OK guys and gals, in light of having gotten some positive feedback to put on an event this summer I thought I'd post up a few ideas for a meet here in Des Moines. The idea is to center on a weekend with things going on Friday night, Saturday and early on Sunday.
Currently I'm looking at centering the event around either a trip to the drag strip or an auto-x. There are two problems in that the nearest 1/4 mile is 2 hours north of Des Moines in Janesville, Iowa (Cedar Falls Raceway) or that the only currently scheduled auto-x's in August are on Sundays so it would put you headed home late afternoon if you stayed for that event.
The overall schedule plan would be hangout Friday night and go shoot pool, Saturday do some type of event or cruise, Saturday night probably grill out/hang out at our place, Sunday short drive and picnic or an auto-x depending on everyone's vote.
Please vote only if you truly plan on attending the event. I want to get a date set early this month so everyone can have ample notice and get time off arranged if needed.
Those are all the car events I can find for August. However, the Iowa state fair does run from August 11-21 here in Des Moines and is a pretty fun time as well. Please vote for your best date/event and then if there are certain dates you absolutely couldn't make, please post them.
Thanks,
Rick
I'm down for August 13th. Can't do the 27th, so I had to go with when the State Fair is. Nations best, right?
It's supposed to be one of the best if not the best fair in the nation.
Rick
I'm not sure I'd consider that something to brag about...
I'm probably the only one that will vote for the 7th, but that's the only one that works for me, and I'm not even 100% sure I can make that. The 13th and 27 are getting too close to my wife giving birth. The 7th might get nixed for the same reason. I also prefer AutoX to the drags, but I'm probably in the minority there as well. But I really would like to make it up there.
Roger,
You'd be more than welcome to come up so I hope you can make it. I'll pretty much be going by majority rules as far as the date goes. I like to auto-x too, but to put it on a Sunday where a lot of people would have 5+ hour drives to get back home is asking a bit much for most. Too bad I couldn't find a local Saturday auto-x.
Also, I've got a rumor that there might be an SVTOA twin cities shootout versus the non ford people on the 13th of August at the drag strip as well which was a great time when I went last year. I'm trying to get confirmation on that right now.
Thanks,
Rick
i am there whenever you want me there. i cant wait.
Any of those dates work for me. I'll be all healed up from my injury by than.
Voting the 7th, because drag just doesn't do it for me.
I am game for any of those weekends too.
Should be a good time and I hope some new faces (to me at least) will be there!
Originally posted by Davo:
I'm down for August 13th. Can't do the 27th, so I had to go with when the State Fair is. Nations best, right?
My Bday is the 14th....might take off a day anyway.... 
I could make any work. Karve and anybody else who needs a place to stay I should have 2 open couches, but I'm an hour or a little less north of Rick.
I'm up for a meet as usual! Im not sure which date works best yet but once one is chosen ill try my best tto make it!
Something I forgot to mention is that your significant other's are more than welcome to attend and I'm sure Miranda can find some things for the gals to do if they don't want to hang around and talk cars all weekend.
Thanks,
Rick
Originally posted by Buckshot77:
Something I forgot to mention is that your significant other's are more than welcome to attend and I'm sure Miranda can find some things for the gals to do if they don't want to hang around and talk cars all weekend.
Thanks,
Rick
Thank God! 
I will go now! 
I figured you were holding out since we all know Kim isn't into cars at all!
Originally posted by Buckshot77:
I figured you were holding out since we all know Kim isn't into cars at all!
LOL....she is into them....just not Contours. Now if we were talking about Grand Ams..... 
Originally posted by XKontour98:
I'm up for a meet as usual! Im not sure which date works best yet but once one is chosen ill try my best tto make it!
Yeah, like he said i'll try and make it too, I'm up for anything but i'm not going to vote because i don't know when/if i could actually make it. I don't know if i'd be up for auto x but it'd still be fun to watch. I also think i'd only be able to make it down there for saturday cuz i have to work fridays, but hey that's probably when the exciting stuff would be going on
Ok guys and gals, since the voting hasn't gone much further, we I'm closing voting and the meet will be held the weekend of August 13. We will have activities Friday afternoon/evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday late morning/early afternoon.
I'll see if I can get some rooms wrangled around. If you hit up priceline you might be able to get some rooms for $30-40/night or if you don't need anything fancy there is also a motel 6 by the airport that is around $35/night if you tell them it's just a single person. If you get a room, try to stay around the airport area as that is the closest to where we will be doing things and closest to my place though you can get anywhere in this town in less than 20 minutes.
I'll put up a separate post detailing the events as I get time. See you all on the 13th!
Thanks,
Rick
I'm there. Thanks for organizing this, Rick.
dang. i was hoping that i would be able to stop by. im going to a wedding in Ohio on the 6th, will probably be passing through in the 8th.
not to take away from this thread, but if anyone is interested in a bite to eat or something on the 8th (not for certain, but close) let me know. if not, i may take I 70 b/c i believe its a bit shorter from cinci. i dont have any problems with a little detour on I 80.
rick, i remember you mentioning steaks?
Try to swing through on a weekend dude. But anyways, if you can stop when you're coming through here, let me know.
Chris,
If you give me a day or two heads up I'll pull some steaks out to throw on the grill. Might make it worth your while driving up I-80 instead of I-70
Rick
Originally posted by Buckshot77:
Might make it worth your while driving up I-80 instead of I-70
Rick
Heck yes it will!
