A big thanks to BBR and Squirrel!

[TheSilverBuick]

I just wanted to say a big thanks to BBR James for first giving me a set of mechanix gloves to have right after I grumbled about forgetting to get a set, then followed that up with letting borrow a tie down strap to strap my laptop down to the passenger seat on runs because I forgot mine THEN giving me two cup holders to hang off the door window after mentioning I really needed to pick some up. Seemed like every time I turned around wanting something he had it there and said, "Take it". And then on the last day when my alternator started to sieze up and chucked the belt on the strip, James drove me down to the local parts store for an alternator and set of belts and I was back in the staging lanes quickly after. Great guy and had a great time!

And Squirrel Jim likewise. I seemed to of brought every tool I needed to rebuild the engine and literally forgot every tool I'd need to do other stuff =P That's where Jim helped me twice! When I was doing a jet change, *cough*, I mean an injector swap on the test n' tune day, I needed and allen wrench for the fuel rails and of course the size I needed was missing from the set I brought but Jim had one and let me use it. Then later on at the hotel I was swapping out the distributor cap on my car and needed a 1/4" socket to remove the coil and again I left mine at home and Jim was right there to loan me the tool to get the job done.

They were all small things, but they certainly started and ended my week on a good note.

[BBR]

Dude, you started it by buying dinner the first night we were there!

Randal, it was a pleasure meeting you (and the infamous Silver Buick) and hanging out all week! It was super cool to finally put faces and personalities to all these people I have been bantering back and forth with on the internet for years.

Glad your problems were minor, because when we heard the "backfire-heard-'round-the-world", I though the Silver Buick was gonna need a silver bullet to put it out of it's misery. Could not believe it was just a belt/alternator and HEI wire malfunction.

I really wish I had taken a pic of your huge pile of stuff that you loaded and unloaded every day! Haha You should have pulled my trailer!!!

[TheSilverBuick]

I got the "You fit ALL that in your car?!?!?" from several people through out the week

[nesabo]

Glad James decided to run the Durango after not wanting to fix the mustang. It was great meeting everyone, thankfully I did not need any ones tools or assistance.

[squirrel]

No problem Randal, thanks for making it seem like I brought some of that stuff for a reason I did borrow your torque wrench, and I used your shade....it all evens out. Thank you for having that stuff.

And heres a bonus picture, there was a LOT of this going on all week--standing around talking to folks

[BBR]

Randal making a jet change.

[70chevyC-10]

I heard that blue EZ Up had oysters on the half inch and grease pate too !

[TheSilverBuick]

Randal making a jet change.

In a BangShift shirt for the win! I've got Daphne on the bandwagon of getting some BangShift fisherman hats made up, like the one I'm wearing, only that's a Layne Drilling hat.

[JeffMcKC]

Randal, Doc and i voted you the Coolest Guy at the Event. A lot of people complain about this and that and never show up, well you showed up and had a blast it seemed but helped out and where always looking to do more. I for one am glad we met and I told Geek I was real sorry I did not bring my Car but the next time we can meet I will give you a ride and maybe even let you drive, Hell I let Geek Drive it. Hope you had as much fun as we did Glad to see the progress you made on your car but for me get a scattersheild in it man, you need your feet to push on the loud pedal

[ksj2]

Randal,Just how many miles did you drive?Bamfstr and I talked today and we are curious.You should receive the IronMan award for what you did.

[squirrel]

I'm guessing Randal logged about 4000, I only did about 3700. And I wimped out and had a co-pilot.

[ksj2]

Kudos to both of you.Wish my co pilots would have oiffered to drive so I did 1309 by myself.Im a wimp not you guys.LOL

[Ron Ward]

Kudos to both of you.Wish my co pilots would have oiffered to drive so I did 1309 by myself.Im a wimp not you guys.LOL

Which tab ran you higher, Don? Beer or gas?

Ron

[ksj2]

This year was gas.Kind of sucked.LOL.All those coolers being used just for ice.What a shame.

[TheSilverBuick]

Thanks Jeff! Scott mentioned some event in Texas, he'll give me the heads up if you are headed that way with your car and if the timing is right I can fly out there. I did have a great time. Win, Lose or Break, there was no ruining my fun there. Weather was a concern though.

According to my odometer after a correction factor of 4% (appears the speedo gear is for 3.55 gears) based on comparing a GPS reading for the first 1200 miles, I drove 3,822 miles from Ely to Ely. Wish I had installed that cruise control =P Still on the todo list!

Stopped in Golden, Colorado on my way home