Thanks to everyone who came and hopefully everyone had a good time. Seemed like people were pretty pleased with the track and overall location. If you had a good time, please be sure to thank the following people.
CLASSIC AUTO INSURANCE
Every year, Drew Yagodnik and Classic Auto Insurance are a huge help in putting on the event. Without their sponsorship, this event would be that much more difficult to put on. Not only is Drew just a great guy that's always willing to help wherever he can, Classic Auto provides a great product with tremendous service to back it up. Drew insures several cars for me and my Dad, and also insures a couple of properties for me. They had to jump through a lot of hoops on my main house but they got it done. He's always gone above and beyond, and is a great asset to the Ford GT community. If you're looking, or even not looking but want to see what they can do for you, please drop Drew a line.
Drew Yagodnik
drew@classicins.com
888-901-1338
http://www.classicins.com/
ELITE AUTOS
The same can be said for Shelby and Elite Autos. Elite Autos doesn't need much of an introduction because so many of you have bought cars from them over the years, but Shelby is always willing to help put on an extra cocktail party or take on any other task so we can have more fun as a group. I appreciate all the cars he sent to the event, the help putting on the cocktail party on Wednesday night, and just being an all around asset in the world of Ford GT. I would say if you're looking to buy a GT, buy one from him, but chances are really good you're already looking there.
Laney and Ruth Chouest & Nola Motorsports Park
That is a really cool facility, it's a super safe track, and the driving surface was extremely clean. It's a testament to how safe the track is that even though we had quite a few people loop it, nobody picked up even a scratch. I'm all for people like Laney using their resources to further a hobby that we love, so spread the word, tell a friend, go back and try the school. They were also great when it came to storing cars, trailers, using the speed shop, answering questions, etc. That was some southern hospitality. And to top it all of, they invited us to one of their personal homes and paid for us to have cocktails and hors d'ouevres while overlooking the river and the FQ. That was extremely generous. Please take a second to send a thank you note to them!
Nola Motorsports Park
C/O Laney Chouest
11075 Nicolle Boulevard
Avondale, LA 70094
Ron "Roketman" Savenor
Andy "Specracer" Bentinck-Smith
Mark McGowan
Scott Ahlman
Thanks to my buddy Ron for wrangling some excellent Porsche club driving instructors and ceaselessly wearing out his car giving thrill rides and instructions. Ron really loves doing this and it shows. We're lucky to have guys like Ron willing to endlessly wear out tires and brake pads for our benefit. Every year new people get the chance to find out what the GT is really capable of after going along for a ride.
Ditto to Andy. It's a long trip for both these guys, and a long day sweating in the cockpit behind the wheel. (I know, what a terrible punishment!) But seriously, we're all very appreciative of the safe and secure manner in which they drive and instruct. And that is why I let Andy show up at my house at midnight and stay at the DBK Inn. :biggrin
Mark McGowan remains a Ford GT celebrity for good reason. He's now graduated from giving Ford GT thrill rides to destroying GT500 tires on full course 2.9 mile drifting exhibitions! You want to know how much people like Mark? What other car group would find not just people willing to let a guy take out their $175k car and drive it hard, but people lined up to do it. That says something about what Mark means to the history of FGT.
And a special thanks to Scott this year, for not only risking life and limb behind the wheel with Ford GT owners, but for giving his SAE presentation at dinner on Thursday night. It was great to hear those stories, and great to give some new people a chance to get a taste of the program as it were when it happened. I think that even if you had no idea what he was talking about, it sure looked and sounded cool! I know Rich Brooks told me that it brought back a lot of memories.
When these guys take people out that have no idea what an FGT is capable of, that's the best part of all. Wobbly knees and "holy #$&S" faces are beyond priceless. Thanks a ton!
Jennifer & Bill Dickie
For organizing & thinking of the cooking class for some of the spouses. Everyone sounded like they had a great time and will definitely do it again next time.
Rick Shelby#18 Saute
Every year, no matter how much arguing there is, Rick donates towards the t-shirts. Thanks Rick.
Chip Beck
Thanks to Chip for always being ready to get on his internal bullhorn and let everyone know the when and where!
The GT Guys and Ray Hofman
Thanks to the boys and Ray for working extra hard to get the RH Motorsports GT1S and GT3S cars complete to give a first glimpse to GT owners at the Rally. That was very cool. Can't wait to see what happens with these cars as the program progresses. They looked awesome, and I know how much midnight oil got burned trying to get them ready for the sneak preview.
Ed Sims
Hey Ed! Thanks for the stickers! Ed made the National Rally 7 stickers that got put in everyone's goodie bags. Very cool!Almost as cool as Ed's ear-splittingly loud GT!
John GT PILOT Levitz
Thanks a bunch to John Levitz for hooking us up with a bunch of Ford GT Utility trays for the goodie bags. Those are an EXTREMELY useful product, and that was very nice of him and Airaid to do that.
Trent "NOT 4N" deGoeisbriand
Thanks again to Trent for printing the run group stickers and the giant banners of the rally artwork which will go to people that helped out on the event. I hope that they hang our banner at the track forever to remember the sights and sounds of Ford GTs flying around the track! Hopefully you'll make the next one bud.
****
And of course I'd like to thank everyone that attended and continues to make these things possible. It was a great time and it was good seeing everyone. Especially thanks to my wife for making the 15 hour drive down while 8 months pregnant, trying to entertain a 20 month old. That was an adventure. :facepalm: :lol Next time, here's to flights and babysitters!
