Okay, I have over-discussed this with friends, they all say I'm as crazy as ever. I had thought about coming to Salem, but never found a travel companion, so I nixed the idea. But, as the weekend looms and I keep reading the threads (and my alternatives keep looking worse) - I am thinking I WANT to go, I SHOULD go. But I've have a couple reservations: 1) I've only put less than 1000 miles on my GS since I've got it. Before that, it was basically stored for a long time. I've had the car looked over by a couple very reputable people, everything seems in order, have not had a stitch of trouble with it. BUT - from mid-Michigan, the trip is about 6 hours. Would it be crazy to take it that far? 2) Generally, I am not leery of travelling alone. I've hauled my truck/horse trailer over the entire Midwest by myself, and even hauled out to the Sturgis Bike Rally in '98 by myself. But, I was involved in quite a wicked motorcycle accident last summer, which still causes me 2 problems - I have a prosthetic leg and still use crutches and my right arm isn't the greatest. I can't even open the hood on the GS by myself. Granted, I'm no mechanic, but given a problem - I can't even open the hood and describe any carnage over the cell phone. It all makes me a bit nervous? And, of course, having waited til the last minute finding a room could be challenging, but not impossible. I was considering coming down Friday morning and staying until at least Saturday late afternoon. My options are: throw caution to the wind (only live once!) and hit the streets with the GS, OR I could always just drive the unflappable Regal (but not nearly as much fun), or stay home and spend the weekend in Redneckville (tractor pulls and horse shows). Looking for some encouragement, discouragement, suggestions, ideas???
Find some Buick folks to caravan over with, whether you take your car or not, in my opinion I'd be going if I hadn't just dumped a month's pay on Buick parts!
Wow Annie, thats a tough one. Since you have a double wammy, which is old car and health trouble, I'd say it would be a challenge. However, it looks to be a great event. If you try it, take down Quaker city raceways phone number. If you break down, call there and request some help. I may or may not have a cell, so thats why I suggest calling the track (Or someone you know will be there). Go ahead and ask for me if you need help. I'm on Vacation, so I'm not time limited. In other words, if you get stuck far away, me, and probably others from this board, will come to help. Good luck to you on whatever decision you come to! Be safe:TU:
I would attempt to meet up with other folks making the trip, even if you hooked up with them for just part of the trip. If you do go it alone I would suggest joining AAA and get the Gold membership which provides the extended towing coverage. Your car insurance usually covers some of the towing. A bit of advice and that would be don't travel the long distance on a Sunday! I found out the hard way when my family and I went to D.C. and the alternator went out in the mountains. Didn't pack any tools, made it to a town 40 miles away, got a hotel room and was forced to be taken to the cleaners by the local Firestone dealer.
I will be leaving for Salem Saturday morning with my family. If the schedule works out we would probably be behind you most of the way, I am sure that I am farther North than you. PM me if yoy do decide to go and I will give you my cell number you can contact me if you have any problems. I travel with a good amount of tools and am quite mechanical, could probably help you out with almost any problem you have short of catastrofic damage. We will not be to Salem until afternoon so if you were going for the car show we would be quite some time after you, you may have a long wait for our help. Traveling with my mom and dad in their new motorhome along with my wife and son, first time for mom and dad to see me race at a Buick event and now I don't have to sleep in my tent.
Gas up the Regal and enjoy the drive there and back. The thought of driving 6+ hours given your current limitations and the untested older Buick is would not be worth the anguish in my m ind. That's the kind of thing that makes you gray, wrinkley, bald and grouchy, just ask my wife.:laugh: The hotel #'s have been listed here and on the BPG site so call 'em and make a reservation and your still there in a Buick. Tractor pulls huh, I love the sound of 5 big blocks at wot.
