Lexfest 2006 Atlanta Poll!

[DaveGS4]

Please read this post in its entirety before voting

What is Lexfest?

Lexfest is the premier annual East Coast Lexus enthusiast's event. We had the first one last year at the Team Lexus facility (and other nearby spots) in Baltimore, MD and it was a great success with over 175 Lexus vehicles attending and an estimated 350 people throughout the day. For those that didn't make it, here are some links to pictures from the 2005 event:CL picture thread , Rolling shots , Afterthoughts thread , Tony's awesome pics from the meet on My.IS, my.is picture thread . We have an informational registration website (that is still set up for Lexfest 2005) at www.lexfest.net that will be configured for this year’s event as we gather a few more details. Please do not try to register on the site for Lexfest 2006 yet.

The Lexfest event will alternate north to south every year to give all the east-coasters a chance to attend and hopefully as it gets bigger and better each year start a luxury caravan tradition. Last year was 'north' in Baltimore, MD; this year we've selected Atlanta, GA to host the event in the 'south'.

More about Lexfest 2006

We've been working with Team Lexus to plan the Lexfest 2006 event for several months and unfortunately the August date for the event we had been discussing is no longer viable because of a change in their race schedule. The backup date we have is a bit close to one of the other major auto enthusiast east coast events (and one many Lexus enthusiasts in the SE attend) called NOPI Nationals, also held in Atlanta. The Team Lexus race is two weeks after NOPI Nationals and we're concerned that some of the folks that travel to Atlanta for NOPI may not make the trip twice with the dates so close together.

That brings us to the purpose of this poll... the planning team would like to gather member opinions on the date and related events for Lexfest 2006 in Atlanta. We need to choose between having the event in conjunction with Team Lexus during one of their races at the Petit Le Mans OR having Lexfest at one of the largest import car shows in the world, NOPI Nationals.

We still have a number of unknowns on detailed planning for both of these options, but your thoughts will help guide which one we spend more time pursuing.

Option 1) Lexfest 2006 at Petit Le Mans with Team Lexus

Location: Lexus Meet would be at the BBS USA facility on the Road Atlanta property

Date: Saturday, September 30 (with some events the day before and day after)

Cost: Attending at the race itself will be optional, but if you want to go the ticket prices are listed at the bottom of this linked page. They are $45 in advance, $55 at the gate (both including paddock access)(click here)

Informational Links:

1) Team Lexus website

2) Petit Le Mans Info page

3) Road Atlanta Website

Event Description: Lexfest at the Petit Le Mans

The actual ALMS Petit Le Mans race and visiting the paddock would be the centerpiece activity of the meet, but we'd set aside plenty of time for meeting with other Lexus owners, checking out their rides, special tours and presentations by Lexus-vendors, etc. BBS USA, a sponsor of Team Lexus has graciously offered use of their Road Atlanta facilities for the Lexfest event.

Event Description (Race Event)

The Petit Le Mans is already shaping up as one of the premier motorsports events in the world. Scheduled for Sept. 27-30, Petit Le Mans will again feature the 1,000-mile/10-hour format that races into the night.

The competition will be terrific, with the Road Atlanta debut of the new Porsche RS Spyder, the exciting new Audi R10 diesel, a stronger Dyson team with the new twin turbo Lola AER, the return of BMW and the addition of the new Lexus.

It will be a coming out party of incredible magnitude – an event you don’t want to miss! The 10-hour, 100-mile American Le Mans Series race is set for Saturday, Sept. 30, following three days of practice, qualifying and support races including SCCA Speed World Challenge Touring and GT, Panoz GT Pro Series, new IMSA Lites, Star Mazda and IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

It’ll be a family festival type event! Don’t forget the Autograph Party in the Paddock, or the Grid Walk. Remember: every ticket includes Free Paddock access so you can see the cars up close. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission. Bring a picnic or camp all weekend.

