Hotel / motel in / AirB&B near Grand Bend for Racer5 track days
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They do have extension cable running in the tent where you will rest between laps in camp chairs, you can probably borrow an outlet but the entire place is gravel and will be packed (see pic)
PacoT
Well-known member
I don't recall seing any electrical connection in the "designated" camping area. I remember charging my phone by running the van in the afternoons. One day I went to the local Tim Hortons and spent around one hour there waiting for my phone to charge.
I would invest in a good/large power bank.
It can be used later on as well not just for Grand Bend weekends.
What's going on in that picture? Are they watching instructional videos? And the white canopies outside - are those individual students' canopies or other?
Should I bring my own canopy?
That's a good idea - I don't have more than one or two tools from any one brand, but possibly one or two from every brand.
However, I did just coincidentally receive an inverter from Amazon for Dewalt 20V, and my sister has about a half dozen of those batteries.
Plus to @shanekingsley 's point, I also have a small army of power banks. I guess I might be sorted.
How was your camping experience ? Is there plenty of room, or do I need to stake out a spot early?
Aens
Well-known member
Usually there is space. Just check Events - Grand Bend Motorplex to see what other events are running. If it was next weekend for example, the drag strip usually just brings a lot of campers/toy haulers along the drag strip. However, there's the truck show which uses up a lot of the other spots. If you are just pitching a tent/sleeping in your car, you'll be fine. If you wanted to put up one of those huge living room sized tents, thats a different story.
My experience camping was ok. I camped my first time doing racer 5 July 2020. The cooler wind blowing off Lake Huron makes nights more comfortable for no AC. The toilets and shower are about what you can expect of public facilities. Free.
Only point I stress with camping is this. There's 3 days worth of track days. That's a huge physical toll to those who aren't used to it. Factor it in. If you 'camping' is just a sleeping bag on the rocky grass or reclining your front seat back 45 degrees, maybe the cost of upgraded camping equipment that you'll never use again or a hotel in Strahroy or London is worth it just to show up Sunday morning ready to put your newly learned skills to the test..
My experience camping was ok. I camped my first time doing racer 5 July 2020. The cooler wind blowing off Lake Huron makes nights more comfortable for no AC. The toilets and shower are about what you can expect of public facilities. Free.
Only point I stress with camping is this. There's 3 days worth of track days. That's a huge physical toll to those who aren't used to it. Factor it in. If you 'camping' is just a sleeping bag on the rocky grass or reclining your front seat back 45 degrees, maybe the cost of upgraded camping equipment that you'll never use again or a hotel in Strahroy or London is worth it just to show up Sunday morning ready to put your newly learned skills to the test..
That’s good advice. I was going to sleep in my car but a friend of mine who does car track days advised against it.
So I’ve going to bring a tent and air mattress, and a USB powered fan I can use as well.
I really did not want to nearly double the cost on accommodations and I don’t want to drive back and forth to a hotel. I considered renting a micro RV but decided I didn’t want the hassle of going out and getting it.
So I’ve going to bring a tent and air mattress, and a USB powered fan I can use as well.
I really did not want to nearly double the cost on accommodations and I don’t want to drive back and forth to a hotel. I considered renting a micro RV but decided I didn’t want the hassle of going out and getting it.
Yes, In the 3 day program you get some instructional video about lean angles, race lines, knee positions etc.
The outside canopies if i am correct was filled by advanced riding programs /students taking 2 day or 1 day courses. Our course was packed.
Sharing some of the pictures i took (make sure to look at the comments)
Aens
Well-known member
The person I went with to do Racer5 level 1 again last year was already gassed on the morning of day 3 and we had an awesome airbnb.
Its hard to be relaxed and confident their first time on track. Come day 3, you're hurting from muscles that have never been stressed before. I got forearm splints the first time from death gripping the buzzy cbr125 bars to give you an example.
You could show up with just your helmet and rental gear. They provide water and snacks between sessions. The second time I went, I brought a cooler, zero gravity chairs and a heavy duty coat hanger. You don't have much space as its a shared space with your group. The cooler was great as it was somewhere for everyone to put their helmets.
Its hard to be relaxed and confident their first time on track. Come day 3, you're hurting from muscles that have never been stressed before. I got forearm splints the first time from death gripping the buzzy cbr125 bars to give you an example.
You could show up with just your helmet and rental gear. They provide water and snacks between sessions. The second time I went, I brought a cooler, zero gravity chairs and a heavy duty coat hanger. You don't have much space as its a shared space with your group. The cooler was great as it was somewhere for everyone to put their helmets.
