Thunder in the Channel

Pre-Race Information

On behalf of the NJBA I want to welcome everyone to our 2009 season. This year should be an exciting season with new changes in our program, including a new race site. However, let me say that these changes will only be successful with cooperation from everyone and clear communication from the Association. Our first race is at Lake Elsinore and this brings changes and restrictions that we are held to very strictly by the City. The success of future races at this venue will be based on racers behavior, interaction with the public and our adherence to the rules and restrictions we are given by the City. Good luck to you and let’s have a safe and exciting year of racing.

1. Drivers Meeting: Mandatory attendance Saturday morning at 7:00 AM sharp! Plan your drive accordingly as we are expecting large crowds. Expect traffic, something we don’t see at Lake Ming. Drivers Meeting on Sunday to be determined.

2. Registration: Pre-register as early as possible before the race. This way information can be entered into our data base computer before we leave for the racecourse. This helps streamline our new Tower operation. Late Registration after 7:00 am on Saturday may forfeit your first round of qualifying.

3. Pit Site Registration: If you are planning on sleeping in the paved pit area in your  trailer/motorcoach/5^th wheel I highly recommend racers prepaying/registering for this now. A call to your local board member will not count. You must prepay and it is on a “first come, first served” basis. The City restricts us to 50 self contained vehicles here. Once we reach this limit you will be sent to an overflow site for parking. Camping will have to be at a local campground/RV park. Pit Access will open on Friday morning 8:00am. No earlier! As before, all extra vehicles in the Stadium Parking pits will pay a vehicle fee of $50. Camping fees are $80 for the weekend in the pits. You must keep your vehicle tag/sticker visible in the vehicle at all times. You will be directed where to park. Pit gates will open at 8:00 am Friday, 20^th… Pit Gates will then be locked closed at 10:00 pm until the start of the race.

For clarification purposes:

Vehicle Fee: Any auto, pick up or vehicle not attached to a boat. $50 weekend

Camping Fee: Any motorhome, 5^th wheel trailer,  Pick-up/camper with sleeping quarters in the Stadium Pits. $80 weekend (limited to 50)

4. Hazardous Materials/Oil/Fuel: We cannot leave any petroleum products, oil or fuel cans in the trash. Everything you bring you must also take out.

5. Safety Equipment: Remember to check your safety equipment now before the race. There are specific guidelines based on your fuel type and class. A brief reminder:

A) Helmet

B) Ballistic pants

C) Helmet Restraint

D) Medical Tag

E) Fire Retardant suit (if fuel is Alcohol or Nitro)

F) Fire Retardant gloves/socks (if fuel is Alcohol or Nitro)

G) Goggles/Helmet Shield (no sunglasses permitted)

H) Certified Life Jacket

*At this time, Lifeline has confirmed they will be at the race course with their trailer.*

I) Throttle stops are required on all boats. They must be mechanical by design and application. Air actuated or electrically activated throttle stops are not permitted.

6. Time Restrictions:

            Warm up – 7:30am Saturday & Sunday  NO EARLIER!

            Course closed – 5:00 pm

            Engines quiet – 8:00 pm  Friday & Saturday  NO LATER!

Let me explain again that these are strict rules put forth by the City of Lake Elsinore.

7. Test & Tune:

There is no test and tune in the water at this event. Boats may not enter the water until Saturday morning.

8. Pit Parking: Our pits will consist of two areas. The Levee and The Stadium Parking lot. There are specific City restrictions that we must follow. You will be directed by staff where to park. All Pit Spots are “First come, First served”.  Holding of Pits spots will not be possible due to the confined areas we have. You will be directed where to park.

A) Parking on the Levee.

- For those racers who have smaller enclosed trailers or single boat trailers only. No large    Tractor/Trailer rigs in this area

- NO OVERNIGHT sleeping will be permitted in the Levee Pits.

- No tent camping is permitted

- No night parties or late night generators will be allowed.

- An all quiet, lights out on the Levee at 8:00 pm

- Suggest you bring ground cover for the dirt (astro turf, carpets etc)

- No open fires or fire pits, BBQ’s are OK, recommend propane.

- All pit generators will require a fire extinguisher in their pit (size: 2A10BC)

- These are our closest pits to the Lake

B) Stadium Parking

-  For those racers who have larger enclosed trailers and Tractor/Trailer rigs.

- Sleeping in this area is restricted to the first 50 registered self contained vehicles.

- Cost for self contained sleeping vehicles is $80.00

- No open fires or fire pits, BBQ’s are OK, recommend propane.

- Must be respectful of all Fire Hydrants and Red curbs. A traffic pattern in the pits must be kept open. The Fire Department will inspect us.

