "display only"....start a new category Brian.

13 cars

[Bill Stoneberg]

14 as I am bringing my 47