Good idea about the page linking...good luck.

Kettleman's events are usually larger than normal...

 

well, splitting up would be good, except that there is 4 stop lights on the other way to izzy's and that martin way is really bussy around that time. we'll just deal with what we got. worked last year, would be nicer to have some peace officers help. but evrybody wants money these days. i'm gonna talk to my attorney and see what laws there are to help out. thats a good idea kettlman.

 

Let me know about that and I can help out. Better yet, Sergent Pat Lowery's (Kent PD) email is PLowery@ci.kent.wa.us. Jim Pardin's (Olympia PD) is jpartin@ci.olympia.wa.us. If we get more people than myself coming to them, maybe they would think otherwise. I told both there will be a problem on the surface streets. They know that already. However, they don't realize the issue of having such a large number of cars in 1 area will block intersections like crazy.

At the Leavenworth run last year, Everett PD blocked the entire street and we had about 3-4 rows of cars taking up all of the lanes of the street to get everyone off as quickly as possible.

 

Not the solution youre all looking for, but when my Dad was the president of the Washington 99ers motorcycle club we used to have huge runs too and could never get escorts or traffic help, so we just did it ourselves. Granted, you tend to upset some people that way, but in all honesty, I think it would be better to do SOMETHING than let it all pile up so to speak. Last year it seemed that the left turn into Izzys parking lot was a MESS with people going every which way trying to dodge other traffic (not to mention the left turn at that light then the right turn to get on the highway by the park and ride). It took a good 5-10 mins for some people just to get off the main road into the parking lot. Now think if just one car had stopped and blocked the oncoming traffic so everyone couldve turned left, we could get every car into the lot in a lot less time, thus preventing a lot of traffic congestion. Granted, those people being blocked may not like it, but all in all, I think it would be better.

Maybe set up designated "traffic blocker" cars, with "Toys For Tots Run" signage on the sides and 4-way flashers going or something so people know WHY we're blocking the roads? Get em all decorated and crap. Kind of like the "Toys For Tots Run Pace Cars" haha. The more official the blockers look, the less upset people are going to get. I mean, put yourself in their shoes. Youre being blocked by some random sports car so a whole crap load of others can turn. Kind of frustrating. Now, same scenario, only there are santa hats, and signs about Toys For Tots on the car blocking you. Still a little annoying, but knowing WHY its happening eases your mind a little. If the "pace cars" look like you know what youre doing, people wont really think twice. IE - "It must be ok, they have those official looking cars and signs and are really organized" Not only would the signs ease drivers minds, but it would spread the word about what were doing. Think about that huge line of cars getting on the highway last year, drivers might have thought it was just a bunch of punk kids, but if we had signs on our cars or something to indicate what we were doing, they might have been more cooperative letting us on, etc.

Setup a route, and keep EVERYONE together this time. Get everyone staged in the parking lot in a line before leaving so its not just a gaggle of cars heading for the gate. Then, have the blockers pull out and block the traffic from the right so we can turn out of the park and ride. Then, block that intersection so we can all turn left. Then, block the next so we can all get on the highway at the same time, etc. Put two cars at the front, and two at the back. That way the front car can pull out and block traffic, the second leads the way. The back two can make sure no one falls behind. Get some GMRS radios and communicate front to rear and vise versa. Thats kinda how we used to do it, but we rode Goldwing motorcycles and had CBs, haha. That and its a lot easier for the first bike blocking traffic to get back to the front again than it is for a car to get back to the front.

Also, make sure EVERYONE knows whats going on. Make announcements loud this year, maybe get a bullhorn. Make sure everyone knows that we're keeping the group together for the safety of themselves AND the public. It seemed no one really knew what was going on last year because the announcements couldnt be heard very well with the noise of the highway and everything else.

Anyway, just some ideas

~T.J.

 

I have strobes in my corner (turn) lights up front and in the tails in the back. I wish I had wig-wags, but that isn't happening soon.

What I would like is a list to see who is going from each forum and how many will be there. Also, radios should be used. I have a scanner to monitor police activity and might bring that to see if there is going to be any kind of police activity.

It also might be nice to get other kinds of clubs involved in this as well (besides mostly imports and what we had last year).

 

Anyone call the papers about this? The Tacoma and Olympia rags might be interested in this.

I work Saturday nights, might show up at Izzy's for some pizza and to say hi before going in to work.

 

Aww come on, you can get a wig wag controller for like $35 I have 6 output power supply with 80 watt wheelin strobes (white) on my Toyota 4x4, wig wags, and a couple hidden grill strobes, lol.

