As we all know, due to the wrath of Ike we are unable to proceed with the much anticipated Galveston Ruckus, and due to time constraints and popular demand the event date was pushed back one week. So without further ado, this is the Officially Official Announcement of Ruckus 7!

Come One, Come All to Lufkin Ruckus 7- October 17 to October 19th, 2008!

Lodging will be provided by the Expo Inn of Lufkin at a rate of $55 per night (call to book 936-632-7300). The Expo Inn offers large and clean rooms with a mini fridge and microwave, they have a huge parking lot, they offer room service at reasonable rates ( !), and they have an on site bar. They also have a large courtyard with two gazebos and a swimming pool. I think everyone will be happy with this hotel.

Itinerary
Friday, October 17th 2008

• Hotel check in
  
• Dinner at UFO Pizza in Lufkin
  
• General festivities at Hotel
  

Saturday, October 18th 2008

• Show and Games at Kit McConnico Park
  
• Lunch at Bryan's Smokehouse and Award presentation
  
• Cruise through Piney Woods area, including stops at several Historical sites
  
• Dinner at Ray's Drive-In
  
• Possible Evening Activity, or adjorn to Hotel for partying
  

Sunday, October 19th 2008

• Breakfast at Family- Style Restaraunt next door to Expo Inn
  
• 1/4 Mile Drag Racing in Rusk, TX @ Cherokee County Motorsport Park
  

* Denotes things with more information coming soon

Everybody get ready, we're going to have a great time...

Edit to add list of people who want to have a great time:

• Myself
  
• Blake
  
• Tom
  
• Tim
  
• Maryjane
  
• Josef
  
• Jim
  
• Chris
  
• Stephen
  
• Bryan
  
• Sorefeet
  
• CliffW
  
• Daniel
  
• Fierosa
  
• Stuart
  
• Doug
  
• Merrill
  
• Steve?
  

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-10-2008).]

Sounds GREAT! Count me in..

We won't be able to make it, but if there is anything I can do to help from off-site, please let me know.

I`m not going to be able to make it either.
My company has something going on that weekend.
Mike

It's only about 65 mile north of me so Cathy and I will be there Sat morning and come home that evening.
Joe Crawford

Edit to add we have a new PFF member "sorefeet" who lives in the Lufkin area. He should be able to suggest some nice sights and or "adventureous and or spireted"roads. I know I misspelled adventureious and spireted, twice.

[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 09-29-2008).]

Count me in.

What does the depart time look like for that Friday?

Is the track going to be open Friday night? I looked on there website but it doesn't have anything about being open.

[This message has been edited by MstangsBware (edited 09-29-2008).]

I'd be more intent on going, but being only sixteen, I'd be the only bunch out of all of you that wouldn't know what he's talking about.

Maybe once I'm old enough to share a drink with you all. Have fun.

You have to start learning somewhere. I got into fieros when I was 16 and everyone else was much older.

quote Originally posted by Bradley Jay: I'd be more intent on going, but being only sixteen, I'd be the only bunch out of all of you that wouldn't know what he's talking about. Maybe once I'm old enough to share a drink with you all. Have fun.

Age doesn't matter trust me. There are several of us that act like we are 12. Come and hang out and you will have a good time. There are a few of us that don't drink so you will not be alone in that area.

quote Originally posted by pumpkincarriage: As we all know, due to the wrath of Ike we are unable to proceed with the much anticipated Galveston Ruckus, and due to time constraints and popular demand the event date was pushed back one week. So without further ado, this is the Officially Official Announcement of Ruckus 7!

Do you intend to post the hotel information? I'm not sure I can afford it after the stock market crash, but I might be able to drive up for Saturday.

Hotel will be the Expo Inn, but I am waiting for a set in stone booking with the hotel to give all the info and tell yall to start booking. I expect to have this information by tomorrow night. Price will be less than $60 per night, for sure. The rooms are big enough you could do three people to a room (with one on the floor) without any problem.

JScott, I hope you are able to make it. We have tried to plan this to be as wallet sensitive as possible, from gas to food to hotel this will not be a budget breaking event.

Stephen, No information on a convoy from Dallas yet, though Blake mentioned having taken the day off in order to be able to leave town a little earlier. I am working on the track night, that is why there is a * next to that event (it may be Friday, it may be Saturday, it may not happen).

