Oppo Meet

"Agrajag" (Agrajag)
07/31/2016 at 20:50 • Filed to: oppo meet

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these enthusiasts from the swift assembly of their scheduled meets.”

With the threat of rain, I departed for Oppo Meet. It began to downpour almost immediately, but let up as I neared the NJ border.

Neat! A narrow wooden bridge.

I left early to give myself some time for getting lost and stopping to take pictures. Of which I did both. Still got there super early somehow. While sitting there I took some random pics of my interior.

Not too long later,Higu showed up in his Fiesta ST and cleverly parked in such a manner that I would see his Oppo sticker. ShelbyRacer78 was not long after with probably the best example of a Mercury Sable.

JGrabowMST had told Higu to keep an eye out for SavetheIntegras grey Civic. A little while later a grey Civic parks on the opposite side of the parking lot. Arms flailing in an attention grabbing fashion, Higu yells out to him. The guy waves back from across the parking and goes inside to his job. It was not him.

SavetheIntegras, ESSSIX GmbH and JGrabowMST show up a little later and we all go in the grocery store to get some food and supplies. I chip in some money for that and I’m left with $38 in cash in my wallet.

We then depart for High Point State Park. I take up the rear so that no one gets stuck behind my 65hp behemoth on the climb up to High Point. It was a nice ride. I was directly behind Esssix and his wonderful sounding Audi, that promptly disappeared from view as we hit the incline.

I finally make it up the hill and pull in line behind them as we make our way through the park gate. I briefly skim the sign and notice “$10 for out of state cars”. No problem. I get my $10 ready when ESSSIX gets out his car and comes up to my window.

E: “Do you have cash?”

me :“Sure.” I hand him a 20.

He proceeds through gate. I pull up and give the nice lady the $10.

lady: “It’s $20 on the weekends.”

me: “.....”

internal monologue: “haha, sonuvabitchbastard” (if you’ve been keeping track I was left with $18 after giving ESSSIX that $20)

lady: “You can pay by card at the main office across the street.”

Across the street I go. That resolved, I meet up with the group.

Holy crap! Doug Demuro and Freddy Tavarish joined us! Another reason Jalopnik is awesome. I can’t think of any other site that interacts with and appreciates their reader base in the same way.

SavetheIntegra’s friend got to quick work on the grill.

The persistent light rain slowly increased in intensity throughout the day. We huddled under trees, shared umbrellas, utilized emergency ponchos and just gave a “fuck you” to the weather in general. Time of day was the only thing that set us about our way.

A wild Mika appears.

Shitty weather, awesome cars, great people and great food, with some hilarity thrown in the mix. A good day overall. Thanks for organizing this again, JGrabowMST.

Jalopnik is awesome.

Oppo is awesome.

DISCUSSION (69)

Matt Nichelson > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 20:57

This is awesome. Makes me wanna do something like this for us southern Oppos.

PS9 > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:06

Holy crap! Doug Demuro and Freddy Tavarish joined us!

Oppo has an army and it’s own celebrities?!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:11

The problem is the size of the Southeast.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > PS9
07/31/2016 at 21:15

Yes and yes

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:15

Agreed. We’re spaced out more. For most of us it would be a several hour drive and be a 2 day thing even if it was centrally located.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:18

Kinja'd!!!

Best ever!!! Awesome time meeting you!!

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:20

See you again in November!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:21

IIRC, you’re in southern MS, correct? A little over a year ago, I would have been quite close. Now I’m not.

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:26

Indeed I am. Yeah you were in Florida right? I know you moved up the east coast though.

Agrajag > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
07/31/2016 at 21:26

Don’t forget the turkey. I’ll bring the cornucopia.

Agrajag > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
07/31/2016 at 21:27

Likewise.

Scary__goongala! > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:32

I’m glad I still get the invites from you. One of these times I just need to pony up and make the trek to meet some Opponauts. I think the trip would take me at least 4 hours each way depending on where they happen.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:33

Depending where it is, I might be interested. I was thinking about organizing one in a year or two, once I’m a little more established in the Oppo community. I’m still pretty new here.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:37

Im really hoping to move up there so I can do stuff like this!

Florida is so lonely!

Matt Nichelson > interstate366, now In The Industry
07/31/2016 at 21:38

Where do ya live? I live in Mississippi and I know we have some in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and I think the Carolinas. As far as I can make out either Alabama or Georgia would be the most central location.

Agrajag > Scary__goongala!
07/31/2016 at 21:39

Kinja'd!!!

They’ve all been at High Point so far.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:40

Yep, Pensacola. Now I live near Columbia, SC. I’ve met more out of state Oppos since living here than in state ones. Though that’s partially my fault.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:43

http://www.barbermuseum.org/plan-a-visit/m…

There’s also some mountain roads nearby.

Scary__goongala! > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:46

Did a quick Google maps. Its really only like a 2.5 hour drive. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. The next meet up will likely occur when I’m an additional 3 hours west for school.

