Whoo!! Going to the Gatornationals!

[SuperSix]

I am "friends" with CircleK (Convenience store chain) on Facebook, I added them a few months ago - local DJ I listen to was doing a promotion with them.

They posted this to their FB:
"Circle K Florida We just happen to have some free Gatornationals tickets we'd love to give away. And for the biggest fans, even a once-in-a-lifetime experience on March 7th, racing down the track in an official car of the NHRA! Email fb@circlekflorida for your chance at 'em."

I assumed it was fb@circlekflorida.com - and sent off an email.

Reply:

We're giving away a VIP drag racing experience on March 7 at the Gainesville Gatornationals . Winners will be able to race down the track in the Official Car of the NHRA and enjoy dinner after the event with a guest. We also have tickets to the races over the weekend.
If you're 21 or older and available to go, the experience is all yours!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatornationals

After a few more emails, i got confirmation today that they sent the tickets.
 


VIP pass for 2, includes pit pass,dinner, ride down the track, etc Wednesday the 7th. Must be some sort or marketing day, not sure. The Gatornationals don't officially start until the 8th. And 2 full pit passes for all weekend. Whoo!

My son is coming down for 2 weeks before he ships out to basic training - this is gonna be great!

[daveismissing]

Woot!

[Charlief1]

You lucky bastard.   Make sure to wear a power    shirt and get on TV Mark.

[Steve Wood]

That's great.  It should be an adventure altho the ricer events have better looking women in less clothes.  As you are married, I suspect you won't be going to ricer events, anyway

[Pyro6]

Way to go Mark. have a blast!!!

[SuperSix]

We will be taking lots of pics and videos for the less fortunate that cannot attend. :p

[Top Speed]

Sweet!  Nothing like free passes!

[SuperSix]

Damn! Thanks CircleK!

I need to call up some locals and see of someone needs tickets.
4 to each day of the event (five for Saturday - must have counted wrong)
2 free Thirstbuster vouchers
2 free coffee vouchers
1 $5 gas card
1 Real Life Bracket Drag Race experience - my son will be bummed, He's 19, and you have to be 21.
and dinner after the above event.

Wow.

All mailed in a regular envelope w/a 44c stamp. I am VERY lucky it all got here.

[Top Speed]

Wow, they gave you a whole gallon of gas!

[$1987 GN$]

The time is coming fast !  Have fun !

AJ___

[SuperSix]

Wow, they gave you a whole gallon of gas!

[SuperSix]

We ended up going Wednesday for the Full Throttle / Circle K challenge. It was pretty lame overall, but a fun experience. The winners got to race heads up in new Ford Fusions (4x 6cy, 2x 4cy) and 2x V8 Taurus.

I got eliminated the first round - fuckin car was a stone. Reaction time was better, loaded converter, etc - still lost. I won the test run, it was a Fusion V6 with 936 miles on it. Morgan Lucas was our team leader - he ended up winning Top Fuel. I got to chat with Brandon Bernstein, that was cool.

We drive the T up there - I usually put about 500 miles per year on the car - it was a long haul. It averaged 17.5MPG - I gotta tune it.

We went back Saturday and Sunday - I am in awe of the power these things put down to the pavement. We got rained out Sunday - and didn't make it back for the finals on Monday.

Here's the pics and some videos
Complete album:
http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z337/Supersix231/2012%20Gatornationals/

Best launch pics:






Racing - I really liked the American Racing car - the paint/wrap looks like a rusty barn find. Tony Pedregon drives it.



John Force - out in 1st round to a newcomer - Alexis Dejourno (sp?) that drives the Patron car. I thought it was amusing that of all the Castrol cars - Force drives the High Mileage one.






Kenny Bernstein's old ride - this year was the 20th anniversary of him breaking the 300MPH barrier, right here in Gainesville. The track is named "301 Bernstein Way"






Mr Head.


I got to meet Don Garlits! Apparently he started in Tampa.


Swamp Rat 1


Swamp Rat 36


Interesting track sweepers - the tires on the back counter-rotate against the track - is this to lay down rubber?


Harley drag bike in their tent:


Some sheik in Qatar sponsors 3 race teams - this is the Top Fuel entry.


Brandon Bernstein's ride


Some sweet concept cars at the Chevy booth:


MASSIVE rotors on a limited edition 130k Corvette.


In front of the Fram trailer - they had all of these blown up parts. I thought it odd that they would display a blown up motor - maybe they have embraced their shittyness. :p


































All of John Forces cars had these smiley plates welded on the exhaust


Some AA/GS Altereds




Son snapped a pic of a cute motorcycle drag racer on the scales - Looks to be Anne Hansen - http://www.annehansenracing.com/




Saw this in the pits.. Odd beat - all motor.


Another sighting - this odd motor. I asked the guy - he said it's a 4cyl Pontiac Fiero block, with a V8 head on it.






Engine / Pit pics:





















Adjacent trailers interconnect:




Videos:
AAA Insurance Top Fuel - one of John Force's team - testing motor in the pits. nitromethane is REALLY nasty - Some in tent wore respirators..


Morgan Lucas run - like I said - he ended up winning Top Fuel. He is the son of the owner of Lucas Oil products. nice guy.


Parts Plus flame out run:

[Top Speed]

Cool pics!  Thanks for sharing!

[daveismissing]

Love the carnage shots

[Just a Six?]

Love the carnage shots

Some of that stuff Blowed Up Real Good!