vladha

I've waited awhile to post something like this... had to have time to let things gel a bit. Basically, this is just a thread to say "hey" and "thanks" to a great group of people.

Geo: also known as George Rolfe(sp). I "met" George 3 years ago, when I first bought my Classic. He's been a great friend and guide since then, especially when we were both going through some of the same problems. He said something at the '03 convention that was dead spot on, I'll paraphrase: "You will remember your first convention, how cool it was. But, you will enjoy your next convention even more... the people you get to see again and the stories you get to tell." The '05 Convention was a lot more fun for me... I didn't feel like such a complete stranger and I really looked forward to seeing "old" friends. George is the type of guy who always helps, and some day I hope Karma brings it back to him. I still have his website bookmarked and occassionally reread information about the "Beast". I had him drive my stock Classic at the '03 convention as a way to say thanks. I had him drive my slightly modified Classic at TWS, with me as a passenger... sooooo damn smart, and soooo much faster than I took her. That was a real pleasure for me, though my butt is still a bit puckered... or are those 'roids?


Bruce: Another "older" member I "met" 3 years ago. His ascerbic *** and dry humor, even when directed at me, was always to the point. He has shared soooo much knowledge and experience. I've learned more by reading his replies here and on se-r.net than anywhere else. At first, I was leery about posting or pming him a question. But, I found out that if you have done your research, he's more than willing to help... and he has, many times. He kept saying, at the convention, "this is how not to run a convention". But, you know what, I think it was great and he did an excellent job. We're all adults and we showed that we could cope with a couple of minor bumps. Besides, after that great track event, I would have eaten Alpo at the picnic and still been happy. I can still visualize the track entirely... and that's pretty darn tootin good for this old fart. Made a hell of an impression. Great job, Bruce!

Big John: I first met him at the '03 convention. Pulled in, and he and lionel(?) were working on John's Beast, the 400+whp B12. It's still one of my favorite cars and one of the few pics from '03 that didn't get erased. It was good to see him again even if he looked "littler" than I remember. Always friendly, mostly polite, always said "hey". Though, he and Danny were working a little closely putting vqmans shortened koni's in. They were arguing like 2 little 95 year old biddies... some of the time.Hell, didn't even get mad when I got us lost leaving the park. Austin: "you can't get there from here".

Greg Perry: Always a pleasure to glean information from his posts, and great to meet him again. He's such a damn nice guy, very community oriented, but not in a whitebread nerdy sort of way. And he's patient, patient patient. I had him drive my car at TWS, was trying to say thanks for all the help. But, as soon as he started driving her, he started grinning, and not a nice "say cheese" grin. Made the back end wiggle and dance around all the corner/curves. Then, when he had Josh's NX in view, the shark's teeth came out. Greg was laughing and sharkin' and talking about how he was going to reel him in... and he did. It was fun to be in the car with him... damn, he's a lot more competitive than I was thinking.

Lots more people to thank, and will get to them. The people I got to meet again, Jim, Josh and GregV. And, the new people I got to meet, JP(my first instructor, ever), Jeremy, Rush(amir?... the G20 guy who never met a drink he didn't like) and others.

I'm just freebasing here, haven't forgotten anyone, just too many for one post.

Peace,
Mark

__________________
"No Daddy.... it tastes like Butt!"

vqman

I had a similar thread (well, I thanked and gave credit where it was due for helping mod my car)

http://www.sr20forum.com/classic-se-r/111086-my-car-lost-its-virginity-convention.html

also thanks to Bruce for setting up the track and the err...picnic.

Wicked R

You snubbed me... both you guys... You both snubbed me... Just messing... It was good to meet you Mark... Though I didnt really get a chance to talk to you at all... I still had a great time... See you next year...



Cheers-
Erich

__________________
Erich

vladha

I haven't snubbed anyone... yet. Who the heck are you?.

Greg Vogel: Had purchased plenty of things from him via Mossy in the past... even before I met him for the first time at the '03 convention. Always damn patient and very helpful on the phone, even gave out his cell phone number. At the '05 convention, I got the chance to talk with Greg for the first time, one on one... w/o the "clique". It helps that his room was right next to mine. Anyway, he's a lot more introspective and mellow than I had thought. He talked about his "Austin Day", very enthusiastic about it... it was a pleasure to hear about. He did invite me to join the group later that night to go down town. But, despite leaving my door ajar, I fell fast asleep while watching TV in the suite. Without my kids around, I guess I just don't have that extra energy.

