It is November already, we're back in the clutches of Standard Time and the sun is disappearing earlier and earlier from our rotary heavens each day. But the good news is the Dragon is hibernating for the winter and we start the Drive-Ins an hour eariler, at 5:30 PM, for the extra "daylight".

Yes we will be gathering at the Strickland Road Char Grill on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays most months. November 12th is the 2nd Saturday and it is this coming weekend. I have the RRDI shirts for those that stepped up and ordered them, and they will be the uniform of the day this coming Saturday. Yes shirts, clean shirts, will now be required at all future RRDIs, if you want to wear shorts, pants, or dresses, and shoes those are appreciated but not mandatory!

The fourth Saturday this month and in December will conflict with the Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends so each must decide if you want to spend time with the family that you were born in or your rotorhead family and those that truly understand you.

For those that went to Deals Gap this year, Phil Sohn, the organizer of the RX7 Deals Gap Rally, will be flying into Durham on December 16th to meet with Coach K and assist him with his game plans for the upcoming season :0). Anyone available that weekend to hold an impromptu RRDI while he is in town? I know December is a busy time for everyone.

A second shirt order is now in the works, along with the idea of getting some static window decals done for the RRDI. Anyone interested in working on this? We had talked about doing something for Mary's kids this Christmas, I'll get Christina to talk with the family and let us know if they are receptive and how we can make this Christmas a great time for everyone, ourselves included!
Greg, you mentioned doing another weekend drive in November, That is a great idea, where you wanna go? Lance has mentioned some good driving east and south of Raleigh that he'd like for us to see.

Also, Holiday Laps at VIR will be coming up in early December, That is time on the VIR road course, and a lot of fun driving up and coming back. Johny, hopefully will have Tiffany there, he will do some driftin' exhibitions, and the rest of us will just try and keep outta his way. Save your money, for a charitable donation, and make plans to join us on that road trip next month, Johny will let us know when VIR makes the announcement.

 

Just found out that VIR's Holiday Laps are scheduled for Friday December 9th. There will be a group leaving from Raleigh to drive up for the day that morning. Anyone interested on getting your car on Virginia Internation Raceway's 4 mile road course this would be the day to do it. Last year the cost was a $25 donation to the Salvation Army for each 30 minute track session. Set some cash aside and join us in a few weeks for the most fun you can have in an RX8.
Here is a photo of me and my GTU on the track:

 

Awesom, I'll have to set aside a few dollars for this and request the day off.
FYI..I will be watching the skating Hurricanes this Saturday, so I won't be at the meet. I'll be game for a Thanksgiving Weekend meet, depending on other's schedules and plans.
Also, do we want to plan another sunday morning - maybe afternoon Drive sometime before Thanksgiving?

 

Holiday laps. I missed those last year. I'm in (and this time I wont schedule anything else ).

 

Sweet...I working on trying to get that weekend off. I'm not gonna miss this!

 

I will definately be there. I got my leave accepted. See everyone this Sat at the Char Grill.

 

Saturday, 1730 hrs at the Char Grill, 9601 Strickland Road, Raleigh. See ya there and all remember it starts at 5:30 PM not 6:30 since we're back in Standard Time now. The new Shirts will be there.

 

Bert, what time are we heading up to VIR.

 

damn it i wanted to do this meet bad. but i might get stuck in memphis and if anyone could email me directions or an addy so i can look up directions i would appreciate it. just in case.

David

 

Nick, we should be up there by 1100 at the latest, sooner is better. If we leave Raleigh by 0900 we should be in good shape to make VIR on time. Last year we didn't leave VIR until after dark, 1730 or so waiting on the pics they were taking of the laps. We could all meet for breakfast or coffee at the Cracker Barrel in Morrisville, earlier, say the traditional time of 0730. Then leave for VIR from there by 0900.

 

I think I PM'd you directions early this morning. If not then just look about 3 posts up and you'll find the address and time for the Drive-Ins. What is going on in Memphis, stopping for some ribs? If that's the case bring us all some. :0)

 

my buddies truck was there and he wanted me to take hime to get it cuz my car is fast lol. so i might be able to make it. kinda broek even thought i just got back from iraq lmao. hopefully i will see you there.

