Golden State Stunt Championships

I'll be attending my first Golden State Stunt Championship in Clovis, October 18 and 19, and I'm after some local knowledge. What is the field like, is it paved or grass, turbulent or clean air? What are the prevailing winds and typical temperatures? What is the preferred hotel, the Best Western Clovis Cole or the Comfort Suites Fresno? Where's the best breakfast dive? Is there anything else a newbie should know or prepare for?
Thanks for your help.
Derek Moran

its a grass feild really nice at the high school the temps will be anywhere from 69- 90 winds are usually pretty light ,all kinds of resturants around there is a lot of hotels around i will check on the prices and find the closest to the field

It's a great contest. The field is nice grass. It's hard to land there with paved-circle gear without the airplane nosing over. I've only been there three times. It was pretty warm for two of them. It rained for the third.

LAST EDITED ON Sep-02-03 AT 11:31 AM (CDT)
 
>I'll be attending my first Golden State Stunt Championship
>in Clovis, October 18 and 19, and I'm after some local
>knowledge. What is the field like, is it paved or grass,
>turbulent or clean air? What are the prevailing winds and
>typical temperatures? What is the preferred hotel, the Best
>Western Clovis Cole or the Comfort Suites Fresno? Where's
>the best breakfast dive? Is there anything else a newbie
>should know or prepare for?
>Thanks for your help.

The field is closely mowed grass, and despite what Howard said, my pavement gear works just as well there. Typically, the air tends towards dead in the afternoons, and the weather tends towards warm. One year, we had rain, but that was pretty unusual in the 15 years I've been going to the contest.

It's very well-run and for sure the biggest stunt contest of the year on the West Coast. Very highly recommended.

Clovis Cole and Comfort Suites, with the Picadilly Inn, are generally the preferred hotels. I might point out that you should be prepared for a bit of a shock on the price - the Fresno area seems to be a pretty high-dollar situation as far as hotels go.

Thanks, guys. This information is very helpful.
Derek Moran

LAST EDITED ON Sep-07-03 AT 03:25 PM (CDT)
 
I just got my password in order to post a reply. There are some good breakfast restaurants close to the event west on Herndon Ave. at Cedar Ave. There is a BJ's Country Kitchen on one corner (over behind McDonalds Restaurant - oh, yea, there is McDonalds for the quick and dirty crowd) and a Country Waffles over behind John's Incredible Pizza on the opposite corner. That intersection is LOADED with places for lunch or dinner. If you want dinner at Tahoe Joe's, get there before 4:00 if you want to eat within 2 hours. They open at 4:00. Sonic Burgers is an old style drive-in that serves breakfast now. They are located east of the school on Herndon. There are shaded tables and covered parking areas if you want to just eat in your car. They roller skate out to your car just like the old days. There are also more motels on Herndon such as the Red Roof Inn at Blackstone. With the new 180/168 freeway combination, it now only takes minutes to get from downtown to Herndon and Clovis Avenues, it is even possible to stay at La Quinta or something else downtown (maybe a lot cheaper) and get to Herndon and take it west back to get to the school. If it were up to me as a local, I would stay away from Shaw Avenue, it is just too prone to traffic. There is plenty up and down Herndon now.

If you haven't been around here lately (others that might be reading this) be careful about traveling North of the school. There has been a great deal of housing growth this year in that area and you may find yourself trying to find a way to get from point A to point B. Keep to the really major roads. Even that may surprise you. This is only going north from the school. I hope this helps a little more. Feel free to contact me by email for more info if I can help.

Rick Harvey
I'll be there watching at least - hopefully flying something in beginner.

p.s. The prevailing wind is out of the Northwest in the afternoons. Sometimes if a front is moving in they will come from the opposite direction. Sometimes if a light wind is coming out of the Southeast in the morning it will clock around to the south as the day wears on and die. Then the afternoon wind comes up from the Northwest as usual. Years of sailing at Milerton Lake to the North of Clovis/Fresno.