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Rental Days Available At Thunderhill.

shell — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:15:01 -0100

Attention all clubs, organizations, track day providers, individuals, and production companies. Thunderhill Park has some great rental dates in February, March and April. The following dates are available now!

February: 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 16.

March: 1, 13, 14, 15, 21

April: 10, 11

Contact Shannon Ell today at 530-934-5588 ext. 103 or e-mail shannon@thunderhill.com today!

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The 2012 Schedule Is Posted Here.

shell — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:34:18 -0100

The Thunderhill 2012 event schedule is posted here. http://thunderhill.com/calendar/index.php

We have some awesome dates available for rent throughout the year. Call today at 530-934-5588 ext 103 for more details!

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The 25 From Another Point of View

stuart seitz — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:07:23 -0100

Much is written about the incredible effort and adventures of those who race in America’s newest race- rage, the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. All of it is enjoyable and most of it is amazing. Here is another story about the “25”.

The 25 all began when NASA’s Jerry Kunzman, one of those people in the sport who has vision and sees a different world than the one in front of him, decided that there should be a 25 hour endurance automobile race and that NASA should put it on. At this point most people would start thinking of all the reasons why such a thing could not happen and even why it “should not “happen. Not Jerry. Where to hold such a race was relatively easy as well for Jerry because that guy who has been at the helm of Thunderhill Park since before there was a Thunderhill Park, David Vodden thinks the same way as he does. “Everything is possible,” Vodden says and, according to him, the one desperate need of the sport is to continue to change, to make the sport different, exciting and the talk of the entertainment industry. Done. The vision thus became the “25 Hours of Thunderhill”. And the plan is to keep this event at Thunderhill forever, no matter how big it becomes or how many entries it attracts or how many other tracks and sponsors come calling with money in hand. It is, and forever shall be, the “25 Hours of Thunderhill!”

To execute an event of this magnitude takes a lot of work. For Thunderhill it started with getting permission to run around the clock. The County of Glenn said yes but not until track management spent time with key neighbors and offered overnight accommodations away from the area along with other incentives. The event makes sound and at 2 am, even a sound that will not move the meter past 60 db on the sound meter, can be heard as a hum and can be troublesome, especially if you are not a race fan. Done.

Setting up for food and fuel is a big deal too. The track offers catering to teams with more and more of them skipping the heartburn of Costco, stacking, delivering, cooking on small BBQ’s and taking all the leftovers home. Fuel requires the help of the good folks at Paul Oil and Mitch Hart of Sunoco. Estimates of usage are provided by teams through NASA and the system of assuring capacity is put into place. A tanker truck loaded to the top stands buy as inventories of fuel are burned off on Saturday. At just the right moment the above ground track storage tanks are re-filled and the second phase begins. There has never been a shortage but just in case, the track has a tertiary back up system in place with local fuel supplier Gandy and Staley. Most entrants comply with the NASA mandate to use track fuel but some find ways to beat the system. This impacts inventories and places the revenue from fuel sales outside the folks who have the investment in making the event happen. NASA is aware of those who fudge and has plans to address this game-playing at the 10^th annual edition of the 25.

Staffing is a challenge. Imagine the overtime! The track adds local kids from the Willows High school, Butte College to everyone that has worked even one day in the year and calls them all to duty. The event manager Ray Mudd gets the day shift as supervisor with team members Bob Maybell taking the Saturday PM shift and Shannon Ell taking the midnight to 6am shift. There is always a senior manager at the track during the event. The track CEO, David Vodden actually spends all the 25 + hours of the event at the track but at least 7 of those hours are on the track racing in the EO, E2 or some other class. Vodden has a different management perspective of the race. A three-podiums in nine starts perspective.

About 5000 people participate in the event with most of these folks coming along with the entrants in the form of family and friends, crew and sponsors and even car owners. They all get in FREE based on the entry fee paid to NASA. Another 250 attendees pay a single $10 admission to see the incredible spectacle that is the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Between the F-15 USAF fly by, the ceremonies and incredible start and the awesome finish, fans get more for their $10 than any other motorsports event in the nation. [Price vs. value].

As one might expect there can be some major challenges that come along when you combine all this adventure, energy and people into a single but great venue. One year there was horizontal rain and the VIP tent became a kite. One year there was fog that only the drivers on the track can describe. Some went through therapy to recover. A major delay from the fog made this the only 25 hours that did not complete 25 hours. There was a brown out at 11pm one Saturday night of the race that only exceptional work by track staff and PG&E crew prevented from being a major concern. The track updated this transformer by more than double for the next year’s event. In 2011 there was a power failure off site just twenty minutes before the start of the race. While it did not affect the entire system it too could have been major but thanks again to PG&E and key staff energies the race started on time under full power! Some of this stuff comes under the miracle category.

