2020 Florida FE SunshineNationals Marrch 7-8, 2020 Brandon FL (classes & info)

[HTVboats]

There are some gator sightings in the lake at Brandon but I have never seen one close to a boat. Seen one maybe 3 times in the 10 years I have run there.We have a small pond in Ft Myers where I have seen a small gator go after a boat during mating season but we were running really close to him. Soon as we put a retrieve boat in he disappears. They are very size conscious and fear anything larger than them.
We welcome all the guys you can bring. I think signups will take off after the Orlando race. I am surprised at the hydro classes already. The spec cat and mono's will be big also.
Mic

[T.S.Davis]

Sparkies!!! Woooooooo! haha

Talked to the 5th guy last night over a couple adult beverages. Nothing to do with the beverages but he's coming too. Traveling to races is a hoot. Meet some new peeps. Have some laughs. Oh and race. We'll race too.

For any thinking about this race.........if we (any of us) want FE races to go to we have to support FE races when they are made available. There just aren't that many of us. So consider it. By no stretch am I disparaging mixed events. They're great too. People who are willing to host and do the work required for an event are in my experience some of the finest people on earth and attending any race is in my opinion........well.....just about the most fun I can have with my toys.

So where's the smart places to stay? I'm sure it's like everywhere we race. There are areas to avoid.

[HTVboats]

Thanks for the opinion and I agree in the years I have been in FE there are not many large annual events. The "Nationals" MAMBA & IMPBA move around and not every year offer a stand alone format. We are hoping to build this event and the Brandon nitro members have been on board and very supportive. This is logistically one of the best sites in the country. The only equal or better site I have been to is Charleston. Ample pit area & parking plus self contained RV's on site. That and we have a March date in Florida which is prime. One hour drive to Disney on I-4 for the family you have to appease and some of the best Florida beaches less than an hour drive. It could become the best FE event annually for cold weather people to attend.
If your search Seffner Fl on Hotels.com your will find many rooms within 10 miles. The I-75 & Brandon Blvd (Adamo hwy 60) intersection has several motels and 8 miles from the site. Top shelf is Carlson Country Inn on I-4 and an older but clean no frills is the Brandon Motor Lodge, probably the best rate. There also is a large RV park, Tampa East RV park that has cottages. I think I usually pay about $100 at Brandon Motor and the Carlson could run $250 plus that time of year. As a group you might look at renting an RV as several large RV dealers close also. You won't put on many miles and can stay on site.

Mic

[HTVboats]

RV rentals

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1018606

some of these RV's offer pickup and delivery

[T.S.Davis]

We'll look into all of those. So no hookups for RV's? Just genies and self contained units? One year we had some guys rent a house in Leonard for our annual race. Worked well I guess.

We have some guys driving and some flying. We even have a guy coming in just to pit. Lunatics. Gonna be fun. Could really use some warm weather too.

[T.S.Davis]

Mic, what size course are you guys running? Is it all official and such?

[obrien]

Very happy to hear about your Group coming down to
Join us. I’m looking forward to it. I will get signed up just as soon as I know
What boats I’ll be running

[RayR]

Mic, what size course are you guys running? Is it all official and such?

Terry,

It is a six lap, one mile course. 310 foot straights and 40 foot radius turns, a bit of a hybrid between IMPBA and NAMBA. I am unsure if it is legal for records.

[T.S.Davis]

That looks fantastic!

Not everybody cares about records and such but my lunatic son has one particular boat that is a full second per lap faster than the current record. If he can keep it together he's got a shot. Down side is........he's not racing boats right now. Just cars so who knows if he can pin it.

So, will RV's be allowed right on the grounds around the pits? Does anyone else stay? Actually looking into that. We have so much fun at our annual race staying on site.

[RayR]

Mic and a few others always stay on site. So, yes, bring a RV and have a blast!

[HTVboats]

Thanks Ray for posting photos.
If you go on Google maps and search Dover District Park Dover Florida and go to Satellite view you can enlarge the site. You can actually see the buoys and seawall launch area. There is a sidewalk that runs north south along the pond. We drive on that and park and pit diagonally between the sidewalk and the soccer fields. We have a 60ft ribbon without driving on the fields to pit. A trailer under 30 ft fits, and larger can park at south end where the buildings are. In the January nitro race with 300 boats there may be 20 trailers and a few 5th wheels and coaches. I don't think we will have more than a half dozen on site for the FE race. Vehicles are allowed to load and unload equipment and canopies along the sidewalk and unless you have a handicap sticker you need to park at the south end parking area along where the building are. The site will be open Friday - Sunday. Maybe we can get some drone footage at the Nitro race to show the site better.
The course is 5 pin turns with an entrance or guide buoy maybe 90ft before the turn. Drivers stand is about 8ft above the water with judges stand above that so vision is very good.
Mic

[T.S.Davis]

No hook ups for Rv's correct? Need our own power?

[HTVboats]

Correct no hookups. Self Contained but no tents. It is a county park and allowing self contained is a big deal. There are so many RV's that time of year even the Walmarts don't want you overnight in their lots. You are welcome to use the portalets and water temp in the pond will be around 70 degrees so use Gater Repelant soap and have at it. Hasn't been a piranha sighting in decades. There are RV facilities within 5 miles. Temps that that time of year are 80's daytime and 60's overnight so for "Northerners" you won't need air conditioning.
Mic

[T.S.Davis]

Sounds like a scream in truth. I'll quiz my traveling com padres this weekend and see what they want to do.

80's!!! So sweet.

[obrien]

Mic it will be like summertime for those boys