Money2536's Summary of the Spring GT3 Smokies Trip
05-31-2016, 11:21 PM
#1
Money2536's Summary of the Spring GT3 Smokies Trip
This is the summary video I made of the experience. It’s missing some of the best parts of the trip. That didn’t involve cars or driving it was the dinners/lunches and the stops to view mountain vistas. The relationships/comradery are the magic of this event. And to think this all started with a few guys sitting down together toying with idea of having a few cars come up and drive the mountains. Thanks to Sean and Mayur for making the sacrifice so that we all could enjoy all that comes with the gathering of like minded crazies!
Last year's trip to the mountains with 30+ 991 GT3s was one of the best experiences I've ever had. So, this one was sure to be even better with the new RS and GT4 present. Oh…and there just so happened to be 65 total cars in attendance this time!
This year, I was prepared. I’m almost, not quite, ashamed to admit that I goated my wife into “wanting” a Tahoe largely due to my need to have a tow vehicle available. Since I had the tow rig and I fully intend to make this trip to the mountains several times a year (with or without anyone else), I decided to pony up the cash and invest in an enclosed trailer. Other than getting about 9mpg on the trip up, the Tahoe/Trailer performed flawlessly.
I intended to drive up Wednesday to join the early arrivers at Atlanta Motorsports Park, AMP, for a day at the track on Thursday. My wife and kids decided to come with me this year, so I waited and drove up a day late. I’m not much of a track guy anyway, so it all worked out. We dumped the trailer and family at my brother-in-law’s house in Atlanta. They spent the night there and met me at The Ridges the day after.
When I arrived at the hotel this was the scene. I don’t care who you are, it’s a pretty cool site to see, car guy/girl or not.
We started the next day at about 9AM at AMP. This is a super tight, technical track, so I was sure to jump in on the driver’s meeting to make sure I knew what was going on. After hearing all about the track and missing who was my instructor, I was pretty sure I was just going to watch and maybe just do a ride along.
I jumped in the passenger seat of Hugh’s Ultra Violet RS to get a feel for both the RS and the track. Yikes! This made me even less excited about getting behind the wheel in my car on the track. AMP is very is a combination of pretty much every difficult turn, change in elevation, and every other trick in the book. But I decided I’d do a few laps just to say I did it. Stress just induces anxiety with me, and the violence and speed of having my car on the track just amplifies it in me. So I decided a while back that I’m not going to force myself to do something that isn’t fun for me.
F1 driver Leh Keen was at the track giving people ride alongs in his 4.0 997.1 RS. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the need to get in the passenger seat.
While I was at the track GMP Performance was kind enough to swap wheels for me. After this event, Sean was selling his Riviera GT3. He needed some clean Platinum Satin wheels to match the window sticker. Luckily for both of us, I really wanted black wheels. I felt like a real man getting a wheel and tire change at the track.
After spending the morning and early afternoon at AMP. We took the long route, about 3 ½ hours up through Wolf Pen Gap to The Ridges resort in Hiawassee, GA.
Saturday morning we got up early to head over the Heaven’s Landing airstrip. What a cool place. I know these cars aren’t built for top speed runs, but they certainly hold their own.
My son wanted so badly to go do the “twisties” in the mountains in his favorite car. I didn’t feel comfortable bringing him out with the group, so he and I headed out of the mountain together. If he is anything like his Daddy. He’ll remember this one.
This year was even better than the last. I can’t wait to to head back to the mountains in the fall!
Last year's trip to the mountains with 30+ 991 GT3s was one of the best experiences I've ever had. So, this one was sure to be even better with the new RS and GT4 present. Oh…and there just so happened to be 65 total cars in attendance this time!
This year, I was prepared. I’m almost, not quite, ashamed to admit that I goated my wife into “wanting” a Tahoe largely due to my need to have a tow vehicle available. Since I had the tow rig and I fully intend to make this trip to the mountains several times a year (with or without anyone else), I decided to pony up the cash and invest in an enclosed trailer. Other than getting about 9mpg on the trip up, the Tahoe/Trailer performed flawlessly.
I intended to drive up Wednesday to join the early arrivers at Atlanta Motorsports Park, AMP, for a day at the track on Thursday. My wife and kids decided to come with me this year, so I waited and drove up a day late. I’m not much of a track guy anyway, so it all worked out. We dumped the trailer and family at my brother-in-law’s house in Atlanta. They spent the night there and met me at The Ridges the day after.
When I arrived at the hotel this was the scene. I don’t care who you are, it’s a pretty cool site to see, car guy/girl or not.
We started the next day at about 9AM at AMP. This is a super tight, technical track, so I was sure to jump in on the driver’s meeting to make sure I knew what was going on. After hearing all about the track and missing who was my instructor, I was pretty sure I was just going to watch and maybe just do a ride along.
I jumped in the passenger seat of Hugh’s Ultra Violet RS to get a feel for both the RS and the track. Yikes! This made me even less excited about getting behind the wheel in my car on the track. AMP is very is a combination of pretty much every difficult turn, change in elevation, and every other trick in the book. But I decided I’d do a few laps just to say I did it. Stress just induces anxiety with me, and the violence and speed of having my car on the track just amplifies it in me. So I decided a while back that I’m not going to force myself to do something that isn’t fun for me.
F1 driver Leh Keen was at the track giving people ride alongs in his 4.0 997.1 RS. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the need to get in the passenger seat.
While I was at the track GMP Performance was kind enough to swap wheels for me. After this event, Sean was selling his Riviera GT3. He needed some clean Platinum Satin wheels to match the window sticker. Luckily for both of us, I really wanted black wheels. I felt like a real man getting a wheel and tire change at the track.
After spending the morning and early afternoon at AMP. We took the long route, about 3 ½ hours up through Wolf Pen Gap to The Ridges resort in Hiawassee, GA.
Saturday morning we got up early to head over the Heaven’s Landing airstrip. What a cool place. I know these cars aren’t built for top speed runs, but they certainly hold their own.
My son wanted so badly to go do the “twisties” in the mountains in his favorite car. I didn’t feel comfortable bringing him out with the group, so he and I headed out of the mountain together. If he is anything like his Daddy. He’ll remember this one.
This year was even better than the last. I can’t wait to to head back to the mountains in the fall!
05-31-2016, 11:28 PM
#2
Race Car
Great pics and story.
06-01-2016, 04:12 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
What an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing it with us, so those of us who weren't there could go on this journey with you after the fact. Great cars, great roads and great sounds! I really enjoyed the videos and the commentary.
06-01-2016, 12:07 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Great summary Matt - thanks for sharing.
Just out of interest did you do any timed runs at the air strip? If so I was wondering if your extra 30-40 Dundon ponies made any noticeable difference to times/speeds?
Just out of interest did you do any timed runs at the air strip? If so I was wondering if your extra 30-40 Dundon ponies made any noticeable difference to times/speeds?
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06-01-2016, 08:31 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Wow..... fast and fun crowd.
Thanks
Thanks
06-01-2016, 10:33 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
06-01-2016, 11:11 PM
#15
Racer
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Great video as always Matt! I've always been gun shy about making videos, but now I wish I would've just run the GoPros throughout the event to capture what is definitely one of the most unique and amazing gatherings I've seen put together for one particular segment of a marque. I can only imagine what the 2017 event is going to be like...~10 months to go!