The one thing I will not forget, the CRAZY go-carting in the pouring rain, man was that dangerous, but well worth the risk for that kind of fun, and another are those little mini bikes that shawn (purpleraign) brought, they haul.
Visting wiht old fiiends,makeing so many new friends, Getting so much help form both old friends and others that I had never met before. Driving one car to the show and a different car home.................yes I did make it home thanks to Archie, Chris, Mark, Carl and the many others who offered their help. Fiero Owners are the BEST.
THE GO-KARTS.........................................
Not sure what to add to an already great list! Let me begin by saying that in an event of this size, it's the people who attend it who give it the life and personality that everyone remembers. All the organizers can hope to do is to plant the seeds and see what comes up. Factors such as who's going to show up, the interaction of various personalities within the group, mechanical failures, and weather conditions can't possibly be controlled. The Prezzz does a fine job of setting the basic tone for the event.
With that said, I didn't have a particularly good time at last year's Dells Run, but it had nothing to do with the organization of the event; it was all about the uncontrollable factors I just mentioned. This year was a different story altogether. Due to a few new faces, a few familiar ones, some others absent, and some unfavorable weather, it all added up to a completely different experience this time around.
The go-karting in the rain will undoubtedly be the stuff of legend for years to come. I think we were all so amazed that the track let us keep going in spite of the downpour that we didn't even care how cold and rain-soaked we were getting, nor how beat up our bodies were from the frequent and often spectacular crashes that were occurring over that fateful last wooden bridge. It's enough of a challenge to negotiate in dry weather, but it was taking even the experienced drivers by surprise once it got wet! I'm sure those who stayed through it also didn't want to feel like it was $20 wasted just for one or two runs. And boy did we get our money's worth. So about 10 runs later, I ended my session and headed back to the Chula Vista. My shirt was so covered with sand and dirt that I just took it off before climbing into the car and trashing the seats. I was actually warmer and drier without my shirt on than I was with it. But I had no idea just how dirty I was until I got back to the hotel. I was covered in it from head to toe, and it was a grimy dirt that wouldn't just rinse off either. It was a good excuse to fill the jacuzzi in the room and soak for an hour.
I enjoyed the winery tour too, and made it to the Dells on Friday morning just in time for it. It's a good excuse to take a long drive along scenic and winding country roads on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny afternoon. The problem for me was fuel, as I'd covered the 180-mile trip from my home to the Chula Vista on a single tank of gas, and the group was just leaving as I pulled in! Figuring there would be a gas station along the way, I worked my way forward in the caravan so that I could make a quick stop without losing the group. But as I focused on moving up in the line, I lost sight of watching for gas stations and suddenly we were in the middle of nowhere. My fuel gauge continued its slow swing to the left, and I knew I didn't have more than 10-15 miles at most remaining. The mileage counter on the directions showed about 22 miles to the next apparent civilization, and my situation was getting dire. Now I was moving up in line more in the hopes of getting a ride from someone to the next gas station when I ran out! Luckily a convenience store with fuel appeared a few miles later and I was able to fill up, pay the cashier (since they didn't have those newfangled pay-at-the-pump things) and get back with the group just as the last car went by.
Good to see everybody again, looking forward to next year!
1. Phil's other flaming yellow Fiero. 2. DL10 singing the blues and playing the harmonica the same time. 3. Dave talking me into eating gator. (Passed on the sea weed though)
Tina
IP: Logged
01:01 AM
RAREW66 Member
Posts: 1119 From: Davenport, IA USA Registered: Jun 2001
The 75 foot thrill ride to the bottom of the ditch I ended up in:
2) I paced the mini Indy 500
3) I had the opportunity to buy the Minnesota Fiero Club a round of shots of 100 proof water.
4) Thank god I was wearing my cup around the Minnesota Fiero Club. That superball could have permanately left me childless.
5) Seeing KEV's buttcrack while he was looking for the superball.
5) Getting a hug from the over-sensitive KEV.
6) Having the honor of taking MinnGreenGT's space in the work in progress class:
7) Hanging out in the parking lot shootin' the breeze
8) Making new friends again this year.
9) Making fun of Dave Gunsul all weekend.
Thanks to all who attended. The Dells keeps getting better every year. I had a great time as usual.
------------------ Fred Bartemeyer Chairman Heartland Fieros http://www.heartlandfieros.com 86 GT 4spd 26k miles 87 GT 5spd. Blue 37k miles 88 Silver T-Top Formula 275,000 miles 87 GT 5 spd Annette's Sunshine Driver 88 GT 5 spd Annette's Daily Driver
Thanks to all who attended. The Dells keeps getting better every year. I had a great time as usual.
I forgot to add my number 9 to my list: 9. Fred's "lookin saucy" at the bar after my Taco Bell run. (hotsauce packet in his back belt loop that he was unaware of) Seriously though Fred, i'm sorry to see that "deer chip" you got. Your description of it sounded bad enough but that pic......wow. It's just fortunate that you are alright. I hope Annettes car has a speedy recovery.
