Thanks Gordon
Joe Fortino posted:I regret to say I am not going to make it. Have a great time, and see (some of) you in September.
Sorry to hear that your not coming Joe. I am finally bringing my IM. 
Still figuring on driving Bridget. I'll probably regret it but, hey, think how much better my chances will be in the low car limbo!
Cracker Barrel, Mechanicsburg, I81 12:30 tomorrow will be my ETA.
Confused about Crosby. Above would say he is on the way -- true? Sure hope so, as I saw some nasty rumor that he was bailing.
Attaboy Ed!!!
Correction: brain fart, that would be Cracker Barrel Exit 14 I81 Chambersburg. Too many -burgs in PA. Also, too many Cracker Barrels . . .
Yeah, 12:30 to 1:00 is about right. We can skip it and come straight to the hotel if no one wants to meet us due to weather or whatever. Let me know.
El Frazoo posted:Cracker Barrel, Mechanicsburg, I81 12:30 tomorrow will be my ETA.
Confused about Crosby. Above would say he is on the way -- true? Sure hope so, as I saw some nasty rumor that he was bailing.
Kelly,
Jack is unfortunately not going to make it.
Whoa. Jack doesn't miss. What's up?
Lane: Its more about the tummy than the weather -- just sayin'
As to Jack, not coming, his peeps, AKA his Speedster family members, need to know why.
Jack said it's a long drive in good weather and rain all the way decided to miss this year
The plan was to put Alice on a flight to D.C. to see the grandbabies and launch Tuesday morning. Even had a dinner set up with Hoss and Nolan with Sarah and Jan in Knoxville, Tues evening. Well, I got Alice on her flight Monday morning and watched as the weather forecasts worsened as Monday went along and when it reached 100% chance of thunderstorms with lightening from Thursday to Sunday with flooding Saturday I pulled the plug. She will fly home Sunday rather than me picking her up after Carlisle and driving home. I have driven when the driving rain was horizontal to the ground and even went through a tornado in Memphis at night one trip home a few years ago, but the rain events were only for a day or less---not 4 days in a row. The mist thrown up by semis on the interstates makes me invisible to traffic in my Speedster and dangerous. I did Carlisle 10 years in a row and definitely will be there next year plus the Smokies event in late Sept.
Sure missing all my Speedster friends including my Son, Russ and Grandson Sean and my wife all this week too!
I do hope the forecasts were wrong for everyone who made the trip!
Had dinner last night with Musbjim,Cory AL Gallo and spouses at Pizza Grill and breakfast this am at thr Oldies Diner near the Hotel....waiting on you guys to get here!
Alan Merklin posted:Had dinner last night with Musbjim,Cory AL Gallo and spouses at Pizza Grill and breakfast this am at thr Oldies Diner near the Hotel....waiting on you guys to get here!
What was it called before you guys got there..... 
Oh man, I just could resist 
Carlisle 2018 is almost over. Cory and I would like to thank everyone who braved a horrible forecast and drove whatever they could to a “Family Reunion” that happens to coincide with a car show.
None of this could be accomplished without the work of a number of people. Alan and Connie made sure the hotel was handled and helped us with advice and recommendations. Wild Bill lead the local charge around here and set up the dinner arrangements for Thursday night. Maxine Mullis and Ron took the hospitality suite completely off our plate as well as drove the Emergency Response Vehicle and Taxi. Bruce and Norma Stumpp gave us a ton of information and moral support. Gordon helped us with information, suggestions and moral support. Chris Nichols and Jim Ignacio became our audiovisual department/press corps. Max Zimmer, our resident author, put together an amazing compilation of images and written word for the 15th year tribute.
And finally ... A huge thanks to the MG-TD folks for letting us piggy back on their event this year. ❤️
None of this would be possible without the folks who look forward to coming to a small town in rural Pennsylvania every year to spend a weekend laughing and having a great time ... with or without a tiny car.
Safe travels home and see you next year!
Waiting on the ZIPPER car shot from the Carlisle parade field --- and shot of a 4 egg egg samich!
Hang on, folks.....
I’m still decompressing (a nice Cabernet is helping a lot) but will post some photos later this evening. Chris and MUSBJIM have a lot more coming, too.
Yes, it was a soggy weekend, but made so much nicer by all the people who showed up, and I was so thrilled that Chris invited me to drive down there with him at the last minute. You can’t ever beat a welcomed road trip with your only son, for sure.
OK, let's see what I can get on here. bear in mind that Jim Ignacio and Chris Nichols both have WAY more photos than I do and I'll bet they will be putting them up soon, but here you go:
el Guapo and his Pineapple cousin from a different Aunt:
Left: Glenn McCoy, Mike McElvy, Connie Merklin, Alan Merklin slurping.
Right side: ALB/Yoda/Al Blanchette, Chris Nichols, Paul Holden
Ron and Maddie Mullis, Paul Holden, Chris and AlB,
Right: Lane Anderson, AL Merklin's bald spot, Connie Merklin, Mike McElvy
Kelly Frazer and Babs
Right: Jeni and Cory Drake
Need I type more?
Cory says: "You can never take water-tightness too seriously"!
