Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Club News => Topic started by: f85gtron on September 19, 2015, 08:35:49 am

Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 19, 2015, 08:35:49 am
Ha ha!  I got first pic posted! ;)




Morning safety briefing!  Let's GET IT ON!
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 19, 2015, 11:55:23 am
Look what was waiting for us at lunch!

Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 19, 2015, 05:52:28 pm
The RUN is done. Time for the raffle!
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on September 20, 2015, 08:10:01 am

Our cars at the top of the Dragon.


Some of the adventurers.
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: pgackerman on September 20, 2015, 09:09:06 am
more, more, more pictures!
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 20, 2015, 10:05:19 am
Attend the next one, then you can enjoy the smells too!
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on September 20, 2015, 09:27:25 pm
My brother's car on the dragon...


My car on the Dragon, with my brother following...

Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: jeffwilson34 on September 21, 2015, 02:06:45 am
I can not believe I missed this.  I was thinking it was next week.   I have been doing other stuff and not had time to get on the computer in the last week much.   
I bought  an 86FT with a LX9 V6 in it and have been playing around in it in my spare time.   
I got the SE with the wiring issues working well enough to drive,  I had planned on hooking up with you guys at the dragon, my wife was going to be driving the SE because it is an automatic and she hates stick shifts.
The rod runs were in pigeon forge this past weekend and we always have a room there but I would have still met up at the dragon.  I could have crossed the mountain into Cherokee NC and the drive to the dragon is not that far from there.
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on September 21, 2015, 07:31:25 am
I can not believe I missed this.
Well, at least you can watch...

Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: scottb on September 21, 2015, 07:41:51 am
Lots of pictures of us  is at 129photos.com
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on September 21, 2015, 09:57:18 am

The rod runs were in pigeon forge this past weekend and we always have a room there but I would have still met up at the dragon.  I could have crossed the mountain into Cherokee NC and the drive to the dragon is not that far from there.

A man was killed and his wife severely injured when he rolled his early model modernized Ford sedan 7 times while on the way to the Rod Run.  Pictures I saw of the car showed it to be totally destroyed and hardly recognizable. 

If you had come from Pigeon Forge through Cherokee, you would have missed an amazing drive.  Hwy 321 out of Pigeon Forge over to Townsend then The Foothills Parkway to The Dragon.  Or even better is River Gorge Road at the visitors center in Gatlinburg over to 321 then the parkway. 

I was wondering what happened to you.  Didn't know if you were at one of the other hotels and must missed hooking up. 
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: scottb on September 21, 2015, 10:23:49 am
It was good to see Rob of the ETFC there too
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 23, 2015, 08:50:51 am
This is unrelated, but related all at the same time, since i was asked by those present several times what my mileage was. I figured it out and it was 27mpg on my 2.8 4-speed manual with 7730 ecm. Usually i get around 21mpg.
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Raydar on September 23, 2015, 09:20:21 pm
That's stellar!
My first Fiero was an 85 GT 4 speed that I bought in 85.
The best mileage I ever got with mine was maybe 23 or 24. That's when the speed limit was still 55 and most people didn't drive over 70.

I enjoyed meeting and talking with you. Take care!
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on September 23, 2015, 10:52:28 pm
I've made this topic for RFTH pictures. If you have some, put them here.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 24, 2015, 12:01:17 am
Is video Ok too?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on September 24, 2015, 10:09:57 am
Nice video, but I wish you hadn't cut the story of the Lotus short. ;)
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on September 24, 2015, 12:48:03 pm
I've got hours of rambling, bad video just like that one. First time i set the camera up. Learned that the rear view needs to go somewhere else, the microphone should not point out the passenger side window, but at the interior of the car, and finally, don't set the grips up to constantly pinch the start-stop button!  Lol.
I don't know what kind of mood i was in, but would like to apologize for the gratuitous use of the word "a$$"  not sure what was going on there, but for some reason, i felt it necessary to say it allot?  Must have been thinking Kardashian? 
I didn't feel cranky.  :o
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Robs Fieros on September 24, 2015, 04:22:26 pm
It was good to see you to Scott.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: pgackerman on September 24, 2015, 09:40:09 pm

Damn Caddy!

Thanks for the video.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: f85gtron on October 01, 2015, 04:24:40 pm
RAW RUN FOR THE HILLS 20 FOOTAGE!
....AND more uncomfortable, cheesy commentary by yours truly!  9 GLORIOUS EPISODES! GET YOURS TODAY!

Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on October 01, 2015, 09:00:38 pm
I just watched the whole series.  Glad you enjoyed it. 
Title: Re: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 10:05:28 pm
I can not believe I missed this.
Well, at least you can watch...


