Woohoo! Hitting the road this summer with the Camaro!

[Gandalf]

Yes - it's about as official as it's going to get...

I’m talking with a good friend a couple months ago about all the different auto-x events scheduled for the summer, especially back east. For the last 18mths I’ve been enjoying competing at local events in CA but folks like ASCS, GoodGuys and others now have all these great events going on across the country. It reminded me of the original reason I had built the Camaro in the first place – wanting to “update an old Camaro and drive it across country”. What happened to that idea? Well, the Camaro project kinda got out of hand as they do <you think?> and 7yrs later the car is on the road, the auto-x bug has bit but still no roadtrip.

So….. I’m taking some time this summer and combining the two by driving across country from event to event. No, this is no hard-core One-Lap mega-mission (much respect by the way). More bucket-list maybe lol. Time to find out if this whole Pro-touring concept actually holds-water. There will be no trailers involved (Yancy - I’ll take that Rat Pack shirt in XL, thanks).

Not only will these events be the basis for a fun cross-country road-trip but also the perfect excuse to visit with friends back east and meet even more of the great people in this community. This includes some of the builders and venders whom I’ve come to know and who have contributed to the Camaro build in some way over the years. This is going to be awesome!

Needless to say, I intend to write about my adventure and take photos and footage as I go.

The plan changes almost daily right now but the events I will definitely be attending as part of the tour….

ASCS Run to Music City (July 5-7, Nashville, TN)
GoodGuys Columbus (July 12-14, Columbus, OH)
Syracuse Nationals (July 18-21, Syracuse, NY)
Motorstate Challenge (July 25-27, South Haven, MI)
SORC (Aug 7-10, Arnold, NE)
Holley LS Fest (Sept 6-8, Bowling Green, KY)
ASCS Run Through the Hills (Sept 13-15, PigeonForge, TN)
GoodGuys Indiana (Sept 20-22, Indianapolis, IN)

Based on the locations and schedule above, if anyone knows of other events or must see/do things along the way – I’d be glad of the input.

I’ll post more info and a basic route map as things come together. I am stupid-excited!

Gregg

[71RS/SS396]

My advice would be if your car hasn't seen significant road course time, is to take it easy at the events that have road course segments so you lessen the chance of a major parts failure so far from home. Oh yeah and have fun!

[Matt@BOS]

Dang Gregg, you be crazy...

I still want to make a couple of events with you. Maybe the stuff in Sept. I'd go crazy being on the road from July through Sept. but shipping the car out to TN, driving to IN, cruising into Chicago, and taking Rt. 66 back might be a fun little trip.

Matt

[Finch]

Gregg,

Happy to see your taking the plunge, we are all proud of you and are looking forward to some good times at all these events. Drop me note so we can discuss the website thing you mentioned to Bill.

[andrewb70]

Two words...

Fukk Ya!

Andrew

P.S. I am in Memphis, so if you are coming through town, let me buy you some ribs....In fact, I will be attending Run to Music City, so let me know if you want to stop in Memphis on the way. My plan is to leave Friday afternoon for Nashville.

[TonyHuntimer]

Gregg,

Have fun! It should be a fun adventure.

Tony Huntimer
Tony's Speed Shop

[Gandalf]

My advice would be if your car hasn't seen significant road course time, is to take it easy at the events that have road course segments so you lessen the chance of a major parts failure so far from home. Oh yeah and have fun!

Good advice Tim - I hear you. I have road-coarse experience but nothing like the extensive seat-time you and some of the other folks on here have. So I will look to keep things in check.

It's definitely one of my concerns overall for the trip, being out of area and not having my normal resources available. AAA seems like a great option until you undertake something like this. I like to think I take Tech pretty seriously at these events and I am conscious that it will become even more important putting open-road mileage like this on the car between events. All part of the challenge.

With the downtime between events, I plan to visit with DSE and JetHot among others while out that way.

G

[Gandalf]

Dang Gregg, you be crazy...
I still want to make a couple of events with you. Maybe the stuff in Sept. I'd go crazy being on the road from July through Sept. but shipping the car out to TN, driving to IN, cruising into Chicago, and taking Rt. 66 back might be a fun little trip.
Matt

Amen to crazy my friend.

