Caravan to LOG28 to/from SoCal? - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:52 AM

This thread will be used for planning and posting the itinerary. It is just over 2000 miles from Santa Monica to Indianapolis. The goal is to roll into Indianapolis on Thursday July 31st. Event ends on Monday August 4th at the trackday at Putnam Park. This is not a quick trip from SoCal. Starting will be on Monday July 28th and return would be Thursday night August 7th. Or a total of 10 days. Or longer.

I will see if there is interest in a caravan of sorts. A small group would be fun. Stopping at sights. Heading out to the bar after we get a motel. Sharing hookers... Too large a group and its hard to manage. Not enough interest and then its not worth doing, I can just drive alone.

So let me know if you are interested. And if you are, let me know your thoughts on routes.

Option 1
A direct route using I-40, I-44, and I-70 would be:

Day 1 TUE Santa Monica to Albuquerque. 800m 11hrs
Day 2 WED lbuquerque to Springfield MO 830m 11.5hrs
Day 3 THU Springfield to Indianapolis IN 457m 7hrs

Option 2
Another option would be to drive up via I-15 and then I-70. This adds less than 100 miles but includes Las Vegas and some nice scenery in east Utah and west Colorado. On the other hand, west Kansas is mind numbing. This would probably be-

Day 1 MON Santa Monica to Las Vegas
Day 2 TUE Las Vegas to Denver 750m 10hrs
Day 3 WED Denver to Kansas City 603m 8.5hrs
Day 4 THU Kansas City to Indianapolis 484m 7 hrs

Option 3
Third option is same but if we pushed it more and did not stop in Las Vegas-

Day 1 TUE Santa Monica to Grand Junction CO 790m 11hrs
Day 2 WED Grand Junction to Kansas City 845m 12hrs
Day 3 THU Kansas City to Indianapolis 484m 7 hrs

Of the above, my personal opinion is we would take Option 2. It adds another half day, but there are some positives. We can have more people meet up in Las Vegas. There is more to do in Las Vegas. Those coming in from other points could meet us there and that provides and initial buffer to organize together. In other words, if someone was running behind on Day 1, no worries as they only have to get to Las Vegas. It is a nice start with a shorter distance for those of us from SoCal too.

My second opinion is we do a variation of Option 1 for the return leg just to be different.

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:54 AM

Return Leg.

Route 66 Variations
A) Route 66 completist- Drive up to Chicago and take Route 66 back?
B) Compromise - Drive over to Springfield IL or Bloomington and hook up to Route 66.
C) Fastest - Drive over to St Louis and take Route 66, I-40/44 back.

My thought is that going up north and adding more to the trip does not make sense unless you are really really into Route 66. Which also by the way would work if you did not do the track day at Putnam.

Indianapolis to St Louis is 240m, 3.5hrs. Going via Springfield is 300m 4.5hrs. Going by Bloomington is 324m and 5 hrs. Going via Chicago is 480m and 7 hrs. Keep in mind that if we are doing the trackday at Putnam, we are leaving Monday at 5:30pm.

Option 1 using Route 66
Day 1 MON Putnam Park 5:30pm to St Louis MO. 240m 3.5 hrs. Arrive at hotel near the Arch.
Day 2 TUE St Louis to Oklahoma City OK 500m 7 hrs. A few stops along Route 66
Day 3 WED Oklahoma City to Albuquerque NM. 543m 7.5hrs
Day 4 THU Albuquerque to Laughlin NV 500m 7 hrs
Day 5 FRI Laughlin to Santa Monica/San Diego/etc

Option 2, not using Route 66 or less of Route 66 Quicker Route, longer drives.
Day 1 MON Putnam Park 5:30pm to St Louis MO. 240m 3.5 hrs. Arrive at hotel near the Arch.
Day 2 TUE St Louis to Amarillo TX 750m 11 hrs
Day 3 WED Amarillo TX to Flagstaff AZ 607m 8hrs
Day 4 THU Flagstaff to Santa Monica and other points

Option 3 for the insane
Day 1 MON Putnam Park to Louisville KY
Day 2 TUE Louisville to Deals Gap KY TAIL of the Dragon.
Day 3 WED Deals Gap west on Cherola Skyway to Nashville and then Memphis or Little Rock
Day 4 THU Little Rock to Tucumacari
Day 5 FRI Tucumcari to Laughlin NV
Day 6 SAT Roll back into SoCal

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:55 AM

Day 1

TBD

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:55 AM

Day 2

TBD

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:55 AM

Day 3 TBD

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:56 AM

Day 4 TBD

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:56 AM

Day 5. TBD

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:56 AM

Just an extra post, placeholder for now

Randy Chase · 11-29-2007, 08:58 AM

darkSol · 11-29-2007, 09:07 AM

FYI: It's an 8 hour drive from KC to Indy. Refuel in St. Louis. Done it several times.

slaughtr · 11-29-2007, 09:10 AM

I think you guys should make a detour through Boise.

rickdavis.name · 03-04-2008, 01:11 PM

I'll join you when you stop in St. Louis to refuel.

