Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

Charles, I'll check and if I do, I'll bring it with me to Nashville next weekend. I'm not sure if you are interested in this.. but I think I might have a small shirt from last year.

94RHDFD

iTrader: (3)

Well another great year @ Deals Gap!! Thanks to everyone that came out this year I hope to see you all next year as well as the people who could not make it. It was great seeing everyone again. Thanks again.

John

afterburn27

iTrader: (5)

I also had a great time. Yeah, it sucks that it rained, but no one can control the weather. I still got a good run on the dragon, saw lots of nice RX's, and met lots of cool people. The only thing that could have used better planning was the "show" on Saturday morning, I understand why it was moved to the top of the dam, but there was a huge lack of communication that confused a few people. And remember, this is only the second year for this event...

Anyway, like I said, I enjoyed myself and I will probably attend next year's event.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I do appologize for the craziness on saturday. Around 8:45AM, me, SPOautos, and 20B John went down there and realized there was no picnic table, no restrooms, and the grass was wet (which means, good chance for people spinning their tires). So, I had to make a last minute decision to move to the top of the dam. All three of us went back to Fontana to warn everyone of the location change. But lack of cellphone service and bad 2 way signals, it was quite hard to communicate the message to everyone.

Next year, I'm not even going to try to have it at the bottom. Its going to be at the top of the dam! (easier access to the restrooms and the cover picnic area helped a lot when it started to rain).

PHIL

Zook550

Personally, I thought that the meet went extremely well, even with the weather. The people there were all fairly outgoing, and there were no total catastrophes. Making runs on the gap in the rain was intense, but I enjoyed all of it, and the group leaders did a great job on the runs and cleaning up a little before everything started.

Fire85GSLSE

iTrader: (29)

Also next year everyone should bring a two way FRS radio. We should have one channel for leaders (phil and others) and maybe break others into 2 to 3 groups and give each group a channel. This will help leaders talk to each other and then they can spread the news by switching over to the group channels.
The name tags was great this year as I got to see who I was talking to since I am so bad with names.
Well again it was fun.
Thanks to Phil for the event.

Wonder if we can do something like this say in the middle KY,TN,AL area so the people out more on the east can come.

DarkKnightFC

I had a great overall time. Unfortunately I was in the white FC who ran into the guys' FD. I was soo bummed that I just left and went back to the hotel after it happend. And I didn't go to the banquet or meet up with anyone for the rest of the weekend. I came back to the dragon today and ran it about 7 or 8 times and had a good time but I didn't want to drive around with everyone else with my car all busted up. Either way I'm thankful that it was still drivable and that nothing else bad happend I'll come back next year stronger and faster.

Although I frequent the gap as often as possible, there were a lot of wrecks this weekend, I believe that there were at least 4 motorcycle wrecks just today. Either way I wish more people had ridden the dragon today because the weather was absolutely perfect. But it makes no difference to me because I only live like an hour away.

Thanks a lot phil and even tho we didn't get to talk a lot you seemed like a really cool guy. Can't wait for next year.


Chris

88turbotime

I just want to say that i had a great time this weekend. I thought the rain would ruin it, but to me it was a lot of fun driving the gap even in the rain.

HUGE thanks to EVERYONE who arranged, directed, sponsored, or otherwise helped out with this event. I, and most everyone else greatly appreciate what you guys did. Thank you.

-Greg

PerkyStina

HOLY CRAP! I had a freakin BLAST. My car has some work that needs to be done so she will be even MORE fun next year, but wow... THANK YOU to Phil and the sponsors for putting on such a great event! I LOVED meeting all the people I've been talking to all this time... and I really enjoyed letting Reese drive my car some.

Even if she IS just a "Queso" N/A... and nothin' fancy like "them there twenny beez..." Oops... sorry... still have some of that mountain redneck in me from the trip.

Anyway, I really enjoyed meeting the SC guys... I can't wait to see you guys again. I hope to be taking a trip down to Charleston later this year. I'll let you know.

I'm SO sad my boyfriend was still on deployment! He will definitely be out to the Dragon with me next year! I gotta take some time in the next year and train him to drive the FC, though... Just wait til I ditch this stock 190,000 mile suspension and get some REAL struts.

Phil, I would LOVE to help in ANY way I can for next year's event. Just let me know where you need some assistance.

Oh... and I FOUND MY CELL PHONE!! It was at the motorcycle resort at the bottom of the Dragon. The guy there was watching for me, and remembered me, and knew it was my phone! How cool is that.

I about cried this morning when I couldn't find it! At least I made a good impression on the locals!

Ok... it's almost 1AM... it's been a LONG but AWESOME day... I'll post more tomorrow... but I HAD to post SOMETHING... I'm SO wired now that I'm home. Go figure.

Thanks again for such a fabulous weekend!