*beats head against brick wall.

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:47

Yeah you were only a few hours away. Well damn! At least you’ve had the chance to meet some. I found all of one other person on here who is from MS and he lives up north around Tupelo.

Agrajag > Scary__goongala!
07/31/2016 at 21:48

November 20 I think he said will be the next one.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:48

I’m in Richmond. If I organized a meet, it would probably be in North Carolina so people would actually come.

I’d consider driving to Atlanta for a meet.

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:48

Oh wow. Forgot about that being there. That would be a great place for a meet.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:49

There are a couple in NWF, a couple in BHam, and a couple in LA. There are 5 of us in SC including me(that I know of), but I’ve only met one.

Scary__goongala! > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 21:54

I can be there! My Thanksgiving break starts the 19th.

Matt Nichelson > interstate366, now In The Industry
07/31/2016 at 21:54

Ah ok. Yeah North Carolina would be an all day drive for me. Atlanta is doable though. I think it’s about 7-8 hours from where I live.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 21:56

Talladega is also pretty close to there as well, I think there is a motorsports museum there.

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:56

Yeah. Birmingham would prolly be the best for that group. Atlanta would probably have to be the spot if the Carolinas and VA are included.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > interstate366, now In The Industry
07/31/2016 at 21:57

There are a ton of us in the Carolinas.

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 21:58

Yep. The International Motorsports Hall of Fame. I went there back in 1998. Very cool place.

E90M3 > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 22:05

Now that I’m back in the South, I like this idea.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 22:05

I’m actually from Alabama, about 2 hours north of Bham, so I could visit them, then come down Saturday. Though this would have to be in a few months, A. Give others time to plan. B. I’m currently broke from an unexpected tax bill thanks to my car dealer.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Matt Nichelson
07/31/2016 at 22:07

It’s about the same for me. 500 miles according to a map I have.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 22:17

Yeah, I’ve noticed quite a few on here. One or two of the FP authors, as well.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > interstate366, now In The Industry
07/31/2016 at 22:23

There are at least 5 in SC, and more than that in NC. There also quite a few in VA. I’d be down for a meet in NC.

Ryan Y. > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 22:36

Are they open to everyone?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 22:37

There are at least two others here in the Richmond area alone, but I haven’t met them yet since they’re on the other side of the metro from me. Off the top of my head, there’s at least one in the Charlottesville area, a few in Hampton Roads, and a bunch in NoVA. An NC meet would definitely work for me as well.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 22:42

Pity I wasn’t many of hundreds of kms away up here in Nova Scotia! :(

Matt Nichelson > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/31/2016 at 22:56

Yeah it would have to be something put out well in advance due to having everyone drive so far. I think it’s worth a shot though if we could get some serious commimemts.

Matt Nichelson > interstate366, now In The Industry
07/31/2016 at 23:00

Gotcha. Well like I told Jordan, it would need to planned out well in advance since most of us would have to drive so far, but I think it could be done. Maybe one of us should make a post on it to see who all would be interested.

Matt Nichelson > E90M3
07/31/2016 at 23:03

Sweet. I mentioned to Interstate that one of us should make a post on it to see who all would be interested.

Doug DeMuro > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 23:43

It was seriously great to meet you, and everyone who came out today, in spite of the weather. Also, thanks for making so much of the food! I can’t wait for the next meetup!!!

scoob > Agrajag
07/31/2016 at 23:43

- Wants to go

- Car-less

JGrabowMSt > Scary__goongala!
08/01/2016 at 00:00

I can look for something closer to central jersey, if thats any concolation. Im over an hour from High Point myself, so its not as if Im just making it close to me.

Takes a while to scout good locations, but Ill see what I can find.

JGrabowMSt > Ryan Y.
08/01/2016 at 00:01

Yes. Send an email to [my username]@gmail with your name and general location so I can add you to the mailing list.

JGrabowMSt > scoob
08/01/2016 at 00:03

Any other Oppos near you to carpool with?

JGrabowMSt > Doug DeMuro
08/01/2016 at 00:06

You’ll certainly be in the loop! All Jalopnik writers/contributors are welcome as well any time!

My girlfriend loved the Aston and had an awesome time with everyone!

JGrabowMSt > Agrajag
08/01/2016 at 00:09

You’ll have to send me your number so we can run extra cash back down the line if need be! Thanks for snapping the pictures, and it was great seeing you again!

Couldnt have written it up better myself!

BIGBLOCK472 - wide and bizarre > Matt Nichelson
08/01/2016 at 00:12

Count me in!

Matt Nichelson > BIGBLOCK472 - wide and bizarre
08/01/2016 at 00:17

Awesome! I guess during the week I will see about making a post to gather some more interest.

Any updates on the hearse?

RallyWrench > Agrajag
08/01/2016 at 00:28

This is top shelf Oppo, well done to all. It’d be great to get a Western meet together, but the west is, you know, big and mostly empty. No matter where it is there would be at least full day drives for a lot of us.