I recommend stopping at the QT @ mile marker 222 on I-70. It's close to the highway, commuter parking, food, the MidRivers Lotus dealership, and where I'll be starting from.

QuickTrip, 391 Main St, Saint Peters, MO 63376

What time do you want to leave St. Louis and/or arrive in Indy?
It's 4.25 hours from the QT/STL to Indy, so if we meet for fuel and lunch just prior to 12:00, we could get to Indy about 4:30 pm Thursday.

nvrblu · 03-04-2008, 03:20 PM

I won't be going to LOG28, but I might tag along for a bit through Arizona

NMRJock · 03-04-2008, 03:34 PM

Randy sold his Lotus. Is the drive still on?

Randy Chase · 03-04-2008, 03:37 PM

I was hoping to drive in the new car. Hoping it is built in time.

NMRJock · 03-04-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I was hoping to drive in the new car. Hoping it is built in time.

Now that sounds like an adventure!

Randy Chase · 03-04-2008, 03:43 PM

It would not be accurate to say I was not worried a little bit about the sanity of that. What if it rained a lot? I guess it is not harder than a motorcycle road trip.

Patricko · 03-05-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

It would not be accurate to say I was not worried a little bit about the sanity of that. What if it rained a lot? I guess it is not harder than a motorcycle road trip.

Most of my 2-Eleven driving has been in the rain...you will be fine

RacyTracy · 03-05-2008, 12:26 PM

If you come to Chicago, I would meet you downstate and join you for a few hundred miles through Illinois. Only problem I see is I need to ask for a day off 2 weeks in advance, so timing of the itinerary would have to be accurate. If you don't come here, I may drive down to Indy for an evening if a dinner is planned.

LotusUSA · 03-08-2008, 08:40 AM

This sounds like a real adventure. Randy, I hope your car will be ready by then.

11-29-2007, 08:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Caravan to LOG28 to/from SoCal? This thread will be used for planning and posting the itinerary. It is just over 2000 miles from Santa Monica to Indianapolis. The goal is to roll into Indianapolis on Thursday July 31st. Event ends on Monday August 4th at the trackday at Putnam Park. This is not a quick trip from SoCal. Starting will be on Monday July 28th and return would be Thursday night August 7th. Or a total of 10 days. Or longer. I will see if there is interest in a caravan of sorts. A small group would be fun. Stopping at sights. Heading out to the bar after we get a motel. Sharing hookers... Too large a group and its hard to manage. Not enough interest and then its not worth doing, I can just drive alone. So let me know if you are interested. And if you are, let me know your thoughts on routes. Option 1 A direct route using I-40, I-44, and I-70 would be: Day 1 TUE Santa Monica to Albuquerque. 800m 11hrs Day 2 WED lbuquerque to Springfield MO 830m 11.5hrs Day 3 THU Springfield to Indianapolis IN 457m 7hrs Option 2 Another option would be to drive up via I-15 and then I-70. This adds less than 100 miles but includes Las Vegas and some nice scenery in east Utah and west Colorado. On the other hand, west Kansas is mind numbing. This would probably be- Day 1 MON Santa Monica to Las Vegas Day 2 TUE Las Vegas to Denver 750m 10hrs Day 3 WED Denver to Kansas City 603m 8.5hrs Day 4 THU Kansas City to Indianapolis 484m 7 hrs Option 3 Third option is same but if we pushed it more and did not stop in Las Vegas- Day 1 TUE Santa Monica to Grand Junction CO 790m 11hrs Day 2 WED Grand Junction to Kansas City 845m 12hrs Day 3 THU Kansas City to Indianapolis 484m 7 hrs Of the above, my personal opinion is we would take Option 2. It adds another half day, but there are some positives. We can have more people meet up in Las Vegas. There is more to do in Las Vegas. Those coming in from other points could meet us there and that provides and initial buffer to organize together. In other words, if someone was running behind on Day 1, no worries as they only have to get to Las Vegas. It is a nice start with a shorter distance for those of us from SoCal too. My second opinion is we do a variation of Option 1 for the return leg just to be different. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Return Leg. Route 66 Variations A) Route 66 completist- Drive up to Chicago and take Route 66 back? B) Compromise - Drive over to Springfield IL or Bloomington and hook up to Route 66. C) Fastest - Drive over to St Louis and take Route 66, I-40/44 back. My thought is that going up north and adding more to the trip does not make sense unless you are really really into Route 66. Which also by the way would work if you did not do the track day at Putnam. Indianapolis to St Louis is 240m, 3.5hrs. Going via Springfield is 300m 4.5hrs. Going by Bloomington is 324m and 5 hrs. Going via Chicago is 480m and 7 hrs. Keep in mind that if we are doing the trackday at Putnam, we are leaving Monday at 5:30pm. Option 1 using Route 66 Day 1 MON Putnam Park 5:30pm to St Louis MO. 240m 3.5 hrs. Arrive at hotel near the Arch. Day 2 TUE St Louis to Oklahoma City OK 500m 7 hrs. A few stops along Route 66 Day 3 WED Oklahoma City to Albuquerque NM. 543m 7.5hrs Day 4 THU Albuquerque to Laughlin NV 500m 7 hrs Day 5 FRI Laughlin to Santa Monica/San Diego/etc Option 2, not using Route 66 or less of Route 66 Quicker Route, longer drives. Day 1 MON Putnam Park 5:30pm to St Louis MO. 240m 3.5 hrs. Arrive at hotel near the Arch. Day 2 TUE St Louis to Amarillo TX 750m 11 hrs Day 3 WED Amarillo TX to Flagstaff AZ 607m 8hrs Day 4 THU Flagstaff to Santa Monica and other points Option 3 for the insane Day 1 MON Putnam Park to Louisville KY Day 2 TUE Louisville to Deals Gap KY TAIL of the Dragon. Day 3 WED Deals Gap west on Cherola Skyway to Nashville and then Memphis or Little Rock Day 4 THU Little Rock to Tucumacari Day 5 FRI Tucumcari to Laughlin NV Day 6 SAT Roll back into SoCal __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Day 1 TBD __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Day 2 TBD __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Day 3 TBD __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Day 4 TBD __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Day 5. TBD __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Just an extra post, placeholder for now __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 08:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	meh __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

