Just want to say "Thank You"...

This was my second year of organizing "Speedsters Meet Spyders at Carlisle". Bruce Stumpp organized it (not quite sure what it was called back then) in 2004 - 2005 and was paid homage in Max Zimmer's great column about how Bruce and Norma reached out on the Internet and got so many new people to come join them at Carlisle in 2004 that we became an "Event within the Event" that was the Carlisle Kit Car Show.

During the past four years, we've had some truly interesting people visit the Carlisle show; some were drawn by our pleading on the Internet to join us ("Drive 'em, trailer 'em, tow 'em, but get 'em there somehow", remember?), some saw the pleading and didn't respond, but showed up anyway, and some just went to Carlisle never expecting to find such a close group of fellow crazies, er, enthusiasts. People who may have built their cars from scratch, or taken on someone else's unfinished project, or maybe even bought a turn-key car used or from one of those few who build them new. Either way, they find themselves welcomed to our group and enjoy meeting us all as if it's "the best family reunion I've ever attended" (quoted from one of the New Jersey Kit Car Club wives in our first year). To heighten that experience, we've added the evening dinner cruises and our now-infamous nightly hospitality suite so that everyone can mix together and get to know everyone else.

During these years, we've developed deep friendships with a number of people; some show up year after year or are sorely missed if they can't make it, some only make it one time and the rest of us keep looking for them to return, and some stay at home and live vicariously through the good times that those of us who can attend share through our subsequent posts and pictures.

In the end, everyone, both attendees and those following over the Internet, have a great time and share as much of it as they can in many different ways, and THAT is what this "hobby" is all about. While a little of it is about the cars, it's really about the people who drive them;
Of Jim Ward and John Hallstrand making that lonely trip to Knott's and back, in very small cars, across this vast country.
Of the elder couple (Russ Bees and his wife) making the trip to Carlisle from Idaho and then the husband having chest pains once at Carlisle (he recovered, and then they drove back home).
Of Steve O'Brien making the trip yearly from Iowa to Carlisle, usually driving straight-through (and giving up the "longest distance driven" award this year to the couple who drove down from Bangor, Maine).
Of Jjr. Rodriques making the trip to Carlisle from Puerto Rico, just to see his friends.
Of people making the trip to Knotts from all along the West Coast, some only to fry their engine or have other difficulties enroute and get the help of numerous friends to try to minimize the pain of their loss and still have a great weekend.
Of Chris and me dealing with the dead "Mighty Power Stroke" diesel, only to have a host of people come to our aid, some going above and beyond to help us out.

That's why we all go to these "shows"....it's not to see who has the fanciest or shiniest cars (although they certainly are a draw), but it's to see and get to know the people behind the cars. Until we all meet face to face, we're all "Ghost Riders" as mentioned in Max Zimmer's column. Once we meet, there is something tangible behind the Internet usernames we all choose. There is a face and a personality behind the cute username. Some of my friends are still "Ghost riders" to me; Jim Ward, whom I've only talked with on the telephone or read his posts, Stan Galat way out there in the Mid-West, Dale Bates, Vince Mantos, Jim Ignacio, Desi Desiderado, John Leader, Bruce Williams, Angela, Esther, and a host of others on the "Left Coast" where it is difficult for us "Back Easteners" to meet. How I yearn to get together with you all!

As an organizer of "Speedsters Meet Spyders at Carlisle" (and I'm certain that Bruce and Norma know this) you never really know for certain if very many people are actually going to show up. Will it rain? Will it be cold? Will I be the only one who's there? Should I bring my spouse or spouse-equivalent? Will the others like me and/or my car? All these questions certainly go through the minds of those thinking about going. In the end, what's really important is that you make the effort and go.

What you find is that everyone is pretty much like how they read on the internet, only NOW you have a face and personality to associate with them. What you'll certainly go away with is a lasting friendship (and maybe, if you're lucky' you'll be able to get together with a few of them during the "off-months" and enjoy THAT time, too).

