Rally 8 Scheduled September 3-7, 2013


SSRob

GT Owner
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Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
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Is this microphone on? Test 1-2-3
 

dbk

Admin
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,242
Metro Detroit
2. I was thinking about flying out with the wife on the 1st or 2nd. I've never shipped a car and met it someplace else. When should I shoot to have the car delivered if I can't hitch a ride with other cars? I assume schedule pick up on the 6th?

Thanks
Rob

I will have more answers for you next week. I'm going to go out there and see Ed and a few other people and work on drop-off/pickup points because the resort is both in town and very tightly configured. Your car should be picked up on the 7th at the earliest, as we will be out driving most of the day before closing it out with a late party on the 6th.
 

SSRob

GT Owner
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Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
Thanks DBK. This is my first time doing something like this so I'm a bit nervous/anxious about making everything come together.
 

Ed Sims

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NorCal
Thanks DBK. This is my first time doing something like this so I'm a bit nervous/anxious about making everything come together.

Hi SSRob - I've shipped my car to 3 rallies. I like getting there early & leaving late, but as you are just doing the Rally only, then I would recommend car delivery Monday Sept 2 or Tuesday Sept 3. If it arrives on the 2nd you can spend time on Tuesday exploring on your own. Also if something delays delivery you won't miss any of the Rally. DBK has the 2nd set up as a Rally rate at the Fairmont because some people like to arrive a day before. I would recommend pick up on Saturday Sept 7 unless you are stayiing for the post-Rally drive in the nearby Sierra Mountains or if you are doing your own post-Rally trip. I can recommend south on the PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy aka Hwy 1) to Monterey/Carmel or further south to Big Sur. North on PCH to Mendocino/Ft Bragg & through the redwoods is great also. It will be fun!

Rally VIII Ed
 
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SSRob

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
I'm booked for the 2nd through the 7th. Now I'm trying to figure out where to fly into...San Fran or Sonoma County. I've entertained the idea of picking the car up in San Fran and driving it to the Inn and then dropping it off Saturday on the way to the airport. The lady at the resort tells me San Fran is about 55 miles away. I'm thinking I might be able to get a local exotic dealer to handle the drop off/pick up for me for a small fee? Trying to coordinate my arrival and departure times with meeting a truck someplace may be tricky which is why I considered this option. I'm also not sure how we would get from San Fran to the resort and I'm not renting a car for 6 days, LOL. Maybe the resort offers a shuttle service...I'll check into that. Sure would be cool to cruise around San Fran in the GT though. I've never been to that part of the country except Disneyland LOL

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
 

on d bit

Well-known member
Jul 20, 2008
297
maricopa az
I'm booked for the 2nd through the 7th. Now I'm trying to figure out where to fly into...San Fran or Sonoma County. I've entertained the idea of picking the car up in San Fran and driving it to the Inn and then dropping it off Saturday on the way to the airport. The lady at the resort tells me San Fran is about 55 miles away. I'm thinking I might be able to get a local exotic dealer to handle the drop off/pick up for me for a small fee? Trying to coordinate my arrival and departure times with meeting a truck someplace may be tricky which is why I considered this option. I'm also not sure how we would get from San Fran to the resort and I'm not renting a car for 6 days, LOL. Maybe the resort offers a shuttle service...I'll check into that. Sure would be cool to cruise around San Fran in the GT though. I've never been to that part of the country except Disneyland LOL

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

I grew up in Santa Rosa right down the road from Sonoma. Sonoma County is a nice small airport(sts) and picking up and dropping off(from a truck) in that area would be super easy. Generally flights into STS are more expensive, but it is smack dab in the middle of Sonoma County Wine Country. Korbel is to the West just off the coast, Alexander Valley near Healdsburg to the North, and the City of Sonoma to the South/East. I will also add this part of town(just off of Windsor) is a good part of town, clean business district.

I would not pick up or drop off any car in San Fransisco as the streets have no room and are always packed. I do not know the area around SFO that well though. SFO or Oakland airports will be about an hour away.
My personal favorite airport is Sacramento as it is a little farther(75 min to Sonoma vs 60 min from SFO or Oakland) but it is by far the easiest to get to and from of the 3 major airports. Picking up and dropping off the GT from Sac would be fairly easy, specially if you want to take the trip to the Sierra's after the Rally!

