Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Rat Race 2013

A sizeable contingent of Hawaii monkeys is headed over to Oregon in June for thermal research at the Rat Race (19 at last count). I will eventually put together a separate travel blog for the trip, as always, but in the meantime, let's use the comments on this post as a way to coordinate our plans. Air travel, car rental, accommodations, gear, GPS, trackers, etc. Click on the image to the right for the official event website.

22 comments:

Ka'a'awa Larry said...

I'll be a volunteer/wind tech. Any reason for me to have a SPOT?

Thom said...

Spots are required by competitors only.

I called Lowgear.com to get a price.

$60.00 includes unit and all services needed: Spot and continual location signal while on which is what the comps want. We will also have a delivery charge approx. $40.00 to and from a location at WoodRat. Possibly Forrest and Ravens but have not verified this.

Mike Haley the comp director is also in contact with the same LowGear.com contact name is Dallas. I am waiting to hear from Mike to see what deal they are giving us, if cheaper for us to go on our own I post it up here take orders and bring them in on one shipment to Woodrat if that ends up being the case.

For now this is the info available on Spots. I will keep all updated here when more info is ready.

Thom said...

Hawaii Monkey List as of 02/19

Alex Colby RR
Thom Therrien(Sidehill) RR sprint
Bill Hockensmith(FlyStrong)
RR sprint
Joey Saikin RR sprint
Claude Philips (Scrappy) RR sprint
Steve Philips (Divot) RR sprint
Tom Prindle (TommyRD) Super Clinic
Dave Taratko (Fireman) RR
Tim Lynch (Maui Tim) RR sprint
George Merk (IgorMaui)RR sprint
John Todd(Frosty) RR sprint
Larry Williams (KLarry) Tech
Paul Kunzl(Motorhead) volunteer
Peter Michelmore(Reaper)
Safety/Retrieve
If your name is not on this list let us know. I will try to have Alex add all the names into the main body of story.

We will arrange carpooling, tenting and what ever as we get closer and as people get air line confirmations.

Thom said...

SPOT UPDATE

Heard from RR HQ on Face Book. Stated that they will have Spot Rentals at RR still working out details.
Will keep you all posted here.

Jetflap said...

Any Monkeys traveling through the Eugene area are welcome to a cold beer and warm bed at Rancho Forrest in beautiful Lorane, Oregon. Can also take you for a sail at Fern Ridge Lake, the premiere sailing lake in Oregon.

Jetflap

Thom said...

SPOT UPDATE.

MPH sports (RR HQ) Has secured a deal with MPH Sports.

Rental is $49.00 plus 4.99 for lithium batteries. There will also be a deposit charge on your credit card that will be reutrned upon return of spot. MPH will handle all shipping. Any questions call me or just go to the website and reserve yours fast.

http://www.lowergear.com/product.php?id=490

Thom said...

Spot UPDATE Final

MPH sports (RR HQ) Has secured a deal with MPH Sports.

Rental is $49.00 When you go to the site just follow directions. you will check the box to be picked up at store etc. but will not. I also got cahrged AZ sales tax which may be waives as pick up will actually be in Oregon that has no sales tax. There did not seem to be a charge for the batteries or box to check for batteries so that may also be included.
MPH will handle all shipping. Any questions call me or just go to the website and reserve yours fast.
They are super helpful too so you can call Lower Gear.

http://www.lowergear.com/product.php?id=490

Igor said...

Also Marty Hearne and Rich Donovan from Maui signed up for Da race. We are 10% : ) Igor

Igor said...

So if i understand correctly the SPOT will arrive to the rat race facilities? Rental days are sunday thru sunday? june 23-30. Thanks!

Thom said...

Yes, if you sign up on the site that says "Rat Race Pilots Only" it will go to HQ RR with your name on it, logged ready to go.

I was not sure being as I was the first so I left a note to make sure at the bottom of the order.

I will contact Lower Gear this week to make sure who is on their list. Other than that next item is flights, cars and tents.

Anonymous said...

We need a list of campers?
Last couple of years Paul and I hauled more gear than we needed and it was a strain.
So, If you make a list of 'For Sure' campers; then we can bring extra gear.
If not, your on your own.
Big 5 in Grants Pass is a great place for cheap camping gear, or Black Bird (awesome Redneck store) in Medford off of HWY 238 and only 1/2 hour from Jacksonville is a good place for in-expensive camping gear.
All you need is a cheap tent, sleeping pad, bag, and maybe a chair.
Reaper

Ka'a'awa Larry said...

Reaper and Paul- I will likely fly into SEA a few days early to spend time with my son and his family. He will outfit me with camping gear but I would like to catch a ride to RR with you if there will be room. (Just wanted to get my bid in early!)

Anonymous said...

I will be fully loaded with family this year, but Paul should have room for one?
Reaper

Anonymous said...

Ya Larry, I will have room, lets keep in touch. When will you be coming to Seattle?

Motorhead

Thom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thom said...

