Noel - Don't know about the burgers but the dogs were awesome!!!!!

 

I didn't get but about 3 or 4 hours sleep the night before either. As a result, I was asleep at Devek Days. You say it was a blast? What happened? I kept hearing some people talking and disturbing my nap.

Today was better, because I slept longer the night before. Great drive up to a winery in Northern Ca. Hot. Nice roads. Even picked up a bear escort across the GG Bridge.

 

Noel... Hmmm... uh... dark hair, blue eyes? Bouncing between scores of hungry grumpy people who also were running on minimal sleep and the BBQ, with a dazed expression? That was you? Look, I know all of you worked you butts off. You did fabulous. Now, go find your butt, put it back and get some well-deserved sleep.

This was my first event too, and I really enjoyed it. Too much going on to post pics as yet, but I'll get to it. It was great seeing everyone again, and meeting all of the people that I hadn't previously! I just wanted to check in...More later...

 

My first Devek days as well. Awesome to meet some people from here as well as see some old friends. Lucky Eckman was a hoot. Great stories and a ton of information. Ross was very knowlegeable as well. Wish I coulda done the fun run today. Oh well. Here are a couple of pics.

Regards,

 

Yes Dave, you took enough photos. Why not post some of them?

 

Unfortunately I missed most of Saturday, as I was still recovering from an illness. But I'm so glad I went for the fun drive today - becuse it was a really fun drive!!!

Thanks, Beth, for organizing it, and Susan for giving me an extra few minutes in the morning when I was running late.

This was a unique drive, with less speed but more relaxed driving and interesting scenery. Some of these roads were not much wider than our cars. And some of those homes we passed... I'd consider giving my 928 for one of them (and you guys can imagine what sacrifice that would be...). But then I'd miss the group and be unhappy, so I stay where I'm at and keep the beast. Which, BTW, was running flawlessly all day, even in 103 Degree heat.

Today once again confirmed that a 928 is the best medicine. The car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it (well, unless something breaks...), and makes me feel better. I'm now ready for the new work week.

Hope to see you all again soon!

 

We missed the drive due to a nagging lower back problem Man, I could barely stand up for the whole AC tech talk, and couldn't bend over enough to point to a freeze switch. I'm still sore today, even after a jacuzzi on Saturday night topped off with a few liquid pain killers. Don't know what's going on.

Saturday was a good day, with weather in the low 80's in the morning, but spiking about 90 by late afternoon. What's with that? I guess if we order sunshine we get sunshine. Contrast that with earlier in the week when the fog stayed late and the days were almost cold. We did great!

Lots of cars, lots of faces new, lots of old friends too. The SoCal group was a bit underrepresented this year with only 5 in the SoCal paddock.

On Saturday, Lucky did an extensive review of the cars, starting from early ones and progressing through the major changes as the cars matured into the GTS. Too much info to digest all at once, so I was focused on the stuff that applied to me for the most part. Always informative!

Got a good look at The Professor's trick intake setup, with individual throttles similar in appearance to the one you've seen on the Kelly-Moss 944 GTR pictures. very clean, very cool.

Dennis K and George S shared a bit of their experiences and some AV about track days and open road racing, respectively. Good way for us armchair racers to live that stuff vicariously. NASA donated half a dozen or so track days for door prizes, very cool, so a few more will venture out and have some fun I'm sure. This is how track junkies start their habits. "Go ahead, do a lap. It won't hurt you if you do it just a few times. Look, all your friends are doing it!" From there, it's a long graceful slide to the point where the car doesn't have an interior any more, your kid's college fund is invested in tire company stock, and you start looking to cut a perfect apex on every freeway onramp. Just don't inhale, Mr President, and you'll be fine!

I did an abbreviated session on AC and had several folks who are working on specific unit performance problems. We talked about diagnostic methods suing the gauges and a couple thermometers too, and hopefully we'll see a lot more cool folks next year when this great event rolls around again.


Thanks go out to Marc and Susan, and the whole crew who made this event possible. Thanks also go to all the folks who came to join the fun. Without the participation of all the guests, it would be just another day at the shop.


For those that didn't make it to Devek, remember that there are events scheduled throughout the year at variou places around the country. Each is unique thanks to the various hosts and the areas that they specialize in. Each is a joy thanks to the people who come and join in. I missed SITM by a few days because of a project conflict, missed ICOC because of another travel snafu and schedule conflict, made it to Devek, will be at Sharktoberfest in Anaheim, but will miss the Frenzy in Virginia a week later thanks to other project conflicts. So two out of five ins't too bad, is it? Contrast this with some event junkies who might miss one or two a year. Maybe I'm not quite the biggest addict around...


Anyway, thanks to all that attended, others should try to make it next year, and don't be afraid to attend any of these. It really is the people, like yourselves, that make these events such fun.

 

Sorry I missed it. Did anybody see the 5sp 90 GT Cabernet with tan interior? That's my brothers, It should be for sale, kids/limited parking/new truck for his business time.
I'll shine up mine and try and make it to the next one.

LM

 

Fun as always and new things learned. New friends made, old friends missed. It was nice to spend more time talking with Susan and Marc...Marc, thank you for the help and sharing your knowledge...Susan, you left without saying Goodbye, but it was nice to talk anyway.