The list of activities that the track goes through to make their part of the 25 happen is far more impressive than what has been shared here but it should be more obvious that the execution of the northern hemisphere’s longest and fastest growing underground endurance road racing event is a big deal. As the event continues to grow and catch on in more corners of the automobile and motorsports world, future 25’s will be even more impressive! The work that will be done to make it all look easy will get better and better.

Next year is the 10^th anniversary of this most-talked about event. Plans are already in the works to make it an event that will be talked about forever. This started with moving the date one week closer to Christmas to get everyone who attends the PRI show in Orlando Florida to come calling. The 10^th annual 25 Hours of Thunderhill will take place on December 8^th and 9^th with testing on the 6^th and 7^th. Mark you calendar and be a part of the longest endurance automobile race in the nation, but don’t tell anyone. We want to keep this event a “happening” for that special group of racers who convene for no other reason than the pure test of man and machine.

See you at the 10^th annual 25 Hours of Thunderhill in 2012. ...

Awesome 25 hour video from Nitto Tire and Bullet Performance

stuart seitz — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:14:53 -0100

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The NASA 25 with LIFEBLASTERS

stuart seitz — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:27:40 -0100

Be sure to check out some of the awesome NASA 25 hour pictures that were taken by Geoff Pitts, Andrew Bohan and Joe Ayala of LIFEBLASTERES.

If you’ve never been to a long endurance race before, you’re missing out. At 25 hours, NASA’s annual enduro at Thunderhill is the longest in the world. Though it’s mostly amateur teams running, there’s no shortage of excitement, skill, determination, perseverance, hard work, and hard decisions. Click here to read more. ...

Farewell To A Friend...

shell — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:04:45 -0100

It is with great sadness that we must inform you that Jim Brian our friend and co-worker has passed away.

Jim had been our front gate guard and fuel attendant for several years. If you have visited Thunderhill in recent times, it was most likely Jim who greeted you upon your arrival to the track with a smile and his friendly, gentle nature.

Our condolences go out to Jim's family and friends at this most dificult time, and our thoughts are with you. Jim, please rest in peace and know that you will be missed!

~ The Team At Thunderhill~ ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

shell — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:48:47 -0100

NINTH ANNUAL 25-HOUR ENDURANCE AUTOMOBILE RACE SET FOR DECEMBER 3^rd IN WILLOWS, CA.

For the four days leading up to Saturday December 3^rd, race teams from all over the world will be converging on Willows, California for the 9^th running of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the longest automobile endurance race in the western hemisphere. The grueling test of man and machine will take the green flag at 11 am on Saturday December 3^rd and proceed non-stop until noon on Sunday December 4^th. Eighty six [86] teams composed of as many as six drivers per team will battle fender to fender, rain or shine, on the three-mile, fifteen turn road racing course located just west of Interstate 5 on highway 162 in Willows California. The overall winning team will have never stopped except for fuel, tires and driver changes and will have completed more laps than any other car on the track in the 25 hours that have elapsed. Other drivers will have done the same in their respective classes resulting in one overall race winner and five class winners representing different sizes and styles of cars.

“This is the most grueling race anywhere in the world,” noted event organizer Jerry Kunzman. “At tracks like Daytona, Sebring and even LeMans in France the endurance races held there are the result of years of practice and adjustment.” “Even though we have done this event on eight previous occasions, the look and feel of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill is a throw back to a time when racing was not about big-business and the competitors were a combination of driving talents and back-yard mechanics.” “This is a race that everyone knows about and talks about but no one wants to change.” “No one wants it to become a big publicity deal,” Kunzman said.

The drivers list reads like a who’s who of road racing but most do not want their professional race teams to know they are here. On Sunday at noon when the trophies are handed out there will be no big checks or long diatribes about sponsors. This is a race for racers! It is a bit of a cult event in the sport. Most teams that pay the entry fee say that it is an honor to compete and win in the 25 hours of Thunderhill!

Area enthusiasts and the curious can attend the opening ceremonies and Air Force jet fly-by on Saturday for a meager $10 admission ticket that is good for the whole weekend. Tickets are sold at the gate only. Parking is free and the start of he race alone is worth the price of admission and is a sight to behold. “No where in racing, no where in the world, will 86 cars ranging from high-speed LMP cars and prototypes speed into the first turn amidst Mazda Miatas, Honda Fits and everything in between. The potential for chaos exceeds even that of the Indianapolis 500.

