It would be really helpful to see an agenda for RFTH so we could decide when to arrive and when to reserve a room. Are things going on starting the morning of the 20th and also the day of the 22nd??
Deadline for reserving a room at the discounted rate at the host hotel is August 20. This area is very popular throughout September and October, so it would be near impossible to find a room within 10-15 miles. At least at a reasonable rate. Likely the rate for one night will be more than our rate for 2 nights and the Holiday Inn Express next door is already booked up.
The agenda: September 20---Arrival and meet and greet. Socializing and doing final checks and tweaks on the cars. September 21---The actual day of Run For The Hills. The evening festivities include a group sit down dinner at a local restaurant and drawing for the limited edition event coffee mugs. September 22---Return home.
I paid a visit to the Elliott Racing compound and spoke with Earnie Elliott about a guided tour through their facilities. I'm still waiting for his daughter to check out the insurance liabilities and have heard nothing from her, yet. I don't know if the tour will be in the schedule, or not. I also visited the Georgia Racing Museum for a tour, but they're having a fashion show that weekend. The museum is owned by the City of Dawsonville and they rent out the museum for other events. All the cars will be removed for the fashion show.
Is it worth it to stay Friday night? Fierfly and I are about 3-4 hours from RFTH each year, and we wouldn't consider trying to drive in early Saturday instead. It's worth every penny to hang out with everyone Friday night and start the run completely refreshed.
Should I stay Saturday night? First couple years, we waited until after the run to decide whether to drive home or stay. Each time we wanted to stay simply because we were worn out. It was hit and miss on whether or not a room was available (like Fierofool said, this area is busy this time of year). Now, we just reserve both nights early because we know we will regret it if we don't.
So...if you decide not to stay either of these nights, I reserve the right to say "I told you so." If you DO stay...I will bring extra cigars, you are welcome to join me.
For anyone planning to show up on Saturday morning, we will be pulling out by or before 9AM. If you're late, you're left. Driver's meetings usually start about 8:30.
If you failed to secure a room at our host hotel in Dahlonega, as an alternate, I would suggest the Comfort Inn in Dawsonville, Ga. at 127 Beartooth Pkwy, Dawsonville, GA - (800) 992-2694. We have made no arrangements with them, so you are at their mercy. They are located 15 miles away from the host hotel.
Yesterday I drove the entire route as a test run. I must say, this is a very nice run -- plenty of curves, and very little straight driving. Those of you who come, I think you're going to like it. Y'all cone on now, y'heah?
If you haven't made reservations already and still plan to come, you might try Comfort Inn on Beartooth Pkwy in Dawsonville, Ga. They have hosted us 4 or 5 times in the past and may have rooms available. They're about 15 miles away from our host hotel in Dahlonega. We have made no arrangements with Comfort Inn.
Days Inn probably does have rooms still available, but I don't think they are giving our group rates. Are they? If they are, that's good but as they told Pat, after August 20 they would go back up to the standard rates, or if a room was reserved for only 1 night, it would be the standard rate.
The shirts are 100% cotton inner surface and polyester outer surface. Cotton inside for wicking and polyester outside to accept the sublimation printing. Just 5 more days to place your order for shirts.
I didn't get the discounted rate, but then I didn't call. I just made my reservations online, since I happened to think about it. (I tend to get sidetracked, and didn't want to forget until it was too late.)
I guess it's a good thing I didn't already get a room booked. I found out this week that work has other plans for me that weekend. I'm not particularly pleased at that but whatever.
I guess it's a good thing I didn't already get a room booked. I found out this week that work has other plans for me that weekend. I'm not particularly pleased at that but whatever.
Have fun, everybody.
Well darn. We will miss having you there. Maybe you can catch the Booze Cruise in October (plans pending).
Just 1 more day to be able to order your event tshirt.
On a different note, after a number of calls to Earnie Elliott, Inc., the contact I have for arranging a guided tour through their facilities has not been available at any time I've called, nor has she replied to any requests to call me. At this time I will have to say there's no likelyhood that we will be able to get a tour through their facilities.
The run is this weekend. Weather forecast is for low to mid 80's but being in the mountains, it could get a little cool at night. You may want to bring a light jacket along for hanging out at the curb at night.
One day I'm coming down for this. Maybe the next time you guys do the Tail of the Dragon. It's 10 hours for me just to Knoxville but I'd start at the north end and meet up somewhere in the middle........Sigh. Well a guy can dream I guess
One day I'm coming down for this. Maybe the next time you guys do the Tail of the Dragon. It's 10 hours for me just to Knoxville but I'd start at the north end and meet up somewhere in the middle........Sigh. Well a guy can dream I guess
The Dragon is on the schedule for year after next, 2015, the 20th Anniversary of Run For The Hills
For anyone undecided...here are a few things to consider.
1. There are always empty seats. So, if you want to join in the fun but don't have a car to bring...come anyway and hitch a ride.
2. This is a great opportunity to see some engine swaps in action. This year, I know we will have some V8s, some 3800s, some 3.4s, as well as some very nice stock dukes and 2.8s. You never know what else might show up.
3. This is a cruise, not a race...but some of us do get a little wild. The further forward you are in the line, the faster the pace will be...but there are enough stops to keep everyone together. These will be tight, technical curves...and we actually have to work to maintain the legal speed limits. It is pretty rare for any of us to hit "arrest me" speeds.
4. This is a cruise, not a show...you WILL see multi-colored Fieros on this run, so feel free to bring yours. You will also see some trophy winners.
