DC Area Spring Road-Trip 2015
 

It's spring time again, sorry I haven't gotten this thread up sooner. I've been way to busy this year so far and it is not slowing down. Usually I give everyone a vote about what day we are going for, but since I can only make it one weekend, I am pulling organizer rights and saying that it will be either April 11th or 12th. That's right, either Saturday or Sunday. Hopefully we get good weather. If you have not heard about the spring cruise tradition be sure to check out some of the previous trips (HERE,HERE, HERE, HERE ,HERE, HERE, and HERE)


We are going to go the same route we did in the Fall (MAP) Hopefully without any mishaps this time. If you are not familiar here is a map from before. The trip is out to the Shenandoah, a cruise along Skyline Drive, then back to Ashburn for some beer at the Lost Rhino Brewery. I am open to other final locations as well, last year we finished at Old Bust Head and it was very good as well.

As per our usual, we will be starting the trip at a breakfast establishment for everyone who is interested to get some grub. This gives us the opportunity to show up at more flexible times. If you want to eat, make sure you are there with enough time to get your bill taken care of before we leave the parking lot. Departure time will be 10am, even if you aren't there for food make sure you are there EARLY. We'll be standing around chatting anyway and if you are late you run the risk of us leaving without you. Then you will have no other choice but to try and catch us up after we've already woken up all the law enforcement with our loud exhausts.

Remember: These meets are more about the people then the cars. Having your car be down for service is part of owning an Rx-7. Feel free to show to the meeting spot and grab a ride along with someone else, or if you want to drive along with us in something else that is cool too.

Once you decide that you are in, vote for either Saturday or Sunday. Also, list your screen name and real name below, along with what day you are interested in, so I can have a running tally of who is showing up.

https://www.rx7club.com/members/he-s...8-10-30169.jpg

Also, it appears there is a thread for another group going on the 18th if you can't make this one.

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky

I will be out of town that week :( so no redemption for me from the last trip...

Rotaryrich- Rich (shocking I know)

I'm off for the weekend so I'll most likely be able to do both so I just choose my preference which would be Sunday

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky
2. Rotaryrich - Rich
3. Zoolander - Duc

I vote for Sunday. As for a lunch suggestion, I was recommended to try a burger at Spelunkers in Front Royal. Their parking lot looks to meet our requirements.

Spelunkers

Sounds good to me, I like burgers. It's up to the whole group though.

u can lead all the rx7 guys. i think its lil different cruising with other rides this time. I think its gonna be fine. it should be a good turn out.

Not hatin' on your group. I'd go to both or consider doing ours with your group if I could, but I'm going to be out of town on the 18th.

Throw me down for Sunday. I never know if I get Saturday work.

18th is out for me. Be down at DGRR.

Sunday would be better for me.

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky
2. Rotaryrich - Rich
3. Zoolander - Duc
4. jl1rx7 - Jack
5. wesmcbride - Wes

As usual, can't make it. I have an Open House on Sunday and something going on Saturday morning.

That's a shame, we still haven't talked about real estate yet...

There's supposed to be a check in the mail for my 'Vert tomorrow, if the guy makes his final decision to buy the car when it's here and he comes back maybe you can come down and help me with the FD if time allows! I'm still not sure if it's got a new set of '99 spec or stock twins on it. The y-pipe is metal instead of plastic which is throwing me off in conjunction with me knowing nothing about them yet.

I'm glad I made the cruise last year, it was a blast. I'm hoping my downsizing of things will allow me more time to take care of other business so I can make events again.

I'd love to go on this cruise as one of a few last drives before I sell her, but as luck would have it, I'm still gonna be in the desert.

Hope you guys have a good time. Be sure to grab some good pics!

Mike

That's a shame Mike, do you have a buyer already?

Looks like we are doing the 12th everybody, hopefully the forecast stays clear.

Another trip, another time I have to pass due to no running car -_-

I might try to come if my car is together.... it would be a great opportunity to break in the new diff...

I think I'm down if it's a sunday...

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky
2. Rotaryrich - Rich
3. Zoolander - Duc
4. jl1rx7 - Jack
5. wesmcbride - Wes
6. Anderson Chen - Anderson Chen (I really gotta do something bout my SN)

Guess who's un-banned now??? :rofl:

I'd be down for the 12th.. Weather is looking to be rather shitty all week, Saturday may still be rather damp on the roads..

