DR

Jeannie, Wally and I would like to give a special thanks to all who attended
Sharks in the Mountains 2002 !!

We had a great time and very much enjoyed seeing those "old friends" and
meeting many new ones.

Once again the weather tried to get the best of us and as usual the combined
enthusiasm we all share for our 928s triumphed !!! It was amazing how the
gang hung in Saturday with temps in the 40s, no sun and dense fog (actually
low clouds). Everyone showed great character in putting up with this just to
hang out with some 928 nuts. As I said later had this been some "other
Porsche model" meeting I don't think we would have had many people there !!

Thankfully as we made the decision to leave early for Mt Mitchell we got to
drive in the sun for most of the trip to arrive at our warm indoor meeting
place. Being the lead car and pulling into the parking lot first afforded me
one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. As I walked to the edge
of the parking lot I could see the line of 60+ 928s that were coming for
dinner cruising up the last 1/2 mile of the curvy road up to the restaurant
!! It seemed like an endless line of 928s coming around the curves and it
was one of those "special moments" that seemed to last forever. This left me
with an incredible feeling of being proud to be a part of this great group
of people/cars and honestly got me a little choked up !

Later, after dinner as I had to go out to my car to get some items I noticed
ice crystals coming over my car with the 30+ mph winds. I didn't have the
heart to tell anyone this when I came back in and also neglected to tell
anyone it was in the 20s outside !! Didn't seem to matter as we all left
and had a great drive back down the BRP to either the hotel or back to our
place for a late night hangout !!

Sunday morning was a totally different day, we awoke to a perfect blue sky
without a cloud in sight !!! After grouping up at the hotel we all left on a
great day of driving our 928s, unfortunately we lost a 10 car group when
someone thought a right turn was straight ahead at a tricky intersection
(mental note to mention this next time in writing, my fault). On the drive
up to Roan Mountain we finally got to test our great suspensions and brakes
and all seemed to have a great time. Upon arriving at the ice covered top
(incredible sight, you had to see it to believe it) we discovered the Roan
Mountain Park was closed due to the weather. This actually turned into a
blessing as I decided the gang really wanted to drive their 928s on some
more challenging roads. I made the impromptu decision to take them down one
of the roads we tore up last Sept to "play a little". After a couple of
simple roadside repairs we all made it thru and gathered up to give
directions for everyone's departure back home :-(

All and all a great weekend with great friends and great cars, we could
never ask for more and feel blessed to know you all.

THANKS AGAIN !!!

Sincerely,

David and Jeannie Roberts

jimineez

Wow, sounds like everyone had a great time. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it due to a friend having her baby on Saturday. Too bad this isn't a Spring & Fall event. *hint* Anyway, hopefully next year....--Jamie

Chris Lockhart

Jamie, although it's not SITM per se, we are trying to organize our second annual "Thunder in the Mountains" fall mountain drive. This takes place at the same location, and is geared for a smaller group of driving enthusiasts. DR mentioned some of the fantastic roads, in his post, that we drove last September. We are trying for the weekend around September 14th. If you're interested, drop me a line at: Biguns928gt@charter.net

jimineez

Chris, check your mail, I'm in.
Anybody know of a good drive around the North Georgia area? That is a better location for us Atlanta folks.

Chris Lockhart

Got you on the list Jamie. I'll keep everyone on my list updated.

Eric Dvorak

First, I must thank Dave, Jeannie & Wally for putting together the event that allowed me to have the most fun that I have ever had in a car (well while driving anyway), I can still smell the rubber. The "For Sale" sign is already in the BMW's window, I see no reason to keep it (this will also provide funds for 928 upgrades). After chasing Chris L. and Tom F. through the twisties of the BRP and Dave R. through the same on a route I can't remember I can say the 928 and I have come to know each other in a way thats hard to explain....at least too those that don't own one themselves, and I couldn't have imagined I would meet and get personal with so many wonderful people. I hope everyone else had as great of a time as I did.

Chris, you know I'm in for the Sep. run, I'm already working on a roof mounted magnetic cam. to record it. I think Terick's in also (the red 86.5 with a tow hitch and roof rack. LOL)

John Krawczyk

Dave and Jeannie

Thanks once again for a first rate job. Me and my family had a great time.

Cant wait for SITM2003.

Heres a little Panorama i put together real quick from the picnic area at Grandfather mountain

<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/blueshark/SITM_02_panorama.jpg" target="_blank">Sharks in the Mountains 2002</a>

Greg86andahalf

John,
Nice panorama. I guess that if the plum colored one on the road was for sale, it would be 1/2 off!

John Krawczyk

Thanks Greg. Sorry i never got a chance to meet you.

As for the plum '82

I'm either gonna pshop that sucker outta there or im going to find another shot with him in it and pshop the rest of the car in.

I counted 58 1/2 cars in the shot

Greg86andahalf

How about pasting that 'bitchin scooped front clip from the red car on the front of the plum car? Sample the plum color, fill the scooped hood to match, give the plum car a whole new look?

Chris Lockhart

Nice pic John.

Erik, I've got you on the list. The idea on the camera is great. I'd love to have had video of some of the driving we were doing Sat and Sun!!!!!!! WHAT A RUSH!!!!!!! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

John Krawczyk

That is a great idea eric had. I certainly aint gonna get someone to video me from the passenger seat of my car without redying my cork interior.

We were talking about the camera thing at dinner, and I got to thinking about the possiblities of taking apart a webcam camera and juryrigging a setup that can mount to the center intake grill under the nose. I'm wondering if its possible to rig a webcam to a digital hi-8 camcorders tape recording mechanism and run the camcorder off the cig lighter in the car. Tape is much preferable to a lap top hard disk, although a real time video uplink to a active website would be cool too. If it was done that way, you could use multiple cameras and cars and someone outside of the car can control the cameral views or record all the camera views for later editing and soundtracking. A nice clip with SRV cranking out "Scuttlebuttin" on the soundtrack would be pretty cool stuff.

I suppose with enough money and imagination, anything is possible.

Jay Wellwood

I, for one had a great time.

My thanks to DR and Jeannie for giving us a great weekend of memories (even if there was the occasional 'oh ****' from the P side of the cockpit).

Still - a great run down the mountain, despite the pot hole that i hit (hoping for no bent rim here). Rear tires got worn out literally during the trip - oh well. Had 15K on them and really wanted some Khumos anyway .

Hope to make the fall run - but no promises. Next year always awaits....

Greg86andahalf

John,

Pro video and specialty camera installations are my thing. When we get closer to SITM 2003, remind me and I'll bring some stuff.

Webcam quality sucks and the focal length is wrong. We can do a pro job, high-end cameras and all digital tape. short-haul wireless, the possibilities are endless. I would love to be a part of that.

Greg

John Krawczyk

Hey Greg

Maybe you and i should discuss this off list.

Jkraw3@comcast.net

I'm thinking that would be great for the fall mountain drive this september instead since the focus is more on driving than on genteel socializing. Maybe we could work something out in advance and have something put together for the Frezny