Rat Race List Update:
Hawaii Monkey List as of 04/16

Alex Colby RR
Thom Therrien(Sidehill) RR sprint
Bill Hockensmith(FlyStrong)RR sprint
Joey Saikin RR sprint
Claude Philips (Scrappy) RR sprint
Steve Philips (Divot) RR sprint
Tom Prindle (TommyRD) Super Clinic
Dave Taratko (Fireman) RR
Tim Lynch (Maui Tim) RR sprint
George Merk (IgorMaui)RR sprint
John Todd(Frosty) RR sprint
Larry Williams (KLarry) Tech
Paul Kunzl(Motorhead) volunteer
Peter Michelmore(Reaper)Safety/Retrieve
Jeff Johnson (RKJeff) Super Clinic
Robert Edwards (Woody) RR sprint Tandem w/ Bonnie Hobson (Bonbon)
Martin Hearn (Marty)RR Sprint
Rich Donovan (MauiRich)RR Sprint

If your name is not on this list let us know. I will try to have Alex add all the names into the main body of story.

Scrappy said...

All right guys. Steve and I have our flights booked. We slightly considered the Portland drive but decided against it due to tight schedules. We will be arriving in Medford at 11:59pm Friday the 21st. That's a little late but is worth it for us to get there for the warm up day and make our family reunion obligations.

Questions we are having right now are to get a car or not to get a car. Could someone pick up a tent and or air mattresses from somewhere if you are stopping for supplies as most places are closed at this hour? We are still not %100 on where we are staying anyway for the trip yet. Who is camping where? What do we need to contribute?

If we are camping for 9 days we were thinking a big tent and air mattresses.

Lets get some more information up so we can coordinate. I know a crew is driving from Portland.

If we need to rent a car to help fill our rides we would be willing to split it with some extra peeps if required but looking to keep it cheap.

This is coming up lets coordinate.

SCRAPPY!

Gravity said...

ATTN: Forest and Raven are hosting up to 20 pilots max at their house below launch. I think there is 16 left.
OK all you crazy Rat Racer's, Forrest and I have decided to open our house/land to pilots who are participating in the event. This is what we've got...place to pitch a tent or to park Rv's/van's/ect..., BBQ's, camp stove, hot outdoor shower, large dishwashing station, porta-potties, place to do your laundry (for a small fee), free fast WIFI, hot tub, awesome view of launch and the valley, 5 minutes to HQ and Fiasco, 2 mins to local grocery store, 15-20 mins to Medford, place to store your wings, and hopefully a good time for all.

A few things to consider....We do not have means to dump your septic if you bring an RV. Cantrall Buckley park (5 mins from us) has a septic dump. So, you can stay here and still have access to septic dumps. We will be limiting the number of people to 20 For those pilots who like to party into the wee hours, perhaps Cantrall Buckley is your venue as we wish to remain on good terms with our neighbors. There are not many trees on our property so bring some instant shade or relax on our covered deck in the late afternoon. We are hoping to get a pool installed by the Race but no guarantees. Due to the fire hazards in the area we cannot have campfires, but may have one small community fire in a spark arrested outdoor fire ring.

I have heard from a couple of people but no firm commitments as to if they are staying or not. So, this is what I've got- 1 room in the house with a futon. 10$/night per person. Outside tent or RV 8$/night/per person. Let us know ASAP so we can work with Mike and Gail on ordering toilets and they will be sending pilots our way as well who need a place to stay during the week. I will let everyone know when we are full.

Thanks and hope to see you! Happy flying. Forrest and Raven Brault

Thom said...

Rat Race Update as of 5/14

Rat Race List Update:
Hawaii Monkey List as of 04/16

Alex Colby RR
Thom Therrien(Sidehill) RR sprint
Bill Hockensmith(FlyStrong)RR sprint
Joey Saikin RR sprint
Claude Philips (Scrappy) RR sprint
Steve Philips (Divot) RR sprint
Tom Prindle (TommyRD) Super Clinic
Dave Taratko (Fireman) RR
Tim Lynch (Maui Tim) RR sprint
George Merk (IgorMaui)RR sprint
John Todd(Frosty) RR sprint
Larry Williams (KLarry) Tech
Paul Kunzl(Motorhead) volunteer
Peter Michelmore(Reaper)Safety/Retrieve
Jeff Johnson (RKJeff) Super Clinic
Robert Edwards (Woody) RR sprint Tandem w/ Bonnie Hobson (Bonbon)
Martin Hearn (Marty)RR Sprint
Rich Donovan (MauiRich)RR Sprint
Tyler Nicosia Tech

I arrive at Medford airport on Friday at Noon. Staying at Forrest & Raven's campground
I have a vehicle.
Leave Monday Morningish.

JK said...

Waypoints:
http://www.freeflightcomps.com/?q=node/112

Alex said...

I set up a dedicated blog where we can post daily updates during the event. If anyone wants to be added to the author list let me know.