-  All pit generators will require a fire extinguisher in their pit (size: 2A10BC)

- No tent camping is permitted in any of the pit area

9.   Spectator Parking: A large spectator parking lot is located next to the course. It is a short walk to the pits and the channel. At this time the fee for parking has not been determined.

10. Awards Banquet: The Awards Banquet for the 2008 NJBA Race Season will be held inside the Diamond Club. The hours for the Banquet will be from 7:00 pm to 11 pm. This is located inside the stadium adjacent to the Stadium Pits. We encourage all NJBA Members to purchase their tickets early for this event. A limit of 200 tickets will be sold and this event will then be closed.

11. Pit Vehicles: Pit vehicles, (quads, scooters, golf carts) will be allowed within the confines of the course. However, no unlicensed drivers will be permitted to operate them. Helmets are required on motorcycles or quads. SPEED LIMIT 10 MPH MAXIMUM ON ENTIRE COURSE!

12. Food/Alcohol Restriction: No outside spectator ice chests or coolers may be brought to the race course. No food or beverages will be allowed. Food and alcohol vendors will be present at this event.

13. Race Fuel: Race fuel will be sold at the race course. If you have any special needs contact Brian Busby to be sure he will have your brand or blend.

As we get closer to race date I will attempt to update any changes that may occur with our event as it pertains to the race.

Sam Villavicencio

2009 Race Director

Racetaz the date has already been posted, its March 21-22 2009

Thanks Sam for posting this important information, we look forward to the venue back at Lake Elsinore!

Also the having the awards banquet there is awesome idea in today economy.

update - Host Hotel

Our Host hotel is the Holiday Inn Express. They are offering us a special rate, so mention the "NJBA Racer Rate" for a single/2 dbl bed with breakfast included. For $79.00 + tax per night this is a great deal. This hotel is one mile from the course. For more information or reservations their contact number is: (951) 674-4333 www.hiexpress.com/lakeelsinoreca

Final Update

This is the final countdown to our event. Here are some points of importance as a reminder prior to your arrival and that of your friends and family. Please review prior updates.

1.    TECH: Have your boat go through Tech on Friday. Our safety crew will be performing this throughout the day to help our program go smoother on Saturday morning. My plan is to not Tech any boats on Saturday if at all possible. This gets the program moving.

2.    DOGS: There have been several inquiries about spectators bringing dogs to the race. We are NOT allowing dogs. For obvious liability reasons, several thousand spectators with animals presents a problem. Legitimate sight seeing dogs for the impaired would be an exception. Racers with dogs, I recommend you leave them at home. If your animal is brought to the race course it will have to be confined to your pit or your vehicle and maintained on a leash. They will not be allowed near the water. This is not like our Lake Ming venue and our conditions are different here.

3.    ICE CHESTS: No ice chests are permitted by spectators. This would obviously be unfair to the many food and drink vendors we have attending our event. No alcohol may be brought into our event by spectators.

4.    PIT CAMPING: At the time of this update there were 10 overnight spots remaining for Race Teams only. They are on a first paid/first served basis. Contact registration for your site if you have not done so already (you are foolish if you didn’t). You will be assigned a specific site upon your arrival by the NJBA staff.

5.    ADMISSION: General admission is $15 Saturday, $20 Sunday, $30 two-day pass, all children 12 years and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

6. FUEL: Hopefully you’ve ordered fuel. If not contact Brian Busby to be sure your fuel needs will be met while at the race.

7. LATE ARRIVALS: Remember, registration closes at 7:30am Saturday. Which means, if you are registering, you are missing my Drivers meeting…I don’t recommend that. You will miss first round qualifying with late registration. Don’t arrive late!

8. RULE BOOK: The new rule book for 2009 is posted on the website. Review it for any questions on classes/brackets you will be running in.

 9. OIL CONTAINMENT: Remember, any oil or petroleum products you bring, you must also take home with you. Do not leave oil/fuel cans at the track. Have protection under your boat to contain any oil/fuel spillage. Because we have everyone assigned by specific sites, if you spill, we will know who you are.

Travel safe and we will see you at the

“Thunder in the Channel”

Sam Villavicencio

NJBA Race Director

Does anyone have an update on Frank? That boat was hauling the mail last year. Up until now, he has just made some hard turns when the engine stalled. He always said the capsule kept him from getting tossed out on several occasions.

Posted By Brenda Nagore on 22 Mar 2009 01:16 AM
Thanks to everyone for your prayers,  Please keep them coming.  He got out og surgery couple hours ago.  They did surgery on his back/spine then a second surgery on his kidney.  He lost alot of blood and isn't stable yet.  Still has no feelings in legs .  Has a long way to go.  In ICU so they won't let me stay in there with him.  But I keep checking in.  I'll try or someone will to keep up dates. Going back in to check on him again.
Brenda

frank and brenda all our prayers from team black draggin...godspeed and a quick recovery

kent