by "StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
Published 09/12/2017 at 15:00
by "StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
Published 09/12/2017 at 15:00
Tags: Seattle Cruise 2017
; Seattle oppo
; Seattle
STARS: 15
I won’t lie, I was a bit hesitant. Not for the lack of organization (of which there was none, Eric you did a great job), or the social anxiety of meeting new people (meh, that is my own curse), but the weather had forecasted some rain.
I’ve broken down in the rain before it just feels like a one two punch standing in the middle of an intersection with the hood up trying to figure out what went wrong while mother nature constantly taps you on the shoulder and head.
I had just built a front bumper and removed the overboost governor I had set, the suspension had never ever been used in anger, so I figured it was about time.
Decided to make a go of it. Woke up early to pack my tool kit and head out. Pretty uneventful cruise out to the meeting spot, I did notice I was running a bit lean at cruise. The lovely thing with a tunable ECU is that is easily remedied with a quick few bumps on the fuel map.
Eric who had organized the meet was already there. I did a bit of stalking to find out what cars would be there and was on the lookout for a black AMG, a white Foucs ST, and a Miata from the quick search.
After standing around waiting for the red Miata to show up, we found out that he along with a couple others were already here.
(Sorry Just-a-scratch, didn’t know whose car was whose at that point, totally chopped you out)
It really boggles the mind that we can put something together, exchange no personal information and still meet up and go on a drive.
We decided to meet up at a gas station closeby to fillup on fuel. Personally I was a bit alarmed, but looked like I was burning about a % a mile or two. With 20% left I was a bit out of my comfort zone.
A bit of miscommunication led to the group splitting into two, but as the route was so precisely determined with specific stop spots, it was assumed we would meet up.
After a moment of panic when my tablet wouldn’t connect leaving me displayless, it finally connected, reminding me I really should just hardwire the thing.
Downfall of a nicer camera is that the autofocus really dislikes glass. I now understand why people take pictures out open windows.
Route was a blast, some corners kind of came up fast, but it was great fun, I got to stick the car in 3rd and just gun it on the straights and let the car engine brake slightly in the corners while working the suspension and letting it do its thing. A bit of distress when I noticed it was running lean on tip in, meaning I had to really slowly accelerate, but small problems. Will have to remember to adjust that later.
With a super long straight, it was hard to resist a bit of a go, and a bit of a confusing merry go round moment later we all lined up behind our leader and cruised to our scenic spot.
Snoqualmie Falls, it was nice to stop and admire some of the great features
Our group got there first and we killed some time talking about the little drive and hoping to meet the other half. Svart apologized if he kept me from going full tilt, but it was honestly relaxing to just cruise after the little jaunt and fun to watch the little Fit roll in and out of corners.
They showed up a couple minutes later, a mishap caused by the gas station changing names.
A quick shot of two of the cars in the lot, plus the taillight of the Fit.
Than onto our lunch destination.
Smokey’s BBQ
We absolutely annihilated our time table, and got there right when it opened the benefit being the entire lot being almost empty.
What other site collects this diversity of cars? 4 Japanese, 2 European, 1 American/European depending on who you ask, lol. Every single one a different make.
Eric had mentioned a work event where they handed out trophy’s for achievements.
RPM definitely takes the fastest with his AMG Mercedes. I thought I might be able to challenge, but he left me in the dust leaving me seriously questioning some ill advised upping of the boost lol.
Eric and Svart take the FWD awards
Aestheticsinmotion and Just a scratch take the non shades aka actual colors awards.
Aestheticsinmotion takes the happiest looking car
Nojustno takes the most oppo I think regaling us with tales of his myriad of jalopies.
I’m pretty sure I take the loudest and oldest. My car leaving me deafened after the first half of the drive. Like a grumpy old man loudly voicing his opinions, hahaha.
The only mishaps for me happened on my way home, trying to listen to my GPS with my exhaust led me to ignore my eyes and miss the on ramp, than on the way home ending up in a little bit of traffic and the cabin getting up to 95* idling, screaming my head off at the lady who kept going 20-30ft and than parking her car to look at her phone forcing me into an unexpected leg day.
Definitely a highlight of my summer for sure,
Thanks again and it was a pleasure meeting all of you!
"Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever" (superchan7)
09/12/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 1
Car meets and cruises (no racing or anything close to 10/10ths driving) are always fun.
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/12/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 0
For sure, there is some merit to a meet as it is less stressful once you are at your destination, but really cars look the best and feel the best in motion I think.
"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
09/12/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 0
Looks like you guys had a blast! Sorry I missed it. We’ll have to get more of these get togethers going.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
09/12/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 2
Mea culpa: after StudyStudyStudy and I got a bit ahead on a long straight(ish), I thought the easiest way to regroup would be to take the “wrong” turn and use the intersection below to let Eric continue straight, then fall back in behind him again....of course, I didn’t actually communicate this brainwave to anyone so instead I ineptly led the group on an awkward merry-go-round around the triangle before Eric got us all going in the right direction again. The short leg of the triangle is actually a somewhat steep hill, making the sharp turn even more awkward. Oops.
"BrtStlnd" (BrtStlnd)
09/12/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
I’ve stayed at the Salish Lodge there before when I did Dirtfish. One of the coolest hotels I’ve ever seen.
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/12/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 0
For sure, everyone was real nice, food was good, company was better, and the roads were the best :D
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/12/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 1
I was so confused, and my awful turning radius really didn’t help the two laps we did!
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/12/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 0
It really is gorgeous out there, I wanted to snap a pic, but it was just a blurry mess. I didn’t know that dirtfish was around there though. It is on my list of places to checkout/try. How was it?
"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
09/12/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 1
Last go round we just sat around and drank beer. This looks like lots more fun.
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/12/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 3
I’m not a real big drinker so this definitely is more my cup of tea.
It was really fun watching people’s personalities come out. Some people can seem stoic until they get behind the wheel after all.
There was a certain member *cough* who may have slowed down and lined up with another member *cough*, both of whom must have had their foot slip and inadvertently ended up in a slight contest of acceleration. Not something that can happen sitting down at a bar :D
"BrtStlnd" (BrtStlnd)
09/12/2017 at 19:34, STARS: 1
http://jalopnik.com/5925867/this-is-what-its-like-to-go-to-rally-school http://jalopnik.com/5925867/this-is-what-its-like-to-go-to-rally-school
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