You will want to sponsor this event

This event is, by far, my most anticipated automotive event every year. So please excuse me for a moment while I stray a bit from my usual event coverage and reviews.

Are you looking for a great opportunity to advertise your business to the automotive enthusiast community? Are you familiar with the Raging Bull Texas Stampede, now in its seventh year? Did you know it is possibly the best as well as the safest multi-day spirited driving event in the country?

If I have your attention and the below list gets your attention even more, email me at trent (at) reflectionsofthedrive.com

Registration and track fee include:

1. Spirited 789 mile drive through the hill country led by the Tourmaster
2. 137 miles of bonus runs for those who ‘Can’t Get Enough’
3. The experience of driving the most challenging and scenic country roads in Texas
4. Driving on nearly 200 miles of roads never driven before by any group
5. Experiencing the longest non-stop driving leg in Stampede history
6. The safest spirited driving tour in Texas, maybe the country
7. Tour of Austin’s best driving roads
8. Pre-arranged visit to private road course including several laps on the track
9. One hour driving class by driving instructor (pending finalizing arrangements)
10. The unmatched camaraderie of 35-50 of the coolest driving enthusiasts in Texas
11. Rush of adrenaline and numerous high-G turns over hundreds of miles
12. Several negative-G dips and zero-gravity humps (for the brave and fearless only)
13. Hundreds of miles of beautiful hill country scenery
14. Visit to an official border crossing station on the US/Mexico border
15. Pre-arranged visits at specially-selected restaurants with a variety of cuisines
16. Pre-arranged overnight accommodations with discounts, including one of the best cabin resorts in the hill country
17. Gathering around the (liar’s) firepit Saturday night
18. Planned surprises the Tourmaster cannot tell you about
19. Courtesy Vehicle to carry your luggage, other items, and extra tires
20. Paramedic and EMT traveling with group
21. Entire road trip previewed for road hazards
22. Detailed road maps of entire trip (between 15-20 pages)
23. Free products from Meguiar’s
24. Memories of an unforgettable weekend
25. The entire weekend is organized for you.

NASCAR Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway

While visiting the Chevy Experience at the Texas State Fair in September, my wife and I were fortunate enough to win tickets to the NASCAR Dickies 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway. While I’ve never been a big NASCAR fan, a legitimate car guy should be excited about free tickets to any race. I was very excited. Part of the package included tickets to the Chevrolet Hospitality Chalet in the Village of Champions as well as a pit tour. Sweet!

I must say, the NASCAR experience is a unique one. I’ve been to both IRL and Grand-Am races at Texas Motor Speedway, and neither will prepare you for the seriousness of NASCAR fans. The people-watching there is world-class. I’d highly recommend attending a NASCAR race to any gear head/auto fanatic. After all, it’s a race, and it’s a lot more fun to watch in person than on TV. What makes it even better is having a scanner. You can rent one there for $30 or so, or if you have your own, $5-$10 will get yours re-programmed with all the driver/crew chief frequencies. It’s a blast to hear the driver and crew chief discuss track conditions, engine performance, and car dynamics. This is an absolute MUST HAVE for any NASCAR race.

Check out my race day gallery and comments by clicking on a photo.

Thanks again to General Motors for the tickets! We had a great time!