Bradley, I was only 18 when I went to my first Fiero meeting, if you want to come and learn a few things, see some nice cars, and meet alot of friendly people you would be welcomed by all.

Everyone, I also want to mention there will be NO REGISTRATION FEES or EVENT SHIRTS. It is simply too close to time to be comfortable getting shirts done and we're not doing anything that requires too much out of pocket spending (no fancy awards, goody bags, etc). We felt everyone would probably rather save their $. There will be dash plaques available at the show for a minimal cost to commemorate the event and Blake is working on some extra special home made awards for the show and game winners

Anyone want to split a room? I'm going to be there regardless. I refuse to miss this.

Bradley, you should come. It's gonna be a blast! There's never a dull momet with this crew. Partying doesn't have to involve drinking. Is it still swimming weather there?

------------------
"Semper Fiero"

quote Originally posted by Bradley Jay: I'd be more intent on going, but being only sixteen, I'd be the only bunch out of all of you that wouldn't know what he's talking about. Maybe once I'm old enough to share a drink with you all. Have fun.

My son was only 13 when he went to his first Ruckus. We are missing it this year b/c of scheduling conflicts, but I GUARANTEE that you will have fun. The group treats everyone well and will love to answer any questions that you have. The drinking thing has never come up that I have seen. I don't drink and I know that there are others that don't so don't worry about it and GO!!! It will be fun!

Jarhead, there is a pool, and it is supposed to get 90* in Houston today

Can I get a quick tally guys of those who think they will be able to make it? My list so far is:

Myself
Blake
Tom
Tim
Maryjane
Josef
Jim
Chris
Stephen
Bryan
JScott
Sorefeet
CliffW
Daniel
Fierosa

(Also added to 1st post)

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-02-2008).]

put me down for a good time!

unhappily, I did not make Lufkin today. Looks like I will try again to leave tomorrow morning to map us out a cruise route.

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: unhappily, I did not make Lufkin today. Looks like I will try again to leave tomorrow morning to map us out a cruise route.

too bad you couldn't wait until friday, i'd be happy to tag-a-long since i have this friday off.

Okay guys, I'll let Blake give you the majority of the information when he gets a chance (he did alot more work today and everything is coming along extremely well), but I wanted to let every know the hotel situation...

**READ THIS EVERYONE**
Expo Inn is the place, $55 per night is the price. However, Blake was told it is a busy time down there and we could not reserve a certain amount of rooms without prepaying, so availablity may become limited if you wait to book. I would recommend sorting out who's staying with who and making your reservations this week if you possibly can. There are other nearby hotels with similar prices, but this one is very, very cool and I don't believe anyone will be disappointed (which I cannot say for the other hotels).

Contact Info is:
Expo Inn
4200 Medford Dr.
Lufkin, TX 75901

936-632-7300

Call to make your reservation and ask for the Fiero Show rate (otherwise you'll be paying $64).

(Oh, and Chris... pets are welcome)

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-02-2008).]

Count me in!

Amber, thanks for checking on the pet situation for me. Lisa will be very happy that she can bring Maddie again. We will probably only be coming up Saturday Morning and staying Saturday night.

I have broken my trans. need new one.

I will not be there.

I know ..who cares...

[This message has been edited by revin (edited 10-02-2008).]

quote Originally posted by revin: I know ..nobody cares...

Well Mike and I care...but we won't be there either.

What did you do to it THIS time?

I was hoping yall would be coming up Friday Chris, we're going to be in Houston Thursday night visiting family and wanted to cruise to Lufkin with yall

Kevin I think we all care, I was just about to send you a PM asking if you could attend and we all talked about how we hoped you would make it while we were planning last Sunday.

Fierosa added to the list... How bout all the other Austin/ SA people?

Edit to add: Got our room booked just now. You get to choose 1 or 2 beds and smoking or non-smoking... I would imagine the 2 bed non-smoking rooms will fill up fast so get your reservations in soon!

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-02-2008).]

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get there. I fly in to Ft. Worth from Japan that Thursday, check in to my new unit Friday, and my car is in Houston. I may just hop on a southwest flight as soon as I get off Friday and pick up the ride.... If I make it, ask how I pulled it off. I just don't know yet.