Thanks @Aens , @dexter - that's all great insight. Comments very useful in the photos @dexter . Someone suggested that I bring my own canopy; I know that's a thing for a lot of track day guys. Does that make sense here though? It's easy enough to pack.
As for camping - are there spots that you would suggest would be more or less desirable for whatever reasons?
As for camping - are there spots that you would suggest would be more or less desirable for whatever reasons?
PacoT
Well-known member
I'll say it doesn't really matter where you camp. If I recall correctly the "camping zone" is here (where I dropped the pin in Google maps)
The drivers meeting and seating spots between sessions are in the zone circled in orange. So if for any reasons you want to constantly go your tent between sessions park closer to there.
Also the washrooms are on the opposite end of the complex, maybe a five minutes walk. But I think that Mel (@Amazon) mentioned they were under renovations or something like that.
Stage 1 students are in the main gazebo. The individual canopies house the stage 2 groups (usually 2 of them).
You only need to bring canopies if you are in stage 3 as you would need shade for your own bike/pit area.
IF you have a tent or hotel for yourself, you do not need a canopy for Stage 1/2. This is an awesome turnkey experience. Come rested with a helmet and they provide everything else including water if you need.
There is one stage 2 spot left (RC390) for July as well as stage 1 slots. If anyone is considering going, the local motels are cheaper but don't have online booking systems (you have to call them). except for Veslo which I liked and is fairly close by.
Well this is turning out to be a fiasco.
I got here right before 10 which Racer5 told me was fine. Their email instructions had no actual directions so I used Google Maps. It got me to what looked to be the right place but there was nobody there at the gate as per instructions - if that was the right gate.. I talked to a guy responsible for locking up and he knew nothing about motorcycles or Racer5. He sent me up the road to where GoKart tracks were; he said something about motorcycle tracks backing onto that area and that maybe that was where I needed to go. I tried to follow his directions and ended up at someone’s house who said the first guy was absolutely wrong and that there’s no motorcycles anywhere near here.
Gate is closed and there’s nobody I can talk to.
When it looked like I was going to be late I emailed Racer5 to try and nail down what I needed to do an hour before.
Not sure where I’m going to sleep tonight.
I got here right before 10 which Racer5 told me was fine. Their email instructions had no actual directions so I used Google Maps. It got me to what looked to be the right place but there was nobody there at the gate as per instructions - if that was the right gate.. I talked to a guy responsible for locking up and he knew nothing about motorcycles or Racer5. He sent me up the road to where GoKart tracks were; he said something about motorcycle tracks backing onto that area and that maybe that was where I needed to go. I tried to follow his directions and ended up at someone’s house who said the first guy was absolutely wrong and that there’s no motorcycles anywhere near here.
Gate is closed and there’s nobody I can talk to.
When it looked like I was going to be late I emailed Racer5 to try and nail down what I needed to do an hour before.
Not sure where I’m going to sleep tonight.
Right here is the exact location of the front gate. Yes, it will probably be closed by now.
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Ok, then I was there right before ten. I was going to go through the gate but for the big sign that said not to pass unless you’ve spoken to someone in the office. But there was nobody in sight.
There were multiple gates I checked out after. One at the campgrounds , and then one right off the highway.
I met two other guys later at the highway gate. They got there late but couldn’t get in. We all agreed that the directions were not clear enough. I ended up booking a motel 10 minutes away, not happy about that.
There were multiple gates I checked out after. One at the campgrounds , and then one right off the highway.
I met two other guys later at the highway gate. They got there late but couldn’t get in. We all agreed that the directions were not clear enough. I ended up booking a motel 10 minutes away, not happy about that.
Sorry to hear about the confusion.
I have not camped there but I believe that if you arrive while the gates are open; just drive in (or tell them you are with Racer 5) and the camp area is the parking lot to the right where the motorcycle track is.
If you camped out nights 2 and 3, maybe, you can comment on where/how to camp and what to bring.
I got back last night. As soon as I got there and the program started, it was a great experience. Everything ran like clockwork.
Edit: I had a bunch of stuff about where to camp and then just moved it all into its own Racer5 camping thread along with my packing suggestions to avoid redundancy.
Racer5 Camping Info and suggestions
Edit: I had a bunch of stuff about where to camp and then just moved it all into its own Racer5 camping thread along with my packing suggestions to avoid redundancy.
Racer5 Camping Info and suggestions
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