What about Fernley? Honest opinions, please.

[Big Rich]

Ok we now its not the same as MoonRocks, but now that area is off limits (for now).

I've been searching for a suitable replacement, but have not found the perfect area yet (some that would do, but minimal on the big climb type of stuff).

I'd like your honest opinion about Fernley.

Keep in mind it is a work in progress.

Also what about an event during the week of Hot August nights?
Would you show up for a Wednesday/Thursday comp.? (looking to pull in the gear heads from downtown Reno as spectators).

Well? Please be honest.......

Rich

[Dirty Harry]

I like the ability to change the courses, I like the parking and facilities, I like how close you are to several courses, and I like that it is private property.

Traffic on 80 during Hot August Nights is a nightmare though (at least you get to look at cool cars while you are in gridlock ) and I would expect it to be VERY hot in Fernley, plus there is no shade (not that there is at Moonrocks).

I'm not a competitor but I always have thought that Fernley is a great location for the above reasons.

[Chaz M]

cool idea but good luck gettin rooms to stay in...even in fernly it would be packed...we would have to get rooms a year in advance...or everyone, competitiors, judges, staff would all have to camp out at the raceway...i like camping and all...but...a shower is so much betta after a day in the dust..

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by chaz88k5
cool idea but good luck gettin rooms to stay in...even in fernly it would be packed...

I think that I just found a business opportunity and a way to afford some new parts.

[Gordon]

Here is my honest opinion as a spectator. I would not go to fernly it does not look to impressive to me from the pics. I also would probably not go in the middle of the week, unless I was local. What about going to Donner? Is that an option anymore?

[Big Rich]

Originally posted by Gordon
What about going to Donner? Is that an option anymore?

Donner has Issues, like the big ass hill for the spectators to climb, and few others I can't discuss. But it's not a dead venue either, just looking for more options and opinions.

Also what you see in pic's is never the same in person. The biggest complaints form the teams, seem to be the course's are to brutal on the equipment.

Rich

[Chaz M]

Originally posted by Big Rich


Donner has Issues, like the big ass hill for the spectators to climb, and few others I can't discuss. But it's not a dead venue either, just looking for more options and opinions.

Also what you see in pic's is never the same in person. The biggest complaints form the teams, seem to be the course's are to brutal on the equipment.

Rich

rich have they started building the new courses in fernly.....i remember a conversation with someone that said they were goin to try to make a few that replicated a few of the obsticals at moonrocks

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by Big Rich

Also what you see in pic's is never the same in person. The biggest complaints form the teams, seem to be the course's are to brutal on the equipment.

They are definitely big rock courses and require a lot of finesse and driving skill. You don't see as many dramatic rollovers and there isn't a lot of throttle, so maybe it doesn't appeal to the crowd that you are after. That is what I LIKE about Fernley though.

[Big Rich]

Originally posted by Dirty Harry


so maybe it doesn't appeal to the crowd that you are after.

Not the CROWD that I'm looking for either, much to the suprised I guess of many, not all promoters wamt ro;;overs and major carnage.....
Rich

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by Big Rich


Not the CROWD that I'm looking for either, much to the suprised I guess of many, not all promoters wamt ro;;overs and major carnage.....
Rich

I always have liked you Rich. I cannot think of many other promoters that I see out on the trails on the weekend either...

[Go2Guy]

I really liked the courses last yr when I saw you there and there was a lot of positive comments from other drivers as well. I'd really like them now with the portal buggy. It makes for real technical courses without as much carnage opportunity. The heavy equipment for extraction is nice too. I prefer courses in this type of terrain vs. Farmington/moab type stuff. It's tough on a rig though and I'd expect more fuses to be revealed.

I'd be there myself it weren't for that pesky 30 hr drive.

[TONY K]

I love that place. It's kicked my ass every time but it's big rock and that's the kind of wheelin' I like.

Don't try to turn it into Cedar with big shoots.

Nascar doesn't run the same track or track type every week.

tony k

[Rudezuk]

I liked fernley....Very technical driving styles there!!


Yes there were rollovers, yes some of the courses required big throttle, and yes there were rocks big enough to swallow 40" tires


That place kicked ass, its close to sac, and with some work out there, it has tons of potential.

So far my favorite was Cougar buttes, its just a long ways to drive.


And yes rich if it was a mid week comp, we would still be there!

[GRIDWNC]

Originally posted by Dirty Harry

. . . so maybe it doesn't appeal to the crowd that you are after. That is what I LIKE about Fernley though.

Ahhh but you don't pay for the spare parts that go flyin out of those holes that eat 40's for snack.

With a little grooming, or more man making I guess it would be, it has some serious potential. I will always miss the "natural" scenery you get at other venues, but such is life and it's not as if all your events are there.