CLASSIC AUTO INSURANCE
Every year, Drew Yagodnik and Classic Auto Insurance are a huge help in putting on the event. Without their sponsorship, this event would be that much more difficult to put on. Not only is Drew just a great guy that's always willing to help wherever he can, Classic Auto provides a great product with tremendous service to back it up. Drew insures several cars for me and my Dad, and also insures a couple of properties for me. They had to jump through a lot of hoops on my main house but they got it done. He's always gone above and beyond, and is a great asset to the Ford GT community. If you're looking, or even not looking but want to see what they can do for you, please drop Drew a line.
Drew Yagodnik
drew@classicins.com
888-901-1338
http://www.classicins.com/
ELITE AUTOS
The same can be said for Shelby and Elite Autos. Elite Autos doesn't need much of an introduction because so many of you have bought cars from them over the years, but Shelby is always willing to help put on an extra cocktail party or take on any other task so we can have more fun as a group. I appreciate all the cars he sent to the event, the help putting on the cocktail party on Wednesday night, and just being an all around asset in the world of Ford GT. I would say if you're looking to buy a GT, buy one from him, but chances are really good you're already looking there.
Laney and Ruth Chouest & Nola Motorsports Park
That is a really cool facility, it's a super safe track, and the driving surface was extremely clean. It's a testament to how safe the track is that even though we had quite a few people loop it, nobody picked up even a scratch. I'm all for people like Laney using their resources to further a hobby that we love, so spread the word, tell a friend, go back and try the school. They were also great when it came to storing cars, trailers, using the speed shop, answering questions, etc. That was some southern hospitality. And to top it all of, they invited us to one of their personal homes and paid for us to have cocktails and hors d'ouevres while overlooking the river and the FQ. That was extremely generous. Please take a second to send a thank you note to them!
Nola Motorsports Park
C/O Laney Chouest
11075 Nicolle Boulevard
Avondale, LA 70094
Ron "Roketman" Savenor
Andy "Specracer" Bentinck-Smith
Mark McGowan
Scott Ahlman
Thanks to my buddy Ron for wrangling some excellent Porsche club driving instructors and ceaselessly wearing out his car giving thrill rides and instructions. Ron really loves doing this and it shows. We're lucky to have guys like Ron willing to endlessly wear out tires and brake pads for our benefit. Every year new people get the chance to find out what the GT is really capable of after going along for a ride.
Ditto to Andy. It's a long trip for both these guys, and a long day sweating in the cockpit behind the wheel. (I know, what a terrible punishment!) But seriously, we're all very appreciative of the safe and secure manner in which they drive and instruct. And that is why I let Andy show up at my house at midnight and stay at the DBK Inn. :biggrin
Mark McGowan remains a Ford GT celebrity for good reason. He's now graduated from giving Ford GT thrill rides to destroying GT500 tires on full course 2.9 mile drifting exhibitions! You want to know how much people like Mark? What other car group would find not just people willing to let a guy take out their $175k car and drive it hard, but people lined up to do it. That says something about what Mark means to the history of FGT.
And a special thanks to Scott this year, for not only risking life and limb behind the wheel with Ford GT owners, but for giving his SAE presentation at dinner on Thursday night. It was great to hear those stories, and great to give some new people a chance to get a taste of the program as it were when it happened. I think that even if you had no idea what he was talking about, it sure looked and sounded cool! I know Rich Brooks told me that it brought back a lot of memories.
When these guys take people out that have no idea what an FGT is capable of, that's the best part of all. Wobbly knees and "holy #$&S" faces are beyond priceless. Thanks a ton!
Jennifer & Bill Dickie
For organizing & thinking of the cooking class for some of the spouses. Everyone sounded like they had a great time and will definitely do it again next time.
Rick Shelby#18 Saute
Every year, no matter how much arguing there is, Rick donates towards the t-shirts. Thanks Rick.
Chip Beck
Thanks to Chip for always being ready to get on his internal bullhorn and let everyone know the when and where!
The GT Guys and Ray Hofman
Thanks to the boys and Ray for working extra hard to get the RH Motorsports GT1S and GT3S cars complete to give a first glimpse to GT owners at the Rally. That was very cool. Can't wait to see what happens with these cars as the program progresses. They looked awesome, and I know how much midnight oil got burned trying to get them ready for the sneak preview.
Ed Sims
Hey Ed! Thanks for the stickers! Ed made the National Rally 7 stickers that got put in everyone's goodie bags. Very cool!Almost as cool as Ed's ear-splittingly loud GT!
John GT PILOT Levitz
Thanks a bunch to John Levitz for hooking us up with a bunch of Ford GT Utility trays for the goodie bags. Those are an EXTREMELY useful product, and that was very nice of him and Airaid to do that.
Trent "NOT 4N" deGoeisbriand
Thanks again to Trent for printing the run group stickers and the giant banners of the rally artwork which will go to people that helped out on the event. I hope that they hang our banner at the track forever to remember the sights and sounds of Ford GTs flying around the track! Hopefully you'll make the next one bud.
****
And of course I'd like to thank everyone that attended and continues to make these things possible. It was a great time and it was good seeing everyone. Especially thanks to my wife for making the 15 hour drive down while 8 months pregnant, trying to entertain a 20 month old. That was an adventure. :facepalm: :lol Next time, here's to flights and babysitters!