Pros for Lexfest at Petit Le Mans

Lexus-exclusive events at the BBS facility and other locations

Get to see new race-prepped IS350 and other cool cars in race setting

Team Lexus and Lexus Corp maximum participation

Lexus-specific vendor participation and demonstrations

Frees up Sunday for secondary events (whereas the NOPI show is a 2-day event which continues on Sunday)

Cons for Lexfest at Petit Le Mans

Difficult for those traveling to attend NOPI Nationals to do both events

Lesser variety of 'things to do' during the day compared to NOPI

(Optional) Cost to enter race / paddock to view the race

Car judging unknown at this point (may / may not do it this year)

Lodging availability

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Option 2) Lexfest 2006 at NOPI Nationals

Location: Atlanta International Speedway

Date: Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17

Cost: To enter (or bring) your car into the NOPI event, the cost is $70 for early bird, $80 later. The fee includes entrance fees for you and a passenger. Spectator passes are $40 for the weekend. For more details and costs for entry of other contests (such as burnout, dyno, audio, etc) (click here for full registration and ticket details)

Informational Links:

1) NOPI Nationals 2006 website

2) NOPI map of the speedway, our Lexus spot is typically "Black C" right next to (under) the Drift area on the main entrance road

3) NOPI 2005 Gallery will give you an idea of the WIDE variety of vehicles, people (some NWS) and events

4) Atlanta Motor Speedway Website

Event Description: Lexfest at NOPI Nationals 2006 on Sept 16 - 17

Every year we have a large (40 – 50 cars) Lexus turnout for the NOPI Nationals car show comprised mainly of ClubLexus, my.is and SELOC members. We have a good relationship with the NOPI owners (who are Lexus owners as well) and they get us great positioning on the main entry road. There is ample time for hanging out and in past years we've grilled out as a group.

NOPI is a pretty wild car show with every kind of import (and many non-imports) you could imagine. There are plenty of cool rides from NSXs to show cars with a sliding scale down to the rust and primer Civic with a giant wing. Other than our group, there is only a moderate higher-end car presence with the majority of the cars being sport compacts.

There are hourly events going on from drift demos by famous drivers, burnout contests, dyno and sound contests. Scantily clad import models stroll around and there are booty shake competitions and jello wrestling contests. http://www.nopinationals.com/2006/default.cfm]For further details about the NOPI Event schedule, click here

This is the 18th Annual NOPI NATIONALS Motorsports Supershow, which is now the largest in the world. A crowd in excess of 90,000 will be on hand to view the contests and over 7000 show cars and trucks. The NOPI NATIONALS has 7 show divisions with over 300 classes and cash and prizes exceeding $100,000

Pros for Lexfest at NOPI

One of the worlds largest Import Showcases

Variety of auto models represented at this massive car show, more to see

More activities running all day long

Less planning required, event already set up

More media coverage

Formal Judging, several contests available

Large national vendor participation (TRD, audio vendors such as JL, Eclipse, etc)

Cons for Lexfest at NOPI

Unknown Lexus Corporate / Team Lexus participation (likely minimal)

Not a Lexus-only event

Higher and required cost for registration of our cars into show for entry

Comparatively not as family-friendly event / more reflective of 'import scene'

Car show timing (all day Saturday and Sunday starting early) reduces capability for secondary events

Hotels also at premium during NOPI, traffic issues at track are a royal pain getting in & out

Reduced participation by Lexus vendors due to cost to set up at NOPI

What we need from you

Considering the options and details above (and any others you want to research and comment on here) please vote on the options listed in this poll. If you can make both dates for Lexfest at Petit Le Mans and NOPI Nationals that’s the optimal solution, but we realize that’s a lot of time away from family and home for those that don’t live near Atlanta.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the options the planning team is pursuing, please vote in the poll above and comment or ask questions! We will have a number of secondary activities outside the 'main events' outlined above that we'll roll out at a later time.

[SKperformance]

Hat's off to you again Dave for another years meet with lots of planning on your end.

Last years was great and this should be even better.

It is unfortunate the 2 things could not be combined or atleast 1 week apart so i could have time to visit family during the week.

Especially since i have always wanted to go down to the "dirty south".

I'd love to attend another "Lexus" only event but the nopi nationals is something i always wanted to do also.

If i can be of any help ,drop me a line.

[1SICKLEX]

Hat's off to you again Dave for another years meet with lots of planning on your end.

Last years was great and this should be even better.

It is unfortunate the 2 things could not be combined or atleast 1 week apart so i could have time to visit family during the week.

Especially since i have always wanted to go down to the "dirty south".

I'd love to attend another "Lexus" only event but the nopi nationals is something i always wanted to do also.

If i can be of any help ,drop me a line.

Well many of us in Atlanta will be at both, this is our 5th year at NOPI so hit me up if you want to join us.

Lexfest will be MAGNIFICENT!!!

[DaveGS4]

OK all we're moving forward with detailed planning for Lexfest at Petit Le Mans. Mark your calendars!

More updates as we finalize events, schedules and guests :) Once we have enough detail on the secondary events we'll update the Lexfest website - thanks to CL member Hameed - and open it up for 2006 registration.