FRS/BRZ owners around the Chicago Land Area

[spdfreak]

I believe it. I didn't go that many times but my kart was always competitive. Maybe I just got lucky with my karts. Maybe I just correctly adjusted the propane valve.
My understanding is that someone got hurt real bad at Melrose Park and that was what finished them off.

Really K1 just needs to get rid of that double track layout. That, and the 2 mph pre and post race laps. ZZZZZZZ

Anyway, hows all that snow?
It's pretty nice in Nor Cal! I'll be back suffering with you guys this weekend

[sickmint79]

i was ok my first couple visits while friends complained. i think i just got lucky. and it did start on the 2nd. there was one wall at melrose that was smashed to hell on a fast part you had to just hold on and turn, seemed like people had rammed into the wall plenty of times, as i recall it was busted something (drywall?) that they put a bunch of plyboard in front of?

k1 seems to have kept a 2 rack layout a la cir for the space. i don't mind, at least in the buffalo grove location. certainly always more fun to have a large track but i doubt the economics will work out well for them to do that.

looking for a place to store my brz and hide from the snow, mom sold me her wrx so now i have a new winter warrior...

[omfgwindmill]

I'm having difficulty finding used WS70 - 215/45/17. Anyone selling or know of anyone selling in the area? Willing to drive to meet.

[SportInjected]

^ just keep checking craigslist. I see them pop up once in a while, although you may have to compromise on the exact size.

[sickmint79]

Originally Posted by FT_86_SM_GP

Cool man! Looking forward to the frozen lakes, sounds insane!

I am here on an inter-company transfer from one of the big four auditing firms.

I am leaving at the end of April 2015, so I might miss the Summer in Chicago, but planning to travel to the West coast (San Fran, LA and Vegas) for a few weeks in May, so will hopefully get to experience some American Autocross's there....

Im formally from Durban (Coast) in South Africa, but have been living in JHB for 3 years (For work purposes).

so apparently 60 minutes ran an episode last night (going to try and watch it online) that exposed the lion park directly/indirectly funneling older cats into hunting grounds.

the place that organized my 'volunteer' program said the lion camp still has it but they are offering me to do others - i am going to do one that is based on training and reintroducing cheetahs about 2.5 hours outside of durban.

[sickmint79]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNfeyp2g68I&list=UUB7eBCpSy7gvXAfBhXMjXyA"]CBS News - 60 minutes - From Pets to Prey - YouTube[/ame]

[FT_86_SM_GP]

Originally Posted by sickmint79

so apparently 60 minutes ran an episode last night (going to try and watch it online) that exposed the lion park directly/indirectly funneling older cats into hunting grounds.

the place that organized my 'volunteer' program said the lion camp still has it but they are offering me to do others - i am going to do one that is based on training and reintroducing cheetahs about 2.5 hours outside of durban.

Thats cool man, Watched the video....

Sad indeed, Iv been to the Lion park in the video and to many game reserves where older lions are let loose (And where hunting occurs).

I have never hunted, and never will - Im against that crap, but some of my close friends do,(They hunt mostly buck...not Lions) and they really love what they do.

I don't really understand the thrill they get, but it seems they have the mind-set of hunting your own meat.
On their first kill, they are required(by tradition) to immediately eat the bucks liver (Raw).

Allot of people get emotional about hunting etc, but eat meat in their daily lives. Doesn't make sense as animals are killed.

There is no good way of killing animals. Death is Death.

With regards to the South African game park industry, it is huge.
It stimulates our weak economy.
Well bred game animals auction for allot of money, Eg. a single well bred Buffalo, sold last year in an auction for around $2mil.

A grown Lion costs less than $2000.
and the reason for this is exactly as the video said...its a financial loss having a Lion in your park, because it needs meat of other animals, which are really expensive.

South Africa has its own issues to deal with, around 50 people are murdered in South Africa each day...17 Lion murders a year...isn't on Governments priority list.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_South_Africa"]Crime in South Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I don't agree with the guys message on the youtube video... to STOP visiting Lion parks.
In a country that has over 10mil people living in extreme poverty (ie. that don't have food on a daily basis)...crying over 17 lives when millions of other lives are being lost... is petty.
(Shows the misdirection of peoples concerns)
http://www.southafrica.info/about/so...m#.VH_b_9XF8ig

Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing hunting Lions

Fact of life ...is that we all came from ancestors that hunted.