11-29-2007, 09:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	FYI: It's an 8 hour drive from KC to Indy. Refuel in St. Louis. Done it several times. __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

11-29-2007, 09:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
slaughtr Big head man Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 5,953 Images: 3	I think you guys should make a detour through Boise. __________________ My car both sucks and blows. Now with added all natural smoky goodness!

03-04-2008, 01:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
rickdavis.name '06 Elise, St. Louis Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 12	I'll join you when you stop in St. Louis to refuel. I recommend stopping at the QT @ mile marker 222 on I-70. It's close to the highway, commuter parking, food, the MidRivers Lotus dealership, and where I'll be starting from. QuickTrip, 391 Main St, Saint Peters, MO 63376 What time do you want to leave St. Louis and/or arrive in Indy? It's 4.25 hours from the QT/STL to Indy, so if we meet for fuel and lunch just prior to 12:00, we could get to Indy about 4:30 pm Thursday.

03-04-2008, 03:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
nvrblu ... _ . ..._ . Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,386	I won't be going to LOG28, but I might tag along for a bit through Arizona __________________ Steve -- '05 Laser Blue, Biscuit, Sport/Touring, Starshield

03-04-2008, 03:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
NMRJock A smile a mile. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3,567	Randy sold his Lotus. Is the drive still on? __________________ Paul Parkanzky Magnetic Blue with Biscuit Touring, LSS, Starshield

03-04-2008, 03:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	I was hoping to drive in the new car. Hoping it is built in time. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

03-08-2008, 08:40 AM	#20 (permalink)
LotusUSA The Architect Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 537	This sounds like a real adventure. Randy, I hope your car will be ready by then. __________________ "More power makes it fast on the straight, less weight makes it fast everywhere." - Colin Chapman 2006 BRITISH RACING GREEN EXIGE 2005 SAFFRON YELLOW ELISE (R.I.P.)

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03-04-2008, 03:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	It would not be accurate to say I was not worried a little bit about the sanity of that. What if it rained a lot? I guess it is not harder than a motorcycle road trip. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

03-05-2008, 12:26 PM	#19 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,194	If you come to Chicago, I would meet you downstate and join you for a few hundred miles through Illinois. Only problem I see is I need to ask for a day off 2 weeks in advance, so timing of the itinerary would have to be accurate. If you don't come here, I may drive down to Indy for an evening if a dinner is planned.