11 replies to this topic

[Brian Ghidinelli]

We have two new Group 7 champions in the form of Phillip Holifield (SMT) and Michael Neimann (SSM)! We also have a Spec Miata winning STL with Doug Makishima, Viet-Tam Luu winning ITS in his 99 Miata and Wilson Powell taking STU in his 99 Miata! Congrats to all, it takes a long season of perseverance, consistency and hard racing to win overall.

For several years, driver turn out at our club racing awards banquet has been quite low. I've never been and I know most of my fellow racers are in the same boat. However, I have had the chance to attend the SEdiv and MiDiv award banquets and I had a LOT of fun at those. How about we represent the largest class at the banquet, put together a couple of tables and heckle Vodden as he tries to MC the event? I think that will easily be the best night I'll spend in the off-season...

It's $50/ticket and if you aren't local, there is a discounted rate at the hotel for $75. Think about your spouses and partners who let you spend all year at the track. Yes, they probably don't like going. Some of them outright detest it. But if you give them chance to get dressed up and treat them to a night away and socialize, it will be an investment that pays dividends next year when you ask for an extra set of tires trying to beat me in 2012!

Register here: http://sfrscca.motorsportreg.com/ Tables 12 and 13 will be seated next to each other so we can be one larger group. We can arrange for more tables as needed.

PS, I will supply a "Group 7" cocktail so the bench racing may reach ridiculous proportions.

[DionJ]

I'm thinking about it Brian. Problem is my girlfriend likes getting dressed up and socializing only slightly more than being at the track. Maybe I'll just give her $50 and come alone. You're providing trophy girls who aren't eligible for social security right?

[Ron Alan]

You have to pay $50 to receive your award?? Filet I hope?
Maybe a little incentive to get participation...drawing/door prizes? Or a credit on your motorsportreg account for next year? Discounted annual SCCA membership fee?? Maybe $20 if you don't eat? Just some ideas to convince us budget racers to attend! Free will always do it!

If Vodden gets distracted with real trophy girls, we may be there all night!

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Just confirmed that anyone can come to the banquet, free of charge, but no food. At the moment, there's no guaranteed seating so if you want to eat at the Olive Garden and come by for drinks and laughs, coordinate on here so I can arrange for extra tables.

[Viet-Tam Luu]

You have to pay $50 to receive your award??

So you spent how many thousands of dollars in your thermonuclear war to get on the podium, and having achieved it you balk at $50?

Come on out, it'll be a good time! Plus, the more trophies get picked up, the fewer I have to help pack up at the end of the evening...

And to answer your original question, no, if you don't show up you can still pick up your trophy later.

[Brian Ghidinelli]

We are a funny group of cheap bastards, aren't we?

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Ok, we have two full tables of SSM/SMT, this is promising to be fun (table 12 and 13)! We've opened up Table 29 (Eagles Nest) for more Group 7 people. The three tables will be all together so don't sweat location. If they fill up, email me and we'll add one!

[Ron Alan]

We are a funny group of cheap bastards, aren't we?

Hey...I resemble that remark Should be fun!

[Juan Pineda]

Hey Brian,

So for those of us that didn't get it together to register, are you saying it's OK to crash that party after dinner? And if so, what would be the fashionably late time to arrive?

Thanks!
-Juan

[Ray Meister]

Hey Juan,

Hilton Pleasanton@the Club

Saturday, November 12, 2011

7050 Johnson Drive

Pleasanton

The banquet dinner is sold out. You may attend the awards presentation by arriving at the hotel around 7:30 pm

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Thanks everyone for coming out! The banquet this year had 60 people more than last year and Group 7 represented 1/3rd of that increase. Well done!

This was my first banquet and I thought it was a lot more fun than I had heard/was expecting. If you attended Saturday, what did you think? Will you go again next year? PM me if you don't want to share publicly.

[Viet-Tam Luu]

Here's the "Barrels O' Laughs" video I produced for the pre-banquet slideshow: