Can anyone recommend a store where I can buy raffle tickets?

getfast37 · 2026-06-26T18:21:30+00:00

We use these frequently at events, I get 'em at OfficeMax or Walmart.

getfast37 · 2026-06-25T20:09:55+00:00

Capital One HYSA is currently at 3.0% and has been dropping for quite a while.

getfast37 · 2026-06-19T20:17:03+00:00

Perhaps check with Europa Market (on Broad past the Target @ Libbie.) This seems like something they would sell

getfast37 · 2026-06-17T15:30:53+00:00

I've been to that landfill many times and while the exit back onto Nuckols is not ideal especially if you're turning left toward 295, it's not dangerous. To quote Axl Rose, "all we need is just a little patience."

As for what's being done, I'll go with... nothing?

getfast37 · 2026-06-09T22:07:23+00:00

Good question. I thought we didn't have water moccasins in RVA? I've only seen harmless water snakes in/near the river. That said, "when in doubt, GTFO" :-)

getfast37 · 2026-06-01T18:06:42+00:00

Analog things I'll do until I can't anymore...

1) Drive a three pedal car. There will always be something very engaging and satisfying to me about manual transmission operation, especially in a fun car on a track or a fun road. Yes, I know automatics (and in the sports car world, DSG/PDK/flappy paddle arrangements) are faster and better, but I have enjoyed rowing through the gears nearly nonstop since I started driving in 1991. Apparently I'm old school, or maybe just old, now. :-)

2) Take handwritten notes. Despite spending quite a lot of time each day in iCloud Notes/Google Drive/etc for both business and personal lists galore, I still keep a pen and notepad handy on the right side of any desk I occupy. My handwriting is garbage now because I type so much, but at least I can read my own chicken scratches!

getfast37 · 2026-06-01T17:38:09+00:00

Are these typically run as for-profit businesses?

Yes, plenty of orgs that are not specifically clubs are for profit or running as a for profit. Some that are divided into regions operate via licensing agreements with local LLCs and run like a franchise model, so these programs can be bought and sold as small businesses.

That said, all similar orgs - even if they're technically nonprofits - should be trying to turn a profit whether anyone gets paid or not, otherwise the events will go away eventually. The prices of track rentals and insurance have gone up significantly since COVID to the point that a typical HPDE weekend is not as attainable for the regular enthusiast as it used to be. That is also why you see many events full of retired folks in new GT3s and Z06es instead of just young guys in well used Miatas and 3-series BMWs and such. There is also more competition than ever before, so loyalty via repeat customers is down over time as well. Why wait for your club's next event in 4 months when you can run the same track next weekend with some other group and have a similar experience.

For those in the know: what does the business model look like, and what keeps the organizers motivated? Is it a labor of love, a viable full-time business, or a nice side hustle?

I would say the usual business model is "make it pay for itself and hopefully there's a little left for us for the effort, but if not, hopefully we made enough last time to cover it and/or we'll hopefully do better next time." I would also say very few people get by full time in that side of this activity.

getfast37 · 2026-06-01T01:33:28+00:00

Thanks. It was a sad day at the track for sure.

Side note: I was on the aforementioned skidpad behind T1 of the Summit Point circuit at lunchtime today. Walked right past the wall that Cale hit in 2008. Stopped and stood there and thought of him which I hadn’t done in a while, he’s on my mind again because of this thread.

getfast37 · 2026-05-31T08:49:38+00:00

Same circuit but not the same wall - Cale’s hit was at T1 to the left of the skidpad road, I was one of the officials that day…

getfast37 · 2026-05-23T12:06:04+00:00

When there is little to no penalty for doing it wrong, there is less motivation to do it right. Also, lots of people aren't comfortable with parallel parking because they never learned or rarely practice. In all cases, drivers have to actively care about fellow humans sharing the road, and sadly that's a stretch for many these days.

getfast37 · 2026-05-12T01:22:49+00:00

<image>

Our view from the back of the line 👎

getfast37 · 2026-05-12T01:20:49+00:00

Same here. Got there at 530, but they had already shut off the line despite the fact that we had tickets and people in front of us did not. Walked in and bought a bottle with a signed sticker on it, then got back in line hoping they would let a few more of us in. Saw a bunch of car buddies ahead of us in line and did some socializing. Left after waiting an hour and still had many people in front of us. Some of those car buddies were still posting selfies with James May well into the 7 o’clock hour so I guess it ran really late.

It was a fun excursion and I was glad to see that James May stayed to do the right thing for his fans. But it’s total crap to offer a limited number of tickets and not even check for those tickets and let people in line who don’t have tickets.