BTW: Amber, it is Bryan. With a "Y". Thanx

------------------
"Semper Fiero"

Edited to a Y, I wondered if it was before I typed it... guess I had a 50/50 shot there

That is quite a predicament, especially considering how fun the cruise from north Texas is going to be. No chance anyone wants to bring your car to Ft. Worth or Lufkin (I'm sure you could ride with someone to Lufkin) for you? If you end up having to fly to Houston to get it you could cruise to Lufkin with Jed and I depending on time... we're thinking leave Houston around 3-4pm and take 59 up. That's probably too early though... Or JScott and Chris are leaving Saturday morning, not sure if they are coming together or not.

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-02-2008).]

Just called my brother. He is gonna see if he can get off work to take it up there and make the show. He may end up cruising with you and Jed. We are still trying to get the steering and suspension bugs worked out. It still needs inspection and registration too. That didn't stop me from the 25th and it is the least of my worries for this.

Anybody anywhere near NAS JRB that can pick me up as soon as I get off?

------------------
"Semper Fiero"

[This message has been edited by Jarhead 2m4 (edited 10-02-2008).]

just got my room.

I'm booked...

See ya'll Soon!

PS Debbie will be coming too..

quote Originally posted by Jarhead 2m4: Anybody anywhere near NAS JRB that can pick me up as soon as I get off?

what time are you getting off and is this Friday (17th) were talking about?
i know blake will is driving from southwest fort worth and could possibly pick
you up but i can't speak for him so i don't know what his plans are that day.
i thought he said he was going to leave earlier than usual to meet and greet
people as they arrived. i was hoping to caravan with him.

nice to see you'll be across the runway from me during the day.

on another note: was somebody driving a black GT on Pioneer Pkwy (around Smith Barry intersection)
yesterday?

I should be off work and ready to go by 4:00 pm. I might be able to swing earlier but this is my best guess.

Still looking for a room to share if anybody is interested.

I t/w Poe today... he had suggested leaving in the morning after he got off work (about 0700)...
Probably meet off of I-20 in the Cedar Hill area... and drive down to Lufkin in the morning.

It would save him from having to drive back home just to wait an hour two.
It would accomplish my goal of getting down there early'ish.

I can honestly tell you... anyone that rolls with me from the metroplex will not regret the route I selected going into Crockett. It has made my Top Texas 20. 7 out of 7 stars on the good ole driver scale (once we get off 45.)

Bryan, by Friday night, I will have already been in Lufkin for a while. I will keep my ears open for any NTFC guys heading down late on Friday that might can help.

Let me post in the official thread.
I intend to make it.
Good job pumpkin, .

OK... a couple of chapters from the 'LUFKIN FILES'

On Sunday, 3 NTFC members, chauffer'd by a very smooth operator, Tom Slick, in a very official government looking Suburban... cruised to Lufkin on a scouting trip. Tom earned 6 out of 7 driving stars, many being earned for not getting mad at navigators for not telling him to turn until we were past the road... and hanging tough despite rolling well over 400 miles. He'd have gotten 7 out of 7 stars if he not refused to take the 'burban off roading.

PC, Tim, Tom, and I met Josef and Maryjane in Lufkin around lunchtime to help with planning. We were able to scout out an eating establishment or 2, and after many visits with many hotel managers, we were able to find a hotel that had a lot going for it. The manager was not available so I could negotiate rates.

Many thanks to Joe and Don... by dividing into two scout teams, we were able to cover A LOT more territory, and that freed me up yesterday to spend a lot more time working cruise. We had lunch at a BBQ place with good local flavor... I think it will make a good spot for Saturday lunch... though it may take a little while to order chow.

The NTFC group ran 1 potential cruise triangle, that picked up Lake Sam Rayburn... we scrapped it for a lack of personality. Darkness was catching up to us... so we headed back to DFW, knowing there was still work to be done.

Yesterday, Jennifer and I drove back to Lufkin, and we found an old style car-hop Drive-In called Rays. Greasy burgers... delicious onion rings, and tons of local flavor. Easy to find from our hotel. Great parking to showcase the cars... hopefully all the neon will be working. Sonic across the street if that suits your taste better.