The american inn wasn't too bad once you got used to the mild smell. Final tally was 49.28 per night. Two beds, TV, bathroom, and pretty close to Rick's place. Pretty much everything you need.
Funny you guys consider that close to my place, shoot that's the other side of town! Anything much over 5 minutes isn't very close to my place
Rick
its a pretty short drive. plus, the directions are easy
...plus speed limit will be 70 in Iowa and already is 75 in Nebraska.
well, on city streets that doesnt really play into things
Originally posted by Davo:
...plus speed limit will be 70 in Iowa and already is 75 in Nebraska.
It's about freaking time... now to work towards the proper rural interstate speed limit... 80
Cool, an Iowa meet (been a while since I poked my head in here). I hope my 383 is done by then so I can see what it will actually do.
Just keep me posted and I'm in. Just have to make sure of the dates and ask for them off.
Have you contacted any hotel's for a group rate yet? I did a bit of looking the other night, cheapest I found was $69/night. It looks like Traci (Girlfriend) and I are in, Outlawd and family is a possibility. hopefully Marcus too.
There is always the priceline.com option though. When I started one, it kept telling me "based on recent transactions" until I put in $40. I chose the airport area and West Des Moines. I think that is where Timmmay and I stayed on our way to SZ 02. I know we were closer to Brad's place than yours, but like you said 20 minutes will get you anywhere.
Is there a Holiday Inn Express near you? They have nice breakfasts every morning and those kick azz shower heads that make you feel smarter. We all know I need all the help I can get!
Is it going to make it harder to get a room since the state fair is going on?
Originally posted by Eric L:
Is it going to make it harder to get a room since the state fair is going on?
I didn't even think of that, and the answer is probably yes.
Originally posted by Eric L:
Have you contacted any hotel's for a group rate yet? I did a bit of looking the other night, cheapest I found was $69/night. It looks like Traci (Girlfriend) and I are in, Outlawd and family is a possibility. hopefully Marcus too.
There is always the priceline.com option though. When I started one, it kept telling me "based on recent transactions" until I put in $40. I chose the airport area and West Des Moines. I think that is where Timmmay and I stayed on our way to SZ 02. I know we were closer to Brad's place than yours, but like you said 20 minutes will get you anywhere.
Is there a Holiday Inn Express near you? They have nice breakfasts every morning and those kick azz shower heads that make you feel smarter. We all know I need all the help I can get!
Is it going to make it harder to get a room since the state fair is going on?
It's especially easy to get around to the South side now that the highway 65 bypass is complete. You can stay in the newer hotels in West Des Moines and still get there in 20 minutes or less. If you're stuck on getting Holiday Inn Express nearer Buckshot though, here's the one you want H I Xpress on Fluer Dr.
Otherwise, I know Hampton Inn serves good breakfastesssesesee too...
Count me in. Would love to go to Des Moines again...
Hello,
My names ken ive got a 1998 se moving to nebraska havent been to a meet in about 2 years would love to go has a date been determinned yet the only days in august i cant go are the 7-8 so any other day would be fine when finalized let me now thanks ken
Ken,
The meet is going on the weekend of the 13th. As soon as I can get some more items planned, I'll post the actual events for each day.
Thanks,
Rick
Thanks for the info by the way were does your business operate out of?
Originally posted by KSpencer:
Thanks for the info by the way were does your business operate out of?
His garage!
Hey i am i still allowed to come if i dont have my contour any more.?? I gave it to some friends in St. paul on the south side because they needed a car. But i do have a ford to bring dose it matter if it's an '86 Mustang GT. If you drag i would love to see what it will do. I've been itchen to get to a track that would work well, i would be able to be down there late sat. and all day sunday.
Thanks, Eric
Fromer own of a blue '96 contour "rember the price"
Originally posted by Midnight:
... it's an '86 Mustang GT. If you drag i would love to see what it will do. I've been itchen to get to a track that would work well, i would be able to be down there late sat. and all day sunday.
It''l be like 1986 all over again. I'll be there with my '86 Trans Am. We can blast some 80's hair band music in the pits...
If I'm invited I'll show up with my
stock zetec!
Not sure though, work schedule isn't up yet...
The more the merrier. Hopefully I'll be able to get some info on hotels and stuff put up this week.
Thanks,
Rick
Argh!! The chic I know lives in Sioux City, which isn't as close to Des Moines as I had hoped! From what she says it's 2 hours away? I should have looked at a map!
I'll let you know Rick!
Mark
Uhh Sioux city is more like 3 hours away. LOL you silly boy!
Rick
i am there for sure.
August 12-14
I'll be turning in my vacation tomorrow!
I haven't seen any good corn fileds in a while, is it in season?
Sweet! This is looking like it could be one of the best meets we've ever had. Can't wait!
im still undecided as to if i will make it, but im trying!
ok ok who is planning on coming?, especially peeps i havent met before.
I'm not sure if met @ SZ 02 or not?
Eitehr way, I'll be there and I believe OutlawdSVT will be there too. He doesn't post much anymore since he has a kid now.
Well, I'm coming but I was at SZ '04. I know Super Karve and his brother are coming and I'm pretty sure you haven't met them.
I've never met you before, and I'll be there.
too many new people. mikey needs to make nametags!
ha! that might be a good idea actually.
ill hopefully be there!! in the GL though
I work in Des Moines once a month, I will bring my car up to drag race.
btw Hi.
