Had more fun than I thought I would, fewer car problems than I thought I would
and time went way faster than I wanted it to. Didn't get to meet/talk to
everyone from the list that I wanted to but maybe next time. Strange phoneme
this Internet thing where you can get to know people so well that you feel like
you're greeting someone you've met and know before instead of someone you've
never laid eyes on.
I won't go into too many details about the trip but I was sure glad I'd put in
the bubble/foil insulation from the firewall to the heelboard, over the tranny
tunnels and from rocker panel to rocker panel. I also wove a couple of pieces
of the insulation into the softop to deflect the heat from that solar collector.
Side benefit is being able to actually hear your radio...really cut down on the
noise along with the heat.
Hard to say if the insulation, the cruise control (thanks to Brad Kahler for
that inspiration) or the OD was the best thing I did to prep for the trip but
without any of them the 4500 miles I covered would have been a heck of a lot
harder. I can't say enough about the cruise and how from the finish of the
installation, to testing it, to driving it thousands of miles I made virtually
NO adjustments and it took me up hill and down at a steady 80mph...er I mean
what ever the speed limit was. Nothing like driving with your feet crossed or a
knee pulled up onto the seat. I found out too that if you drive barefooted you
can stretch your entire body by sliding your feet under the pedals (there's
lot's of room) and arching back on the seat.
Followed Brad towing his Spit for more miles than I could count. Toured the
Andy Mace TR museum and tormented his neighbors by running up and down the road
trying to get my 6 to run at 5200 ft. less than it was used to. My advice to
the list is those coming to Colorado (gotta go over at least 9500 ft. over Vail
pass or through the Eisenhower tunnel to get to Breckenridge) for VTR 2001 to
start a thread on ideas for adjusting TRs for changes in altitude in case you
need to...I wished I'd started one about 6 months ago.
The convention was run great and we were treated special in Portland. Congrats
to any and all involved with putting it on. I was impressed guys like Ken
Streeter, Bob Lang aka bobsta the lobsta, and Tom Walling who not only put on a
great show but also stole the show by kickin butt in the driving events. Now
that's versatility!
Had a ball doing the TSD rally with Phil (you should have turned back there)
Barnes. I learned a lot from Phil about how to rally, he's a pro. Got the
biggest adrenaline rush I've ever had autocrossing. I can honestly say the
crowd was moved by my driving...mostly when I did a 360 in the slalom (which is
not considered a good line) and they ran for their lives since it was close to
the roped off area by the pits.
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