After 2x visits trying to contact the Expo Inn manager... she eventually got me by phone. I was scouting cruise roads... but came back to meet with her. One of the nicest things about this hotel... it does not smell like curry. After much discussion, and promises that I would have people booking soon... I got her down to a rate of $55 per night. That does not include tax, but does include the continental breakfast. Make sure to mention it is for the Fiero Ruckus car show. She had sympathy for us after learning that our Galveston plans were... well washed away. She said small pets were OK, and would try to get us a water hose to wash the cars. I did find a Car Wash about 3 miles away, and easy to find.
Lastly, she said filling up her rooms has not been hard lately. In Lufkin, there is an army of insurance adjustors, repair crews, utility crews, and truckers hauling supplies... not to mention the displaced souls from Ike. In other words... make your reservations... and maybe thank her for working with us ... she certianly did not have to!

Next door to the Expo Inn is quite possibly America's most authentic 70's era diner. They even provide free room service to the hotel up to 2200! (and don't gouge on the prices!!) I can't vouche for the food... but the decor... damn I miss places like that. Smokers are in the minority!

I found a city park that will work great for the Ruckus Rodeo Games. It is picturesque with several nice sized parking lots. It is close to the hotel... and a scenic drive to get to it. If it is all busy and full on Saturday morning... the Expo Inn parking lot is big enough to accomodate our games.

I spent much of the day trying to find us twisty roads and was hampered by fairly flat and fairly straight forested roads. You would not believe the number of paths I had to cross off because they became too rough or were dirt. Let me just type this... if someone needs a Jeep cruise in the Lufkin area... give them my number... I can sho hook them up.

In addition to an interesting activity... I tried to find us some photo ops. I REALLY wanted to find a fallen tree... to give a sense of the power of wind... I think I succeeded. I think getting a photo of every Ruckus car at this photo spot will make for an interesting picture memory. It only took like 200 miles to find a place that we could drive a lowerd Fiero up to... ugh.

Cruise route will be between 100-130 miles. The longer we make it... the more fun it gets
Now it ain't as crazy twisty or long as what CliffW took us through (sigh)... but for just rolling with an Atlas and 1 afternoon... I did pretty good, if I do say so myself.

A long day indeed yesterday.
One thing is for certain... when you leave R7... you won't be wondering why they call it 'The Piney Woods.'

Special thanks to my wife for putting up with me for 609 miles yesterday.

Hmm, sounds like that may further complicate issues for you Bryan (with a Y ), you might could try to ask Daniel (PM me if you need his phone #) I think he has to work until 3pm and he'll be leaving from Arlington... I'm sure for some gas money he'd be glad to pick you up. Otherwise, not sure who might be leaving later in the day.

Blake, glad to hear yall will be going down early... that will save Jed and I some pointless wandering around Houston after our noon checkout, we'll just go ahead and get to Lufkin.

(Edit: GO TO BED BLAKE!!! Now I'll read your post )

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 10-03-2008).]

I'm planning to go. I'm chatting with Jarhead about being able to meet his needs if he gets held up on his departure any.

Do we need to add an "I need this" list for people with spare parts?

Stu

I took my wife to Galveston today so she could see where she grew up in person. The island is covered like this . Every where you looked.



We saw mountains of debris. This is one of the two they have . It is the smaller of the two I was told. It is at lest 10 acers, and 20-25 foot deep.



This would not be a place to hold a Ruckus. Maybe not even next year .
Joe

[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 10-03-2008).]

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: I t/w Poe today... he had suggested leaving in the morning after he got off work (about 0700)... Probably meet off of I-20 in the Cedar Hill area... and drive down to Lufkin in the morning. It would save him from having to drive back home just to wait an hour two. It would accomplish my goal of getting down there early'ish. I can honestly tell you... anyone that rolls with me from the metroplex will not regret the route I selected going into Crockett. It has made my Top Texas 20. 7 out of 7 stars on the good ole driver scale (once we get off 45.) Bryan, by Friday night, I will have already been in Lufkin for a while. I will keep my ears open for any NTFC guys heading down late on Friday that might can help.

what route are you taking to get to Lufkin?
google maps tells me to go the way we came back on sunday.
depending on the route it might be better to me stephen at I-20 & 45, I-20 & 175.
i'll be following you so we need to meet up at I-20 and bowen.