Josh Foster: Met Josh back at the '03 convention, and have "talked" on and off with him for the better part of 3 years. Very mellow, very helpful and super nice guy. Met up with him and his dad at this years convention, hung out a bit the night before the track, etc... I like hanging out with Josh. Very quiet... you don't feel like you have to fill in the "dead" spaces with a bunch of talk. He helped me tape my headlights at the track... cool blue on a white Classic, tres chic! And, I also found out what a fount of information he is... he did his own auto to manual swap, swapped in a VE by himself, etc... Very smart, very knowledgeable. Heck, how can you not like a guy who lets you talk about your kids and show you pictures of said kids.

More comments/people at a later time.

Peace,
Mark

Big John

Awww, I'm gonna cry. You're sthweetest, Marky-poo!
It's nice of you to say, but I really know how to be an asshole sometimes, too! Danny and I go way back and own a shop together, that's just how we are when working on cars. It's all light hearted and keeps us from being at each other's throat most of the time.

It was nice to see everyonce and meet some new people. I for one, had a great time and appreciate everything everyone did to make it a fun time for all. Big Thanks to all who helped organize and thanks to all who participated or involved themselves.

I owe the biggest thanks to Eric96ser, Thanks for hooking up the NProbe and letting me sort some the small hickups on the red car. I really appraciate it!

I look forward to next year!

John

__________________
The Most Powerful Button in the World

B12 turbo madness
424 whp / 328 ft. lbs
2440 lbs. w/ a full tank

B14 VE Hotness
244 whp / 228 ft. lbs
"You might be a King or a little street sweeper, but sooner or later you dance with the Reaper"

eric96ser

After letting us use your cordless impact and helping with the clutch, no thanks is needed. The reason I brought the nprobe was to help anyone with problems with their car. I'm glad we were able to figure out the dozens of codes your car was showing. I've never seen that many codes pop up at once.

__________________
1996 200SX SE-R VE powered
2004 Subaru Forester turbo
2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX

The community is here.

SERprise In WV

Thanks for the kind words, Mark. I am more competitive than you think, yes. But only when piloting a SR20-powered vehicle.

Otherwise, I'm pretty reserved.

One more lap and I would have had that NX, and grinned even more. Your car is just such a hoot to drive.

__________________
Greg Perry
Huntington, WV
-'93 SE-R, 12.80 @ 110mph
The car: '93 SE-R with a VE
The BEST SR20 manifold on earth: Protech Manifolds

vladha

Must... keep... thread... alive... .

Eric Waterman: Met Eric at the '03 convention... man, he was all over the place, being pulled in soooo many different directions and still managed to do a great job. I have a hard time talking with Eric... most of the time he's under someones car helping to replace something. Actually, he's one of the people who's exploits, explanations and car situations I follow. Maybe he can help me install a cruise control in my '91... at the '06 convention. Just joking, Eric... maybe next time you'll have more free time. It was a pleasure to get a chance to talk more with him this year, though that wasn't alot... "too many cooks in the kitchen".

JP: Never met him before '05, besides, he drives a B15(bleagh). Anyway, when they were short of instructors for the beginners group, he had the experience and volunteered to help out. Didn't know me from squat, but never seemed put out that he was going to have to ride in a car with a beginner. He was exceptionally patient with me, talked me through the track for 2 laps while he drove, and then for the laps I drove. He also has much better eyesight than me... sorry JP, I just couldn't see the small ridge division you were talking about. Also, he took absolutely the best picture of my car... ever. I had to email him an apology for a misunderstanding that was basically my fault and I should have known better. I wish I had asked for a ride in his car, very clean and I'm one of the few B13 owners who like the way the B15's look. Thanks again, JP.

Who's next? Tune in tomorrow... same Bat Channel, same Bat time.

Peace,
Mark

P.S. I've got to find out what kind of Hankooks he was running, he seemed to be pretty pleased with them

Wicked R

I'm next...

trance34

Thanks Mark, that little ridge line was tough to see, but it was the perfect visual for the line!

At no point was I ever worried with you driving, yo udid a great job for someone with no track expereince.

The Hankooks are the Ventus R-S2 212's.

__________________
2000 Sentra SE-T
2005 Pathfinder SE