You bring up a good point. You and absolutely anyone reading this that wants to travel to events together or meet up along the way - that would be awesome. The one caveat is - given the extended nature of the trip and my intention to visit with friends along the way, the exact travel timing will be somewhat fluid but the event schedule is fixed. So I think we can make pretty much anything work. I'll post progress here and maybe via FB or similar so we can stay in contact and make sure we can all connect along the way.

G.

[Gandalf]

Thanks to the vendors and individuals alike who have reached-out to me already and offered to help in all sorts of ways. Very much unexpected and definitely appreciated. I will be sure to let everyone know just who you are.

Cheers!
G.

[Gandalf]

Gregg,

Happy to see your taking the plunge, we are all proud of you and are looking forward to some good times at all these events. Drop me note so we can discuss the website thing you mentioned to Bill.

Thanks Brian. Looking forward to it big-time. Will send you a PM/email regarding the other matter PLUS I need to handle my fuel venting before I hit the road - rumor has it that you have just the device :-)



Two words...

Fukk Ya!

Andrew

P.S. I am in Memphis, so if you are coming through town, let me buy you some ribs....In fact, I will be attending Run to Music City, so let me know if you want to stop in Memphis on the way. My plan is to leave Friday afternoon for Nashville.

No need to ask twice Andrew - if I'm coming through town, I will definitely shout out. Mmmmmm...ribs - yum! I plan to be in Nashville on the 4th to settle in before the event. July 4th, mmmmm, gonna have to come up with a plan to celebrate the 4th. Will look to the TN folks for that one!



Gregg,

Have fun! It should be a fun adventure.

Tony Huntimer
Tony's Speed Shop

Thanks Tony - totally going to be a trip to remember!

Cheers for the support guys,
Gregg

[tazzz25906112]

Loving it Gregg..... I'll likely be riding in your mirror on a couple of those legs buddy....

[BuddyP]

Awsome, hoping to have my car on the road this summer yet alos (after 10 looong years). May have it ready in time for Motorstate but hard to say if I'll just drive it to the track (and spectate) or drive it on the track. Depends on if I can get any break-in milage beforehand.

Let me know when your passing through from NY to South Haven as I am in the NE corner of Indiana right off I-80 (Angola, IN). Would be great to hook up and have a beer.

[LeighP]

East bound and down......sounds like a great Summer.
Good luck, and have fun!

[Ron.in.SoCal]

You are one crazy MF'r Bro. I hope you have the time of your life! Look forward to updates and hearing all about it when you get back. Oh, and don't be surprised if I bum a ride in Colombus :D :cheers:

[Rod]

Cant wait to hear all about the trip! just be safe brother and to bad I wont see you this weekend at goodguys, you will be missed

[71RS/SS396]

Good advice Tim - I hear you. I have road-coarse experience but nothing like the extensive seat-time you and some of the other folks on here have. So I will look to keep things in check.

It's definitely one of my concerns overall for the trip, being out of area and not having my normal resources available. AAA seems like a great option until you undertake something like this. I like to think I take Tech pretty seriously at these events and I am conscious that it will become even more important putting open-road mileage like this on the car between events. All part of the challenge.

With the downtime between events, I plan to visit with DSE and JetHot among others while out that way.

G
Gregg, stop on by and check out the toy box. We are about an 1 hour and 45 mins from DSE so you could probably hit both of us in the same day.
Pm me with the day you think you will be here. I'm going to most of the same events as you so we should be able to make it work out for your visit.

[David Pozzi]

Great news, be sure & post updates on how it goes.

[LS1NOVA]

Awesome!

I have a small shop in the Minneapolis Mn area, if you have any trouble in the area give me a call. 763-221-1755 Nate

[Gandalf]

Loving it Gregg..... I'll likely be riding in your mirror on a couple of those legs buddy....
Be great to have your company Albert - let's do it!


Awsome, hoping to have my car on the road this summer yet alos (after 10 looong years). May have it ready in time for Motorstate but hard to say if I'll just drive it to the track (and spectate) or drive it on the track. Depends on if I can get any break-in milage beforehand.

