[Dr K]

If you stay at Shoney's, mention that you're driving at Summitt Point with the Porsche Club. $53/night (includes breakfast with waffles). Not the nicest hotel, but fine and inexpensive. I'd avoid the North Gate (ask me how I know)...

Unlike others, I have driven up the night before a couple of times.

X2 on emptying you car of all be necessities (i.e. while still home, remove the mats, extra umbrellas, boat shoes, assorted garbage, children's toys, half-read novels, obsolete computer monitors, and anything else you're dragging around in there). I generally leave in my spare tire, jack, tools, change of clothes, and a rag towel.

When you get into this, you might want a bin with extras:
Windex
Cloth/paper towels
hand cleaner
spare brake pads
extra brake fluid
a couple of quarts of oil
oil funnel
work gloves
shop manual

I also have a track bag of tools (TR uses an ammo box):
pretty full socket set esp. including 10, 13, 15, 17, and 19 mm
Deep 19 mm
1/4, 3/8. and 1/2 ratchet handles, extensions, and universal joints
Combination wrenches (need doubles of some sizes)
Screwdrivers
Razor blade (box cutter)
Hammer
1/2" breaker bar
Pliers
Vice grip