Thanks to everyone

[Bill Howell]

First, thanks to everyone that took the time to come to RTTHs6. It is always such a pleasure to have everyone come over and have a good time. It too is always great to see old friends every year and make new ones each year.
Secondly, a special thanks to Melinda, Yancy, Danny, Mark,Albert and all the others that did so much behind the scenes to make the event a success. So many of you helped out in so many ways from running to the story to taking out the trash that I just don't have the space to type it, but you know who you are and thanks.
Then as always, thanks to all the vendors that stepped up and made this event happen. In no particular order, thanks BFG, DSE, ridetech, Bowler, Keisler, Precision Hot Rod, Baer Brakes, Vintage Air, Forgeline, Prodigy Customs, ET Graphics, Speed by Spectre,10/10s and Classic Instruments for all the door prizes and financial support that made this such a success.
Friday, the Vintage Air sponsored cruise thru the Dragon then the BBQ at Precision Hot Rods was such a fun kick off. I took the rollback, but thankfully we did not need it on the cruise. we did have to tow a couple home from the BBQ though, thankfully no major carnage this year on the cruise.
Saturday, the weather was perfect and we had a LONG day at the Autocross. Best time was a 1.02 minute run by our chief instructor, Danny Popp, in his killer 72 Vette. Most ran in the 1.10-1.15 range, so with 76 cars running, you can do the math and see it took a while to get all the runs in. However, for those that did not get enough, after a top 8 shoot out, we had about two hours of fun runs, good times.
Following the autocross, Albert treated everyone to a sweet dinner at the Toy Box. We grilled Steaks, had bread and Salad, and plenty drinks for everyone. We had 75 or so steaks and I don't think we had any left over by the end of the night so great crowd. I think someone turned the lights out about 3am Sunday morning, however, I was long gone before then.
Sunday was drag racing and the new Baer Speed/Stop Challenge. We drag raced until everyone had ran all they wanted, then set the track up for the Speed Stop. Everyone got 3 laps before we tallied the scores and came up with the results. Mike and the crew at Speed by Spectre came all the way from Cali to both run their cool El Camino and give out their very cool Top Speed award.
Kyle Tucker won the Autocross and the Quick Reaction, with a perfect .000 light, Ron Schwarz won the Speed/Stop and Mr. Linson, in his cool ChevyII took the Quick ET.
Tony Bolton hit a curb and hurt his mustang, got the Hard Luck Award, but then his name was drawn for the Forgeline wheels, given away by Forgeline and Prodigy Customs, so he had a good weekend after all.
Overall King of the Hill award went to Brian Finch, and since he already had an invite to the OUSCI, that coveted invite went to the next finisher, which was Kyle Tucker. Another very special, "SPIRIT of the EVENT" award went to Tom Farrington. He also got a OUSCI invite for his sportsmanship observed at both this event and several others this year. He and his wife Debbie and son have been to several events and are always there to help out and loan tools and parts to anyone that needs anything. In fact, they volunteered to haul another participant all the way home to Illinois after that guy had a motor issue. Just a great family, that gives everywhere they go and I was happy to reward that with an invite to the optima event. Be sure and watch for their very nice 66 Chevelle at this year's event. Maybe next year, Debbie will get to take her 65 Malibu wagon, another cool ride they bring to every event.
The one thing I failed to do at the awards was to announce the winners in the contingency program we have been working on all year and for that I am truely sorry to both the participants and the vendors that have stepped up to this program. I just overlooked that on my list this afternoon. I will have that info posted tomorrow, once i double check all the entries. It is hard to do that on the fly and I want to be sure it is right since I have the time to double check now.
SO, thanks guys, I hope everyone had a great time, have a safe trip home and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

[andrewb70]

Sounds awesome! I am definitely going to make next year.

Andrew

[zbugger]

Sounds like it was an awesome event. I await the day I can go back and have fun with you all again. I really hate missing it.

[TonyBolton]

Thank you so much to everyone that has helped evolve the RTTH event to the level of class and professionalism that it is today. I've had 2 solid weeks of bad car luck but, but hopefully winning the wheels is a sign of a turning for the better.

I've attended many events in my years of autocrossing, but non leave me waiting for the next quite like the RTTH event. The car racing is fun no doubt, but the whole atmosphere that all the participants and spectators create is absolutely overwhelming great!

[BayouSS]

We are so sorry we missed the event this year, looks like its getting bigger every year. This is one class act for sure and getting better. We'll be there next year for sure.

[David Sloan]

Yes in deed! I have been to this event since the very begining an hope i never have to miss it. So much fun an so many good people.
Thanks to every one!