Let me know when your passing through from NY to South Haven as I am in the NE corner of Indiana right off I-80 (Angola, IN). Would be great to hook up and have a beer.
I know how those long years feel. Sounds like you are right in my flight-path for MotorState. Consider it done!


East bound and down......sounds like a great Summer.
Good luck, and have fun!
Thanks!


You are one crazy MF'r Bro. I hope you have the time of your life! Look forward to updates and hearing all about it when you get back. Oh, and don't be surprised if I bum a ride in Colombus :D :cheers:
Passenger seat has your name all over it Ron. Don't ask - just get in! Look forward to seeing you out there!


Cant wait to hear all about the trip! just be safe brother and to bad I wont see you this weekend at goodguys, you will be missed
Thanks Rodney - your (& Suzy) support means the world man. Will keep you posted.


Gregg, stop on by and check out the toy box. We are about an 1 hour and 45 mins from DSE so you could probably hit both of us in the same day. Pm me with the day you think you will be here. I'm going to most of the same events as you so we should be able to make it work out for your visit.
I will come on by for sure. Thanks Tim. Look forward to seeing you at the events!


Great news, be sure & post updates on how it goes.
Will do Dave! Now thinking about all the things/tools/parts I am tempted to take with me - I should have fab'd a tow hitch like you guys did lol.


Awesome! I have a small shop in the Minneapolis Mn area, if you have any trouble in the area give me a call. 763-221-1755 Nate
Excellent - will do Nate. Thanks for the support.

[Gandalf]

A quick update as we come down to the wire...

Well life has tried it's very best to put a stop to this trip but as they say, the show must go on. Even the car has played-ball and put up the good fight to make this trip happen, co-operating at every turn.

In the last 3wks we have had the rear-end rebuilt with new gears and axel bearings, (matching wheel studs front and rear - yay!), refreshed the brake package, re-valved shocks @ RideTech, new fuel pump, new water pump, radiator fixed, new battery, a little (cough) bodywork, new front C6 bushings, bent rim fixed, vacuum leak fixed, new thermostat, all new fluids and I'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting.

This final week's 3 remaining challenges - complete the a/c, final check/tune @ RPM and locate new tires. Plus there's a list of 500 other small things that can wait if they have to.

A H.U.G.E. thanks to the following for their continued support and contribution:

RideTech, American Streetcar Series, Optima Batteries, Currie, Wilwood Engineering, JetHot Coatings, Best of Show Coachworks, Casti, Steve Rupp @ Camaro Performers, Matt Alcala, Ron Myers, Larry @ PT.

Your support of me and this trip has not gone unnoticed and I am extremely appreciative. Looking forward to doing you all proud! You guys and gals are awesome!

Cheers,
Gregg

[Damn True]

Sounds like a ball. You may want to set up a blog to share photos and stories in real-ish time. It gets hard to recall details of such a long and complicated trip if you try to chronicle it after the fact.

If nothing else, keep a journal, it'll help you recall where that awesome photo was taken.

[Rod]

A quick update as we come down to the wire...

Well life has tried it's very best to put a stop to this trip but as they say, the show must go on. Even the car has played-ball and put up the good fight to make this trip happen, co-operating at every turn.

In the last 3wks we have had the rear-end rebuilt with new gears and axel bearings, (matching wheel studs front and rear - yay!), refreshed the brake package, re-valved shocks @ RideTech, new fuel pump, new water pump, radiator fixed, new battery, a little (cough) bodywork, new front C6 bushings, bent rim fixed, vacuum leak fixed, new thermostat, all new fluids and I'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting.

This final week's 3 remaining challenges - complete the a/c, final check/tune @ RPM and locate new tires. Plus there's a list of 500 other small things that can wait if they have to.

A H.U.G.E. thanks to the following for their continued support and contribution:

RideTech, American Streetcar Series, Optima Batteries, Currie, Wilwood Engineering, JetHot Coatings, Best of Show Coachworks, Casti, Steve Rupp @ Camaro Performers, Matt Alcala, Ron Myers, Larry @ PT.

Your support of me and this trip has not gone unnoticed and I am extremely appreciative. Looking forward to doing you all proud! You guys and gals are awesome!