<edit for typo>
[This message has been edited by Dave Gunsul (edited 06-07-2004).]
This was my first year it All I can say is AWESOME. Now I know why everyone said that I HAD to go and I would NEVER miss another one. They are right! I will never miss another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In no particular order 1) The wave at the banquet 2) Meeting so many people and also putting faces to the forum users. 3) Looking out of the butt of a duck 4) Setting at the bar talking to people (But I wasn't in there as much as the Minnesota gang, ohh and Archie 5) Taking so many pictures of Awesome Fieros - Man there are some great cars out there. 6) Setting up to the wee hours of the morning playing cards with the Sioux Falls group
IP: Logged
07:41 AM
litespd Member
Posts: 8128 From: No where you want to be Registered: Aug 99
Awwww, Fred, that sucks! I'm glad to hear that you and Annette are okay, though. I'll bet you're rethinking that "I'm not bringing any tools this time" statement, though...
quote
5) Seeing KEV's buttcrack while he was looking for the superball.
Are you sure that isn't where the superball was???
quote
5) Getting a hug from the over-sensitive KEV.
Well...if he DID have the superball hid there, it would explain why he was so "over-sensitive"...
Wish I had been able to attend. Hope to see you at Wheatstock!
------------------ Mike...86 GT 4 Speed "Sucks to be me..."
IP: Logged
10:51 AM
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
I have pictures of the alledged PR "booty shake," the swing around the pole was hilarious!
Sorry about the superballs guys but MinnGreenGT asked for it!
Dave, sorry we didn't get to swap keys, I would have loved to take a spin in your car.
Why is it that the MN group are the ones mentioned at the bar, is it that bad?
Great to see all the familiar faces and some new ones. Dells is always a blast and gets over way to quick! Can't wait to see a lot of you later this year at some other shows and of course next year.
Jim
87 GT V8
[This message has been edited by Jimmy (edited 06-07-2004).]
IP: Logged
11:27 AM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
Hi Everybody, Just got back and had to say a few world about the show this year WILD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Every year takes on a new meaning to me, last year was the AARP groupe this year was the Bar Crowd and everyyear are the cars>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. It was really had to giver away stuff this year may be the questions were to hard, like were we are right now and what color is that Fiero? Hope every one had a great time and I will see some of you at Auburn with my car so I can play instead of work.
------------------ The Prezzz
IP: Logged
01:41 PM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
I am unable to divulge the identities of these very bright individuals. Their names will remain a secret until they decide to come 'out of the closet'!
Mark Green Bay Packers Rule!
IP: Logged
05:47 PM
Fierochic88 Member
Posts: 4980 From: Staunton, VA Registered: May 2001
Ummm locking all the sets of keys to my car that I had in my trunk?? And then the trunk release not working because it wasn't hooked up?
Oh wait - that was 2002 Dells - oh well! Still makes me laugh!
Jen
Jaei Sun locked his keys in his car at the Wisconsin Ducks. It is nice to know you can unlock a Fiero with a simple twig from a tree. We had him in his car in thirty secods.
OMG! LOL i knew you had to have a pic of that shot glass. LOL Wait til Kev sees that. The look on his face when he opened that was priceless. I wasn't going to pick that up because i just met the guy but i needed a good comeback from him making fun of my sunburn. I think he did mean i was number one.
IP: Logged
11:21 AM
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
OK, here are mine, also in no particular order. [Except for the go-karting]
First and foremost, the go-kart track. I still can't believe that the workers let us keep going. Huge props to them for letting us keep beating on their karts.
- Dave's white hair and red face
- Mike's [standard] white forehead and everything from his eyes down was burned.
- Attempting to race Fred in his go kart while on my mini bike.
- Participating in my first ever Dell's Run.
- Meeting all the new people, especially, Mark, Mike and Dave
- The fact that no one could beat me in the "Rush" video game in the bar.
- Having to draw tickets because of the slippers that I was wearing
All in all, I will remember everything, seeing as how this was my first ever Dell's show. I want to give a HUGE thanks to Tom, and the Fanatics for puting on such a fantastic show. And a big thanks to everyone who shows up and makes the show what it is. I am most definatley looking forward to next year already.
------------------ Used is such a harsh term. . . I perfer "Previously obsessed over" ;)
88 4 cyl 5 speed: All show and no go 86 SE V-6 Turbo 4 speed: All go and no show
IP: Logged
11:23 AM
Firefox Member
Posts: 4307 From: New Berlin, Wisconsin Registered: Feb 2003
You guys are just going to have to come down to the Dells for the Fiero Fanatics Fall Cruise in early October. Bring all of your Green Bay Packer stuff!
Mark
IP: Logged
01:10 PM
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
Many thanks Tim!
)
too many shots for you eh ???
