SAAC-33
AUGUST 15 - 16 - 17, 2008
THUNDERBOLT RACEWAY
MILLVILLE, NJ

>>  (click here for electronic registration)  <<

>>  (click here for print registration)  <<

Yes, we’ve changed the date. Thunderbolt is a brand new facility, still under construction as you read this, and it is scheduled to open in June of 2008. Two primary circuits are being built at the complex, and there was a question as to whether the larger one (2.25-miles) would be finished by the end of June so we opted to delay the convention by about 5 weeks so we can get the longer track (14-turns and a half-mile straightaway) and everything that goes with it....40 acres of paddock parking, 44 garages (each holds 2 cars) and 20 High Roller Suites (a special package includes two day beds, a garage for 2 cars, 3-day registration for 2 plus open track and/or race entry). For more information about the track check out their website:

www.njmotorpsortspark.com

Your next question is, probably, where the heck is Millville? It’s in the southern part of New Jersey, about 40 miles west of Atlantic City and 40 miles south of Philadelphia, PA. If you’re flying in, the nearest airport is Philadelphia; next closest would be Newark. Glutton for punishment? — fly into Kennedy or LaGuardia in New York City.

We needed the bigger track and paddock because we’re expecting a large turnout. We haven’t held a convention in the northeast since SAAC-25 at Lime Rock. That one set an all-time convention attendance record of 10,000 people (the track’s figures, not our estimate). It’s not surprising because the majority of members in the club are located within 500 miles of southern New Jersey. So, we’re planning for another large gathering.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAMS

There are no banquet facilities large enough to accommodate us within an easy drive so both evening events will be held at the track under a large tent. You can leave the sport jackets and cocktail dresses home.

HIGH ROLLER PACKAGE

Don’t want the hassle of driving back to a hotel every night? The track has 20 combination suites for two / 2-car garages which will be available for all 3 days. The Package includes suite, garage, two 3-day registrations and open track or vintage race entry for 2. Cost will be $2850.00.

GOLF CARTS

They will be available to rent. let’s face it — none of us are getting any younger. There will be 40 acres of paddock space to cover and it will be the middle of August. Think about it.

LOCAL HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

With such a large number of people expected, we’re going to manage the convention hotels a little differently this year. Usually we contract with the hotel to hold a certain number of rooms for convention attendees until a certain date, and then you’re on your own to book your room. When we have a large hotel which has 500 rooms or more (such as last year) it’s no problem. But Millville isn’t exactly the center of commerce and industry. Hotels near the track will be in short supply and they have a limited number of rooms. We’d like those rooms to go, first, to the people who support the event by registering in advance for the convention, so we’re linking room reservation at these hotels to pre-registration.

Here’s how it’s going to work. We’ll list the convention hotels on the registration form. You check the one you’d like to stay at and when we send you your registration confirmation it will include a unique code # that you will give the hotel when you call to reserve your room. You’ll have two weeks from when you receive your confirmation letter to lock-in your room. Without this number you won’t get a room. A word to the wise: we expect the near-by hotels to fill up quickly. If you want to drive an hour each way, go ahead and sit on your hands!

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS HOTELS

•Hampton Inn, Swedesboro (25 miles from the track)

No minimum stay - $99 / night

80 rooms (40 doubles, 40 kings)

•Ramada Inn, Hammonton (30 miles from the track)

3 night minimum - $89 / night

80 rooms (60 doubles, 20 kings with pull-out sleeper sofas)

•Hampton Inn, Pennsville (30 miles from the track)

3 night minimum - $119 / night to $129 / night

60 rooms (40 doubles, 6 kings, 14 kings w/pull-out sleeper sofas

We will be posting a list of additional reserved hotels in the next Snakebite as these fill up.

REGISTRATION FEES ARE PER PERSON/PER DAY. Everyone 16 years or older must pay the registration fee - either in advance or when you arrive. There is no charge for children 15 and under.

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION. After we receive your registration we will send you an acknowledgement by regular mail or email. An actual confirmation letter, event schedule, map to the hotel and track and car show information will come along after the first of the year. Also included will be open track information, in the event that you later decide you would like to participate.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS. Your pre-registration entitles you to reserve a room at one of the Convention HQ Hotels which are close to the track. Pick one and check it off on the registration form. When we confirm your registration we will give you a unique code and the hotel’s phone number. You call the hotel (within one week), give them the code and make your reservation.

THUNDERBOLT RACEWAY OPEN TRACK spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to SAAC National members or SVTOA members with Ford-powered cars only (exceptions can be made, on a case by case basis). Open Track will run all 3 days. If you would like to run your car but are not a member you will have to join one club or the other. No exceptions. We are expecting the open track spots to all be filled by convention time so if you are serious about running you should register in advance (a word to the wise). Open track entry fee is $100 per car for each half day (2 fifteen-minute on-track sessions). Two drivers may share a car (entry fee is based on the car — not the number drivers; the second driver need not be a club member). All drivers must attend the 9 a.m. Drivers Meeting prior to going out on the track that day and all cars must pass a safety inspection. The open track is NOT a competitive event. Please understand that. You are NOT racing. There may be a few vacant spots available on the morning of the event due to last minute cancellations, and if so they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis at Tech Inspection. We cannot guarantee that any spots will be available at that time so we strongly recommend registering in advance. When you do this you will receive advanced information which will help you to understand how the event is run and exactly what will be expected of you when you arrive with your car at Tech Inspection. You may run your car as hard (or as easy) as you feel comfortable doing. We run rain or shine; there will be no refunds in the event of less than perfect weather. We will be using Thunderbolt Raceway’s “Thunder” circuit: 2.25-miles and 14 turns. Leaded race gas will be available at the track at all times, The pumps use credit cards – no attendant is needed.

