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Yes, Yes, Yes. Thank You Mike, and Laura, and Roger... etc. etc. etc. Yada Yada Yada.
Yes, of course we all appreciate the event, especially Carole (Mrs. Patman) and myself. We don't get a lot of time off from work so these little outings are kinda important to us.
But here's what I wanted to say. Unlike last year and other events I've attended in the past, this time, I got just a little glimpse behind the scenes as planning for the event went forward. And when I say "glimpse" that's what I mean.
I know cars, and I know mechanics...but I don't know this car. As such, I've spent a huge amount of time sucking up details about the car we drive from the experts here on this site, and the guys here locally. Sean, Roger, Alan, Mr. Merlin, Hans, all you guys ...you know who you are.
So this time I wanted to try to do something that I could do to give something to the club, to hopefully contribute as much as I've gleaned.
And That's how I got my "glimpse".
I got to see that while people are trying to live a somewhat normal life, that time has to be made to "herd all the cats". Those Award plaques? They have to be designed, artwork printed, the woodwork completed, printing done and organized. The shirts? sizes need to be kept in order with what everyone expects to receive. there's the lead time to the shirt manufacturer...but ya don't have much time... 'cause shirt orders are still coming in late in the game. The artwork has to be done and done again. And even when completed, all the printing, and silk screening, and packaging...has to be picked up and transported. The sponsors may just drop off some stuff in their effort to help, but all that stuff has to arrive at the event. Simple things like getting a roll of raffle tickets, or printing out the little booklet with your cars "show stats" in it ...needs to be attended to. Talking the hotel into letting us use 3642 gallons of water to wash Johns GTS (I never knew it was white). Someone even has to bring charcoal lighter...and a match.
Routes have to be made. And Not the same as last year's routes. Finding a venue big enough to provide us with dinner...in a small town of 6600 people that barely has provisions for it's own folk.
And when you and I think things are going well, we are having a good time, and as we walk around looking at each other's cars, laughing and drinking...behind the scenes, somebody is stressing, and worrying.
Are the routes gonna be flooded? Are the shirts gonna make it from the printers on time? Are we leaving early enough to get to the lunch venue on time? Did we loose a car?
I saw that the organizers of the event ( and there are more organizers and their assistants than ya think) genuinely feel responsible for your good time...and stress over it if they think it's not going well for you...for us. (I witnessed a brief moment of tension on Saturday morning when a scheduling thing, that seemed laughable to me, became serious to the organizers)
Anyway. All of this to say...when I say "thanks for the event" I really mean it. Having seen just a little of what it takes to make it happen, "thanks" doesn't seem like enough.
But maybe if I say..."I had a really good time". It was worth it!
Oh wait! One more thing. Roger, if you're reading this, I know ya got nuthin' to do today, so I need one of those little rubber thingies that covers that little plunger switch. The one under the hood that operated the engine bay lamp! Can I pick it up at lunchtime??
Last edited by The Patman; 11-09-2015 at 09:32 AM.
Reason: one more thing
Another great 3rd Coast in the books. Even the weather couldn't keep us from having a GREAT time. Thanks to all who make this 928 event such a fun time. Looking forward to next year already. Now to get home and get ready for Porsche Palooza this weekend! 238 Porsches of all flavors and another fun, relaxed weekend.
1. Friday Gathering.
2. Chuck and Bilal and my son
3. Lunch at the Oasis, near Austin, Tx
4. Mike "Ammonman" surprise birthday cake
5. Rain delay
6. Driving to Marble Falls Thursday Night
These new fandangled cameras are so good these days, a blink of an eye looks like he was snoozing!! It's the only picture I took of him driving (cause my eyes were glued to the road too!) and I didn't even notice he blinked......
Talking the hotel into letting us use 3642 gallons of water to wash Johns GTS (I never knew it was white).
Okay, What smart guy substituted the Clorox bleach rags for the wash rags in my soap bucket. My car started out black and ended up white. I'm expecting that it was Tony Curcio who only sprayed me once (maybe in retribution for accidently(?) spraying him)
I'd like to thank MrMerlin for tipping the waitress at dinner to serve Rhonda and I dinner first Saturday night. Actually, Stan was an innocent bystander to competing pranks between Tony and I, but he did pony up the tip.
Stan, no good deed goes unpunished: Next time, I'll get the tip and you can be served dinner first.
I'd like to thank all the sponsors and planning participants for their contributions to OUR GTG. The cars are great and wonderful and awesome, but it's the people who drive them that really make this worthwhile. Thank you to everybody that showed up, whether you were driving a 928 or not. To everybody that could not attend, you were missed, so plan to come next year.
Pat, great post on the behind the scenes hard work that goes into these! One of the departments I used to manage did this work, so I know how hard it is and greatly appreciate what 928sRus does for us!
Thanks for including the handicapped spot in the parking picture.
As for big head, no way!! Doing most of the work yourself, you have turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! I love my car, but I lust after yours! Any pride you feel is 100% deserved. Your vision and your efforts have simply been acknowledged by folks who know what an achievement it is.
Had a great weekend again. We enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones. As someone else said, it's the people who make it special. Thanks to everyone who makes it happen.
Had a great time, as usual, even with the rain. The forecast led me to leave the GT at home and take my Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude instead. This turned out to be a good call because not only was there a lot of rain, but Laura texted en-route asking if I could pick up the t-shirts and awards. A quick detour to downtown Fort Worth and I was stuffing 4 large boxes worth of goodies in the back. Would have been a tight fit in the '28.
I wasn't the only participant to leave their 928 at home - Chuck and Stretch did, too. It was quickly determined that Chuck's 180hp Equinox might not be particularly well suited for the Saturday fun run, so the two of them joined me in the Jeep. Sean hopped in, too, I guess figuring his car's combination of supercharged V8 and summer tires would not be conducive to merry motoring in the rain. So, the four of us piled in and took off. The 290hp JGC performed well - it's actually a lot of fun to drive and we had no problem keeping up. Stretch even took the opportunity to sing along to Celine Dione's "All by Myself". We had a blast!
The only award I managed to win this year was this thing that would appear to be called the "Third Coast Jackass Award". I can only assume I received it for not bringing my car. If so, I will share this prestigious award with Chuck and Stretch.
As Patman noted, a big thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers! So many things that have to come together all at once and Roger, Zane, Laura, Mike, manage to make it look easy.
I would be remiss if I didn't thank Tony again for what had to be the highlight of my trip - getting the opportunity to drive his 50th Anniversary 991. It has the 430hp PowerKit, PDK transmission and gave me a glimpse of what the 928 might be like if it was still in production. An absolute rocket that just goes and goes - what an incredible machine! I could still feel the adrenaline an hour after getting back.
Thank you everyone for the great pictures of a great event (THANKS to the organizers). Certainly makes me wish I could have gotten there. Maybe (hopefully) next year - "good Lord willin' and the crick don't rise"
11-09-2015, 09:23 AM
3rd Coast, a glimpse behind the scenes
