ARRC Parking, NorthEast Group
The parking is going to be a tad bit more difficult this year, primarily because of all the enclosed trailers. With so many of us in enclosed trailers it will be pretty much impossible to create a "common" like we've had in the past.
I've exchanged emails with Sandy, and what it sounds like they're going to do is give us the same area we used last year. We'll start parking on the end of the row, directly across from Hoosier, and work our way towards the middle. Last year it worked out well having Flatout's two-car enclosed trailer at the end, adjusted along the row to where it *just* fits inside the row width, with the trailer door facing towards the middle of the row; so, we'll do that with the Blethen's two-car enclosed (you can park your tow vehicle behind the trailer.) The Blethens should then set up their two cars, trailers, tents, etc along the length of the trailer, up to 15 feet out.
From there we will park another enclosed trailer, but with the trailer side door facing towards the Blethens. The distance between the two trailers should be <30 feet, enough for two 12x12 canopies between them and some breathing room (the less space you use, the better). That second entrant will set up their car, tent, and equipment on the Blethen side, with enough room at the end of the trailer for their tow vehicle.
The next enclosed trailer will be placed back-to-back to the trailer above, as close as possible (less than 1-2 feet, if possible), and then another one after that facing this one, <30 feet over, with cars and equipment in between.
If you'd prefer to not park face-to-face with someone, then feel free to park parallel to the backwall of the next trailer, but please do not use more than 12-15 feet between their back wall and your door-side wall. It'll be an aluminum canyon (and not nearly as friendly), but that's your prerogative.
Entrants with open trailers should then buddy-up with enclosed trailer owners, such that one open-trailer-guy will share space with two other enclosed-trailer-guys. It may sound too tight to do this, but trust me, it's not (we've done it before; it's better than you think.)
So, what this means is it's time to pick partners, if you have a preference. Please review the summary list below; enclosed guys need to pick another enclosed guy they want to paddock with, and open and enclosed guys should get together to share space. For example, Joe DiMinno and I will park our enclosed trailers facing together, and Jeff Lawton (open trailer) will paddock with us in our area. for everyone else, it's your option to coordinate with someone, or else we'll just do it on a first-come, first-served basis.
Using this system we can maximize the ability to work together while minimizing the space we'll be using. Obviously, it is key that we pack ourselves in as tight as possible while still remaining comfortable, that way no one from our group gets banished to outer space. Please do your best to use up as little space as possible, because there's only so much paddock space available. Note that if anyone parks before I arrive, and you are using more space than I feel is neccesary, you must be prepared to move. I can assure you that you will get AT LEAST 12 feet of width per entrant, but if you go more than about 14-15 feet you're cruising for a movin' (you can take your case to Sandy or Fletcher, but intuition tells me you may as well be talking to The Hand...)
The Road Atlanta paddock will be tight, lots of entrants, and this way we can all cooperate without someone in our group being dispersed. The ARRC parking committee is doing this as a favor to us, let's not abuse that trust.
Also, recall the electrical power in the paddock is very sparse; it's not unusual to see spaghetti at the power point. The plug will be across the right-of-way behind the Blethen trailer, so I strongly encourage the Blethens to spend some money on a good, high-amperage, very long extension cord with a good quality outlet splitter, and a breaker if possible. The remainder of your paddock mates will very likely (definitely) be looking to plug into your extension cord (and others into theirs), and this way we minimize the number of wires going across the road.
Finally, and I'm waiting to hear confirmation on this to see if we'll do this again this year, in prior years it helped the parkers to know that you're with the NE group so that they don't have to worry about where to park you; that's our (my) responsibillity once you get in. So, plan on parking out of the way some place outside the track and WALKING to the front of the parking queue, and courteously letting the VOLUNTEER (who is no doubt being bombarded by entrants wanting to get in) know that you are with the NorthEast group. It is possible that, in order to get you out of their hair, they'll allow you to pass the queue and go directly into our area.
Don't know where that area is? We'll be on the skidpad, slightly past the Sunoco station. Ask for directions to the Hoosier tent and we'll be in the row before them.
So, to summarize: Blethens first, park at the very end of the row AS FAR TO THE END AS POSSIBLE (don't be greedy.) Everyone else go two-by-two with no more than 25 or so feet between trailer sides.
"The best-laid plans o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley" (Robert Burns), so be prepared for last-minute changes. This is a good starting point so let's see how it works out. Be courteous, be patient, and let's enjoy a great weekend.
Any questions? Let me know. - GA
Raymond & Stephen Blethen, two ITB Audi Coupes, Ford F-350 Dually, 46' 2 car enclosed trailer
Greg Amy, ITA Nissan NX2000, Ford E-350 15-pass van, 24' enclosed trailer
Joe DiMinno, ITA Nissan Sentra, Dodge regular cab, 24' enclosed trailer
Jeff Lawton, ITA Saturn, Ford regular cab, 15' OPEN trailer
Chris Camadella, ITS Porsche 944, Ford F350 Crew Cab, 24' enclosed trailer
Rick Benazic, ITA Acura Integra, Dodge regular cab, 15' OPEN trailer
Bill Sulouff, ITS VW Corrado, Ford E-350 15-pass van, 24' enclosed trailer
Dan Jones, ITS BMW, Chevy Ext. Cab PU, 24' enclosed trailer
Jinx Jordan, ITC Honda CRX #39, Chevy Suburban, OPEN trailer
Tim Klavana, ITA Acura Integra, Dodge Crew cab, 28' enclosed trailer
Russ Jones, ITS Porsche 944, Pickup truck and OPEN trailer
Jake Gulick, ITA MAzda RX-7, GMC Pickup and 20' enclosed trailer