Cheers,
Gregg

quit taking my girlfriend out on dates and you would have more time to finish that bucket!! ha ha ha ha ha ....:cheers:....let me know if you need anything

[Gandalf]

Sounds like a ball. You may want to set up a blog to share photos and stories in real-ish time. It gets hard to recall details of such a long and complicated trip if you try to chronicle it after the fact.

If nothing else, keep a journal, it'll help you recall where that awesome photo was taken.

Absolutely True. I should have some time between events so at the very least posting something then. Will consider a blog for sure.

2G.

[Gandalf]

quit taking my girlfriend out on dates and you would have more time to finish that bucket!! ha ha ha ha ha ....:cheers:....let me know if you need anything

Oh darn - you heard about that huh ;-) Somebody's got to take her out while you're under that car.

Thanks re: offer Rodney - will do!
2G.

[Rod]

Oh darn - you heard about that huh ;-) Somebody's got to take her out while you're under that car.



Touche.... well played sir, well played. now get to work

[Damn True]

Absolutely True. I should have some time between events so at the very least posting something then. Will consider a blog for sure.

2G.

Each of the major blog services has their pluses & minuses. For this purpose, you might look for one that offers an easy to use mobile utility so you can upload a photo or video and brief blurb about it and then make more detailed posts in the evening via your laptop.

I use Google's Blogger utility for my blog. I don't use the mobile app for posting often at all as most of what I do on my blog is long form text and/or photo heavy but IIRC the mobile app will handle single pics + text.

[CarlC]

Wow, what a great trip! Have a great time and be sure to post pics.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I understand the Kiwi has hit the road! Safe travels my friend!! :cheers:

Oh, and :postpics:

[Rod]

I understand the Kiwi has hit the road! Safe travels my friend!! :cheers:

Oh, and :postpics:

no word yet from the traveler

[DTM Racing]

He just left here on his way to Phoenix. Car and driver are doing great.

[Gandalf]

Hey guys. Well thanks to a very stubborn a/c project it was a thrash to get on the road. The heatwave on the weekend made me even more conscious of crossing the desert with no a/c. **** got the last line fixed Monday afternoon, I got it charged and I spent the night packing and putting the car together.

So I hit the road Tuesday at 6am to get to TN before Thursday. I'm here in TN now. Will put together a blurb about the trip - was a blast to drive across like that.

[DTM Racing]

Hey guys. Well thanks to a very stubborn a/c project it was a thrash to get on the road. The heatwave on the weekend made me even more conscious of crossing the desert with no a/c. **** got the last line fixed Monday afternoon, I got it charged and I spent the night packing and putting the car together.

So I hit the road Tuesday at 6am to get to TN before Thursday. I'm here in TN now. Will put together a blurb about the trip - was a blast to drive across like that.

Didn't stop to smell the roses huh? Mike REALLY dug your car, BTW. He came over to talk about it 2 times after you left.

[Gandalf]

Yeah - I had originally planned to leave Friday night. 3days down already and in order to still make the first (RTMC) event and give myself some downtime beforehand, I had to give up that first leg experience. Don't get me wrong - while I did not stop much, I did take in the experience in my own way. Was a great experience to drive across the country, esp in this car and at this time. Some great tunes had and pictures captured. The pace should be a little easier from here.

Up early - JetHot school today and then cruise/dinner this evening. It's been raining here, hoping it lightens up this morning. Rain-or-shine event plus its easier to stay committed when you drive 2000miles to make an event so I'm all in lol. Mistake not covering the car last night - front floors and part of trunk carpet soaked. Not a show-stopper and lesson learned.

Happy 4th to everyone for yesterday. Brian & Nicole (Finch) opened their home to us last night to celebrate together. Great to catch up with some of our PT peeps and meet some new ad interesting folk. This weekend is gonna be a hoot!