What was that red vehicle in the oncoming traffic?  It's in both videos.  The second one about 8 minutes in.  Someone asks what it is, but I never heard a reply.  Whatever the vehicle is, it looks like something out of Condorman.

There is a form the drivers must full out before the run?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on January 15, 2017, 10:14:08 pm
It looks like a Porsche 918 Lazer.  It was a popular VW based kit car of the 80's.  My partner and I considered building one, but the Demo car we went to see left a lot to be desired.  Horrible, horrible blind spots to the sides and rear.  You really need a full screen backup camera on that one. 
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 10:20:15 pm
If I was going to build a kit, it would be the Ford GT, on a Fiero, with a V8.

Is RFTH a drive through the mountains and dinner, or are there other elements?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on January 15, 2017, 10:28:57 pm
If I was going to build a kit, it would be the Ford GT, on a Fiero, with a V8.
V8 Archie used to sell those. I'm not sure if he still does
Quote
Is RFTH a drive through the mountains and dinner, or are there other elements?
Yes, that's it, except that sometimes we also have a raffle at the end, before dinner.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 10:33:40 pm
I saw one of his kits.  Early run.  Very nice.  I think it was like $20K.  Needed a bit of work to clean up the lines on the back, but overall asthetically pleasing, with a good sound.  I didn't get to drive it.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 10:36:38 pm
What is the time committment, from the start of the run, through dinner?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on January 15, 2017, 10:45:54 pm
It's actually a one day event.  The 3rd Saturday of September.  Normally, I set up a group rate at a hotel for Friday and Saturday night.  I set up a Lunch restaurant for Saturday and a Dinner restaurant for Saturday night.  Out of towners generally arrive on Friday so they can rest up for Saturday, then stay overnight and drive back home beginning Sunday.  Some locals arrive Saturday morning for the driver's meeting and then depart immediately at the end of the run. 

No restaurant is set up for Friday night because people are arriving at all hours.  We have commonly asked for product donations from the various Fiero vendors like Rodney, The Fiero Store, WCF, Held Motorsports, Mr. Mike's, and others.  Club members and other individuals have also donated.  We raffle these items to raise funds to support our causes.  This is done Saturday evening after the run.  Depending upon the dinner facility, it may be done at the restaurant, but could be before or after dinner. 

We didn't request donations for RFTH 21 because it may have been difficult to transport some items due to personal luggage needing to be transported from one location to another.  I commonly set up the run to be a loop, coming back to the same hotel, but #21 started in Georgia and ended in Gatlinburg.  It was pretty much agreed upon that we would do a similar thing for #22 and I've already laid out a tentative route, again beginning in Georgia and ending in another state.  Right now, it's about 200 miles long. 

I try to find a decent place for lunch that falls between 11AM and 1PM.  Sometimes it's difficult, especially when there are a large number of cars.  People like to mill around when we stop for an overlook or any time we stop for fuel.  I'm sure all of us have seen a Fiero engine bay, but we all seem to like to pop the deck lid when we stop.  Me included.  It's hard to get everyone going again at the same time.  Because the restaurants want a time that the group will dine so they can have enough our space prepared and staff on hand, we sometimes have to be a little demanding and pushy. 

Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 10:57:33 pm
Ha.  If you've seen a Fiero engine bay, don't look in mine.  I have dirt.  I was scored I think 3/10 on my bay.  My Fiero looks better, the further you get from it.  In fact, from Georgia, you probably can't see any imperfections.

200 miles?  The dragon is 200 miles?  My wife would come after me with a chainsaw!

I couldn't make the next 2, anyway.  Just lining up things.  I have to get my Fiero back from Texas, first.  It should probably get new shoes before trying something like the dragon.  It has very old GoodYears on it.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on January 15, 2017, 11:13:42 pm
The Dragon is only 11 miles.  It's not on the itinerary this year.  I try to make all runs between 150 and 200 miles to make it worthwhile for people to drive a distance to see what they and their cars are capable of.  It's impossible to please everyone.  Some want short runs and others want more.  If I give everyone more, anyone can drop out whenever they choose and make it as short s they like. 
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 15, 2017, 11:55:07 pm
I meant 200 miles of the dragon.  We have a few roads like that here.  I was in my truck on one for about 2 hours behind a dumb sheriff in a police interceptor.  We were doing about 65, and he would straddle the center line during turns.  What worried me was that he would straddle the line topping the hills.  I never squealed a tire, and if he'd have turned off, I'd have been gone.  My wife gets carsick easily, and her breakfast provided no nourishment that day.