My biggest impression was how the courses were pretty close to the same thing though. Yeah the holes were in different places changing the technical aspect but if you stood back and looked at the ones on the hill (right next to each other) and then the ones set off to the left, those groupings were very simililiar.

As mentioned earlier, with the crowds you draw (granted during the week there woould be less) shade facilities would help with heat issues. The bleachers are a definate must given the course location and safety in order to have a decent visual aspect. Restroom facilities at each end or at the very least at opposite ends. But all those are logistics that don't really affect your competitors. As you said, it's the breakage that gave them the queebies for this venue location.

[TEX]

Anything mid-week is going to have a lower turnout of both competitors and spectators UNLESS it's part of some type of annual "fair" or "festival" of sorts (sounds like this qualifies).

Example, our local fair has a truck pull every year on Thursday night & the Jaycees do a truck pull/monster truck show on a Saturday later in the year - same facility. Bigger crowd & better trucks at the fair event, even though it's midweek because it's "THE Fair". But, if you tried to do a stand-alone event midweek, it'd be like a ghost-town compared to a weekend event. Ditto for holidays, we've always had poor turnouts on holidays or 3-day weekends 'cause folks usually have other plans already in place.


TEX

[Big Rich]

We'd be looking at using buses to bring spectators in from Reno, It's jsut an Idea at this point.
Rich

[Lance]

Fernley is ok - It's very hard on the rigs - from axles to body panels... I think it's a decent venue for one event per year (per organization) but I wouldn't want to go there much more than that just because I'd feel sorry for Mike's rig.

Like GRID said, I'd love to see some more variety there - not sure how it could be done, but *some type* of variety would be cool.

All in all though, it's got to be the best man made venue in existence. Gordon - trust me, the courses are difficult, and technical - I think you'd enjoy it as a spectator.

[jbcruiser]

I'm with Lance...It's O.K. I don't think you can ever beat the "natural terrain" comps.

I realize that the future of rockcrawling is going to probably be man-made courses. I also realize it will take time to refine the course making ability.

I just have one question......Why hasn't a single CalRocs event been held in the same place twice (other than Fernley)???
What is being done wrong?

One other suggestion....make sure there is a "station" to wash your hands after using the john. I know I sound like a with this comment, but my wife would sure be a lot happier.

[Rudezuk]

Originally posted by jbcruiser
I'm with Lance...It's O.K. I don't think you can ever beat the "natural terrain" comps.

I realize that the future of rockcrawling is going to probably be man-made courses. I also realize it will take time to refine the course making ability.

I just have one question......Why hasn't a single CalRocs event been held in the same place twice (other than Fernley)???
What is being done wrong?

One other suggestion....make sure there is a "station" to wash your hands after using the john. I know I sound like a with this comment, but my wife would sure be a lot happier.

I think you forgot about cougar buttes this year...

2 comps, Same place, one month apart......and there will be a third at the end of the season...............

Check the website

[Doug K]

Originally posted by Dirty Harry


You don't see as many dramatic rollovers and there isn't a lot of throttle, so maybe it doesn't appeal to the crowd that you are after.

Obviously you've never seen us wheel.

I liked the course a lot... I didn't have to drive it, but i fell into several holes when i was paying more attention to the rig than myself. I think I can safely say that Hal and I would be there with bells on for another run at it. With stronger driveshafts we might stand a better chance.

Doug

[LandCroozer]

Originally posted by jbcruiser

I realize that the future of rockcrawling is going to probably be man-made courses.

I hope you meant to say "I realize that the future of rockcrawling competitions is going to probably be man-made courses.

Otherwise- Yikes!

-tom

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by Doug K


Obviously you've never seen us wheel.

Obviously not. How did the throttle down strategy work for you guys? From what I have seen it is a lot more successful in vertical climbs than big boulder fields.

[Doug K]

Anybody got a link to that video Hal made?

Throttle was fun, but not our friend... we'll do it the same next time, but I'll be getting FARRRRRR in front of Hal so he can see me as he drives over the course at 30 MPH.

Doug

[1uglyranger]

We liked Fernly, except for the lack of trees (shade), the wind, and the lack of spectators. The courses were very technical, and I don't think that I have thrown that many rocks in a single weekend before.

Both times that we have competed in Fernley the spectator level has been pathetic.... I'm not sure if its because of lack of advertising, bad location, or lack of shade, and wind cover. The courses are very spectator friendly, and the location should be great.... so what gives?


But the answer to your question, we would definatly be at the next Fernley event

Brian--

[WIB]

Originally posted by Doug K
Anybody got a link to that video Hal made?

Doug

http://128.83.80.200/hal/team21.mov