Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan

Eric Merryfield · 12-27-2018, 08:19 AM

Greeting all, soon to be happy new year!

I have sold my LRE and am going to be towing it down to Bradenton FL.

Tow route suggestions? It looks like either 95 straight down, or 81 to 95 which is a bit longer.

I'm looking to show the new owner the ropes during their open test and tune. His first drag vehicle, so I am hoping they might prep the track, but figured I'd ask here and see if any locals have experience.

I do see they run a major NMCA event at the track, so I'm hopeful.

I'll be doing the same thing I did with my kids, giving him a detailed written manual, in the truck walkthrough, demonstrate, reinforce the burnout method so he doesn't break it in the box, staging, partial throttle run, etc.

What to do if it spins(ah lift!, etc.)

Who knows, might plant the seed for a Stock/Superstock racer!

Eric

Nmbr1GMfan · 12-27-2018, 09:05 AM

Track prep is always good, even at their Thursday or Saturday test sessions.

Jim Bailey · 12-27-2018, 09:06 AM

Eric, don't worry about the track! Most of the Pro Stock Teams test there on a regular basis …..and if there's anything you question, or don't like, the staff is very accommodating.

Brian Oakes · 12-27-2018, 09:13 AM

check PM

jmcarter · 12-27-2018, 09:14 AM

Eric, I’ve always used I-81 even though it’s further the aggravations are fewer. They test a little of everything at Bradenton so don’t imagine it being an issue. A lot closer would be testing at Valdosta, Gainesville or Orlando since their test and tune plus regular bracket programs kick off mid-January. Gainesville will be on brand new concrete so might be iffy for a while. Weather is a crapshoot with Bradenton being a smidge better normally.

Brian Fink · 12-27-2018, 09:40 AM

I have traveled from MA to Myrtle Beach numerous times .Yes, route 81 is longer . However, the flip side is you eliminate New Jersey and D.C.and as a result , the stress level is considerably less as well as the tolls .
You can pick up 95 by taking route 66 in Virginia to route 17 or stay on 66 to route 234
I would also recommend taking route 295 around Richmond .

Bill Harris · 12-27-2018, 11:07 AM

Bradenton is only a couple of miles off of I-75, and across the state (Florida) from I-95. If you are going I-81, there is no reason to pick up I-95, just pick up I-75 at Knoxville and head straight down I-75. Atlanta is the biggest PITA, but if you hit it at the right time it isn't terrible. Try to hit it at night. I almost always stay on I-75 through downtown Atlanta instead of taking I-285 around the city. It is shorter and not bad except for a couple of miles in downtown where I-75, I-85 and I-20 all mix. Avoid rush hour at all costs! If it is moving, the speed limits are a joke. Everyone is going 80 in 55 MPH zones. Once south of Atlanta, I-75 is pretty nice all the way to Tampa. Long trip!

Casey Miles · 12-27-2018, 12:19 PM

I would stay on I95 because it's pretty flat, but avoid the tolls around Baltimore and DC, take the x95 west, it adds a few miles but worth it. Around Jacksonville Florida, take I 10 to I75 it's only like 40 miles. Go south I75 for about 200 miles you are there. BTW, Maryland express way didn't accept my E-ZPass, so pay the toll there.

Chuck Comella · 12-27-2018, 12:53 PM

Eric, I have been making that trip twice a year for 20 plus years.
There are many factors to consider.. If you travel at night once you get around Baltimore ,Dc its not bad. If you do it during day it sucks. 95 to 10 to 301 to 75.. 10 to 95, 60 miles out of your way.. Ya I know 301 use to be a speed trap, not so bad anymore.
When I go 81 its 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 10 to 301 to 75. Stay away from Atlanta. 81 has a lot of hills, tough on tow rig. In the winter you can catch storms up in the mountains .

Dave Turner · 12-27-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Merryfield

Greeting all, soon to be happy new year!

I have sold my LRE and am going to be towing it down to Bradenton FL.

Tow route suggestions? It looks like either 95 straight down, or 81 to 95 which is a bit longer.

I'm looking to show the new owner the ropes during their open test and tune. His first drag vehicle, so I am hoping they might prep the track, but figured I'd ask here and see if any locals have experience.

I do see they run a major NMCA event at the track, so I'm hopeful.

I'll be doing the same thing I did with my kids, giving him a detailed written manual, in the truck walkthrough, demonstrate, reinforce the burnout method so he doesn't break it in the box, staging, partial throttle run, etc.