--PerkyStina A.K.A. "Stina" A.K.A. "Red" A.K.A. "Queso Car"

PS- now that y'all have met me, now do you get my screenname? I'm Stina... and I have a VERY Perky personality!

20B10AE

iTrader: (14)

Glad you had a good time! I can't wait to get the opportunity to drive your car once you get a decent suspension under there! It was really great finally meeting you...about time! Heh.

I agree...it's late. I'm tired...GOOD NIGHT ALL! I hope to get some video up soon

Reese

LizardFC

iTrader: (1)

I had a great time, even though I missed the barbeque and everything. Frankly, I'm surprised this meet went so well given the weather. Not only was it wet nearly the entire day, but a massive storm system nearly wiped out the Southeast the day before. Thanks to all who put this together and helped make it happen! Phil, I'm wondering if you still have the small t-shirt I ordered? I didn't make the lunch and I was too bankrupt to make the dinner either

Suggestions for next year... well obviously some better weather would really make a difference! I think that was why a lot of people were late or didn't come at all. But I think it would be good if the initial meet and lunch was longer. Perhaps the cruise could start at 2:30 or 3? It doesn't get dark until after 7 this time of year, so there would be plenty of time for driving. Radios or some form of better communication at the event itself would be ideal too. The group I arrived with actually spent at least 30 minutes at Deals Gap trying to figure out where everyone was at since a few people came back from the bottom of the dam and reported that there was no one there. I understand the reasoning behind the move to the top, and again the weather is what really got us here.

So overall, it was a great meet with a healthy turnout despite the weather and best of all, no one ended up on the Tree of Shame!

Edit: One more thing... next year, I think it would help us all a great deal if gas wasn't nearly 3 bucks a gallon!!

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

So the people in the burgundy s4 NA from NC...did it make it home okay? I think it blew up, by the sound of it, but they didnt seem too interested in getting help so I stayed away. I know they were on the side of the road oni a big hill again saturday afternoon leaving the dam, and again they said it was okay so i went on.

mrthundercleese

I had big fun this year. This was my second run of the gap and it was just as much fun as the first dispite the weather. Couldn't rip up the roads, but with all the normal traffic that would have been tough anyway (I got stuck behind a PT cruzer at one point haha). Every time I go up there It reminds me how much I love my car... and my girlfriend reminds me how much she hates that road haha. I had a great time meeting everyone and lunch was good, even though it got blisteringly cold. I'll be posting up my pictures later. I have about 200 to share . Thanks to Phil and the sponsors and all the other organizers for doing this for us. I appreciate it and hope we can keep doing it every year. BTW, that rx3 and REPU were freaking sweet!

The 8s roll DEEP!

mrthundercleese

Yeah, I was headed to the bottom when I heard you guys on the radio saying go to the top. Good thing we brought those along :-).

Also, I went to the bottom of the dam yesterday and there are picnic tables and restrooms (with questionable showers) on the opposite side from where we were going to meet. Only 3 of the benches were covered though so that wouldn't have worked due to the heavy rain during lunch, but it could be a place for next year. Only problem would be parking is scarce on that side.

darthrotary

i had an awesome time! was my first real trip in the FB and she exceeded my expectations! nothing broke and didnt wreck, what more can i ask of her for still having 21 year old parts? My girl was another story, forgetting her motion sickness pills, and carbon monoxide poisoning from riding behind the rx3(no offensive i loved your car!) she just about lost it! but was a trooper and didnt throw up in my car!(i love her)
Great job Phil and the guys, went as well as it could, but even the best made plans quickly go to waste but did a great job with what they could. I liked the rain, seperates men(women) from the boys(girls. and by the end of the day was absolutly fine.
only complaint, was at the trip going back up after the caravan down. should have waited alittle longer and organized the groups alittle better, there was still people coming down when a couple groups were heading back up, the people were cool enough to leave the dam alittle early to take pics of us caravaning but got left out of the groping to head back up and down ect.
ok apart from that it was completely cool, totally agree on a bi- annual, even if the turn out is smaller, its still worth it, maybe a fall outting, the trees changing colors would be awesome, even if they are going by at a blur,WOOT!,
anyways thanks again, i know this was only the 2nd time, so dont take anything bad, maybe just as a learning experience to keep making this gathering better and better. IAN

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I have to see. I took the day off today to just recoop. I'll check and see what I have

If I decide to organize it next year, I will leave any changes to the plan at the front desk at Fontana Village. So, if you don't see anyone somewhere, then go there. I actually did that this year also.
Regarding extending the meet/show/lunch... Last year, several people have told me that we stayed at the top of the dam too long. I think we left around 3PM. By the time we got to the otherside of the dragon, it was almost 4PM.
I thought 3 1/2 hour was plenty of time for everyone to meet/greet/show (10AM to 1:30PM). I'll extend it to 2PM... but best to just show up early as 1/2 of the people were there by 11AM.