5. Safety is the number one priority...and we have a great record. We occasionally have someone kick the back end out...but my understanding is that in the 17 previous runs we have no tickets (on the actual run...not going to discuss the scouting runs), and the worst accident was someone backing into an embankment and damaging a rear fascia. Fierofool can confirm this...I just know we have been flawless in the last 4 that I have been involved in.
6. Most of us can do the entire run comfortably on one tank of gas, but pitstops are planned so that you can make the run regardless of how bad of mileage your car gets.
7. In case anyone thinks they don't have enough car for this run: I will be driving a stock 84 duke with an auto and original 260k mile suspension...and I plan to keep up with the best of them.
This is the one Fiero event that I absolutely will NOT miss...it is truly that much fun.
CowsPatoot has described Run For The Hills very well. You can drive the route as you desire. We usually advise that those who want to be most agressive to take the front, followed by the less agressive then the sightseers.
Greg not only tries to keep up in that little 84 4-cylinder, he often sets the pace. Raydar's pictures depict the stretches where you get to catch a breath. The reason he doesn't show the rest is because he had his hands full of steering wheel. This year there are few stretches to catch a breath. You'll have to do that when we make a rest stop. Here is some video of other parts of that same run. http://www.gafiero.org/rfth13.shtml
I became active with RFTH at Number 7. Ramon Otero had said there was never an accident in the previous years. The one incident CowsPatoot mentions actually occurred on a section of this year's run. As I recall, she said she was reaching over into the passenger floor to retrieve her FRS radio, in the midst of 3 hard downhill curves. After cleaning the grass and dirt from her right exhaust pipe, she continued to finish the run.
Tickets? Someone who will go nameless got a speeding ticket in his convertible while on his way to a scouting run. He hadn't even gotten there, yet! Another got one for 72 in a 45 on another portion of this year's run. He was lagging way back, being the last car, and was trying to catch up with the group when he encountered a Georgia State Patrol officer. But it wasn't during RFTH. It was just a weekend cruise.
We think you might want to re-run some portions of this year's run and we believe you'll have the time to do it. Especially the last section of roadway.
I'm also told that one of the originators of the Run For The Hills events will be attending and he has to drive about 7 hours to get here. So, what's your excuse for not attending?
I'm also told that one of the originators of the Run For The Hills events will be attending and he has to drive about 7 hours to get here. So, what's your excuse for not attending?
Erm, OSHA over here. Was hoping to make it on the bike but that went out the window when work scheduled the trainer and CPR refresher course. Oh, well.
I'm mildly frustrated. Weather is showing as a great weekend for a run.
Erm, OSHA over here. Was hoping to make it on the bike but that went out the window when work scheduled the trainer and CPR refresher course. Oh, well.
I'm mildly frustrated. Weather is showing as a great weekend for a run.
I suppose it would be really bad form to call out sick.
Wait... OSHA? Just tell them that you can't be there because the voices told you that you have to clean all the guns.
Originally posted by CowsPatoot: 1. There are always empty seats. So, if you want to join in the fun but don't have a car to bring...come anyway and hitch a ride.
I'll have an empty seat -- the grandkids won't be available this weekend. Sometimes I take one along. It's amazing how they can keep playing their Nintendo DS's while being slung around curves!
Hey Guys, remember the guy (no names) that was lagging behind and was out of walkie-talkie range when we saw a GHP. And of course he was trying to catch up. He now has a new best friend who he will remember for a long time. YES he did get a ticket. I am thinking it was on this run. The GHP was hiding in an orchard beside a fairly straight section along a river.
This was one of the more interesting runs I have been on. According to Fierofool (unofficial RFTH historian), this was only the 2nd run done in rain. And because it was raining, I didn't shoot any video. (There would have been a windshield wiper swiping across the video.) But we had fun on the curves any way. And who knows -- maybe we'll do a re-run on a clear day. (We've been known to do that.)
We had one car break down in front of a country church... It kind of looks like we're going to a prayer meeting.
We hope Elder Mooney didn't mind us parking on the church lawn.
After the run, we had excellent food in the Smith House in Dahlonega...
There's an abandoned gold mine in the Smith House... A mirror lets you peek down the mine shaft.
Spirit, you are correct. We did use that same section of highway as part of the run, except they sneaked up on him this time and came in from the opposite direction,. It was raining pretty hard at the time the crew probably passed by there, so I don't know what their speed was and I didn't hear any reports of seeing him.
The rain started about an hour before our run and ended shortly after our run, just opposite of a run we did out of Franklin a few years back where the rains stopped just before and started again after we returned. Things balance out, I guess.
I and Aereodonamic had gone back to the Church with the owner of the breakdown to meet the wrecker and give them directions back to the hotel so I missed that part. I did, however make that run on Friday when it was clear and about 82, as I placed turn markers along the course. My rule was that when the curves were marked with /////// on the signs, I slowed down to 65 and when they were marked with > > > I dropped it down to 60.
Missed you. It would have been nice to have had you among the group.
Following TopNotch's breautiful sunset, there was a nice sunrise this morning. This is the view from my window.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 09-22-2013).]
Thanks to Pat and Charlie for handling all of the logistics. This was actually one of the better routes that we have run. Dry roads would have made it spectacular.
The breakdown was a puzzler. (No. It wasn't mine.) I'm betting that it will turn out to be one of those things that make you say "DOH!". But it's a beeech to try to troubleshoot anything in the rain. (Be sure to dry out your tools, Charlie.) At least we weren't that far from civilization.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-22-2013).]
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