Overhead of the Sonoma County Airport(STS) and the street that goes in and out, straight to the 101.
 
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SSRob

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
I'm checking with a couple of dealerships in San Fran to see if they can handle the car for me as far as it being unloaded and reloaded. If I can fly in, go to the dealership and jump in my car that would be awesome.

I didn't see any details about the Sierras. Any idea what page it is on?
 

on d bit

Well-known member
Jul 20, 2008
297
maricopa az
I'm checking with a couple of dealerships in San Fran to see if they can handle the car for me as far as it being unloaded and reloaded. If I can fly in, go to the dealership and jump in my car that would be awesome.

I didn't see any details about the Sierras. Any idea what page it is on?

Ed expands on it in post #164.
I would recommend pick up on Saturday Sept 7 unless you are stayiing for the post-Rally drive in the nearby Sierra Mountains or if you are doing your own post-Rally trip.

Rally VIII Ed
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
I would truck it to Tulsa, Oklahoma City, or Denver - then drive it the rest of the way and enjoy the country - - - and the GT!

Maybe even St. Louis or Kansas City - :lol
 

Cobraguy

GT Owner
Is there any new info available in regards to parking a truck/ car trailor combo for the duration of the rally? I believe that there has been some discussion about making arrangements with the Race Track.
 

dbk

Admin
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,242
Metro Detroit
Not yet. I won't be there until Monday, but I'll be there until I can find a suitable spot to safely store them.
 

Ed Sims

GT Owner
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Apr 7, 2006
7,922
NorCal
SSRob - on d bit is correct regarding driving in the San Francisco area. The south part of the Bay Area is not too bad (other than horrendous traffic) for driving. I have driven in the city of San Francisco & if you don't know the streets it can be a challenge. Traffic, crazy bus & cab drivers & hills steep enough that you will scrap/high center even a non-lowered GT. Not to mention slipping your clutch in uphill traffic til it smokes!

If you want to arrive & drive (no rental car) then choose Sonoma Airport or Sacramento. I am near Sacramento so I can help you there.

More info on the post-Rally drive will come with the Rally details.

Warning: do not drive on Hwy 101 north of the city to Santa Rosa during rush hour! Bad, ugly traffic. Remember - I warned you. There are plenty of alternatives.

Rally VIII Ed
 

Cobraguy

GT Owner
Much appreciated.....


Not yet. I won't be there until Monday, but I'll be there until I can find a suitable spot to safely store them.
 

SSRob

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
Thank you for the info, Ed!

The only problem with arriving and driving is our luggage...unless I ship it to the hotel. We've got some time to figure it out so I've relaxed a bit. It'll come together!
 

Ed Sims

GT Owner
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Apr 7, 2006
7,922
NorCal
Thank you for the info, Ed!

The only problem with arriving and driving is our luggage...unless I ship it to the hotel. We've got some time to figure it out so I've relaxed a bit. It'll come together!

I ship luggage a lot to hotels via FedEx (or you can go UPS) when I travel by GT.

Ed
 

SSRob

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
Things are coming together piece by piece. My new tires arrived yesterday and will be put on as soon as this crappy cold/rain spell goes away. Transportation is setup. I just have to book flights and we're all set. Oh and we have to hurry up and wait for September to get here!
 

dbk

Admin
Staff member
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jul 30, 2005
15,242
Metro Detroit
A couple of pre-run shots courtesy of Ed Sim's beast:

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bonehead

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Aug 18, 2012
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Houston, TX
^^love it.
 

SSRob

GT Owner
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Oct 9, 2012
542
Oklahoma
Wow, you have to be joking? This is going to be absolutely fantastic!
 

Indy GT

Yea, I got one...too
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Jan 14, 2006
2,545
Greenwood, IN
Thanks Dave!
Great shots of fantastic roads and scenery!
This rally will likely be the best ever...
Can't wait till September.