David

 

Been trying to catch up on everything:

Mansion is definitely the RRDI's headquarter for the Deals Gap trip and I see that Josh has agreed to front $700 of the cost, that leaves only $1400 for the rest of us to split!:0)

If we can get 20 people to commit to the trip that breaks down to $105 for lodging for Friday and Saturday nights, thats $52.50 per night plus food and this would mean Josh would only have to pay his way. We spent about $30 from Friday night dinner at Sweetwater to Sunday breakfast at Fontana Village counting the Saturday night "buffet". If we can break down the lodging and food to $50/person/per night and $35 for food that weekend does this sound more reasonable for everyone?

VIR - The costs for the Holiday Laps at VIR is $25 in cash, check, food, or toys per track session, also remember to bring receipts with the donation if you're gonna do toys or food. And as we learned last year they won't accept donations of used rotary parts. Based on last years trip you'll want to make at least two runs. Anyone strapped for cash could always request an early Christmas or birthday present of two runs up at VIR. The DR, Doctor of Rotorology, says this event qualifies as stress reduction therapy and warrants a day off from work or school. The DR's order is "take two Holiday Laps sessions and call me in the morning!"

We'll be having an RRDI on the Saturday of Thanksgiving since most of our members will be home that weekend and might need to spend sometime in their cars, with their rotary bretheren, and eat some burgers and hotdogs instead of turkey and cranberrys. What time should we aim for on that Saturday. We could do it early and get some driving in before dark?

Anyone wanting to do a drive this weekend speak up and take the lead. Annouce a time and meeting place and plan a route for the drive

 

Im definatly in for VIR. Got my day off of work all cleared up. Let the fun BEGIN!

Mansion... hmmm got to think about that. Must collaborate with the guys im dragging along

 

count me in for Both (VIR charity laps and the Mansion).
hmm I need a way to make enough money for 24 hours of charity laps. any ideas? and do you think they would mind if I showed up at 12:01 am on that day to start

 

We had a modest turnout last night. When I arrived at 5:30 a "new" was waiting in the parking lot and it had brought along its owner Max, here is the first shot and it was showroom fresh.



Max had a very interesting story concerning finding and purchasing this FD. If you missed the Drive-In last night you need to hear his story and he can tell it best, I'll not spoil the fun for him.

Here is a photo of Greg admiring the car and I heard he offered Max an amp and a guitar of his choice for it.



Here is a look under the hood of a pristine showroom car with just over 21,000 miles on it, that is not a mistype, 21, 000 original miles:



Oh, yeah, we did have some others show up for the Drive-In, I call this one 7s & 8s:



We had the 8s represented by Gary and Nic with their TiGray *s, Eric did show up a little after 5:30 and it was good to see him back. the other representatives for the 7s were Greg and Christina, Ray showed up but left the 7 at home in the garage. He had his dyno sheet and had some really good numbers for an S4 172 bhp but it still needs some tuning to realize all its potential.

We talked about next weeks trip to VIR and with the cancellation Greg and Gary will not be able to make it, Beth has already reported that she won't be coming, but the good news is that Nic and his wife will be coming up to accompany Christina, me and my son up to VIR. That is gonna make a mighty short caravan. If anyone else can make it next Friday, we'll be meeting at Caribou Coffee at Briar's Creek at 8:30 and leaving by 9:00 or so for the 85 minute drive up to VIR.

Johny, we'll see you there between 11:00 and 11:20. We will top off our fuel in Roxboro before heading out to VIR so everyone come to Caribou with enough gas to make it to Roxboro. I don't think that there'll be food available at VIR so we might want to eat lunch early also in Roxboro before going out to VIR.

 

Since our next scheduled meet is on xmas, this weekend we are meeting at chargrill at 5:30 and then heading out to see some xmas lights. Hope to see some of you there!

 

Phil Sohn is coming over to Raleigh to have lunch and all the RRDI guys are invited to join us. We'll be at Firebirds Grill in North Hills at 12:30 or as soon, thereafter as traffic permits.

 

hey sorry to have missed all the fun i went home to spend christmas with my son. i would love to meet up in january if i don't trade in my car. on that note has anyone ever heard of the brain frying on the freeway and leaving someone stranded? mine did and there have been other complications i just don't know if i can continue to trust her even though i love her.

David