I know, but don't blame me for that ITs like weather, I have no control over gas prices.. I think almost everyone who bought a shirt/lunch won something at the dinner on saturday. I gave out BP gas cards to help some of you out.

We also saw that, thats actually part of Fontana village (camp ground). If we had it there, I'm sure people were going to complain about the road leading up to it. If I remember correct from last year, the road was horrible. I think I bottomed out couple of times. So, we decided not to use that area.

When you say we should of waited, do you mean at the tree of shame?? Well, the problem of us doing that would be thats not our area and we have to share with other motorists. If all the cars we had parked there, we would face some issues. I did ask the group leaders to all meet back at the gravel area after 1 or 2 runs, but that didn't happen as the weather got nasty.

What I'll do next year is to meet back at the gravel area at certain time. But I guaratee you that its not going to work as someone else is going to complain about it (it will take 1 to 2 hours to get everyone at one location after the run starts)... Hence I had group leaders to take care of when to drive and when to stop. Its nearly impossible to control 50+ cars when they all have different ideas about the dragon. Most people only made 1 or 2 round trips.

mrthundercleese

Makes sense. The road getting to that side was pretty crappy. There were two big potholes and a bunch of loose gravel.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

Please continue to post about your experience. I know I sound like I'm making excuses... but in order to accomodate better next year, I need to know. Also, those who want to help, we need to have better communication between each and one of us.
I have a new GMAIL account that I'm going to use for just DGRR stuff. We could all communicate by mass emails and replying to all so that we could all read what others are saying. So, if you are interested in helping out next year, please email to: DealsGapRotaryRally@gmail.com

I need following people:
1. experienced Group Leaders (8 to 10 depend on the size next year)
2. Clean up crew (2-3 people picking up trash and such around the picnic area)
3. Parking crew (2-3 to coordinate where people should park)
4. advertising the event (2-4 updating the RX7 and RX8 forum about the DGRR)
5. Record keeping (1 person to keep track of who's who and where they are staying at Fontana)
6. Name tags (I think Holly volunteered for next year. Thanks Holly!)
7. Lunch crew (2 people who can set up lunch and such).

Once again, if you want to help, please email me @ dealsgaprotaryrally@gmail.com

Thanks for all those who helped out this year!

tom.jelly

I had a great time and thought it was very well organised- the gap eventually dried out and I had a bunch of good runs, and Sunday was a great day too. Even our ride back to GA on 68 & 129 was fun. I definitely agree that we should use the top of the dam, then maybe stick a few of those signs that poke into grass with a wankel logo and arrows pointing where to go or additional info at places like top & bottom of the dam, registration area, gas station by the tree of shame, etc, then if things change some magic marker or repointing of arrows would ease the confusion. Can't wait till next year!

Tom.jelly

SPICcnmGT

I think it went great and was very good, schedule and everything, for the weater. The only thing that really changed was the move from the bottom to the top of the dam. I also agree that 3.5hrs is plenty of time to meet/eat, and while you were there you could have set up a time to meet later if you really wanted to talk to someone.

I do think we need to find a better way to group to people, but I'm sure exactly what it is. Some people want to drive fast some don't, but then you have the different cars who have a lot easier/safer time going faster than other cars. It is also not fair for the older cars to get put in a group together just because of the performance, because the guy in the white 1st gen behind me and leo didn't seem to have any problems keeping up, and we were moving pretty good.

Chris

foozberries

Man I can't wait until the next event! My car will get that dent fixed and a brand new coat of Estoril Blue Metallic within the next few weeks, and I wish I could have had it finished before the meet, but the other guy's insurance company hasn't got back to us yet. Would any body else be interested in a fall event as well? The drive is only 3 hours for me, I'm not sure how far most of you guys traveled, but maybe if there is enough interest we can try to work something like that out?

mrthundercleese

Feel free to invade the rx8 event in september I'll be there.

Fire85GSLSE

iTrader: (29)

Thanks Chris for the comments. It is nice to know that other people notice the hard work I put into that car with the suspension and the motor setup. I know it is just a 85 gslse but she can hook those corners and is still a bit faster than a stock 2nd gen.
Next year the TII or the repu will probally go.....
Check out my stable of rotary power

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...=1#post5515543

Thanks to you and leo for that run!

Fire85GSLSE

iTrader: (29)

I just wanted to say that was one clean SA. Holla at me when she gets paint and shoot me some pics. Just above you will see a thread of my stable of rotary power. My 79sa with 71k is on there, check it out.
CHad

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I was going to say the same.. RX8 guys are heading up there in Sept. I was going to go last year but something came up at the last minute.

This year, I'm going to try and also try to make it to the Miata meet.

Chad, Is this the same 1st gen that I raced couple of year back?? Its one fast 7!