I'll see if I can't drag the wife along in the Miata again.. I don't think we'd stick around for the evening though.. Our wedding anniversary is the 13th and I'm flying to Las Vegas that afternoon, so I'll likely break away in the early afternoon to hit up a dinner date :)

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky
2. Rotaryrich - Rich
3. Zoolander - Duc
4. jl1rx7 - Jack
5. wesmcbride - Wes
6. Anderson Chen - Anderson Chen (I really gotta do something bout my SN)
7. fendamonky - Levi

Interested.

1. He's On Toroids - Rocky
2. Rotaryrich - Rich
3. Zoolander - Duc
4. jl1rx7 - Jack
5. wesmcbride - Wes
6. Anderson Chen - Anderson Chen (I really gotta do something bout my SN)
7. fendamonky - Levi
8. BadLobo - Bryce

Good to have you back Levi, Anderson. Welcome Bryce.

We are still looking good on weather, hopefully it holds strong.

Yup yup, thanks Rocky. Also, I spoke to the boss about this last night. She's game to go, so I've got the green light! :awesome::lol:

a couple guys that live in my building wanted to come along, a mustang and a golf. is that cool?

Sorry for the late reply but I've got no problem with you inviting your other friend's/enthusiasts along. As long as you vouch for them that they are going to be cool and not cause trouble, the more the merrier.

DAMN I missed another one of these, saw a SSM with cage / wing on Liberia & my buddy messaged me about a white FD on fire rt66?!?! O.O Was wondering why all the FDs were out today. Hope everyone is ok & you guys have fun. Maybe I'll catch the fall run

Edit: If anyone is checking the forum along your stops PM me with timing or shoot me your phone number, I might be able to meet at lunch point & join for a little driving.

Drove out to spelunkers, man what a burger. Gonna hang here for a bit. FD parked in the pharmacy lot next door

I will try to get the pics up here in a few days. It doesn't want to play nice for some reason. Have them all over on Facebook or Google+ in the mean time.

To all the RX7 friends who stopped by and helped put out the fire... especially the lady who sacrificed her starbucks coffee, I am in debt to you all. Duc, thanks for the fire extinguisher...
Fenda... thanks for your poland spring!? Rocky, and everyone else...thanks for your support...

It could've been a lot worse and I'm just very grateful for the quick actions of everyone. I was just in shock...

In anycase, I know what caused the fire... my damn fan relays acted funny this morning but I didn't give it a second though. It was tucked right underneath those lights... Grr...

I've taken my UIM, TB, and some pipes....and realized I've burnt through all the hoses, wiring, solenoids, and anything else that's plastic. I've melted the top of my injectors... I have a small fuel leak that's I've managed to plug for now. The rats nest is completely destroyed (maybe not a bad thing), but I think my insurance is going to total the car...

I'm left with the debate whether to buy back and fix, or just let them take her. Quite honestly, she's just been sittin' in my garage lookin' pretty and I don't enjoy her as much as I should. I drive an SUV to work day in and day out cuz I'm responsible for the pickup and drop off of my kids. My weekends have just been all focus on the kids... today, I was just thinking as I was driving LATE to the meet (sorry guys) how much I missed driving her...

Anyways, just thought I'd get some input from the crowd...

I would keep her man!! Unless your insurance is gunna give a competitive price (as opposes to some unrealistically low kbb quote) that you can use to get another, than I'd def keep it.

You gotta figure that the plastic/rats nest stuff is replaceable, I mean how many shops have that stuff laying around after a single turbo upgrade?

I say keep it, I bet there's a good chance other members have bits that you lost and would be willing to sell them cheap if not outright donating them!

Oh, and no worries on the water :) it was just tap water from home. I'm just glad I filled up the 3 liter jug and threw it in my trunk that morning!!


Like I mentioned yesterday, my front body harness is yours if you want it, as is my abs stuff. Also I've got a pair of ev14 850 injectors you can have if ya want them (you'll want them flow tested though, they've been sitting in a sandwich bag for a few years).

I don't have any twin turbo stuff, but if you wanna go single I can sell you my a-spec turbo kit for stupid cheap (I want to go dual wg anyway).

