2003 One Lap of America - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Michael · #1 09-27-2002, 10:46 AM

Well, folks, it looks like ACTACK (3 time veteran Lap Dog) and I (Lap Puppy) are going to participate in the 2003 TireRack Cannonball One Lap of America. Check out the site at www.onelapofamerica.com. Plan is to run his 6.0 litre RENNTech E500, which has all the go-fast (& stop quick) goodies, as well as a complete RENNTech suspension w/ adjustable shocks. Only modifications we plan center on getting weight out of the car, since it runs pretty strong but is a bit, um, heavy.

The reason I post this is to enlist your assistance...if you live near one of the tracks we'll be running at, perhaps you'll be able to assist us with local logistics such as where to get gas, where to eat (hopefully not the same place for both:p ), and in the unlikely event we have a spare moment, where to get some shut-eye.

The tracks are:
Watkins Glen, upstate NY
IRP, Indianapolis
Tire Rack, South Bend IN
Road America, Elkhart Lake WI
Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett OK
Tulsa Speedway, Tulsa OK
Memphis Motorsports Park, TN
Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw SC
BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, Big Beaver Borough PA

As you can see from the schedule, we're gonna be busy; logistical efficiency is paramount, 'cuz every minute saved is a minute of sleep.

We are also looking for sponsors to help offset costs a bit. If you control your company's advertising budget (or have more money than us), please consider an ad on our car; we've got windows, fenders, a hood and a trunklid to cover, so pick your preference

Discounted rates available for mercedesshop members!

We would also be happy to have private sponsors, too - TomE500 has the distinction of being our first contributor, so Thanks!

See you down the road, folks

#2 09-27-2002, 12:16 PM

Michael forgot to mention one VERY important fact- Yes we doing this for fun, but also as a means to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Enrichment Fund- a small CT nonprofit charitable organization which provides emotional, educational, and financial assistance for less privledged kids with the disease and thier families. (WWW.jdef.org) We are not affiliated in any way with the organization, but I do know the founders professionally and my daughter does have diabetes.

In 1996 and 1997 my wife and I raised over $25,000 each year as part of our one lap participation. This connection, also provides great publicity for our other sponsers.

Basically we obtain pledges based on our finishing poistion. For example $5 per place- so if we finished first out of 100 cars, the pledge would result in a contribution of $500. If we finsihed last, the pledge would result in a contribution of $5. These pledges go 100% to the charity.

So, yes we would like to meet up with forum members around the country, and yes, we would appreciate any direct sponosrship, and yes, we would very much appreciate your pledges for the tax deductible contribution.

Thanks
Alan, Bev and Michael

New2Mercedes · #3 09-27-2002, 05:32 PM

Hi,

Well I can't help you all with food or lodging and I commend your efforts for such a worthy cause. I would be happy to contribute. Can I just send a flat contribution to your cause? Since I am an independant I seek no advertising so feel free to use the extra space for a paid advertiser. Can you reply in email where to send or can I jus remit a check to your home address?

Michael · #4 09-27-2002, 05:49 PM

Mark,

You 500E guys are the best! I think we're gonna have to keep a panel open, just for the contributions of the 500E guys...maybe do a "500E" panel. I'll be in touch, but foremost Thanks!

Michael · #5 03-03-2003, 05:14 PM

Well, plans have changes a bit. No longer will we be running the 600E (sold) but will make do with a 1996 Porsche 911 turbo with an Autothority Stage 2 upgrade (502HP) that may be a stage 2.5 (590HP) before we run.

Since this is a fairly expensive event to participate in once you add it all up, we need sponsors-I bring this up because I'm hoping the collective wisdom here can come up with a few ideas for us to pursue. Now, we've already gotten sponsorship from Fortune Financial (Daveb12 on this board), Performance Drivers Assoc., Performance Friction (2 sets of race pads), Thule (rack system to carry everything), Economy Signs (will do all our sponsor decals), Michelin (discount), Armourfend (protective film), and our title sponsor, the Juvenile Diabetes Enrichment Fund.

Now, we're going after Sunoco & ExxonMobil in the interest of cheap/free fuel. Who else do you think we should go after?

Thanks guys, and if you're near any of the stops on the Lap, come on by!

#6 03-03-2003, 06:01 PM

Once again, for those who are interested in following and/or supporting our One Lap entry via a charitable contribution to the Diabeties foundation, please go to www.teamblitzen-onelap.com. There you can follow our progress as we report back live from the road and/or you can contribute via the email links to a good cause at the same time. The E500 is part Porsche-so we are staying within the family, just the more athletic branch! Hope some of you can make it to any of the venues along the way- let Michale know in advance of the start and we will arrange for you to get in wherever possible. Lots of great cars competing at some great tracks, so we hope some of you can make it to see the action. Thanks

#7 03-14-2003, 12:10 AM

Hi Guys,

I am back. Michael, I have your copy of Bob Bondurant's book. Do you need it for some light reading before OneLap?

Give us an update on the pledges. What does it look like right now? Would you rather funds be directed to charity or to offset costs at this point?

I'll see you at the Glen!

Good luck and have fun,

Dave

Michael · #8 03-14-2003, 09:20 AM

Thanks, Dave, but at the moment I'm trying to get through Skip Barber's "Going Faster!" for the 2nd time (I need all the help I can get). When I'm done you should read it; I've picked up quite a few words of wisdom in this book, and I consider it superior to Bondurant's book

As to sponsorship, any decisions regarding contributions should be based upon whether you have a preference how the money is spent, or if you want/need a tax-deductible contribution (complete with proper 501(C)(3) paperwork). One way or another we are confident we'll reach our JDEF target; now, whether we can even begin to cover our myriad operating & horsepower-increasing expenses remains another story.

That said, we'll take (and very much appreciate!) anything we can get. Any contributions made directly to our effort will go towards the extra 100HP we'll need to be competitive in the ranks of top-tier SSGT1....there are at least 7 or 8 other 600+ HP cars making the show, so it's gonna be a challenge!

Thanks again, everyone, for your support