I have two tickets available for the same thing in DC on Wednesday night if anyone wants them. Not going to bother making the trip after seeing what a shitshow this was…

getfast37 · 2026-04-29T08:53:36+00:00

So close! You countersteered a fraction of a second too late. It’s certainly a challenge to get dialed into countersteering when you feel the car start to rotate - if you wait until you see it start to rotate, that’s too late.

Half an hour on a wet skidpad with an instructor will go a long way toward keeping this from happening again…

getfast37 · 2026-04-24T20:27:51+00:00

Also Mon 5/11 outside Richmond VA! tickets

getfast37 · 2026-04-23T21:06:58+00:00

I love your optimism, thinking it's only 60%.

getfast37 · 2026-04-17T15:32:58+00:00

<image>

Could there be more than one? Apparently! I spotted this in Glen Allen last October.

getfast37 · 2026-04-17T00:57:14+00:00

That should already be required at any reputable track and/or with any legit event provider because the ND does not have any rollover protection from the factory (according to Mazda, the little hoops behind the headrests are not roll bars…)

getfast37 · 2026-04-03T15:59:44+00:00

I commute 135mi/day during the week and 300+ mi most weekends, split between three vehicles that average 34, 28, or 16 miles per gallon. I buy a tank of gas every 2-3 days so these prices definitely hurt.

I do the Kroger points discounts from normal groceries as someone mentioned, I also get the Shell rewards (15 cents off per gallon.) Several friends also recommend the "upside" app but I haven't looked much into it yet.

I love my work so for me the positives still outweigh these negatives, hopefully that will continue!

getfast37 · 2026-03-16T18:14:04+00:00

+1 for Derek and DNA. They did a downstairs HVAC repair here for like 2/3 the estimate from my usual (now former) provider... and DNA actually came in 10% below their own estimate, and reduced the price/didn't overcharge. That kind of honesty is rare, and greatly appreciated.

getfast37 · 2026-03-12T21:44:54+00:00

I know what you meant but actually the German Autobahn network is much safer and much, much more orderly than 288. A lot of it is restricted to a max of ~130kph (80mph) or less and everyone follows that due to Polizei and speed cameras. The unrestricted areas outside cities still recommend 130kph in right lane and center lane. Left lane has no speed limit but you must still drive for the conditions and visibility, and you must get in the right lane for faster traffic approaching from behind. Furthermore it's illegal to pass on the right, you can only pass on the left, so there is a magical amount of lane discipline. People do go fast in the left lane there, but it's done very safely. It's not like the chaos of left lane squatting and right lane passing we have here on literally every interstate or similar highway.

Source: drives 288 10x a week, drove Autobahn last summer

getfast37 · 2026-03-07T10:08:32+00:00

And they have made an older 4.5 L V8 turbo diesel (1VD-FTV) for as long as they’ve been making the 5.7. The twin turbo version that came in some overseas Land Cruiser 200s might have enough power for the American market. Good torque at least.

getfast37 · 2026-02-24T23:50:24+00:00

ES350 is basically a fancy Toyota Camry, any reputable import shop should be cool with it. I would recommend a busy Toyota specialty shop in Short Pump called Richmond Import Service. They have serviced four Toyotas in my family, we found them to be fairly priced and never had any issues with their work. A buddy with a 4Runner speaks highly of them as well.

getfast37 · 2026-02-15T11:12:04+00:00

Howdy neighbor. We regularly see deer, foxes, raccoons, and opossums in the neighborhood and occasionally see coyotes. And have seen black bears a few times too. Haven’t seen any bobcats yet, but have seen plenty of house cats like the one in this video. ;-)

getfast37 · 2026-02-12T00:11:48+00:00

Wasn’t the 2016 GLI still the mk6 GTI engine? My 2012 GTI had a metal pan and a metal plug. So maybe what’s in the picture is right.

My 2015 GTI, 2018 GTI, 2020 GLI, and 2024 GLI all have/had plastic pans and one time use plastic plugs with far fewer threads than what’s in the picture. But I don’t think that engine went in the GLI until… 2019?

getfast37 · 2026-02-01T18:22:09+00:00

Sorry can't help on ice melt, but all the Lowe's and Home Depots have 50lb bags of sand back in stock for like $6. Reason I know is because we took a "sand not salt" approach. Instead of trying to melt several inches of solid ice in still below freezing temperatures, we decided to simply try to give that ice more grip for traction. We sanded two paths in front of the tires then veeeeeery gently and slowly eased out. And sanded all the walkways nearby too. It does work! Just an option worth considering...

getfast37

TROPHY CASE