SPEEDSTERS MEET SPYDERS AT CARLISLE – MAY 16-19, 2013 – 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Caravan Coordination

I'm thinking (not yet fully decided) to take delivery of my new Beck at Carlisle.  Carey says that he will try to spend a little extra time driving it before delivery to do some sorting.  I would then drive all the way back down to South Florida.  I know Lane will be driving back into S. Carolina.  Anybody thinking of driving all the way to South Florida?  Anyways, I made reservations at the Marriott and registered for the event. 

Email Nolan Scott - he lives in Ft. Lauderdale and often makes the trip.

 

IMHO I would recommend taking delivery at home .  You will need to get it registered, which can take some time, and there are always sorting issues that are problem enough at home, let alone on a long drive.

Tom makes a good point---good that Carey plans to do some "pre sorting" before delivery.

Maybe have Carey drive it to Carlilsle as part of the sorting?

 

So you know, Lane Anderson attends every year and drives his famous Beck from Charleston, SC.  Maybe you could caravan with Lane?   I say famous because Lane's car was actually built at a previous Carlisle event!

Checking in for the Southeast caravan.  Traditionally, what happens is that Jack Crosby begins his trip from Hot Springs and stops for an overnight in Lenoir City, TN; this is on Tuesday.  Wednesday morning, Jack and I travel east on I-40 E and intersect with I-75 N.  We make a lunch and gas stop near Bristol, VA.  Then we continue north to Christiansburg, VA for an overnight.  We usually pick up a few others at this stop, Carolina, Georgia and Florida folks.  Thursday morning, we continue north on I-75 with one gas stop on the way, then continue on to Hagerstown, MD for lunch where we pick up a bunch more knuckleheads.  After lunch, we make the final charge to Carlisle, only a little over an hour away.  That's the plan. 

I'll be posting motel recommendations soon, probably staying at the Fairfield Inn in Christiansburg, unless the "prom night" crowd trumps us on the way north as they did, for the first time, last year.  The backup plan is the Holiday Inn just a little farther on the same road.  That worked well too.

Hoss

stophunter, where in fla do you live ile be in ft.myers for 10 weeks soon. bill

On the other coast ......just outside of Fort Lauderdale

Tom B.  and Jack C.   Thank you for your advice.  You are not alone in suggesting that I not drive such a long distance without having "sorted" the car first.  I'm very new to this type of car so for my education, what kind of issues should I expect after I first start driving a new build. It will be a 2.5 L Subaru engine with the consequent upgrades to support the power, weight and performance. Would this not be potentially more reliable than 1 - 5 year old car with but a few thousand miles on it?

No telling. I took delivery of my car in March, 2010 and wanted to go to Carlisle the first year, but it was too close to the birth of my son.  As it turns out, it was a blessing in disguise because I had a clutch cable failure & external oil line failure early on.  I was sure glad that they happened at home.  The Suby engine may be more reliable, but these are custom cars and Carey can only find so much in early testing. Frequently, the cars that are several years old are "we'll-sorted."  Right now, my car is wintering with Carey for another round of upgrades that I've determined that I want after 3 seasons and 13K miles of driving.  This is no knock to Carey, Becks, or any other maker.  It's just a fact of custom car life.

Stophunter,

Carey is the expert here and can guide you in the right direction.  I'll offer that we will have at least three cruises during Carlisle weekend for a total of maybe 100 miles (SWAG estimate), plus some additional driving, and Carey sometimes joins us on at least one of the cruises.   Depending on when you can get the car you could drive it over the weekend.  If he can get some miles on it prior to Carlisle then that might be all you need.  Of course a cellphone and AAA membership are always good to have along just in case.      

SUBARU??? Why didn't you say so!  Just drive that baby as fast and as far as you like.  Do take Carey up on some test runs and don't give it a thought,  The combination of a Beck car and a Suby engine is gonna be fine.

 

See you at Carlisle!

 

 

Terry,   I'll take any suggestions you have for registering in Florida.  My plan was to get all the title docs from the builder, add vehicle insurance and proceed to the MV Bureau to pay the tax and get the tags.  Anybody have any thoughts?