Many beautiful 928's were on display. I was fotunate to have the "ding guy" remove some noticiable door dings from the car. It was a perfect job. Unfortunately though, north of Santa Barbara on the way back, high winds blew a shrub branch into the freeway as I connected with it at 80mph. Hit the front driver side and all along the side of the car. I didn't look at the car until I got home. I now have a nice crease forward of the driver wheel...worse than all of those removed dings put together.(*&#^%$%#*&#$!!!!!)

Sunday's drive to Napa was fun. If you folks didn't know it, Beth led the way and will give most any of you a run for your money...fearless! Kudos Beth!!! Winery was fun with great conversation and beautiful scenery.

I made a long weekend of it leaving Thursday and arriving home Monday night. Did A LOT of driving around and explorng the area up there. Too much to tell, but I will say this. You guys that live up there, take "C1"(aka Canyon Road) off the 101 if you already haven't. It's runs from the 101(Geyserville ?) and route 1. Have your game face on for this one!!!!!!!

Looking forward to the next one!!! Great to see everyone!

 

It was great meeting you and talking to you Keith. I also enjoyed gawking at all the work you've done under your hood.

That sucks about the crease so close to home.

I just looked on my satellite-topo map and that Canyon Road(actually Dry Creek Road) looks like it was one wild ride! I'll have to check that out one of these days. How long did it take to get from 101 to 1, and were you pushing or just cruising?




Hey, one thing I forgot to ask you.... you were right behind me when I was pushing my car the hardest. Did you notice any smoke from my tailpipe, or did it seem to be running pretty clean?

Anyway, glad you made out with nothing more than a crease from your battle with the elements.

 

Keith:
Thanks for the tip. I have had occasion to visit Sea Ranch in the past, and if things work out I will be going up there a few more times soon. It happens that I was wondering about that route from 101 to Hwy 1. Think I'll try it the next time. Last time I took Hwy 1 almost all the way up and got stuck behind endless pokes and SUVs (can't understand what is so sporty about them) Maybe that would be a more enjoyable drive and I end up right next to Sea Ranch.
Speaking of dings, on the way back from the Porsche Parade last year, on the freeway somewhere in Texas, I came around a corner with a truck in the other lane and no place to go to the right and there was a huge traffic cone in the road. Sure enough I rammed my left front wheel right into it and it smashed in the same space right in front of the wheel, tearing up the spoiler anchor bolts in the process. Luckily it didn't break the spoiler and when I got out I used the gentle approach: my hand, to pound out the fender and smash it more of less back in place. What a pain, so I have empathy for you. What a ##$!!&&$$%@@!! stupid place to leave traffic cone.

Dave:
Where are all the photos??

 

I had to sift through over 200MB of photos... I've come up with just over 100 that are worth posting. Reducing them for web and renaming them so they don't get lost in my folderless website has taken up my free time for now. Even with some degree of automation applied to the process it's just taking time.

Also, I have done some restructuring of my site and that involved some re-coding of the menu generator and a subsequent bug-chasing session. So, I have the framework nearly complete and I only need to fill in the content.

Don't worry, I should have the pics of you with the girl that popped out of the cake posted in the next day or two.

 

Dave, your car was running clean.

I actually just pulled out the map and see that the road runs from Geyserville, past Lake Sonoma and out to Stewarts Point on the coast. I ran it pretty controlled, not slow, not fast. This road will hurt you bad, if not kill you if you are not paying attention. No guard rails and you can launch into the vast unknown of a field, river, canyon or deep woods. There were a few cars before the lake, but after that, I saw maybe 2 until I hit Stewarts Point. I suggest driving solo as to not have any distractions and it would be a good idea to have a buddy car trailing or leading. Once you get to the redwood forest, stop if you are going to look around...this road must have been a foot path at one point. THis road is not for beginners and will wear you out in no time. I don't know the mileage, but it takes at least an hour at a good clip. Remember, when it's all over with, you have Route 1 to deal with.

I found it by heading west on the 128 out of Napa. The 128 intersects with the 101 and then turns into Canyon Road as the sign stated.

Good luck and let me know in the future if anyone ventures this route. Wish we had this one down here in So Cal!

 

This post is somewhat late, but better late than never...

Noel, that was you tending the burger shop? Sorry I didn't get the chance to chat with you more on your "speed yellow" 928. I helped confuse the issue: got a burger and a dog, no cheese, no chips, etc. etc. Hey come by Sharktoberfest and we'll talk shark talk. Again, food was great!!

The course to Napa was tight, somewhat bumpy, but hey, that's spirited driving! On the way there I had a great view of how my car would have looked on the road...Patrick and I took turns being in front and back...we have "twin silver S4s". So I got to see how my S4 would've looked like trailiong Pat, then looking at my rear view mirror, saw how it would've looked like front view.

I have to say, when the group broke up around 3:30 PM Sunday, it was very sad for me. Now the party was over. I had a great time meeting and talking with the participants. Made a lot of new friends. Really sad. Waiting for the next event. Many, many thanks to Marc and Susan and DEVEK for this party. My final word: "Going to DEVEK may be hazardous to your wallet".