From what I see in Google Maps, whether you cross at Fort Erie or Windsor or Sarnia, we all will merge at Cincinnati Ohio, and take the same route to Deals Gap.
So we could set Cincinnati as a rendezvous point; it just gets trickier to coordinate arrive times.
From Cincinnati to Deals Gap is about 5 1/2 hours. So maybe that could be a stopover for the night.
From Toronto to Cincinnati is about 9 1/2 hours, so maybe that is far enough for day one.

 

I'm going down with the detroit guys. I think we're all going to do it in one day, it's only 9 hours total from here.

All of us canucks SHOULD try and get together while we're at the gap though, even if nobody wants to convoy down.

 

I need to be in cincinnati for 12:00noon to pick up my Haltech. No idea how I will be getting there that early!! might have to leave at 1am!

 

Maybe we can travel together. I need to be in cincinnati by 12:00 noon on thursday. I might just drive down and stay there wednesday night......

 

You ridin' early? We got another RX8 R3 from Windsor going too. I think 9 rx'ers on the other side.


That sounds about right.

++on the meeting up, I will have some shirts to redeem then.

 

Considering we are all going to a rotary car meet there should be no problem explaining to customs the reason for so many similar cars crossing at the same port. It's very easy to explain. Print off the registration list and any other pertinent info from the DGRR website to show to the customs officer if it concerns you at all. Likely one of us will get held up, my money is on Marco. There are a number of places to stop and wait along the way. The story for customs is we are going to Bryson City, NC for a car enthusiast meet. Give them the dates and any extra time you expect to be in the states. Also bare in mind the questions they ask are more to trip you up in a lie then to actually get any information. Some officers will ask a couple questions, some will ask 30. Depends. The fact that there are so many of us crossing will only give credit to the reason you give for crossing.

Exits 15 and 18 on 75 in Michigan have truck stops. If we end up splitting we can all gather there, gas and food up and continue on. There is a grocery store in Bryson City which is 20 minutes-ish from the resort that has everything we need (beer) and some food to purchase as well. No point buying food the day before unless your bringing a big cooler. I say aim to be at the Timmies on Tecumseh across from the Metro grocery store no later than 11. I'm going to shoot for 10ish. Gives us all time to roll in, get organized, eat and kill time on the bridge if needed. I have no interest in mad dashing it to NC. From Detroit to Cincinnati it's about 4-5 hours plus stops if we drive like mature adults........ HAHAHAHA!! So I imagine we can make southern Kentucky before calling it a day. Have whitey85mtu possibly joining up with us after we cross. Remember it's vacation and I doubt most of us get more then one per year. Relax and enjoy the trip.

 

Yah, probably be me since I'm flagged. Although, I got through past 2 years no problem. Aside from getting asked why my car was so loud (i blamed it on a burnt out pre-silencer) and what the tank was in the back of my car which they caught in their scan (my water injection tank) I got through no problems.

thewird

 

Sounds like a good plan Chris. We'll see you there. Just not sure what I'll be driving though. The Rx-4 is still out of commission. It's looking more and more like the TII is going to make the trip.

 

Call me lazy but can someone make an updated itinerary showing all meeting spots and time?

 

10-11AM at Timmies on Tecumseh off Huron Church in Windsor on the 28th. 401 turns into Huron Church, turn right on Tecumseh and it's on the right side. Metro grocery across the street.

I know it's a bit of a longer haul for the guys east of London so we'll start a phone number list and just make sure you let someone know if your running behind. PACK THE CAR THE EVENING BEFORE YOU LEAVE!! No sense rushing around like a psychopath at 6AM trying to make sure you have everything before taking off. If you have to do more than shower, dress and eat your going to be very tired before we get stopped for the night. Make sure you eat. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get exhausted driving long distances with no food in your stomach. If you don't have breakfast and your up early you'll be nodding off before you get to Windsor. I've been there many times and it's not fun.

Leave for bridge at 11ish AM depending on if anyone is running late. Will wait til noon, after that you meet up with the caravan asap. If anyone is held up by customs for secondary inspection then those that clear will drive to exit 18 on I-75. There is a Pilot truck stop on the west side of the highway. Everyone can gas up there. When the held up individual clears send someone a text. I have a good north american phone plan so calls and texts don't cost me anything extra. Don't top up in Windsor unless necessary, gas stateside is considerably cheaper.

Drive til we all get sick of driving, aiming for southern Kentucky. Mapquest says 7hrs from Detroit to Williamsburg, Kentucky. I'll look into accommodations in southern Kentucky later tonight to see what towns have what and what the rates should be.

Looking at about 3 hours from Williamsburg to Fontana Dam. Add two hours for safety and to be there by 4PM we leave our lodging no later than 11Am. This allows time for multiple gas/potty breaks, vehicle issues as well as some spirited driving before the dam.

The rest is up to you. Keep in mind mapquest uses an average travel speed of about 55 MPH and no state we will be driving through is posted less then 65 for cars on the freeway. 70-75 is usually tolerated by the state troopers, but we are a big conspicuous caravan so let's keep it with the flow of traffic. Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee are 70MPH, Ohio is 65. Our driving to the end of the day will likely be over before 10PM if there are no issues (knock on wood). Someone will likely break down. I've had issues both times I've gone as well as others. Be prepared for that. CAA, basic tools, fluids and enough money for a tow bill/parts is highly recommended.

Registration/meet n greet at Fontana Dam is set for 1PM-6PM Friday with the group photo scheduled for 5:30PM.

The full DGRRXI itinerary is posted here: https://www.rx7club.com/deals-gap-rotary-rally-archive-262/dgrr-2011-event-itinerary-948909/

Numbers:

Chris (orion84gsl) 519-520-1446

 

Sounds great. Also anyone with FRS radios bring them. Makes communication between cars nice and easy.

Chris (orion84gsl) 519-520-1446
Bryon (Buggy) 519-881-8434.

 

I've got a set I'll be bringing.

 

As do I!

 

I am for sure going to this:
http://minitruckinnats.com/
It's right there in Maggie Valley. I'm going to make it a stop on my way to sweet hyantooga road on the east end of the park.
There will be some awesome minitucks there for anyone interested.

 

I have FRS too. Anyhow two weeks to go!

Chris (orion84gsl) 519-520-1446
Bryon (Buggy) 519-881-8434.
Ian (IAN) 905-767-1372

 

Should I get FRS?
Right now all I've got is Smoke Signals.

 

Looks like I'm in as well!

Thursday departure is when I'd be hitting the road.

 

Bryon, can you pick up my shirt and junk?

 

^ ya man, I'll grab your shirt and free bag of goodies.

 

You want him to grab your JUNK? WTF.

Less then two weeks! Can't wait

 

I missed that part about his junk....... I do not approve!

 

Ian, are you still rolling with the Windsor/Detroit crew? We are picking someone up in Cincy.

 

Man, I'm glad I'm in another cabin with all this junk grabbing.... But that OK each to their own.
I have FRS too.

 

a vid before I take the damn winter tires off and welcome the spring. I got a fresh new tune in the e-mail and ready to roll!
Shirts are being processed and I will post pics when I get them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_tRMe2ym6g
Terrh will recognize the location.

 

sounds good