Looks like those people that made the video - created a dramatized story to save the lions. and thats great

But,

That man telling people to stop visiting lion parks should man the f#ck up.
Theres ways to work around issues like this, Eg. fighting for these types of hunting to be illegal. Don't tell people to stop visiting game parks.

And if you want to hunt a Lion ...it should be a fair fight,
No guns Just you and the Lion

Enjoy South Africa man @sickmint79

[sickmint79]

Originally Posted by FT_86_SM_GP

Thats cool man, Watched the video....

Sad indeed, Iv been to the Lion park in the video and to many game reserves where older lions are let loose (And where hunting occurs).

I have never hunted, and never will - Im against that crap, but some of my close friends do,(They hunt mostly buck...not Lions) and they really love what they do.

I don't really understand the thrill they get, but it seems they have the mind-set of hunting your own meat.
On their first kill, they are required(by tradition) to immediately eat the bucks liver (Raw).

Allot of people get emotional about hunting etc, but eat meat in their daily lives. Doesn't make sense as animals are killed.

There is no good way of killing animals. Death is Death.

With regards to the South African game park industry, it is huge.
It stimulates our weak economy.
Well bred game animals auction for allot of money, Eg. a single well bred Buffalo, sold last year in an auction for around $2mil.

A grown Lion costs less than $2000.
and the reason for this is exactly as the video said...its a financial loss having a Lion in your park, because it needs meat of other animals, which are really expensive.

South Africa has its own issues to deal with, around 50 people are murdered in South Africa each day...17 Lion murders a year...isn't on Governments priority list.
Crime in South Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't agree with the guys message on the youtube video... to STOP visiting Lion parks.
In a country that has over 10mil people living in extreme poverty (ie. that don't have food on a daily basis)...crying over 17 lives when millions of other lives are being lost... is petty.
(Shows the misdirection of peoples concerns)
http://www.southafrica.info/about/so...m#.VH_b_9XF8ig

Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing hunting Lions

Fact of life ...is that we all came from ancestors that hunted.

Looks like those people that made the video - created a dramatized story to save the lions. and thats great

But,

That man telling people to stop visiting lion parks should man the f#ck up.
Theres ways to work around issues like this, Eg. fighting for these types of hunting to be illegal. Don't tell people to stop visiting game parks.

And if you want to hunt a Lion ...it should be a fair fight,
No guns Just you and the Lion

Enjoy South Africa man @sickmint79

i can understand skilled hunting, but even the wild lions don't seem like they'd be that hard to hunt, if they are big and far from you and generally not giving any shits about you. and they certainly aren't going to care about you if they've had their bellies pet most of their life. it is sad that anyone would choose to go out and kill them simply for trophy collecting with zero sport involved. at least other animals take skill (bird with gun, buck particularly with bow, etc.), and/or can be used for meat; not like anyone eats the lion either.

i can see the economic argument made for places to keep this cycle continuing - although it's probably quite questionable how much of this hunting economy actually trickles down to help those in poverty.

from your crime links it looks like i am going to a more murdery area... the actual spot is 2.5 hours out of durban, and barely has anything on tripadvisor... the city is ladysmith. open for things to do there, particularly since tripadvisor says there ain't much! could be a good thing if i'm stuck with a bunch of swedish girls though...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIUkt6aHKxs"]Living with Cheetahs - YouTube[/ame]

[CatDaddysBBQ]

Originally Posted by SportInjected

^ just keep checking craigslist. I see them pop up once in a while, although you may have to compromise on the exact size.

No doubt - I got SUPER lucky getting a set in the right size with less than 1 winter of usage on them. Some guy who worked at discount tire who gets a free set every year for his TC. Paid like 275. Score.

