***Carlisle '09***

I'll more than second that. Real nice guy and a straight-shooter, too, even if he gets sucked into unusual situations;

I'm surprised that Kathy didn't give them a lot more Hell about getting out of the rain with a tornado warning in effect. It was so bad, according to the TV alerts, that she didn't take the dogs out when she went to close up the truck - THAT says a lot! Of course, it might have something to do with the smell of wet Jack Russells in a motel room!!!

I heard later that she went out to lock the truck and there's Al Shapiro holding an aluminum Golf umbrella over Henry and there's lightning strikes happening not far off in the background. Doesn't take an electrical Engineer like her to know THAT's not safe!! Had visions of the electrified Priest in Caddy Shack!!!!

Later, at the restaurant, Henry came in and said that my tools were all stowed and that Kathy had mentioned something about a Tornado warning but he was too busy for it to register....

YA THINK?

gn

Just out of curiosity, is there any chance of moving the Big Show weekend to something later in the year? Like maybe October?
Say we get the Replicar Nationals to trade with the Station Wagon Nationals, or something equally less convertible?
Maybe the Mud Bogger Truck Weekend would switch, if there is such a thing.
What's that famous SOC quote about insanity?

Those pictures remind me of the ones from '07 when Carey was checking my car and Tom DeWalt's with his handy-dandy alignment thingy, and fixing the oil leak in Bob Barnett's new Beck. A lot of businesses could take lessons in customer service from those guys.

Yeah, like the idiots that didn't torque my lugs at the tire shop.
I've already contacted my atty. Dewy, Cheatum and Howe!
~WB

This year's "Bill Drayer 'Mmmmm, beer'" shot.

Yeah, you and the lawyers should have fun with this one.

I cant believe you lost the wheels on your house , Good thing you were not towing the Speedster at the time.

You and Hoss look younger every year......

The Carlisle program said that on Friday 10 cars would be selected on the show field "to become members of the 2009 Carlisle Events Elite". At the dinner Saturday night I remember seeing someone sitting near the mddle of the room with a red hat and red T-shirt both with white letters saying "Carlisle Elite". I didn't get a chance to talk to them, any idea who it was?

Well I have to say this was an excellent weekend. It was great to meet all of you and have a beer and some good conversation. The Carlisle venue is one of the best I've been to. Gordon and all that helped again thanks for a great weekend. When you get a chance ask Angela how the trip to Hershey went )-:

Steve (-:

ECB,
Charles Gardner with the White SAS Coupe was selected the "Elite Club" member this year. Last year Bruce Ryan took an "Elite Club" award. The Speedster guys are 2 for 2! Who won the Dune Buggy? Anyone we know?

A funny thing happened to me on the way to get an Egg Sammich at Carlisle. My wife was back with the Speedster Group when one of the Carlisle Events officials approached her and asked about the Creme Brule coupe. It turns out that the coupe was selected as an 'Elite Pick' - Class of 2009.

Since we were leaving early on Sunday, I asked the Information Booth what the 'Elite Pick' sticker meant. After a couple of radio exchanges, a Carlisle guy arrives in a golf cart with a hat, T-shirt and small trophy indicating that the coupe was selected as a top-ten pick and apparently the only one in the replicar class. We feel blessed that the coupe was selected among so many fabulous cars.

Meanwhile, the signature Egg Sammich and coffee were great and SAS in Knoxville deserves most of the credit for the personality and presence of the Creme Brule coupe. The cover of the 2009 SpeesdsterOwners calendar and an Elite Pick at Carlisle in one year is pretty overwhelming. The Creme Brule coupe is very special to us indeed.

Waaay to go Charles....Well deserved.....

Great job! That coupe is a hotty!

You know, the post a few above this isn't me, it's actually my handsome husband STEVE! We were sitting in the airport and he stated that he was going to do his own post (as 99.99% of our posts are mine...) to thank everyone.

Great people, great venue. Without question worth the trip.

angela

It was great to finaly be able to put a face on all the posts, Angela. I'm hoping to get out to Morro next year, so maybe I'll see y'all again.

This year was awesome, and it was great to see all the familiar faces. Excellent meeting some new ones, Charles, Ang & Steve, Will, The Gallos, The Myettes. I had a nice ride in the blue meanie, Howard's car. Great food, drink, and company was had by Jen and I. Thanks everyone.

Did anyone go to the go-karts/slick track? We were tired after the Saturday dnner and passed.

I think Howard and his son went on Sunday ???

Howdy all! Another wonderful event goes into the memoery hall of fame!

On Sunday Alice drove to D.C. to be with our daughter for a couple of days while I attended a company reunion in NYC. Early Sunday I drove the Speedster to Charlotte and then immediately climbed into an associate's car to start our drive to NYC for the reunion. We got as afar as North of Balto before we collapsed at midnight. Then Wednesday we picked Alice up for the drive to Charlotte and spent the night there. We drove the VS from Charlotte to Memphis yesterday and on into Hot Springs today. I put 2650 miles on my VS since I left home on 5/12 and feel quite comfortable relying on this car on high-mileage trips! The car ran flawlessly at 75+ all the way. I added 1/3 qt of oil for the entire trip.

Scores of "thumbs up" and big smiles from motorists both ways---as all of you who drove also experienced I'm certain.
We had a large suitcase on the luggage rack and were heavily loaded with clothes, tools and parts for the 10 days out so my mileage was 26-27 mpg rather than the usual 28-30 but that's ok.

Wonderful to see old friends and to put faces with new friends. Thanks
to Gordon and all the others who worked so hard to make this awonderful event---it was just the best.

Next year I will skip the stop in Christiansburg as this is really a two day trip each way and the extra overnight with unpacking and packing makes a longer trip of one which is already pretty monumental for me. But we will defininely be at carlisle again next year.

---Jack

Jack, next year if you make it to Knoxville on Wednesday, get up with the chickens on Thursday morning, perhaps you can join the possee in Christiansburg when we roll out about 9:00 am? A plan?
Hoss
ps. great to see you and your sweet bride again

I can't believe a week has passed!
OK, when's the next run?

Bill, It's 358 days,....But whose counting???? Right???? Are we alone here???? NAH!!!!

Much less than that, Leon. How long is it to October 17th?

John--good plan--I think that will work great. I will be able to do the trip instead of dragging it out to three days. Thanks for the Idea.---Jack

Lane......Not soon enough......May have to drop in o Aaron if things permit.......

You should. I highly recommend his hospitality.