 

Jack S.,

Thanks for the encouragement..... I will be evaluating all recommendations on whether I should drive it down from Carlisle

 

I had zero issue registering my first speedster in Florida. Took no time at all and again zero issue BUT it was a Vintage so built on a vw pan. Not sure how a beck will be...good luck!

Stophunter, I don't mean to be a wet blanket.  My Beck has carried me to Carlisle and back and to Asheville and back with no issues.  You would probably have the same result. Registration can be tricky.  In Michigan, my car is registered as an "assembled vehicle" which meant I had to get a police safety inspection, prove that it wasn't put together with hot parts and wait six weeks for a Michigan VIN to be affixed by a guy from the state, before my title was released.  In the interim, I was able to drive from day one on a temporary tag.  Some folks have waited months to even get a chance to drive legally, so I consider myself fortunate.  Every state is different and I have no clue about Florida.  Regardless if you take delivery in Carlisle or not, please come and enjoy.  Welcome to the madness and looking forward to meeting you.  It's great to have a growing contingent of Beck owners there.  There should at least be Lane, Rich, Joe, you, and I there.

Tom B.     Thanks for all the feedback.  I would only allow the car to be delivered to Carlisle if I were successful in getting it registered and have my temp or permanent Florida tags to place on the car.  If I run into any problems or requirements for a first hand inspection from a Florida authority before issuance than naturally I'll have the car delivered to my home.  

...and speaking of registration; here's something to be aware of. 

 

I just received a BIG personal property tax bill because I wasn't wearing my thinking cap through the initial registration at the Connecticut DMV.

 

My Vintage was purchased on the secondary market where it was titled as a 1958 Porsche...(Which I thought was cool)...but with a notation clearly stamped "replica" on the Oregon registration.  The MV clerk didn't notice this notation and I didn't notice that she had overlooked it until I received my town's personal property tax billing of $768 based on value of a '58 P-car!

 

Yesterday It took my best subservient taxpayer demeanor, all the original paperwork I could locate, and an hour explaining over and over at the assessors office that a horrible mistake had been made.

 

I'm now awaiting reevaluation...and developing a taste for Captain Morgan's 94proof spiced rum.

CARL U NEED THE KERSWILL PUMP CAUSE U GOT F_____ 

I certainly plan to join the SE Caravan group in Christiansburg, VA as Hoss detailed.  The Thursday caravan to Carlisle is a big part of the fun for me.

Lane---I heartily agree that the caravan is icing on the cake as far as Carlisle.  I enjoy tyhe drive from ot Sprimngs to Knoxville and we have an annual dinner with Hoss and Sarah.  Then Day II we end up in Christiansburg, VA and a nice group dinner there then Day III on to Carlisle.  Usually we have 8-10 cars on that final leg.

 

When I did the run to the West Coast three years ago it was the same thing---the caravan accross the country was a huge part of tw whole experience.

 

I have always said that the people who attend these events are getting the complete experience as opposed  to some who get a Speedster and never meet up with others.

 

Carlisle is a highlight of my year!

It would also be cool if we could meet at the Brooklyn Grill in Bristol, VA for lunch.  Can you make it there by noonish Lane?  This was a restaurant Jack and I discovered by accident a couple of years ago when we stopped for gas.  It was an instant hit and a must-do repeat. 

Probably not, John.  I'll be coming the normal way this year, which doesn't go anywhere near there.  Last year was an exception as I drove to Asheville, stayed the night, then went to Tom Raymond's place for a night.  The normal route runs me through Columbia and Charlotte  on I-77.  I'd have to add at least one extra day to meet y'all for lunch.

OK, I'll  just mention to that pretty waitress that you had to pass her by this time.  I'm sure she will understand.

I suppose I could leave before 5:00 am, or so.

 

Nah, probably not.

John--have you decided on a motel for Christiansburg?

 

Do you think Nolan will meet up with us in Lenoir City?   Too bad I can't see his email address on this site.

Such a basic thing and I'm unable to contact him.