Anderson, all of our hearts go out to you. It could happen to anyone of us and I guess that is why it hits so home. I was kicking myself the whole day for not remembering to put my extinguisher back in the car that morning (I've been carrying it in other cars since I rarely drive the FB). Let us know if you don't want pics of it posted, and we'll keep them offline

If the ins co. totals it, I'd buy it back and fix it personally. Your car was just to pretty to give up on and it seems like we were able to catch it before it got too hot. I'd have a professional inspect the passenger side frame area just to make sure the metal didn't get hot enough to get brittle. If it doesn't need any frame repair, It probably won't be that hard of a fix and will be well worth it. As long as everything is well documented as to what happened and how it was fixed properly, the salvage title you'd have isn't going to devalue the car that much.

Keep the car, I don't have as many spare parts laying around as Levi does but I'll help in any way that I can. This will give you a reason to spend more time with the car too.

I always describe my FD as temperamental. If I don't spend time with her, or pay her attention, she usually comes back and bites me. If I take her out and drive her every so often, she runs just fine. Maybe your car just really wants your attention...

Rocky and everyone,

Thanks again. I'd like to ask that you not post any of my flaming 7 pictures online. Just a little too personal right now to share with the world. I don't mind our rotary family, but I can imagine how they would caption this tragedy....

A

A, that's kind of what I figured. No problem at all.

Here's some from the lookout and of the sweet GT6 that stopped for a chat:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dl...k2c=w1397-h788

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...130627_936.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...130635_401.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h...130645_959.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...130654_651.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E...130701_350.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1...130710_648.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8...134140_736.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...134248_327.jpg

Definitely keep her...I wish I had not missed this thread I would have been down for a drive.

Keep an eye on the DC area thread, I usually post up there when a new cruise thread is formed. We were talking about possibly doing something before the fall together but at the very least keep look out for the Fall, end-of-season cruise too.

What do you drive, that beauty in your avatar? I spend a decent amount of time at (S)lower Delaware beaches during the summer. If you see a black FD rolling around say hi.

Anderson - yeah, ditto on everything Rocky and Levi said. I'm glad my extinguisher helped but I'm sorry it wasn't fully operational. Now I know I need to keep an updated extinguisher in the car and I'm truly sorry it was your car that taught me that lesson. I, too, don't drive my car nearly enough but I know I'll miss it if it ever left my possession. They are timeless pieces of art and there just aren't that many around. Keep it if you can. If you need a helping hand with anything, let me know.

All else - great ride and company as always. The weather couldn't be better and I'm glad everyone enjoyed Spelunker's. My only suggestion for the next ride is maybe changing up the lookover points. Some of those on the backside descent looked interesting...it wasn't so high up so you can see the details of the valley a bit better. Just a thought.

I plan on doing more auto-crosses this year. I work on Saturdays so it'll be the less competitive tech-n-tune ones on Sundays. Hopefully, we can get a nice group out for a few this year.

Duc, unfortunately for you there are only three more this season on Sundays for CDC. June 7th and Oct 25th are test and tune days (Frederick MD), there is also a competition day on September 6th (Waldorf MD) that you'd be able to make. For everyone else, the next event is on May 9th in Waldorf. It is truly a great venue, the lot is at least two times as big as Frederick.

The rest of the schedule is here: Capital Driving Club. Start putting the dates on your calendars, I make it out to almost all of them. The registration link usually opens up two weeks before the date for club members (memberships are $30/year) or one week before for non members. Event price is $30 for members $40 for non-members.

Spectators are welcome as well. Even if you aren't sure about taking your car out, you should come to an event anyway. I can take you on a ride in my car so you get a feel for what running the course feels like. Also, I can show you the ropes about all the other aspects about the events so that you know what you are getting into. It is a great day of watching cars attempt to go fast and people just all around having a good time.

Sorry I missed this again. Seems I am always out and protecting the world when these events come around. It looks like it was a good time, and a great day for it.

Anderson: So sorry to hear about your incident. I can only imagine how you feel. Just glad you and everyone else came away unharmed. If your insurance does decide to total her, and if you want to pick up another 3rd Gen, let me know, as mine will be going up for sale in less than a month. I'd much rather sell it to someone close.

Mike

So sorry to hear that this happened :(

If you need any OEM parts please get in touch, if I have spares I'll be happy to donate them either from my personal stash or from IRP's extras.

What was he nature of the insurance? One reason I have American Collector's insurance is they allow agreed on value...... I'm at $21k right now but really need to raise it.

My buddy is at $35k agreed on value and his premium isn't too bad.