Just wanted to let everyone know that I finally got a letter off to the NCHP commending Trooper Sama for stepping to represent law enforcement and give us some safety pointers about driving TOTD. Thought he did an excellent job without any prior warning and was pro-active and very positive in his approach with us.

I attached a copy if anyone cares to read it and send the NCHP their own commendation. It can only help us in the future.

 

thanks Bert for doing that for us!

Also, if you don't mind, can you also send something to Graham County officers?

Next year, I'm going to try my best to ask Blount county to give us a quick speach. as most part of Deals gap is blount county.

PHIL

 

Yeah, Phil I'll send something similar to Graham County. I did extend an invitation to Blount County Sheriff as well but they declined to show, saying they let the Tennessee HP take care of TOTD.

I did see a Bount County deputy on a Sheriff Dept motorcycle a the Overlook area Sunday morning when we drove the Dragon and Cherahola Skyway. Maybe they aren't allowed to venture over into NC.

Next year plan on the presentation of an Owners Award presented to the car most appreciated by other owners. The Raleigh Rotary Drive-In will sponsor the award. It will be ready next year. Upon registration each participant should be assigned a number and a card could be placed on the dash. Then everyone could use that number to vote.

Bert

 

We could have a judging panel. The awards could just be a certificate. That would be real cheap to do. You could decide on what categories and print the certificates out. I think it would be fun.

 

welcome to NOPI :^)

 

311unity13B,

By our conversation at the Deals Gap, I know you were not fond of the idea about "show and shine" and such. But I would greatly appreciate if you would understand how much effort it takes to put an event together, to make everyone happy.

I know you have said before about people driving too slow and show and shine was too long. And not having enough time on the tail. What I would like to ask and tell you is that by what everyone else told me, they enjoy seeing different cars, talking to different people, and going on the drive. And also, its a public road. If you feel that you would like to go on the gap, do it day before, or morning before, or come to the show and shine @ 12 instead of 9, or go drive all day long on sunday, thats fine with me. But for you to make comments and saying I didn't do things right, it does make me defensive and also wanting me to say things like, "go organize it yourself!".
Please understand that I've spent hours, days, months, talking to different people and trying to make the event enjoyable to everyone. Also I feel that you were slightly out of line when saying giving an award for appreciating someone's hard work is like NOPI. We aren't talking about bunch of honda owners deciding on who we should give this award too. People voting will be the people who own RX7s and have passion for rotaries. And your comment is like calling ourselves, ricers..

I'll say this again to everyone.

If you want to race, than goto a track.
If you think the event is waste of your time, don't come
If you have suggestions, I will listen and I will also reason with you if that will work or not. Just remember that I've spent ours talking with people who have ran different social events, I've also given advice to people running different events, and I've also attended many social (car) gatherings.
Also, remember that I didn't charge anyone for this event. One thing if I was charging $75 and I'm making money on the side for all my hard work.. Then I might be able to take criticism little better..

So, please understand where I'm coming from before commenting and suggesting. Like I said before, its free, and you could do what you wish to do. Main REASON for this gathering is to get the Rotary community closer. Meet everyone in person, talk, hangout, and go for a drive... If I want this gathing to be drive only oriented event, I would rent out the Barber Motorsport Park and charge $400/driver and drive on one of the best track in USA. And its only 10 minutes from my house!!!

So, PLEASE, Respect others attending this event. Don't be selfish and do whatever you want to do. Or say someone is a horrible driver or slow driver.. Remember that event like this, each and every one of us represent the rotary community. Hence I as glad to read about us in the Killboy.com

Thanks for reading and hope we could have another wonderful event this fall and next spring.

PHILIP SOHN

 

 

Herblenny, Know that most if not all of us really enjoyed oursevles at this event. I know I appreciate what you an all the others did.I even got sun burnt! We did start to run out of space. Which I am glad because we had that many cars show up. Keep up the good work. Cant wait for the next one. My Turbo 2 should be running again by then(better be lol).

 

Well said Phil

 

Phil, I hate you. You suck.









Kidding LOL. But for real man, even though I didn't make it out to the event, I know Phil's been workin like crazy to make this happen guys. And Phil, I totally understand the frustration you deal w/ when you put on events...I've put on quite a few myself (non-car related). And sometimes you do end up w/ ppl who just wanna do everything their way, or are there just to complain and give you a hard time. Don't let it get to you man. Seriously. You did a great job, as is obvious from the overwhelming majority of ppl's positive responses. Thanks for putting the awesome event together, and I hope that I can make it to the next one you have!

