Having
recently returned from our second DE event of the year at Mont Tremblant
I have to report that it was a fantastic event...from all perspectives.
While the track was the major part of the event, we can't overlook the
village of Mt. Tremblant and the Blues Festival itself.
The array and mix of marques
in all run groups at the track made for very interesting driving. There
were 3 open wheel Spec Racers of different classes, a Monte Carlo "Stock
Car", 4 996 GT 3s, several Mustang GTs, 4 996 GT3 Cups, a 996 GT 2, and
9 BMW M 3s not to mention the usually cast of 993 and 996 twin turbos,
911s, WRXs etc., etc. Many regions limit their DEs to only the Porsche
marque while NER has for many years invited all cars of recognized car
clubs. There's no question that this "open" invitation brings many drivers
to our events as they have far more limited opportunities to drive on our
world-class tracks than do our Porsche drivers. Frankly, it makes the driving
experience more fun, more varied and interesting.
What the track committee
(TC) does in putting on these events is not rocket science, but to do it
properly does take an eagle eye view towards "customer service". We're
not the only PCA region out there running events at the tracks we go to,
and having used NHIS exclusively for so many years we're now playing catch-up
to those regions that have been driving at these tracks for many years.
So the TC does their best to go the extra mile making the events seamless
and hopefully better than those of other regions. Communication is a major
part of this "client" oriented effort. There is extensive communication,
before, during and following the event so both novices and jaded old timers
do not feel left out and know what's going on. Following are a few comments
from this event, which are typical of all NER events.
"Great
event!" --Fred & Deb Seebeck
" Thank you,
a very well-run, enjoyable event. --Bill Newby, M.D.
"...the event
was a blast. The track is fun long and challenging. The people who I met
were all helpful, more than willing to pass on driving tips and techniques.
Instructor was excellent. Accommodations were great and this is the first
event my wife accompanied me on. We are both looking forward to returning
next summer." --Brian Law
"Always a
good time! Keep up the good work; it's much appreciated!" --Greg
Ames
I've attended
A LOT of these DEs over the years with many different clubs & this
was one of the best! Great track, great crowd, very well run, just
a great event!" --Larry Leff
This brings us to the
best part of the event from my perspective...and by way of full disclosure
I must tell you that neither Joyce nor I were driving as the RS America
is in the shop after a heavy crash at the WGI Club Race. OK....I did drive
a friend's car once and of course rode with many drivers as Chief Driving
Instructor. Joyce spent her time working control in the Tower, not even
riding. So if we had been driving our perspective may have been a little
different.
We're major Blues and Jazz
fans and hearing only the first night's bands and singers I wished that
we had made plans to stay longer than that first Friday night...and we
will next year. The groups we heard reminded me and reinforced the concept
that it's not only the groups one knows that may be great to hear.
While waiting for dinner
companions we listened to Angel Forrest, a female vocalist right out of
the Janis Joplin mold but able to project sensitivity when a tune called
for it. Her lead guitarist was an outstanding acoustic (amplified) player,
one of the best I've heard. During dinner at the top of the hill near the
stage we listened to David Rotundo - a harmonica led band - and Room Full
of Blues, a well-known Rhode Island based jump blues band that has spawned
many top leaders i.e. Ronnie Earle, Duke Robilard, and Greg Picolo. And
that was only the first night. The following Saturday and Sunday one could
have od'd on constant music between noon and 10 PM on 5 different outdoor
stages, many playing concurrently, followed at 11PM to indoors at the various
clubs and bars around The Village. So we'll extend out visit next year
for several days after the July LCMT DE event.
On an interesting non-driving
note, a 34-year-old Indianapolis bail bondsman named Kerry Edwards is today
auctioning on line his registered Internet marker, "kerryedwards.com" and
the bidding starts at $150,000. The bail bondsman has had the URL for three
years now and has been using it "to put my kid's pictures up for my mother
in Florida." There's found money if ever the term was appropriate.
Earlier this year, a Vancouver
teenager named Michael Rowe became a folk hero to many as he fought Microsoft
for the right to call his site, “MikeRoweSoft.com". Guess he didn't fight
very hard as he gave up the name in exchange for Microsoft making a charitable
donation (an undisclosed non-profit and amount) and giving him an X-Box
video game and tour of the plant.
For those who already
have children past this age, this is hilarious.
For those who have
children this age, this is not funny
For those who have
children nearing this age, this is a warning.
For those who have
not yet had children, this is birth control.
The following came
from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas:
Things I've learned from
my Children (honest & no kidding)
1. A king size waterbed
holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray
on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year olds voice is
louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash
over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42-pound
boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong
enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls
of a 20x20 ft. room.
5. You should not throw baseballs
up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have
to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can
hit a baseball a long way.
6. The glass in windows (even
double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet
flush and the words "uh oh," it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with
Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. Play dough and microwave
should not be used in the same sentence.
10. No matter how much Jell-O
you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
11. Pool filters do not like
Jell-O.
12. VCR's do not eject PB&J
sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do
13. Marbles in gas tanks
make lots of noise when driving.
14. Always look in the oven
before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
15. The fire department in
Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.
16. The spin cycle on the
washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.
17. It will, however, make
cats dizzy.
18. Cats throw up twice their
body weight when dizzy.
19. The mind of a 6-year
old is wonderful. First grade...true story: One day the first grade teacher
was reading the story of the Three Little Pigs to her class. She came to
the part of the story where the first pig was trying to accumulate the
building materials for his home. She read,"..And so the pig went up to
the man with the wheelbarrow full of straw and said, 'Pardon me sir, but
may I have some of that straw to build my house?'" The teacher paused then
asked the class, "And what do you think that man said?" One little boy
raised his hand and said, "I think he said...'Holy crap! A talking pig!'"
The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes.
20. 60% of men who read this
will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.
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