WHEEL-TO-RACING will be held on Sunday. There will be 2 separate race groups. One group will be for Cobras, GT40s, GT350s, Ford-powered A/Sedan and Trans-Am cars from 1966-1972. The other will be for A/Sedan, GT-1 and Trans-Am cars from 1973 to the present. All drivers must have a current competition license issued by a recognized sanctioning body and cars must appear-period correct and pass a typical race safety inspection. Detailed race information and entry form is available for the asking. Entry is $300 and this includes 2 three-day convention registrations. Do not pay in advance because you or your car may not qualify: Just check the appropriate box and we will send you an entry form.

PARADE LAPS. We invite any vehicle in the paddock to join in for parade laps during the lunch break. For $10 you’ll get 5 laps. Speeds will be held to 55 MPH. Passengers will be allowed and helmets will not be required. Parade lap fee will be payable when you go out on the track. There is no pre-registration for parade laps.

PADDOCK GARAGES will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 44 garages available. Each will hold 2 cars. They will be available all 3 days (no single days and no single car rentals: find a garage buddy and chip in). Cost is $600 per garage.

JUDGED CONCOURS will be held on Sunday morning. Entry into the Concours Car Show is by pre-registration only, open to SAAC National members only. The entry fee is $75 per car and spaces are limited to 6 cars per class (due to the time it takes judges to evaluate each car). You cannot enter the concours after you arrive. There will be concours classes for the following cars: Cobras (CSX2000 and CSX3000 cars only), Shelbys (all years), Bosses, Tigers and Competition Cars. There are 3 levels: Division I (stock/original cars); Division II (non-NOS cars); Division III (original/unrestored “Survivor”). All other cars qualify for either of the other three car shows. The same car cannot be entered in more than one show. Concours entry is on a first-come/first-served basis. Judging guidelines will be sent to all entrants. All trophies will be engraved with the winners’ name and car serial number and mailed after the convention.

HI-PERFORMANCE MOTORS is a display of Cobras, Shelbys and Boss Mustangs which are original or restored to appear as they could have been on a Shelby dealer’s lot when they were new. These cars do not have to be strictly original but must be period correct. Each entry will receive a participant’s award and all classes will be evaluated on Sunday morning by a team of judges based on workmanship and presentation. Cars will be judged against each other and not a standard of perfection. Special parking for these cars will be available all three days of the convention. There is no entry fee for participants.

SHINE ‘N SHOW will take place on Sunday afternoon. All cars not in Concours or Hi-Performance Motors are eligible. Each entry will receive a participant’s award and all cars will be evaluated by a team of judges who will determine the winners in a dozen generic classes. Special Shine ‘N Show parking will be available all three days of the convention. There is no entry fee for participants.

SVTOA SHOW will also be on Sunday. This show is open to all SVT cars. There is no entry fee for participants.

PARTS SWAP SPACES will be assigned on a first-come/first served basis out at the track. It will run Friday through Sunday. There is no pre-registration for parts swap spaces. Once you set up there will be no need to move; only secure your belongings before you leave for the evening. There will be a one-time swap meet space fee of $10 per frontage foot (spaces are approx. 20’ deep) — payable after you set up. This charge will cover the entire convention. Complete swap meet details will be mailed to anyone who checks the appropriate spot on the pre-registration form. All swap meet vendors and their staff must pay the daily registration fee in addition to the swap meet space fee.

FRIDAY EVENING COOKOUT will take place out at the track prior to the evening program. Tickets will not be available in advance – just show up for burgers and chicken plus the fixin’s. Then hang around for the program.

SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM will also be held out at the track under a tent. The program will be proceeded by a buffet dinner. Tickets are available in advance. They are $49 each ($15 for kids). We will be required to give the caterer a firm number 2 weeks before the convention. so tickets could sell out. We suggest you get yours in advance. It’s no fun standing off to the side, watching everyone else eat.

SUNDAY BBQ LUNCH will be held at the track on Sunday. Tickets will not be available in advance – just show up.

GOLF CARTS will be available: cost is $350 for all 3 days. We’d like a $50 deposit with the balance payable when you arrive. The track’s insurance prohibits anything other than golf carts in the paddock: no mini-bikes, scooters, 3 or 4-wheel ATVs , bicycles, skate boards, roller blades, etc. Privately owned golf carts must carry liability insurance.

REFUND POLICY. Registration refunds (less a $20 service charge) will be made if we receive written, fax or e-mail notification of your cancellation prior to August 1st, 2008. Open track refunds: once all slots have been filled there will be no refunds. In the past we have attempted to issue refunds to those who signed up in advance and then, at the last minute, found that they would not be able to participate. In the meantime all slots had been filled and we had to turn people away. In some cases not being able to run meant those people either did not bring their cars or did not attend the event. When slots became available at the last minute due to these eleventh-hour cancellations, those people who had wanted to run were not in a position to do so. The whole situation strikes us as unfair, so we have adopted a strict open track refund policy. No refunds will be made once the event begins or after the event. Credit for future convention open track spots will be issued. Dinner ticket refunds will be made prior to August 1st when written notice of cancellation is received. Refunds cannot be made after that time as we will have confirmed the final number of meals with the caterer.