[Mike Norris]

Hey Bill,

Sorry I could not make it this year, but things changed at the last minute and so it goes. I have always had a great time each year seeing y'all and glad to hear everyone had a great time as always.

Talk to you soon.

Mike Norris

[protouring70]

Wow! I can't believe how you raise the bar each year! The group that has helped you achieve this each and every year keeps stepping up to the plate and blows the previous year out of the water!
So thanks for a great weekend!!!!

And as always, it was great to meet new friends and reunite with old ones!
Thanks again Bill for creating this enjoyable atmosphere for us!

[cheapthrillz]

Thanks Bill, I had a blast just hanging out with everybody. Hopefully I can bring my boat next year..... it still wouldn't be competitive though.


P.S. Thanks for letting us take BillyGoat for a spin and sorry for all the miles me and Wes put on it when we took it down to Cherokee Saturday night.....

Just kidding.

[01badz28]

Thanks for putting on an awesome event Bill. This event seems to get bigger and better every year - I'm already looking forward to running RTTH 7.

[ACR-Mark]

I had a blast. The course setup was awesome. Competition was pretty fierce. I was really impressed with Tony's driving, he did an excellent job making that Mustang turn, and they normally don't like to turn. Sorry to see the mishap at the end, but glad he won the wheels.
Tucker's car is extremely fast, I couldn't believe how fast he shot up through the first part of the course, it was insane! I was struggling to get to 55 mph before having to hit the brakes for the first hard right into the parking lot.
I'm glad people got to make use out of the extra helmets I brought along.
76 entrants! That is awesome! I'm glad I was allowed to be a part of it.

[shortbus]

Hello everyone, The event was awesome. I had a great time. As usual you guys have a ton of cool cars. I can't wait until my car is old as dirt and is cool too!

[GeoffP]

Bill thanks for everything. You did an outstanding job putting everything together again. I hope that next year I will actually get to attend for the WHOLE weekend instead of arriving too late (and missing dinner - thanks for the refund BTW) and then leaving early on Saturday from getting too hot. I'm already looking forward to next year!

[Hotwire]

Bill thanks again, I really enjoy the time spent in TN when you're involved!! Can't wait for next year!

I got pics of everyone's car @ Mainstay, some cars on the cruise, ALL the cars participating in the autox, and a small amount @ the drag. Check the link in the sig, if you ran autox, pm me your car # and email addy. If you were @ mainstay or saw me on the cruise, describe your car and I'll find the pic.

Don't respond here, I have a thread set up for pics..

[tazzz25906112]

Another "Smash Hit" of an event buddy.... We had a great time as always,,, thanks Bill.

[TonyBolton]

I had a blast. The course setup was awesome. Competition was pretty fierce. I was really impressed with Tony's driving, he did an excellent job making that Mustang turn, and they normally don't like to turn. Sorry to see the mishap at the end, but glad he won the wheels.
Tucker's car is extremely fast, I couldn't believe how fast he shot up through the first part of the course, it was insane! I was struggling to get to 55 mph before having to hit the brakes for the first hard right into the parking lot.
I'm glad people got to make use out of the extra helmets I brought along.
76 entrants! That is awesome! I'm glad I was allowed to be a part of it.

I knew you were getting 9/10ths outta that RX8, if not 10/10th's. I think we both felt a little "limp" on the straightaways. Your car is light with no power and mine is super heavy with marginally adequate power.

Those Star Spec's looked like they were keeping you on the line though. I wished they'd make them in my size.

[TonyBolton]

I just got a PM from J.R. Granatelli and he saw what all I put his parts through. He's sending me a brand new set of C/C plates FREE of charge!

Man, i'm so thankful! Looks like i'm out a tie rod and a mirror. 30$

[Steve Chryssos]

Sounds like an amazing time. Wish I had made it but, this happened two days prior:

Uhh...

[wiedemab]

Sounds like an amazing time. Wish I had made it but, this happened two days prior:

Uhh...

Arghhhhhhh - that sucks! Well what else to do but, build it bigger, better, and badder - right?

[xxxturbo6]

I just got a PM from J.R. Granatelli and he saw what all I put his parts through. He's sending me a brand new set of C/C plates FREE of charge!

Man, i'm so thankful! Looks like i'm out a tie rod and a mirror. 30$

Tony it is always fun to watch you run but when I heard what happend I was bummed man! Glad to hear you won those awesome wheels!! Now have the centers done in Black (since you love that) and get that thing back on the road!


Scot W.