And it's the thought that counts, but we couldn't get the friggin doors open!!!!
"The Tent". Yes, we actually gathered there. It was dry under "The Tent".
And, see? Some of us actually drove our Tubs and MGs (in fact, several of each!)
L-R: Ron Mullis, l-foreground: Mike McElvy, Toni Zimmer, Lane's shiny head, Danny P's not-so-shiny head, Ed Erickson, Chris Nichols, John (Hoss) Hallstrand, Max Zimmer (looking away).
And when we turn the table around:
Rich Drewek, IAMRay, ???, Wild Bill Drayer, with Sarah Hallstrand and a lady I need an introduction to in the background.
"No, Lane, we told you to park your BMW over in the back!" "You mean, over there?
Banquet dinner place holders
The banquet hall at "Ski RoundTop". It was awesome!
L-r: ??? Karen, Ericson, Ed (EdNova) Ericson, Ginny Ignacio
"MUSBJIM" el Guapo, JIm Ignacio
Cory, embarrassing Bill Drayer and Alan Merklin before he gives them the Carlisle "SOC Lifetime Achievement and Grand PooBah" awards.
The hotel hospitality room after the raffle. There was absolutely no booze there, I promise. 
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Thxs for photos. Yumm, egg samiches!
Ok, it's 11:22pm Wet coast time and I just walked in the door. Thank you everybody for making me feel so welcome, Cory and Jeni, you both did a fantastic job, and thanks Michael for the company, putting up with me all weekend and getting me back to the Detroit airport on time. It was great meeting all you Poopieheads- Rich Drewek (thanks buddy, you're the best!), Danny P (it's actually a good thing we don't live closer, we'd get into too much trouble!
) and Michelle (you've got a keeper there Danny!), Lane (what can I say- you are special!), Paul and Glen (Friday dinner was fun!), Musbejim and Ginny (didn't get to spend enough time getting to know you Jim!), Gordon and Chris, Ray, Max, Kelly, Alan, Greg and I know there's more but I've been up since 5 and it's now 2:30 East Coast time and I really have to go to bed.
I HAD A WICKED AWESOME TIME!!!
PS- somebody really needs to post the group winery pic...
And I love you all!
Hello to everyone from DRY and SUNNY Buffalo NY! As you all expressed interest and concern for my fuel starvation issue, I believe I put that to rest as Pete and I made it home in great time, 5 1/2 hours for the 300+ mile drive. So, back home at 11:30 AM. Relaxed with my wife and dog all afternoon and enjoyed catching her up on what she missed.
To each and every one of you. THANK YOU for your hospitality, kindness, concern and offerings of assistance. Amazingly, I have always gotten this thing back home under it's own power and this trip was no exception. Again, special thanks to Dale and Al for the loan of the filter and coil. Great to know you carry some handy spares!
Cory and Jenni: You two did an awesome job. I cannot even imagine the planning and work that went into this series of events. THANK YOU both!
I have a few updates planned for the Speedster and will be reaching out for some advice in the near future. I know I can count on this group for solid info and resources.
I'm looking forward to next year when I can put more faces to names and "handles" you are a fantastic bunch!
Jim Lanz
ALB posted:Ok, it's 11:22pm Wet coast time and I just walked in the door. Thank you everybody for making me feel so welcome, Cory and Jeni, you both did a fantastic job, and thanks Michael for the company, putting up with me all weekend and getting me back to the Detroit airport on time. It was great meeting all you Poopieheads- Rich Drewek (thanks buddy, you're the best!), Danny P (it's actually a good thing we don't live closer, we'd get into too much trouble!
I HAD A WICKED AWESOME TIME!!!
PS- somebody really needs to post the group winery pic...
And I love you all!
It was so great to meet you, Al!!!
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The pleasure was mine, Jeni. I don't know when I will be at that side of the continent next, but I'm looking forward to it!
We're all back home now. The highlights from the wet weekend as follows:
1. Meeting Al Blanchette in person.
2. Watching Lane Anderson pull off a full lotus. Who knew?
3. Driving Drewek's 911 a couple times, and with a small measure of exuberance.
4. Watching Cory and Jeni run a flawless event.
5. The Bruce and Norma tribute.
A great time was had, can't wait to do it again. With cars, and in some sunshine.
"A great time was had, can't wait to do it again. With cars, and in some sunshine."
that would be nice... the show field had one 356 Saturday AM and some parts vendors did not show up either that I saw last year.
Weather really dampened the event this year.
I hit a Tri-Fecta this weekend:
- Had a great, dry time riding down in Chris' 996 (OMG, that is such a wonderful car!! And when you really get on it - Holy CARP!!)
- Had a great time with all of the "Soggy-Bottomed Speedstah Folks" for the weekend. Chris and I arrived in time for lunch on Friday and missed the winery tour - bummer! What a beautiful spot! But I made sure he drove his 996 out to the Sled Factory and Chris really enjoyed the ride, although we were complaining about how slow Cory was leading the pack in Jeni's GMC Terrapin (or something). 
