[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by chef-beavis

Not to detract from the current topic. Just my first chance to chime in since the Fest, which was my family vacation.

1) I followed Google maps directions from hotel to track. We ended up leading a parade of cars around the backside of the track until we gave up due to no entrance. We turned around and everyone followed (impromtu leader, not planned). We all drove around to the front and could find an entrance. We turned around again and drivers chatted, stopped, asked "How the h$ll do you get in?" of each other. We all finally found the entrance...and got our goodie bags with a map of the track, entrance location, event info, hotel info, etc.

Any thought of allowing pre-payment and sending that out prior to the Fest in the future? Seemed a little late to get 90% of what was in there.

2) The cruise around town was one of the biggest attractions for me and turned out to be a white-knuckled death ride. I won't beat a dead horse but in the future maybe something could be done on a local track with a photo of all the cars and the cruise being more rural with no hazards flashing! LOL

3) While I can appreciate the autoX needed corner workers and stuff, I had to bow out to keep the family happy. We were there for 2.25 days. I even had to take part of the time to do kids stuff (childrens museum) to make it a family trip. In all, it worked out good. Point? The was no way I could expect them to wait around or spend a four hour time slot working a corner (that sounds wrong) in order to take a turn. I never inquired at the Fest but did it really work this way in the end or was that just the edict given until enough workers were found? Is there any way to get sponsors, local clubs, or pay local people a bit of something to help out so that people that drove 5 hours or 2 days don't lose a 1/2 day to participate?

4) Family vacation. What does everyone think? I personally did not mind the parking lot bar. My fiance' was not a big fan; just being honest. I am new to parenting but was always led to believe that doing stuff like this as a family led to a great childhood and lifelong love of cars. We left our 2 y/o with grandma and brought our 5 and 8 y/o girls to the Fest. I was proud of them. They took shoes off in the car, didn't kick seat backs, were respectful of my car and ALL others. They didn't tough a thing they were not supposed to! Can all the adults say the same? I and others came away with damage. Luckily mine was minor. On Saturday night my fiance' would not participate in hanging out in the parking lot with the kids. I found out later it was largely due to overhearing someone on Friday nigth making a sh&tty comment loudly about, "I can't believe they have their kids out here." We were way in the back of the parking lot, by the truck repair place, sitting by the guy that had his theater set up in his trunk playing Transformers. My girls were sitting on the ground playing Leapsters, not harming a soul, while we talked with a couple friends and shared about two beers each. They were nowhere near the TX bar, or the girls making out by the hotel entrance (must be the country music), or the girls in 8" heels and spandex dresses.

What do you guys think? Family event or no? Big social networking hook-up swingers fest? Not offended, either way, and I'm no kind of prude. I play in a rock band and ride a Harley and enjoy life as much as anyone. I just took this option over Sturgis because I thought it was something the entire family could enjoy.

Thoughts? Never come back? Screw the people that made the comments?

Mods? Organizers? Your thoughts would be particularly welcome.

Chef,

Like this site, the Fest is supposed to be family oriented... Obviously you are a good parent and are concerned about things like that. Kudo's.

As for comments, we all have to remember that the 65,000 plus members of Camaro5 are a cross section of society... the good the bad... etc...

Ignore comments like that and attend to yours, as it appears you did... It's obviously impossible to control comments of people, but you and your kids are always welcome at any Camaro5 event.

As with other comments made, we do listen to the suggestions and are taking into account the lessons learned from each Fest and are trying hard to make it as enjoyable for all as it can be....