Gates open at 8 am on Saturday when fans can walk up to the cars and drivers, some of whom they will recognize from national television and movies as well as racing. The line-up begins at 10 am and pre-race ceremonies, including the Air Force Color Guard and the jet fly by, will take place before the green flag at 11 am. Fans can stay until midnight and then return at 7 am on Sunday for the conclusion of the longest automobile race in the country. No over night camping is available nor is access provided after midnight.

Thunderhill Park is located just 7 miles west if Interstate 5 going west past the Wal-Mart on highway 162 in Willows.The National Auto Sport Association [NASA] is the event organizer and official for all aspects of the event. Food service will be available from early Saturday morning to mid afternoon on Sunday and include breakfast, lunch and dinner.Spectator viewing is done from hill sides and with some grandstands available. Parking and seating are included in the $10 per person admission.

Information about the 25 hours of Thunderhill can be obtained by calling (530) 934-5588 ext 100 or 101.

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THIS JUST IN: Thundehill is now accepting sponsors for our barrel rehabilitation program.

stuart seitz — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:38:52 -0100

Thanks for the video Viet-Tam Luu
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Special Offer From Our Friends At IO-Port

shell — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:47:50 -0100

Welcome to the World of

The Best in Safety Equipment for Less!

Order an SFI 38.1 certified Head and Neck Restraint on our Web Site between now and December 14, 2011
Enter Coupon Code "SCCA-HNR" to receive a rebate certificate for up to $50 good on future orders and up to $50 donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

Order a Cool Shirt Driver Cooling System Complete on our Web Site between now and December 14, 2011
Enter Coupon Code "SCCA-Cool" to receive a $25 rebate certificate good on future orders and $25 donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

Exclusions apply: You must be a SCCA San Francisco Region member; Rebate certificates is not valid toward gift certificates, tax or shipping and expire 12/31/2012. You may earn multiple awards certificates by purchasing multiple products. Certificates may not be transferred and will be forfitted if the product is returned. Products may not be returned after the awards certificate has be redeemed or past 30 days from the invoice date.

Funds donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park will be directed toward projects that specifically benefit the SCCA workers. Projects may include upgrades to areas such as turn worker boxes, the worker lounge, awnings and other things that make it nicer to work or play at Thunderhill!

Here are the full details:

Purchase a Head and Neck Retraint with a retail value over $900 and you will receive a rebate certificate for $50 off your next order and $50 will be donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

Purchase a Head and Neck Retraint with a retail value over $645 and you will receive a rebate certificate for $25 off your next order and $25 will be donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

Purchase a Head and Neck Retraint with a retail value over $550 and you will receive a rebate certificate for $15 off your next order and $15 will be donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

Purchase a Cool Shirt Driver Cooling System Complete with a retail value over $400 and you will receive a rebate certificate for $25 off your next order and $25 will be donated to Thunderhill Raceway Park

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Mercer Motorsports Going for Hat-Trick at NASA 25 Hour

shell — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:47:54 -0100

The National Auto Sport Association 25 Hours of Thunderhill is less than three months away, Dec. 3-4. Mercer Motorsports has filed their entry and will be going for their third win in a row.

Mercer Motorsports will field a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car with an all-star line-up of drivers, including American Le Mans Series regular Johannes van Overbeek; Grand-Am Prototype Champion, Jon Fogarty; Porsche Factory Driver and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona winner Wolf Henzler are joined by Rich Walton, and American Le Mans Series Crew Chief Tommy Sadler.

"Mercer Motorsports has won the event, overall, the last two years in a row," van Overbeek said. "I've won it twice. We're coming back again this year. The event is a great grassroots level race with a low barrier to entry and a fun mix of pros, amateurs, fast and touring cars. I ran my first car race at Thunderhill's grand opening in October of 1993. I've been a part of the track's growth in both length and popularity. It's a great track with many challenges in a beautiful part of California. I always look forward to going to Thunderhill."

The NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill will see a field of over 70 cars going twice around the clock plus an hour over the three-mile, 15-turn track located 90-minutes north of Sacramento.

"The NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill is one of our signature events," Jerry Kunzman, NASA Executive Director, said. "It is a great way to close out the year, running 25 hours in Northern California. We have Mercer Motorsports coming back and going for their third straight win. They have a great line-up of drivers with top endurance racing resumes and are the team to beat again this year. We are also anticipating strong private and factory entries making this truly a great event to close out the racing calendar." ...