s.zaban Posted April 26, 2002 Share Posted April 26, 2002 Any particular hotel Reatta owners will be staying at? Thanks alot, I plan to attend were should I stay? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 26, 2002 Share Posted April 26, 2002 We had some rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn Express, but I believe they are full.<BR>If you have a map program check the other hotels because there are two others at the same site. All of the hotels/motels in Kokomo are fairly close but none are located at the Convention center.<P>Like many cities, the highway (US31)is divided but not limited access. Many resturants are within walking distance of the hotels, but I would not recommend crossing the highway on foot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 26, 2002 Share Posted April 26, 2002 Correct me if I am wrong. There was talk some months ago that there would be an excursion by the Reatta people to Indianapolis where they would be allowed to circle the track that is the site of the Indy 500. Anything come of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 26, 2002 Share Posted April 26, 2002 I think the "circling the track" was wishful thinking. Indy has allowed some groups to do this but I think it is part of a package where the event is held at the speedway.<P>There are concerns with someone wanting to see how fast their car will go and not abiding by the rules. The Speedway would probably require wavers from everyone, etc.<P>There is a possibility that some group from the Buick National will go to the Speedway Museum and that is a very worthwhile trip.<P>It is about 55 miles from the Kokomo convention center to the Speedway. All but the last 3 is interstate, so about an hour drive. <P>If you are going to Kokomo and have never been to the Speedway, set aside 4 hours and make the trip. You cannot imagine the size of this place, setting in town. There are new tracks that are as large, but few have the same permanent seating. The Speedway Museum is located inside the track and there is no admission to get to the museum, the cost for the museum is around $4.00 (I'm sure there is a web site) For another fee, you can board a bus and take the 2.5 mile ride around the speedway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest checkers Posted April 27, 2002 Share Posted April 27, 2002 szaban My wife and are driving out to Kokomo from Maine and Barney is right that the Holiday Inn is full. So we found rooms at the Clarion Inn there were some left two weeks ago. Hope to see many Reatta friends out there look us up if you go. Regards checkers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reatta_Cruzin Posted April 28, 2002 Share Posted April 28, 2002 I plan on showing up at the meet in July. As a said before, I live about 35 miles away from Kokomo. I hope to meet you guys then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.zaban Posted April 28, 2002 Author Share Posted April 28, 2002 Well all I just got to tell you .I WAS ON THE TRACK IN 1997. I raced an Aurora side by side on the back streightaway. Got up to about 100mph, that was it for me<BR> , when I saw the curve ahead. Also was taken for a ride with driver EDDIE CHEAVERS, went around the track in the pace car, at about 125mph. my pace car stayed in the museum for 4 months. I also had the espn camera crew in my car on the track, was a real thrill, anyhow who won the drag race , me in my 455 442 or the Aurora? I'll tell you all if I get some responses. Thanks for reading. Steve Oh yes, the place to spend some time. I still remember the sounds, action, etc. will never forget. oh , spent some time with Johnny Rutherford, got his signed personal jacket, had lunch with some drivers and Tony George, I can go on and on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 28, 2002 Share Posted April 28, 2002 OK, Szaban tell us the whole story. The average guy doesn't drive his 442 into the speedway and say "how about me doing a few laps, and maybe I could race the pace car". You were there by special invitation? They were shooting your 442 for commercials?<P>Also my guess is the Aurora was faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted April 28, 2002 Share Posted April 28, 2002 Has been a while but have driven both on the track at Indy and at Daytona in street cars but those were club events (have to be well over the ton before the Daytona banking feels comfortable but Indy is easy.<P>Been a lot more places in race cars but don't think that counts 8*). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.zaban Posted April 29, 2002 Author Share Posted April 29, 2002 O. K. Barney, part of the story. Olds came and picked up my car in march(1997) for the media day on the track, yes pictures were taken, but one day ,just me, a guy from goodyear, Pace car driver Johnny Rutherford, and just one or two drivers and a few olds people had the track for one of the two days.At the end of the day I lined up with the Aurora, stock one, we both were rolling about 20mph, then we took off , actually up to 100 to 110mph "we stayed even" , then turn three, I let off, and they were gone. In 1997 it was olds 100th anniversary. Race weekend, in May, approx. 36 olds people with all years of convertibles , spent a few days with olds and the track, gala ball, dinners, Indy Parade , we each had a Indy driver in our cars. All had special tickets , we all went around the track before the race with the queens in are cars,what a site approx. 400,000 people.We had special parking, special tent with lots of food, t.v.'s, air conditioning.All my expenses were paid, other car owners had to pay, but the hotel food, police escort, was well worth it for the memories. Shall I tell ya more , or wait till Kokomo. Regards, steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.zaban Posted May 1, 2002 Author Share Posted May 1, 2002 Now that Oldsmobile is all DONE!!!!! I really do not believe I have a chance at anything.But when I get back there I;ll see what I can do .You Really need an official club function, some connection better than me! A buick person of some kind.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 1, 2002 Share Posted May 1, 2002 Steve, sounds like you have an in with Indy. Can you arrange to have us Reatta drivers go around the track? I would like to get Rutherfords autograph on a model of a Marlin I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 3, 2002 Share Posted May 3, 2002 Steve:<BR>A friend of mine is a real Chevy nut. He said that the guy that is heading up the Chevy Motor Sports program is Rick Voegel. He was in charge of the Oldsmobile Motors program for years. Does that name ring a bell with you. Hope this helps, I can't wait to drive on the track at Indy!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Steve:<BR>Any word on havin a bunch of us drive on the track at Indy? I bet these Reattas would hold the track nicely. Has anyone had a chance to drive a Reatta on curves like they have at a race track?<BR>Talk to the Dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 20, 2002 Share Posted May 20, 2002 Steve<BR>I was watchin the Indy 500 practice this weekend and I am starting to get the itch to drive on that track. Any chance you can talk to your contacts and set up a time for us to drive on the track? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.zaban Posted May 21, 2002 Author Share Posted May 21, 2002 You can go to the track this Wednesday, community family day, anyone can drive there car on the track. but they will make you keep your speed down. but any way on the track at 10mph is better than not at all. ???!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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