So I guess this long post is just my way of saying "Thank You" for showing up. We start beating the bushes right after Christmas to see how many people we can convince to make the trip, and, at the same time, try to organize an event worth making the trip for. This formula has worked since the first year that Bruce and Norma made their call and a lot of us responded. It's still working. Should be interesting seeing what NEXT year brings......

Hope you all enjoyed yourselves....I know that Chris and I start looking forward to next year on the ride home from Carlisle each year, so I guess that says it all.

In the meantime, seek out those SOC and Speedstershop posters who are from your part of the country and try to get together. I lieu of that, join a local car club and get involved with them so that it won't be a lonely year waiting for the next Carlisle or Knotts or Paso Robles show.

And above all, DRIVE THOSE LITTLE CARS!! That's what they were made for!!

Peace...

Gordon

Mr. Nichols,

It was once again my privilege to be a part of this Annual Family Reunion" of the not so rich 'n famous but those of yet a higher stature..... friendship.
Thank you for the long hours spent organizing "Speedsters Meet Spyders Carlisle '07" ~Alan

Gordon,

Although I was only able to make Carlisle on Saturday, I also want to thank you for your efforts in planning the meet. I, as I assume everyone else, appreciate the effort.

Dave
NJ

I know this might be sacrilege , but I thought the Volvo 1800S with the 2.5 million miles on it was really cool. There was a lot to see and do at this show. The best car show for me yet.

But the people are what make it interesting and special.

I sure would love to have a cigarette right now.

Um, Steven, that sounds kinda... ;-)

Still have that Volvo on the brain, do ya, Steven?

Guess what I'm doing right now, Buddy? Come on over, I have a full pack!
BwaaaHaaaaHaaa :)

Your Smoke PimP

It's so hard to believe that it's been four years since the first. The success and fun factor only goes to show that we added an extra day for only a few "EarlyBirds" that came in Thursday afternoon a couple of years back. This year broke the record for EarlyBird Thursday. Incredible! This is just too much fun!

Thanx to Gordon, Al, Bruce and everyone that contributed to our weekends success and a HUGE THANX to everyone that took the time off to join in a long weekend of fellowship and fun with our little cars! Even those without cars are encouraged to participate...and surely do!

Planning commenced from the show tent at Carlisle for the 2008 Edition of Speedsters Meets Spyders, May 15-18, 2008. with Alan's blocking 40 rooms at the Hotel Carlisle.

Jot that date down folks! We have a lot of time to plan.

Thanx to All again,

(Wild)Bill

_________________
The PA. "Wild" One

I WILL BE THERE!!!!

I want to thank you Gordon, for all you did to put this together. And thanks to all others who contributed. As a first timer, I was OVERWHELMED by the way I was treated. I absolutely had a FANTASTIC time! If there is anything I can do to help out - please let me know.

In the meantime, How about some more get-togethers?

So. Okay.
Who wants to start a thread for the Official Headcount for Speedsters Meet Spyder (sic) 2008?
I nominate ... Let's see ...

Bill? No -- Jim Ignacio! That's the ticket!

I thought it was supposed to be "Speedsters Meet Danny P - 2008" (??)

He's stirrin' up some stuff on the Spyder Club site to try and get some more folks coming next year. We'll see...

...be careful what you wish for!!

Gordon,

Thanks for putting all that heart and soul into the event, and the uplift in your post above. Looks to me (the Newbie w/out a ride -- yet) like we have the right guy in the right job. The cars are the focus, no doubt about that, but it is the folks who make it all work right. As this was my first -- and I swear not last -- Carlisle, I admit to being a bit bewildered by the scope of it. I certainly enjoyed putting faces to Forum personalities, and the good cheer and comraderie of the group. Having to go on the road in the right seat (Thanks Wild Bill!) was only surpassed by Tom's good cheer in letting me drive his car to dinner on Friday. Hope I didn't scare him too much. Gordon, if there is anything you need help with for the next go-'round, don't hesitate to ask. Carlisle is only a quick jaunt up the road for me, and I am willing to serve. As to my car, I still wait patiently . . .