I guess I'm glad I didn't push it, because I did once in another vehicle.  I'd had the ball joints replaced in a Blazer.  A few days later, I drove back from Norfolk, VA, to DC, then home, following my GPS.  Rather than take 64, it routed me through some interesting mountain trails.  My wife and I swapped off driving.  She uses the brake through turns, but I use the throttle, to help steer the back end.  I also run 15-20MPH faster than my wife.  It felt like 4 hours of those mountain trails.  When I got home, I took the Blazer in to the shop to see why the front end was so loose.  The MOOG ball joints were destroyed.

If you drop out, don't you miss out on the meal-time gatherings?  There didn't seem to be exits in the dragon; it looked like once in, you had to continue to the end.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: TopNotch on January 16, 2017, 08:01:21 am
If you drop out, don't you miss out on the meal-time gatherings?  There didn't seem to be exits in the dragon; it looked like once in, you had to continue to the end.
The route to the dinner destination the run takes is usually not the most direct route, in order to find the best curves. So the drop-outs can simply follow their GPS and get there before everyone else.
There's also a lunch gathering in the run. The same thing can happen then.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on January 16, 2017, 09:00:10 am
That happened for the 21st RFTH.  The couple pictured with the ChopTop GT from Florida made it to our lunch stop.  The wife was having problems with car sickness, so they left our lunch stop in Robbinsville, NC, went over through Cherokee, NC and were at the hotel when we arrived in Gatlinburg. 
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on January 16, 2017, 01:52:00 pm
The registration is simply to know how many will be joining us for each meal.  We have to call ahead so the restaurant will be prepared.  We have no way of knowing until we hold the morning drivers briefing because some show up at the briefing or don't join for the meals.  We ask for emergency contact info in case of illness or injury, home base, club affiliation and email address.  Sometimes we give awards for best club participation, longest travel to get to the event.  The registration brings everyone's info together for tabulation. 

RFTH 21 info will be used to send an event momento to each who registered and the info isn't shared with anyone.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on September 16, 2017, 10:32:32 pm
I commonly set up the run to be a loop, coming back to the same hotel, but #21 started in Georgia and ended in Gatlinburg.  It was pretty much agreed upon that we would do a similar thing for #22 and I've already laid out a tentative route, again beginning in Georgia and ending in another state.  Right now, it's about 200 miles long. 

Um, #22 didn't end up being a loop, did it?  Different hotels.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on September 17, 2017, 04:17:59 pm
21 and 22 were from one point, ending at another.  23 might be a loop, including The Dragon.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on September 17, 2017, 04:19:04 pm
Isn't it early to repeat The Dragon?  I thought that was every third year.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on September 17, 2017, 07:58:22 pm
We last did it on the 20th Anniversary.
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on September 17, 2017, 07:59:16 pm
14 years ago, or 2 years ago?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on June 22, 2018, 10:26:42 pm
Ha ha!  I got first pic posted! ;)




Morning safety briefing!  Let's GET IT ON!


Did the NSX make the run, also?
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: Fierofool on June 22, 2018, 10:44:46 pm
The NSX took the tourist route with me on that day.  They made it about half way.  They made the lunch stop, then took a more direct route back south, while the rest of us finished the more westerly route. 
Title: Re: 20TH ANNIVERSARY RUN FOR THE HILLS PICTURES
Post by: GTRS Fiero on June 22, 2018, 11:18:02 pm
The NSX needs more rear brake bias, I think.  I locked the fronts up a lot.  We swapped back and forth between the Porsche 911 and the NSX.  In many ways, very similar to the Fiero, except the $87K price tag!  The Porsche is in a different class.  The NSX is not as nimble, and is surprisingly not as consistent as the Porsche.  The NSX is exhausting while you drive it; the Porsche afterward.  The NSX loses a lot of stability at higher speeds.  It drives like an accord with no weight on the front.  It wheel-hops, doesn't turn, and generally doesn't inspire confidence.  I drove brand-new factory samples.  Acura wanted to show that their car was comparable to the Porsche.

The clutch in the NSX was much nicer.  The Porsche is much more of a driver's car--but you must pay attention.  The Porsche will turn on you in an instant.  The NSX has smoother power than the Porsche's raw power.

Honestly, I probably would have taken it easy in the NSX on an unfamiliar, demanding road, too.  It is difficult to recover from the unpredictability.  Perhaps I wasn't as used to the behavior of the NSX.  Heck, I wrecked the first FWD car I raced.  The car behaved opposite of the RWD platform to which I was accustomed.