 

Certainly sucks.

 

Jack

Giday, Lads. Not sure where we'll be hooking up this year. Fran's flying again to Daytona and I'll pick her up there and then off to Key West again, back thru Cocoa

Beach, somehow up to that Mexican joint in Hillsville, Va and then somehow thru the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway and on up to Carlisle.

Well I guess I better S**t or get off the pot. I'll be attending 2013 Carlisle and may have a 2 car caravan up from South Florida. Subidoo should be coming out of the repair shop next week second full paint job this year. Can't say enough good things about Grundy Insurance. Got a check for $8389 within a week of the accident, since having Grundy my premiums have dropped $200 and my agreed value has gone up $500. Jack I'll email you since  have your address.

I'm happy to hear good things about Grundy.

 

I'm using them but haven't had a claim.

 

I had similar experience with the premiums and agreed value.

I have reserved a room in Christiansburg for Wednesday, May 15th and Sunday, May 19th.  I am recommending that we use the Fairfield Inn once again that is located 2659 Roanoke Street.  The telephone number for the motel is (540) 381-9596.  I asked if there was going to be a problem with prom night bookings and the agent was not aware of any such activity.  So there it is Southeast Caravan guys.  woot woot!

Hoss---good---Musbbbbjim and I have our reservation for the 15th too.

 

Can't wait.

 

Looks like Nolan plus two other cars will also join us that evening.  How about Leon and Margaret--they usually meet us there.

 

Should be fun.

I'll certainly be there.

Lane---we're counting on that!  I just made my res for the Fairfield Inn.

 

Sounds like a good crowd will be there.

Sorry guys.....  It looks like Margaret (?) Maryland (?) whatever, and I won't make it this 

year....  We have a grandson graduating from Drake U. in Des Moines around that time....  

 

If the ticker holds out another 365, we'll put in another appearance....  We'll miss all of you.

Leon:  If you drive to DesMoines and then on to Carlisle, you might have a good chance at the longest distance driven award.   Jus' thinkin, here.........

I don't know if anyone other than Peter Venuti has checked in from the Northeast, but I guess Chris and I could coordinate the Northeast Caravan again this year.

 

Same deal as last year (the route was a hit): Mass Pike I-90 to I-84W to I-81S to Carlisle, stopping here and there along the way for gas, lunch and to pick up other Speedstah folks.

 

This here is way, way, way too early to be planning out waypoints and pickup spots, so just be aware that those details are all coming and if you're along that route or can pedal fast and catch up with us, we can pick you up and all have a cool time getting to Carlisle around 4-5pm, just in time for Happy Hour with micro-brews.

 

Maybe we can even do some "Northeast Speedstah/Spydah Caravan" tee-shirts, just so the rest of the field knows where we're from........Like they couldn't tell from the accents....

I'm also thinking of running a "Speedstah Flop House" at my place for those who have to drive a wicked long distance just to hook up with us (like out on the Cape, or down Maine, on the front door step to Canada or something, eh?  You get here a day ahead, we'll put you up and then throw your butt out really early in the morning so we all make it to Carlisle on time.  

 

Anybody interested, let me know - got two queen-size and lots of floor space, just waitin......

Gordon,

 

I'll be waiting at exit 8...Please pay attention this time!

 

Exit 8 will be the one right after exit 9

That flap at exit 8 was typical of these trips.  Kathy and I are cruising along, leading the caravan and listening to the guys from "Car Talk" on my iPod, when we hear Heidi Gallo on the walkie talkie saying "Hey! Weren't we supposed to get off at that last exit for Carl Berry?"

 

oops........

 

Panic stop at the next exit and pull into a mall parking lot.

 

Call Carl's cell phone - he's back where he's supposed to be, now 2 miles behind us.

 

Send out out a "Scout Ship" (Peter Venuti) to try and find Carl.

 

The ladies head to the mall - Al Gallo and I find a head (Must be a guy thing).

 

Eventually, everyone shows up, lots of hellos and then we saddle up and head out.

 

Yes, NEXT time I'll be paying better attention.........