G

[efs69]

Safe travels

[Matt@BOS]

Someone finally took a picture of your car!

http://www.camaroperformers.com/events/1308-live-saturday-coverage-goodguys-16th-ppg-nationals/photo_09.html

Matt

[Rod]

Someone finally took a picture of your car!

http://www.camaroperformers.com/events/1308-live-saturday-coverage-goodguys-16th-ppg-nationals/photo_09.html

Matt

Exactly!!! I think that protouring.com should be doing a profile on Greg and following him, because he is truly pro-touring it! he has drove from California (west coast) to Ohio (east coast) to race and have fun, this car was not trailered, trucked or shipped, he drove it the whole way across the good ole USA baby!! hell I can barely get local guys to drive 2 hours to autocross in their PT cars and Greg has driven 4000+ miles through heat, rain, break downs just to drive, and has stopped At RTMC an then a track day with jet hot and now Goodguys in Ohio, that's PT right there
!!

[Greg from Aus]

I had the pleasure to meet Gregg today, nice guy great car and living the dream.

Thanks for the ride along Gregg.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I had the pleasure to meet Gregg today, nice guy great car and living the dream.

Thanks for the ride along Gregg.

Two Greg(g)s. Aussie and a Kiwi both with Bad A$$ Camaros. We'll never hear the end of it, lol!

[71RS/SS396]

Just an FYI our Kiwi friend is alive and well, he's been tagging along with the Jet Hot crew.

[Larry Callahan]

I'm glad to hear. I was starting to worry. He doesn't call or write any more. LOL!

Have fun!!!

[Chevy Kid]

I met Greg at GG Columbus. Super nice guy and we traded x country stories. My Dad, 6 yr. old son and I made a trip from N. Cal to Columbus in our 64 Nova. Not a pro touring car, but we had a fun trip. Safe travels!

[SicMonte]

Oh trust me...Gregg is alive and well and is having THE TIME OF HIS LIFE!!!!!

I first met Gregg at RTMC and really wasn't aware of this trip until I interviewed him for the most recent Pro-Touring.com Podcast. Then I talked to him and some others and finally realized that he was doing this trip. Every time I lined him up at the RTMC autox he was laughing and smiling...wiping the fog off his windshield from the rain...and just having a great time. We talked a bunch and became instant friends. Anyone who has met and knows Gregg will understand what I am talking about...this dude is awesome.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/rtmc072-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/RTMC2/rtmc072.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/rtmc192-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/RTMC2/rtmc192.jpg.html)

[CarlC]

Way to go Gregg!

[efs69]

Glad to hear you are having a blast. Look forward to hearing about your adventure.

[SicMonte]

Another Gregg update:

Just got home from the Syracuse Nationals. Four days of autox means a lot of laps and a lot of good times!! We all had a great time. The people at the show really enjoyed the autox and those who brought there cars out and ran them had an even better time!

Gregg's car did have a slight malfunction at the the event though, but he got it all fixed. Sway bar link busted. He even let me take the car out for a couple laps...which was amazing! The power took about two laps...and two cones...to get used to but after that everything was great! I can't thank him enough for making this weekend so awesome. We had a lot of laughs.

BTW....Gregg got third in the Top 8 shootout...a true testament to the car and driver!!


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001009-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001009.jpg.html)


Gregg giving my g/f Kim a ride in the camaro...all smiles!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001051-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001051.jpg.html)

[SicMonte]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001139-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001139.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001141-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001141.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001142-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001142.jpg.html)

[SicMonte]

The Top 8 Shootout at the Syracuse Nationals 2013.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001171-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001171.jpg.html)


Gregg went up against this Cobra Mustang....Gregg won.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001174-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001174.jpg.html)

[SicMonte]

The Final Four....and Gregg ended up getting third!!! Great job!!


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001178-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001178.jpg.html)

[SicMonte]

The view from inside Gregg's Camaro...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001195-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001195.jpg.html)


A pic of the happiest guy around, ME, in Gregg's Camaro. Thanks for letting me take her out for a couple laps!! Safe travels buddy and I'll be seeing you again soon. Let me know if you need anything at all.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/20111014001196-1.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/SicMonte/media/Syracuse%20Nationals%202013/2011-10-14001196.jpg.html)

[efs69]

He Gregg...

Checking in to see how its going.

Update?

[BuddyP]

Yes Updates! Interested as well. Did I miss you at Motorstate? Are you still planning on Good guys Indy?