And then had a great, dry ride back home in record time (carving over an hour off our past personal best). We even got to listen to an old episode of "Car Talk" LOL!!! Snort!
And as the 4'th part of my Tri-Fecta, Today I found that I'm good to go with my new Speedster title/registration.
Whoo-Hoo!!!!!!
Jeni & Cory did a fantastic job......Thank You !
Hotel for 2019 ....Hopefully someone will step up ASAP to take over running the event for next year. I'll need to sign the hotel contract soon as there are always graduations etc that weekend, however I will not commit our group contract until it is confirmed that there will be a Carlisle 2019 .
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I've talked with a good number of our folks over the event weekend discovering that the number one interest is socializing with our extended family. ( OK Danny fondling carbs)
Perhaps we might try something a bit different by stream lining the weekend~
Thursday: Caddy Shack or other venue choice for dinner.
Friday : A Friday AM looped cruise stopping somewhere and arriving at the show field, around noon. Followed by small groups doing the Friday evening dinner rally.
Saturday: Arrive at the field for egg sammiches perhaps omit the banquet in favor of small groups going to different venues for dinner then back to the hotel hospitality room for informal awards gathering similar to the meeting we did Friday night.
Alan Merklin posted:Jeni & Cory did a fantastic job......Thank You !
Hotel for 2019 ....Hopefully someone will step up ASAP to take over running the event for next year. I'll need to sign the hotel contract soon as there are always graduations etc that weekend, however I will not commit our group contract until it is confirmed that there will be a Carlisle 2019 .
______________________________________________
I've talked with a good number of our folks over the event weekend discovering that the number one interest is socializing with our extended family. ( OK Danny fondling carbs)
Perhaps we might try something a bit different by stream lining the weekend~
Thursday: Caddy Shack or other venue choice for dinner.
Friday : A Friday AM looped cruise stopping somewhere and arriving at the show field, around noon. Followed by small groups doing the Friday evening dinner rally.
Saturday: Arrive at the field for egg sammiches perhaps omit the banquet in favor of small groups going to different venues for dinner then back to the hotel hospitality room for informal awards gathering similar to the meeting we did Friday night.
Thank you!
Sounds like you have a plan, Alan! You want a USB drive? 😉. I believe that @edsnova is considering taking the reins for next year’s event; I would point you in his direction.
Since everybody is listening, wisdom for the day-
We live in a society where pizza gets to your house faster than the police...
Something else-
It is said that money doesn't buy happiness. But money buys beer, so I kind of beg to differ...
Have a great day everybody!
PS- And thanks for posting the picture, Jeni! You're one of my new favorite people (well, of course, along with Cory, Danny and Michelle, Rich D (who has been on the list for a while now), Michael M, (and on and on- I guess just about everybody there?) Al.
Hey errbody. Sunday's weather (after it rained a little) was nice.
I believe that, absent the Spyders and myself, the Low Car Limbo crown returned to a driver of a Honda Accord or some such. And I'm OK with that—those kids need to get a trophy more than we do.
I will also take this opportunity to mention, yet again, that despite missing several of our usual stalwart crew, and BillinParts's newly V8-powered RACE CAR, Team MG still mustered four complete, running Clown Carz to Carlisle, which may or may not have been a better showing than the Speedster group. Anyway, it was close, proving once again (as if it were in question) that MG TD replica owners are generally made of sterner stuff than you pansy-assed Porsche pretenders. Is it the stiff upper lips? The simulated Lucas electrics? Or the fact that most of us were born poor black children?
Ah, no matter.
Anyway: great to meet ALB, IM Ray, Safety Jim and the new Spyder guy (damn I am tired right now) and his wife Karen. I had a blast as always, and thanks to Cory and Jenni (who continue to pressure me into doing something I will probably regret).
There WILL be a next year, people. WE (not I, we) will see to it.
Stay tuned.
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edsnova posted:Hey errbody. Sunday's weather (after it rained a little) was nice.
I believe that, absent the Spyders and myself, the Low Car Limbo crown returned to a driver of a Honda Accord or some such. And I'm OK with that—those kids need to get a trophy more than we do.
I will also take this opportunity to mention, yet again, that despite missing several of our usual stalwart crew, and BillinParts's newly V8-powered RACE CAR, Team MG still mustered four complete, running Clown Carz to Carlisle, which may or may not have been a better showing than the Speedster group. Anyway, it was close, proving once again (as if it were in question) that MG TD replica owners are generally made of sterner stuff than you pansy-assed Porsche pretenders. Is it the stiff upper lips? The simulated Lucas electrics? Or the fact that most of us were born poor black children?
Ah, no matter.
Anyway: great to meet ALB, IM Ray, Safety Jim and the new Spyder guy (damn I am tired right now) and his wife Karen. I had a blast as always, and thanks to Cory and Jenni (who continue to pressure me into doing something I will probably regret).
There WILL be a next year, people. WE (not I, we) will see to it.
Stay tuned.
His name is Chris. ;-)
Yes. CHRIS! Whattap! In the light of morning comes insight.
Thank you, Jeni with one N. And sorry.
More pics.
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@aircooled @Michael McKelvey sent you both a PM regarding raffle prize. 