Wednesday was the traditional ar-
rival day, the day before everything on
the schedule came to life. People began
filtering into the hotel after noon. We
would not be allowed into the track
until 5 p.m. so you could sense the an-
ticipation. As usual, cars and tow rigs
began to line up early outside the
track. For registration we were as-
signed a small out-building within
sight of the tunnel and as people
began filtering through, the registra-
tion rhythm began to take hold.
Once inside the track, people were
able to find a spot to plant themselves
for the weekend, and Tech Inspection
was open. That proved extremely help-
ful to anyone running the open track
the following day. Those showing up at
the track for the first time on Thurs-
day found them in a time crunch. They
had to get through SAAC registration,
find a spot in the paddock to set up
and get theit car through Tech Inspec-
tion. All the time looking at their
wristwatch because the driver’s meet-
ing started at 7:15 a.m. and partici-
pants had to be there, no exceptions.
The SAAC-40 schedule had noth-
ing planned for Wednesday evening so
everyone was able to socialize; some-
thing a lot of people said there was
never enough time to do at conven-
tions.
The convention officially began on
Thursday morning with the usual hus-
tle and bustle. Once the cars began lin-
ing up for their open track sessions
things seemed to relax a bit as every-
one started to get acclimated to the
flow of the event.
The open track went smoothly, as
befits an activity that we have had
over thirty years of experience plan-
ning and running. Each run group got
out on the track three times before the
parade laps began at noon. There were
no incidents which might have re-
quired the yellow flags coming out,
which made participants happy. When
yellow flags are thrown, the clock for
the run group’s session keeps running
even though the cars do not.
The parade laps are popular be-
cause they allow conventioneers to ex-
perience the track without putting
their cars at risk. It also provides the
opportunity for car owners to give
rides to family members, including
kids, or friends. Turning the wheel
over to a wife, son or daughter is an
excellent way to show them what
lights your fire.
The SHELBY AMERICAN
274 Fall 2015