I've had my share of Porsche's, and for some reason, all the events are in CA. I'm in Central TX. and as a "newbie", I was wondering where else events are.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There's the annual gathering in Carlisle, PA for the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals, and we have a small gathering in the Smokies in September. The Detroit are group just had one this weekend, and the Chicago gang is planning something I think. The folks in the PA, MD, DC, VA area have the annual Pumpkin Run also in the fall.
Hey Jack Crosby - You ought to plan an event for the folks in the south central states. Jack's in Hot Springs, AR. I'm sure there are some nice roads in the Ozarks.
I've had pretty good luck looking at the calendar section of the Hemmings Motor News website. You can filter by state and type of show.
I've also had good luck doing a google search for car shows or cruise nights in a particular state and then sniffing around.
Good luck.
Hot Springs is nice. I have been to a Porsche and Mini Cooper event in Eureka Springs. AR. I was thinking more kit car/speedster/spyder event.
Lane, I have always thought Hot springs would be a great venue for a Speedster gathering.
According to the BMW (car) magazine one of the top 3 scenic drives in America is right up highway 7 out of Hot Springs and I have done it a few times---totally spectacular.
The largest Bass Masters tournament in the country is right here on Lake Hamilton which surrounds the city. We live on the lake and it is gorgeous---plus mountain views everytwhere you look. The largest Harley Owners group (H.O.G.) gathering is held right here
as well. Three weeks ago there was a huge MG ralley here with almost 100 cars in attendance.
Google Hot Springs to see the the many attractions. This is the first National Park established in the country and the city is right in the middle of the park along with a dozed 1880s bath houses fed by the 170 degree water coming up from hot springs. Out thoroughbred track draws people from all over the world and the Arkansas Derby is the race just before the Kentucky Derby. We have jets from the Middle East bringing racehorses from Saudi, Bahrain and others. Plus other horses from all over the country Because of this we have many world class restaurants in the area.
We really ought to have something in the middle of the country ---some cars in Texas, OK and TN might attend. I woud sure enjoy pulling it together. The cruises around here are fantastic and as good as anywhere.
We have wonderful hotels too, with the lowest rates in the country. A beautiful new Embassy Suites Hotel plus the famous Arlington Hotel (Google it) which is a big historic hotel in the center of Hot Springs backed up to trhe Bath houses.
Another name for Hot Springs is "City of the arts" and we have a large section of the main street downtown with one art gallery after another plus great antique stores---a really fun afternoon can be spent there.
I'd suggest a mid-fall date to see the leaves and have great temps.
Right now the premier event is carlisle with 50+ Speedsters and Spyders plus a few MGs which we regard as our sister club these days. Next is the West Coast gathering--it's been held in Morro Bay, Pismo Beach---a sensational event---what? 20-25 or so cars? The Asheville event which used to be the "Tail Of The Dragon" event---great fun. But nothing in the middle.
I have always felt that the cars are fun to own and drive and satisfying to maintain and improve but the gretaest part of this hobby is the people and to be with other crazies you must attend an event!
Please do Google Hot Springs AR and see what you think. Any interest in an event in the middle of the county?
Jack
Well, like we say in the CAF (Commemorative Air Force) You pitched it, you own it. Run with it, make it happen, I'll be there! God Speed my friend. LOL That part of the country would be great, central location, great roads, very nice town.
MrMom
(Yes I also play with WWII birds.)
Host it and they will come. Saturday we had our first get together. I live 2 blocks from a major annual cruise, so I used this as timing for a BBQ & group cruise. There were 5 of us total and I met 3 new people. It was great!
Who else might attend a well-organized, fun event in the center of the country?
Each way would be a reasonable 3-day drive, or a long 2-day drive for me, but it'd give me a chance to visit some friends in Memphis. Hard to believe it's farther than Carlisle. I would love to, but I don't think I'll have sufficient vacation time or budget this year. Next year, however...
It's like 11 hrs from the Austin TX. area. And between other car events, family stuff, and Airshows, Next yrs for me too.
Jack - I would make the trek to your neck of the woods or wherever you plan a central SOC gig! That would be very cool.
Maybe we could all go to Dusty's.....
Hey Jack, I asked the question, and it rolled your way. Like the CAF, I suggested it, I should help. I know I'm in TX. And if you decide to do it, I'll help any way I can. Keep me in the loop.
John
Hey John---you must be in Midland---I flew our Cutlass to the CAF show a couple of years. Sensational event. Maybe we should have the Central event over there!
Let's see what sort of reaction we get and go from there. This year would work ok for me---maybe next fall would be better---we'll see what others say. Thanks for your kind offer to be involved!
Jimmy--you would damned sure be the guest of honor my friend!
Sounds very interesting, probably a good event for next year. 
I'm in for a central US get together. Let's get a plan together. I'm in Austin... so my vote is in for something more south and central.
John, are you in Austin as well? Any other Texas SOC'ers? I'd be up for a Hill Country run something with the Texas / near Texas members. Fredericksburgh would make a cool run.
-Chris
I would be interested in a drive to Hot Springs next year, probably in the fall if that was the planned time frame. My Mapquest shows 568 miles and 9 hours of driving, mostly on I-40 which is very familiar to me. I could do it in one long day but would be willing to break it up if I was part of a group. Jack, I think you are on to a winner and I would like to learn more about your part of Arkansas
Hoss
Jack, I would be interested next year too.
I never been in that part of the Country. Do they allow big city folks with fancy Porsches down there?
Hmmm... 950 miles if I take I-26 to I-40. "Only" 888 miles if I go I-26 to I-20 to I-40, but that eliminates the possibility of participating in a caravan and makes quite a few of the miles non-interstate, so the time difference is only 15 minutes. This may be beyond my threshold of pain in the Speedster, but I suppose I could do it in the BMW. That would allow me to reduce it to 2 days each way. Worth thinking about. Could even be an alternative to Asheville.
Hoss, Marty and Lane--I am positive we would have a great time in Hot Springs and I'd be happy to organize it with some help from my SOC friends. Looks like most are thinking fall of 2013 rather than this year and I like that too although we still could have a "trailblazers" gathering this year here as a start. Roads to here are fine and it really is in a central location for the Midwest and South/Midwest.
Long before Florida was used as a Spring baseball training venue Hot Springs was where some teams came and we have a long history of Babe Ruth playing here. There is a plaque in a parking lot where one of his hits landed that was hit from the main field---musta been a record of some kind.
Let's see what folks want to do.
Been to Hot Springs several times and I can attest that it's nice. I'm heartbroken, however, that the Hamilton House closed. I loved that place.
I visited Jack last fall and had the opportunity to drive his car to the top of the highest peak in Arkansas. Hot Springs and the surrounding area would be a great place for a meet. Probably a little to far for me, but great for a south central spot.
Lane---Hamilton House reopened 2-3 years ago and is better than ever. We go to dinner there on the party barge. Nice treat!
Mmmmm..... Glad to hear that, Jack.