Swaying... Well, without hearing a resounding cry of "you're insane" and "don't be silly" responses...I'm thinking of putting this trip together. I have all day tomorrow to round up, gather and pack resources. Besides my cell phone, a list of handy phone numbers on either end, a map and a healthy dose of nerve - what should I have with me as far as tools, resources etc? I'll have to pick up a fire extinguisher, what else? I'd like to see the show on Saturday, though I wouldn't be entering, so I though the best plan was to go down at a leisurely pace Friday and get up early to spend the day there on Saturday. Perhaps stay another night, depending on what time everything winds down. Thanks!
i was going to go saturday.. but it's not looking good. i swear my life is a impossible right now.. i went from going for sure.. to not going due to car issues... to going with my new car just to go hang out.. to not going because of health issues myself... i think i'm gonna go shoot myself and put myself outta my misery :-/ otherwise i'd be happy to travel with ya down there
I went from "going to trailer the GS there" to " going to drive the GS there" and have finally ended with "going to drive the 2001 Taurus there....probably". Sure, it would be a blast to drive it that far and play with everyone......but I like to play it on the safe side and not chance something happening to the GS. I'll have all the time I want to watch the races and see the car show with no distractions. Plus I will pack the two room tent in the trunk and camp at the track. I wouldn't worry alot about getting the GS there......... just try to get yourself there ... safely, and worry free. Mike
Nix the idea of not coming. It should be worth it. So you're then only left with which Buick to bring. Bringing the Regal is a good compromise...between not coming at all and making a gutsy/silly/crazy move. DO IT!
Annie, we are leaving in the morning from Flint, wish you had said something sooner, Dave and Dayna, Chris and Carol are leaving from Beverly Hills, MI and Orion, MI respectively on Friday afternoon, not sure if they are hooked up on running a caravan? Get Dayna and Dave at ddechent@aol.com BTW was out your way on Sunday, but I bet you were at the Shiawassee County Fair with your horses, as a friend of mine's friend was out there with her grandson, and touched some draft horses. Bring the regal, what the heck, see some Buicks race and meet some great people! There may still be some rooms available, not cheap, though, but nothing is this time of year there, but this is where I will be and may other Michigan folks: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 10111 Market St. NORTH LIMA, OH 44452 Local Phone: 1-330-5490070 Reservations: 866-549-0070 $92.50 + Tax will be $107.58 Booked under MI Buick Performance It's a left turn and 9 miles or so from the track! Hope you can come, Roberta
Sent you a PM with my cell # in case you end up needing help. If you don't get an answer leave a voice mail and I can call back. Have a safe trip and have fun.
Hurray!! After much thought, I've decided to run the Granny Regal to Salem. Easier than worrying about the GS. Booked a room at the Holiday Inn Boardman, should be in town Friday afternoon. See you there! (I'll be the one with the crutches looking like a deer in the headlights!!)
I saw you in front of my son (an 11 year old with a mowhawk) and me in the consession line and I didnt know who you were but I'll tell you what, you deserve some kind of medal for traveling all that way in that condition. I was going to ask you what happened but I was too scared. Good luck Gary D.
Finally got home Sunday, 5 pm Mike, great meeting you as well! Glad someone stopped. I also met Dan (floyd'sBuick). The whole weekend ending up being bittersweet for me. On Friday, I got to the track just as it starting raining, and decided it would be better to NOT go out into the wet with the crutches. By the time I got back to the hotel, I had a splitting migraine. It decided to stick with me all weekend. On Saturday afternoon, when you saw me, I was doing ok (thanks to some scripts). By the time racing started, I was nearly physically ill. I told myself I wasn't leaving until I saw some #^&$%$@ racing, so I stuck through all the trial runs. I barely made it out of the track and back to the hotel in one piece. I am terrible company when I have a migraine, so I didn't feel real comfortable searching people out, not to mention it exhausted me. I meant to come back this morning, but I woke up with the migraine again and decided to just come home. I will get my pics developed this week and post them for everyone. Gary - you should have said hello. I am always asked by strangers what happened to my leg/foot/why I have crutches. My latest answer usually stumps them - "Gator got my leg"! It was a great time regardless, will book next year EARLY!!