[FT_86_SM_GP]

Originally Posted by sickmint79

i can understand skilled hunting, but even the wild lions don't seem like they'd be that hard to hunt, if they are big and far from you and generally not giving any shits about you. and they certainly aren't going to care about you if they've had their bellies pet most of their life. it is sad that anyone would choose to go out and kill them simply for trophy collecting with zero sport involved. at least other animals take skill (bird with gun, buck particularly with bow, etc.), and/or can be used for meat; not like anyone eats the lion either.

i can see the economic argument made for places to keep this cycle continuing - although it's probably quite questionable how much of this hunting economy actually trickles down to help those in poverty.

from your crime links it looks like i am going to a more murdery area... the actual spot is 2.5 hours out of durban, and barely has anything on tripadvisor... the city is ladysmith. open for things to do there, particularly since tripadvisor says there ain't much! could be a good thing if i'm stuck with a bunch of swedish girls though...

Agreed Dude

Theres lots of economic benefits derived indirectly, like the spending tourists do... when they visit cities in South Africa

Hey man....LADYSMITH...

Lets just say you are getting to experience extreme heritage of South Africa,

To be honest its surrounded by farms, game reserves, heritage sites (A few wars were fought there), a very quiet...calm place...

And to answer your question....Theres no reviews at Ladysmith...because people don't go there often. Don't have any high expectations. (Ie. Dont expect any Miami, Chicago, NY or San Fran vibes....Its going to be Texas and other states Vibes, lol)

But if you going to be among hot BORED swedish women...with lots of alcohol...you will be having the most fun in SA, lol

You are in an area thats not too far away from Both Durban and Johannesburg.

Drive to DBN and the coast +- 3 hours
Drive to JHB +-4hours (Add another 2 hours driving to get to Sun City Resort)
Flight to Capetown - Approx $300 for a return flight - can make an epic weekend

To give you an idea...Durban has a Miami Vibe
- Check out an area's like Ballito - Really awesome tourist destination clean, safe, awesome beaches, this is were "spring breaks" (rage parties) happen, but its not on the insane level like Miami Spring break parties lol

JHB has a Chicago/New York Vibe.
Upper class dining, good nightlife

In terms of motorsport:

You can check out this website for events
http://www.sadrift.co.za/

The closest race track would be in JHB, Zwartkops raceway
http://www.zwartkops.co.za/
You will find allot of the 86 crew in SA meeting there on a monthly basis,

Theres a track near DBN, but thats on the South Coast, which is also a great holiday experience, long drive...if you there might as well stay at The Wild coast

http://www.sadrift.co.za/tag/dezzi-raceway/

Hope that helps,

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by FT_86_SM_GP

1) Great fine dining / fresh food at low prices -(Cost of living in South Africa is awesome)

(A meal at the best restaurants in South Africa would cost you around $15 to $20 (with a drink). In the US(Chicago), a small portion of take-out costs me +$15)

If you are looking for good fried chicken, check out a Harolds Chicken.
They are notorious for being in bad locations and sporting 2 inch bulletproof glass, but the downtown location is super safe and I drive an hour just to grab carryout

Harold's Chicken Shack
636 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Maxwell street polish is another good staple of Chicago fastfood, make sure you visit the ones near UIC. If you see a guy selling socks out of a garbage bag you are probably at the right place. There are 2 restaurants next to each other competing for business and they will try to grab your attention to make the sale.

If you want fine dining, I can't really help as I tend to have absolutely no class

[Mikebrz]

Hey if anyone in this group wants to sell me their car im looking for one in this area too

[cjd]

Anyone able to recommend a shop in the city? Ravenswood/Edgewater area is ideal... I hope to find myself with an updated header-back and full suspension tweak by the time spring AutoX season starts; the suspension work is what's most important, since I may tweak the alignment as I tune things and would want a shop up to the work.

[agile30]

Originally Posted by cjd

Anyone able to recommend a shop in the city? Ravenswood/Edgewater area is ideal... I hope to find myself with an updated header-back and full suspension tweak by the time spring AutoX season starts; the suspension work is what's most important, since I may tweak the alignment as I tune things and would want a shop up to the work.

Hit up Touge Factory in wheeling. Best service possible.