What to do if it spins(ah lift!, etc.)

Who knows, might plant the seed for a Stock/Superstock racer!

Eric

LRE???

12-27-2018, 08:19 AM	#1
Eric Merryfield Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 872 Likes: 1 Liked 502 Times in 130 Posts	Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Greeting all, soon to be happy new year! I have sold my LRE and am going to be towing it down to Bradenton FL. Tow route suggestions? It looks like either 95 straight down, or 81 to 95 which is a bit longer. I'm looking to show the new owner the ropes during their open test and tune. His first drag vehicle, so I am hoping they might prep the track, but figured I'd ask here and see if any locals have experience. I do see they run a major NMCA event at the track, so I'm hopeful. I'll be doing the same thing I did with my kids, giving him a detailed written manual, in the truck walkthrough, demonstrate, reinforce the burnout method so he doesn't break it in the box, staging, partial throttle run, etc. What to do if it spins(ah lift!, etc.) Who knows, might plant the seed for a Stock/Superstock racer! Eric __________________ Eric Merryfield 1883 STK

12-27-2018, 09:05 AM	#2
Nmbr1GMfan VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 1,763 Likes: 1,197 Liked 1,955 Times in 492 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Track prep is always good, even at their Thursday or Saturday test sessions. __________________ Todd Greene

12-27-2018, 09:06 AM	#3
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 674 Likes: 15 Liked 584 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Eric, don't worry about the track! Most of the Pro Stock Teams test there on a regular basis …..and if there's anything you question, or don't like, the staff is very accommodating.

12-27-2018, 09:13 AM	#4
Brian Oakes Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 570 Likes: 2 Liked 408 Times in 115 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan check PM

12-27-2018, 09:14 AM	#5
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,295 Likes: 2,380 Liked 3,174 Times in 971 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Eric, I’ve always used I-81 even though it’s further the aggravations are fewer. They test a little of everything at Bradenton so don’t imagine it being an issue. A lot closer would be testing at Valdosta, Gainesville or Orlando since their test and tune plus regular bracket programs kick off mid-January. Gainesville will be on brand new concrete so might be iffy for a while. Weather is a crapshoot with Bradenton being a smidge better normally. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

12-27-2018, 09:40 AM	#6
Brian Fink Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 173 Likes: 39 Liked 28 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan I have traveled from MA to Myrtle Beach numerous times .Yes, route 81 is longer . However, the flip side is you eliminate New Jersey and D.C.and as a result , the stress level is considerably less as well as the tolls . You can pick up 95 by taking route 66 in Virginia to route 17 or stay on 66 to route 234 I would also recommend taking route 295 around Richmond .

12-27-2018, 11:07 AM	#7
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Bradenton is only a couple of miles off of I-75, and across the state (Florida) from I-95. If you are going I-81, there is no reason to pick up I-95, just pick up I-75 at Knoxville and head straight down I-75. Atlanta is the biggest PITA, but if you hit it at the right time it isn't terrible. Try to hit it at night. I almost always stay on I-75 through downtown Atlanta instead of taking I-285 around the city. It is shorter and not bad except for a couple of miles in downtown where I-75, I-85 and I-20 all mix. Avoid rush hour at all costs! If it is moving, the speed limits are a joke. Everyone is going 80 in 55 MPH zones. Once south of Atlanta, I-75 is pretty nice all the way to Tampa. Long trip! __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S

12-27-2018, 12:19 PM	#8
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 703 Likes: 127 Liked 488 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan I would stay on I95 because it's pretty flat, but avoid the tolls around Baltimore and DC, take the x95 west, it adds a few miles but worth it. Around Jacksonville Florida, take I 10 to I75 it's only like 40 miles. Go south I75 for about 200 miles you are there. BTW, Maryland express way didn't accept my E-ZPass, so pay the toll there.

12-27-2018, 12:53 PM	#9
Chuck Comella Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 101 Likes: 51 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Towing from MA, then testing @Bradenton early Jan Eric, I have been making that trip twice a year for 20 plus years. There are many factors to consider.. If you travel at night once you get around Baltimore ,Dc its not bad. If you do it during day it sucks. 95 to 10 to 301 to 75.. 10 to 95, 60 miles out of your way.. Ya I know 301 use to be a speed trap, not so bad anymore. When I go 81 its 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 10 to 301 to 75. Stay away from Atlanta. 81 has a lot of hills, tough on tow rig. In the winter you can catch storms up in the mountains .