Third Annual SOC Weekend in the Smokies !

Doing some final Prep for Smokie Run. I picked up some road rash on the front last year so I had the 3M Bra installed today. We also did the back wheel flares. We get in on Friday the 16th.

For Teresa,

I am leaving Jonesborough, TN (about 30 miles SW of Bristol) on Friday AM to meet Lane in Asheville. You are welcome to head that route w/ me if you would like

Marty---lookin' good! Smart idea and you will be very glad you did the shields. I can't believe it but they are undetectable. Good call, now you will get back home without any chips, just like you left.

Tom and Hoss--Marty is driving all the way from Chicago and there may be other long distance drivers from the East---shouldn't we have an award for "Longest Drive" to The Dragon? Let's encourage others to actually drive their cars.

Jack, you are now the head of that committee.

Tom,

I'm going to have to play Friday AM by ear until we get closer. I'm staying with friends the night before, and I'm not sure what their schedule might permit on Friday AM for some social time...

I will keep it in mind though! Please remind me again as we get closer ...

I'm getting excited!

Me too! I pick the car up today from getting the new ignition installed, the Mainely Custom billet (with drain plug) sump plate put in, and the usual pre-Dragon oil change and valve adjustment. All it needs now is a good cleanup and we're ready to go!

WOOHOO!!!

You don't change your own oil? Man, you had me fooled, Lane!

Wish I could go. But it is the same weekend I go to the Cape(Cod that is) with my buddies for some RC slope soaring(Radio control salplanes). We've been doing this for 16 years! Every fall, around Columbus Day, no more crowds, lots of wind, good friends, good times.

Kind of like you guys but without the cars. Have fun and be safe everyone!

At least I can look up Al Gallo this time, and have a beer with him!

Danny, ask Al and his wife about my Smirnoff formula ~

Sometimes I do, but when it's already in the shop and time for an oil change, I let Ken do it.

The new ignition is really sweet. The car is much smoother and seems to have more power. It loves 80+ on the interstate. The down side is that my oil-cooler fan seems to have quit working. I guess I know where I'll be this weekend.

John: I like your style; "delegate or die, better you than I. Assignment accepted.---Jack

Jack,

I certainly second Hoss's nomination. I suggest as a prize, we pass the hat and pay for that person/couple's dinner Saturday night

Tom--I think that's a great idea along with some trophy or plaque too.

Maybe more than one award too---maybe three plaques even and the dinner plus a plaque for the one longest distance? ---When I was active with BMW bikes there was an "Ironbutt" award for long dostance driving---I always got a chuckle out of that title.

Does anyone have a picture of the dragon mascot we saw at the Dragon Run last year. Sorta looks like the dragon on the flag of Wales.

--Need it for plaques. Thanks!---Jack

go to www.tailofthedragon.com

Tom---good idea thanks. I ordered the plaques this morning using a logo from that site. No first, second or third place---just three plaques saying "Long Distance Award" with a Tail Of The Dragon logo off that website.

Funny deal--last Saturday I won 1st place for 1960-1970 cars in a car show last Saturday. When I got the trophy home I looked at it and it said "Best Truck" WTF???

So while I was at the trophy store I asked them to correct the engraved plate on the trophy.

Maybe "truck" is what they thought of my car??

Just KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Jack......

Nice work Jack. You've earned another jewel in your Speedster Owner's crown. Thanks.
Hoss

Actually, Jack, I think "Best Truck" is correct. I've seen how much crap you somehow get in that car.

Lane--Now that IS funny! We do pack it pretty full though. People would be surprised to know how much stuff a little Speedster will hold. I have a picture of Russ and I arriving Carlisle two years ago with a luggage cart sitting beside the car after we unloaded it--that cart was full!

Who will be first to build a Speedster pick up truck?

We did have a fellow, Jody Christiansen (sp?) who used to be a fixture at Carlisle and pulled a trailer behind his IM. I know there is another dude doing that now, but I think Jody was the first. Does anyone know what became of him? Pretty elegant solution to the "bring your stuff to the event" issue I think.

Bruce Ryan's rig is probably as close as you'll get to a Speedy Pick-up!

~WB

Bruce Ryan is a hell of a fiberglass craftsman ~

AND, he and his wife are just a pure delight when they come to Carlisle.

Looking forward to next year and all of the friends we'll see once again!

gn

My Carlisle dreaming starts the day after I get back from the Dragon Run. Just a few more weeks.

Me too, Lane--it's all so damned good, isn't it? Getting a Speedster is only the start---Carlisle, The Dragon, and soon, Morrow Bay friends is really where it's at!----Jack

Copy That!!!

Looks like we will be fortunate weather- wise for The Dragon. The long range forecast shows:

Saturday 10/17 --clearing morning, dry in afternoon
Sunday 10/18 --no precip
Monday, 10/19 --no precip

Friday, 10/16 could see some rain but this clears Saturday morning.

It could change but right now it looks good.

Yesterday I adjusted the valves and changed the oil and am ready to roll---really looking forward to this event and seeing everyone.--

Jack

As Don Pardo said every morning on NBC:

"Come On Down !!"

Nothing I like better than standing in the rain handing out beer to the new arrivals.......Just like Carlisle, almost.....

Such a gracious host Leon!

We don't need no stinkin'rain. Beer is ok tho!

Um... Lookin' like it might be a bit wet. Bring your blue tape.

Long range forecasts are unreliable. Let's hope for the best.

FREE BEER!!!!!????RUN THE DRAGON"+'S TAIL!!!!!???.....What more could ask for????? OK, OK ,OK.....I know, "A break from the Government."

Countin' the ours, guys!!!!!!!

WOOHOO!!!!!

Erm...

I meant "hours".

No more wine for me.

4 inches of rain here yesterday, and more scheduled today......As Spyders don't float very well, we might have to drag it up there with the Tacoma assault vehicle....WE WILL BE THERE!!!

Well, I'm not sure what to do!! I was going to leave Maryland tomorrow, and stay the night in Bristol, TN. Then have Friday to relax and drive around, and then check into the Tally Ho Inn.

NOW ... with the weather looking rainy tomorrow ... I don't know if I should maintain schedule, but drive the Red Truck or the VW Golf. Or should I delay my departure until Friday, and still drive the Hoopty (which isn't handling that great...)?

I was trying to save myself three back-to-back-to-back days of driving the Hoopty by departing on Thursday ... WHAT TO DO???

Looks like it is going to dry up by this weekend .But it is going to get cold here . I hate to do this but I am going to go racing at Road Atlanta for the weekend you guys and gals have fun and be safe and try to stay warm see ya at Carlilse