~T.J.

 

I'll consider that.. I just need one that can handle a high draw.

I did contact Q13, KOMO and KIRO TV news. Maybe the south sound newspapers might be interested in this as well...

 

Silverlining on newtiburon posted her master list of car forums. I know a lot of them are participating in the toy run but maybe other people can post on the forums to get more people involved.


www.shift-hard.com
www.supraforums.com
www.dtmpower.net
www.nasioc.com
www.evolutionm.net
www.rx7club.com
www.teamintrinsic.com
www.srtforums.com
www.increasedvelocity.com
www.northwestnissans.com
www.importmix.com
www.importxtremes.com
www.nwnismo.com
www.scionlife.com
www.nwhonda.net
www.honda-tech.com
www.newtiburon.com
www.ferrarichat.com
www.hp.com
www.rdtiburon.com
www.acidbath.org
www.rs25.com
www.imprezawrxsti.com
www.rotaryblvd.org
www.nwstreetracing.com
www.seattlestreetracing.com
www.luvtrucks.com
www.mazdatrucking.com
www.xtremeneons.com
www.rx8club.com
www.e46fanatics.com
www.newbeetle.org
www.seattletuners.com
www.matrixowners.com
www.nopistons.com
www.mr2oc.com
www.newcelica.org
www.3si.org
www.t6p.com
www.hyperrev.com
www.alltrac.net
www.hyperperformancemotorsports.com
www.snort4x4.com
www.jbnw.org
www.hachiroku.net
www.sonataspeed.com

 

well, we got 35 forums that i know of so far. looks to be bigger than last year. i got the forums updated on the web site http://home.comcast.net/~nwtoyrun/ . letsz get some more forums posted on. i just don't know them all. and let me know what ones are posted on so i can update everything... thanks.

 

I hope this will turn out as big as we think.

 

I work with a guy that is in the ELement forum. I sent him a message today and he will be placing a thread into his forum.

His forum name is: ww.elementowners.com

Z

 

I looked on hyundaiperformance.com and there are about 5 going from that site alone.

I figure 200 cars easy; 300 possible.

 

kettlman,

NewTiburon.com would like to make a cash donation to the cause. Can you let me know who we need to make the check out too. We want to present the check at the gathering 1) Because it's for a great cause 2) We hope that with our doing this this year it will encourage other websites attending the event to pony up as well at next years event......Get a bit of friendly competition going between websites

 

I'm going to try to make it up for this one from New Mexico; I miss all my northern rotary bretheren. Only catch is that it's about a 2-3 day drive one way with not a whole lot to see along the way. Maybe I can fly up and take my brother's car (non-rotary, sadly... still trying to convert him) over.

 

that is awsome!!! last year a bunch donated money through paypal to one person and they bought a bunch of toys withthat money. anyways, i'll get back to you with the official check signing name.

 

Karmaweasel Thought you were dead! Great to see that you are doing ok.

Z

 

Alan,

Also let Quint on NT know about the check signing. He wants to know as well.

 

Nope, still alive and ticking and the 7's doing well. Whole cluster's dead now (remember my "bouncing" tach?) and I can't, for the life of me, find this piece I need to get my speedometer working again. There's a severe shortage of rotaries down here which I find kind of shocking but I'm hoping to move back up to WA, maybe the Spokane area. Still a little far away but only a 5 hour drive instead of 2-3 days. Really hope I can make it up for the toy run, it was great last year and I'd hate to miss another one.

 

Yeah, good to hear from you Karma. I was curious where you went also.

This run sounds like it is going to be huge. I'll make it again. It was a blast last time. We overwhelmed Izzy's last time, can't wait to see their faces this time.

 

Bummer not living on the West side to make it to this. You all will be in thought that day....or someone call me

Keep up the good work Stan Allan

 

From Pumbaashari:

Well everyone I have some good news I have got some companys and some people for around my town that want to make so contributes to the TOYS FOR TOTS. Just let us know who to right the check out to.

And I had a conversation with the director of Q13 they are going to film it again this year and i have also talked to king 5 and komo4 and they all want in on it all i have to do is call the day before to tell them what time and where so we have some coverage on this event just let me know if you need any more help just let me know.

 

Just posted an invite on NSXPrime

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59121


Joe

 

Looks like I might be able to make this one after all.... stay tuned for details!

 

I got to check and see if I can get this day off from the new job. I have been working 6 days a week so hopefully they should be ok with me having a Saturday off. We'll see.