Kelly

Kelley, et al......

Thanks to all who've responded. Some of us literally start thinking about the next Carlisle on the trip home from the last Carlisle. Chris and I always talk a little about it on the ride home - we're not, actually, BIG talkers when we're riding, but we do communicate some ;>) and this year, we had a little more time to think about it than usual.......

Anyway, rest assured that next year we'll have another great weekend planned, starting on Thursday afternoon for the hordes of "Early Birds" that arrive.

Chris has been talking about getting a "Spyder" - OK, so his version is a Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible with a MOOSEY turbo in it, but it does say "Spyder" on the side......we'll see (maybe it'll be company for Danny P.)

I also know that there was some rumbling at the hospitality room about possibly building a water-cooled Spyder at next year's avent, but we'll see.

We're also slowly evolving this into more of a driving event, although I'll be thinking about how we might do some drives during the day, too, rather than just the evening cruises. We might also get more people involved in the caravans to and from Carlisle, as those could become mini-events in and of themselves.

As I've always said; "A single Speedster or Spyder going somewhere is just a cute little car on the road, but two or more going anywhere, automatically become an Event!!"

See Y'all at Carlisle, 2008!! The Big Year Five!!

I think that we should put together a Tail of the Dragon run... say the same weekend that the Redskins have a buy perhaps?

I'm the one that always throws in a valid reality check....Great to have a lot of activity ideas but as we found this year, the socializing aspect took top honors amongst our group.

Od - Hoss and I have been talking about the Tail of the Dragon sometime in the fall. Anyone else interested in an autumnal Carlisle-crew gathering in the mountains?

Gordon - When you will be down in SC for the season?

Alan - Absolutely right. This year was great, partly because it was very low stress. Not a lot of scheduled stuff. Plenty of time to sit around, visit, eat egg sammiches, and have frothy adult beverages.

Egg Sammiches......hmmmmmm...........

I was pleased to find that the Carlisle Marching Band food booth had taken pity on us non-egg eaters, and came up with a special morning sammich just for us:

Sausage, Ham and Cheese, with plenty of each to go around. I didn't even know they had it, til I asked for something without eggs and the guy on the grill said they had something just for me.

Almost as much of an artery blocker as the 4-egg sammich all Y'all know and love!!

gn

Mmmmmm... Dat sounds goooood. Ok, I'm already drooling over next year's show. Got 11 months to clean my arteries for the onslought.

For real??? Four eggs??? I knew it was a(n) (un)healthy portion, but I didn't realize it was THAT much. Still, egg sammiches, brewskies, dinner cruises and all, I still managed to lose a pound or two over the weekend. Excitement, walking around, skipping lunch (after a four egger....not a big deal), tire kicking (gently, of course) and a great deal of car talk must have done the trick. If I did this every weekend I would wind up being a mere shell of my present self, a big hat on a little body. ;-)
Hoss
ps. I wonder what Mike C. could do with that concept being the artist that he is.

Please Note: If this large attendance trend continues on Thursdays, it will be absorbed into the regular show schedule and we will be forced to introduce "Pre-EarlyBird" Wednesdays! Said Wednesdays just may commence in Hershey PA. 8>)

Ya just can't ever have too much fun!

Thank You
The Management

If y'all start early enough maybe start at the Martin Guitar factory for a 'Jam Session' then swing by Hershey for some 'Death by Chocolate' then drive by Mario Andretti's track and holler 'Fungalu' THEN head over to Carlisle.

Now MUSBEJIM has the right idea. I second all of that. Be on the road, showin' off -- that's the ticket. Don't forget, there's a Harley factory or some such up that way too. Be great to give them a buzz.

This dedication goes out to our very own Gordon Nichols;
Thank you for letting me be my self again!
Cabanaboy ~

Desi!

Just goes to show....you can't beat flared fenders, cool paint and a set of Fuchs!!

Gordon
The "Speedstah Guy" from Massachusetts