~Ramy

 

dude, i was joking about the NOPI thing that why i put a smiley next to it, i didnt mean any disrespect about it

..i just wasnt expecting the long show thing, i figured it was a meeting before the runs and whatnot, dont get me wrong, i love to see all the rotorheads and talk and whatnot, but, it was just a little long (5 hours), i guess i get bored easily...It just seemed to me before I went that it was a mountain run, it seemed we spent alot more time standing around than driving. I know some of those came more for the show than the run on the Dragon. Its just that we can have a show anytime anywhere, but beautiful sports cars like the RX-7 cant get together and have a mountain run anyday. That was more what i was expecting from a Deal's Gap get together. I know some have to agree with me, but just arent saying it.

Once we got on the Gap, i had a blast...and the thing about Bert driving slow or whatever, I was just busting his chops and I think he understood that from his responses about getting me back.

the night at the campfire i was just giving constructive criticism about what could of been improved on if an event of the such ever happened again, i told you it was a really fun day overall, i understood that with that many people what i expected couldnt happen, and that's fine. It was a great first try at such an event. Dont get me wrong, I give you mad props for putting it all together, and would be happy to help organize along with my friend Jeremy (PureMdMa), i think he already offered.

I am really sorry if i offeneded anybody and mean no disrespect, and I think I speak for everyone when i say i really appreciate the weekend you put together. I just hope we arent on bad terms cause you rock for putting so much time and effort into it.

~Zach

 

no need to bust me too, when you werent there and dont know whats going on, that's disrespectful

 

SOMEONE'S jumping to conclusions...I didn't specify who my post was in response to. I don't recall quoting you before my post? Whether or not my post applies to your comments is for you to judge alone. I wasn't there, so I can't call ppl out like that (and even if I was, that's not my style). I was simply responding to what Phil said. So if you ask me, you (may have) felt a lil heat from my comment because it (may have) applied to you, when I didn't direct it toward you or post it as a direct response to your post

 

it just seemed like it was a sarcastic comment directed towards me

 

Hey Zach, don't worry, all is cool with everything. This was just the first of many Deals Gap Rallys and we should always try to make the next one better. Everyone gave this one their best shot and given the amount of time to plan and set it all up we all owe Phil and others a lot of thanks. Now we all have a year to plan the next one, all ideas to make it better will be considered and used where possible. But I've been around long enough to know you'll never please everyone. Nobody got drunk and started a fight over something said about their car, no body got hurt coming or going and while at Fontana, and most people are hungry for more driving, given these facts it all was a success. Brian Hinson just needs to bring a fresh battery next time!

Bert

 

PM'd you....

 

Def not sarcastic, and not directed toward you. But if it did offend you, my apologies.

 

Ya Bert, and next time a na FC is on your tail, I will let you drive my 85 FB and see if they can keep up with ya then!




Over all we all had fun, Phil did an awesome job putting on this event and has spent several hours doing so.
I would go again but this time will have the 205's on the car instead of the 185's.

 

Zach, Thanks for the PM.. And 2Hotrods, I just came back from ALMS. I sent you a PM back.

Ramy, YOU better come down here this fall or next year!
I'm coming up there this June. So, we'll hang out!

 

My NA FC was keeping up quite nicely with you

 

We are editing all the footage from the Deal's Gap weekend and will be making DVD's for anyone who wishes to buy one. The cost will be $15 shipped. I will also be bringing some to David Garfinkle's GAR-B-Q in May. If you are planning on attending that event (GAR-B-Q) let me know and the cost will be $12 since I won't be shipping them. All orders can be paid through PayPal. Paypal email address is cjames@acntv.com. PM me if you wish to buy one and I will keep an updated list on this thread to include who I have received payment from.

We have video of almost every car that attended and will try to get as many of you in the final product.

 

Fall Deals Gap gathering will be in Sept.
More details to come.

 

My videos of the Deals Gap..

Let me know what you guys think?

Part two (42MB)

http://www.311unity13b.com/deals_gap_4-6-2005_vid1.mov

Part one (22MB) better quality than before.

http://www.311unity13b.com/deals_gap_4-6-2005_vid2.mov


Thanks 311unity13b for hosting these!

PHIL

 

Great movies, Phil!! Good footage of the Skyway! Man, I can't wait till next year!!!