Alright people, it's that time of year again. Registration for Deal's Gap Rotary Rally has opened and Dave (chickenwafer) and I are seriously talking about going. We need to see some more names though. I think Zico said he was planning on going too, but he doesn't check these forums too often. Either way, I'd really love to make it to this again. I went in 06 and it was awesome, and it's grown a lot since then (that's what she said), so it's sure to be a good time (also what she said).

http://www.dealsgaprotaryrally.com/register/

This event is based on Tail of the Dragon, an 11 mile stretch of road with 318 curves. It's very technical, and very fun. You can usually only get up to about 30 or 40 in the turns, so it's not quite as much about speed, other than just seeing how fast you can take the turns. But this is a two lane road and there are usually motorcycle riders on this road too so they REALLY stress not crossing the yellow lines. This will be 18-22 April, and we'll leave CO no later than early morning 16 April.

I've always planned on staying with either of my parents on either trip, so we could stay with my Mom (Cape Girardeau, MO) on the way out and with my Dad (Pinckneyville, IL) on the way back, or vice versa. So there is no worry about paying for lodging on the way. It takes about 12-14 hours to get to my Mom's house so we would need to leave early. The next day won't be quite as long a drive, probably around 8 or 9 hours, 10 at the most. Anyway, we will have to pay for lodging in NC though. I was talking to my old friends in NC about renting the Mansion we got back in 06 but we haven't firmed anything on that yet. I think we're looking at just staying in the normal lodging where everyone else stays.

So, who wants to go? We need to register soon and Dave and I would like to get a good headcount. It's a long drive, but I GUARANTEE you will never forget this.

EDIT: OK after looking at the site, I guess it's starting on 19 April. Last week it said 18 April.

Such a long drive I don't know if I want to put the FD thru this. I mean we can do the same on Manitou Springs lol

I had no idea there were rotaries other than Mazda.

Have a good time fellas!

I've really been thinking we need the same type of thing in Colorado.

pikes peak...?

I might meet you guys up there with the Fc or fb. Which ever gets done first lol

VRx8 wrote:Such a long drive I don't know if I want to put the FD thru this. I mean we can do the same on Manitou Springs lol

It's definitely a long drive, but it's not just the road that's important. If it was only us going, I'd say let's just do it at home. But this is a huge event. I also want to go to Seven Stock next year, but I feel that this is more than Seven Stock because there is something other than just sitting in a parking lot. Ask anyone who's ever been and they will tell you it was awesome. And everyone parties at night too because most of the people are staying in the same lodge. Although I didn't have any part of that when I went because we stayed at the mansion, but we still had a blast with just us.

Shadowden wrote:I had no idea there were rotaries other than Mazda.

Have a good time fellas!

Yeah Suzuki made the motorcycle, and back in the 70s and possibly even 60s there were a bunch of different car companies that were looking at the rotary.

RX-7 Chris wrote:I've really been thinking we need the same type of thing in Colorado.

I fully agree. I'm not sure what roads to use though haha. Not only that, but with the way rotaries run hot and as little as the cooling system helps at higher altitudes, we may have to find some curvy roads that aren't in the mountains but closer to 6000 feet and less.

Whizbang wrote:pikes peak...?

That would be cool. I've never driven up there but I'd like to check it out some time. It would be something different than anything else, and something only we can provide.

iani1.1 wrote:I might meet you guys up there with the Fc or fb. Which ever gets done first lol

Up where? At DGRR? That would be AWESOME! Bring the TX folks too.


Another thing about DGRR, they give out awards to whoever made the longest drive...although this isn't much of a plus for the drive that we have ahead of us, and there are people coming from further and further away now.

Incidentally I drove this trip back in 04 when I bought my FD in Littleton and lived in Fayetteville, only my trip was farther because this one only goes to the border of NC and I drove almost all the way to the coast, which is another approx. 6 hours.

COME ON PEOPLE! This is a blast!

speedjunkie wrote:

I fully agree. I'm not sure what roads to use though haha. Not only that, but with the way rotaries run hot and as little as the cooling system helps at higher altitudes, we may have to find some curvy roads that aren't in the mountains but closer to 6000 feet and less.

Next time make the drive up for one of our cruises!!!! Just hop on a C-5 headed stateside and thumb your way back home, then drive up. Easy peasy.

Like Eric said, I am pretty down for going but I need a good head count so we can figure the lodging budget, etc. Worse case, if my FD isn't 100% ready for the journey, then I might need to ride with someone (probably Eric but it doesn't matter).

Operator wrote:Next time make the drive up for one of our cruises!!!! Just hop on a C-5 headed stateside and thumb your way back home, then drive up. Easy peasy.

I might try to do that LOL. They had what they called a "Flightline Fest" today where they had a bunch of planes and vehicles out on the flightline and we got to crawl inside and take pics. I'm not going to post on here what planes I got to get in, for OPSEC purposes haha. They had a Military Working Dog demonstration too, with them taking down people running away and all that. THAT was awesome haha. I love dogs.

speedjunkie wrote:Yeah Suzuki made the motorcycle, and back in the 70s and possibly even 60s there were a bunch of different car companies that were looking at the rotary.

I must add the Suzuki RE5 is a horrible bike, haha. It's heavy, slow, clunky, and was overpriced for it's time. Matt has one and I rode it, and it was not a fun experience haha.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/motormanalpha/5861528807/

there is the rotary museum in germany: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1533/rotard-heaven--germanys-museum-autovision.aspx

Eric, how in the hell have you NOT been to the top of pikes peak? How long have you live in its shadow?

chickenwafer wrote:I must add the Suzuki RE5 is a horrible bike, haha. It's heavy, slow, clunky, and was overpriced for it's time. Matt has one and I rode it, and it was not a fun experience haha.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/motormanalpha/5861528807/

I've never heard a review of the bike, good to know! lol

RX-7 Chris wrote:there is the rotary museum in germany: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1533/rotard-heaven--germanys-museum-autovision.aspx

I forgot about that museum. If I ever get stationed there or go there long enough for a visit, I'm DEFINITELY hitting up that museum.

Yeah NSU was the first company to make a rotary powered vehicle.

Whizbang wrote:Eric, how in the hell have you NOT been to the top of pikes peak? How long have you live in its shadow?

I've been to the top, I just haven't driven the road haha. I took the COG Railway up. It was fun and educational but I'm not sure it's worth the $50 ticket haha.

couldve used that $50 on gas and drove up. better yet its all paved now... i miss the springs lol