| Author | Message | ||
| Jano Minassian (348_spy)
New member Username: 348_spy Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2002 |
OK - not sure how to upload pictures, but here's another try.... | ||
| Jano Minassian (348_spy)
New member Username: 348_spy Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here are some more pictures. Sorry they are late, but the film got cooked under the sun. The trip was a blast! Looking forward to the next one. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1589 Registered: 1-2002 |
As Rob correctly summarized, it was a wonderful event---far exceeding people's expectations for an inaugural event! I will try to post some more pictures from the rally, concorso, and the Ferrari-only parking lot!! About the only complaint anyone had was regarding the weather--it has been 10-15 degreed warmer than normal in this part of Texas lately, and we are in seriou sdrought again (May is supposed to be our wettest month, and we have had barely 0.25" of rain since FEBRUARY, with long term projections indicating May might remain 100% rainless...  ) Anyway, Friday was truly horrible: 97 degrees with 75% humidity, as well as Mexican smoke in the air. Saturday was much cooler & drier, with no smoke, and was a great day for the rally. Sunday was hot again, with humidity, for the concorso & awards brunch. Oh, well! But the food was wonderful, the "goodies" were wonderful, the events were wonderful, the card were wonderful, and of course the people were wonderful. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1188 Registered: 3-2001 |
Rob, sounds like you had a great time! Nothing like hopping on a tube with a cold one at Hyatt Hill Country's Lazy River. Pretty good golf course too. We were there a year ago with several other families... I got a tap on the back and the gentleman said, "Hi Bob". I turned around and it was James Patterson from Norwood! He was there with his family.  And that place ain't cheap! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4938 Registered: 12-2000 |
What a great weekend! 30+ Ferraris all in one place with great driving, great food, and great enthusiasts. 800 total miles, all trouble free of course while my BMW is at the shop yet again. The BMW mech quote me $2,600 for new AC Compressor and various parts, but that's another story. I need to buy me another Ferrari quick before I go broke. Anyway, Jennie and I drove down after lunch Friday. The event was in San Antonio at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort, very nice and very large place. Checked in and then 7-10pm+ was the reception with fine food and open bar. Saturday morning met at the San Antonio Ferrari dealer and then started the rally at 45 second intervals. I've never done a real rally like this before, but it was a blast. It wasn't as technical as most SCCA type time distance rally's, but we did have exact directions and you had to answer questions. Jennie would read off directions and would read off questions (although she answered most without my help). The questions could be answered by watching signs and sights from the road. The rally was about 110 miles long and ended up at a country ranch for lunch. These hill country roads are just perfect... hilly, curvy, well paved, and no cops! We even went through Lukenback, besides Maranello this would be my next required pilgrimage on my list. Saturday afternoon there were wide open options, like staying at the ranch and enjoying whatever (fishing, shooting, swimming, horse back riding), continuing drive through hill country, or going back to the hotel. Jennie and I just wanted to relax, so back at the hotel just floated around the hotel river on intertubes while enjoying pina coladas. Saturday night had the banquet in the company of a Daytona and 275 GTS. Great food yet again. Sunday morning was the concours. I helped judge the 360/550 group which is the hardest group to judge. Ken Ross warned me not to do it. I still did and it came down to stupid stuff like who had less dust grains deep in the engine bay. Poker Run participants Paul Dorman and Luis did very well, their silver 360 couple got first in class and the spider took 2nd in it's class. Jano and I didn't place, but there were 8 cars in our class and the 3 that did were pretty much perfect. After concours had the closing lunch and awards, then back in Dallas about 6:30. They will have a 2nd annual, eventually we'll move it around to different cities, but it may be in San Antonio next year again. Al giving instructions at San Antonio dealer before start of rally...  Cars lined up to begin rally at 45 second intervals.       Some of the cars at the end of the rally...  Saturday night reception...       | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4929 Registered: 12-2000 |
Hope to avoid the hail, but I don't think it's coming through until later and by then we'll be migrated. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1583 Registered: 1-2002 |
Yes, Rob, the 7 PM reception will suffice as dinner, there will be so much food!!! Travel safely; I look forward to seeing you later. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 636 Registered: 11-2001 |
We're going to need to see lots of pictures! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4924 Registered: 12-2000 |
Jennie and I won't be there until probably 5. Jennie has an exam this morning, but we're leaving as soon as we can. I'm really looking forward to the weekend. What better way to relax than with Ferraris. Jano and his family were leaving first thing this morning. Are you still going Brian? The 7pm reception tonight has food, right? Red Wine supper works fine too.  | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1361 Registered: 1-2002 |
We'll get there at midday to set up with Al, Rob. Saturday rally will end with lunch in the hill country. Probably over at 1 to 1:30. I am working on 4 or 5 fun/scenic ways back to the hotel---some long, some historic, some oriented towards shopping (Fredericksburg), some quick so you can golf/play tennis/swim/etc. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4703 Registered: 12-2000 |
What time will everyone be there Friday? What time does the rally end? Looks like Saturday afternoon is pretty open. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 290 Registered: 3-2002 |
BTW, I *did* call the hotel and didn't mention being with any group. Rates of $250 and $295. But still no rooms for May 16-18. Availability doesn't seem tied to that. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 289 Registered: 3-2002 |
FCA rate is $209/night... but kind of irrelevant if you don't get a room. Expedia.com is bizarre. I'm also trying to book a hotel for another event where I have numerous friends. Some get great rates and a room; some get much worse rates, but a room; others get no room at all. And then calling the hotel directly gets completely different results. Its all quite frustrating, actually. Makes traveling such a painful experience. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1357 Registered: 1-2002 |
FCA rate was $205 or $209--I forget. So, I suspect they are "sold out" only if you want to pay the FCA rate...  Hope you can make it, Brian! | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 135 Registered: 4-2001 |
Brian, my wife used expedia.com on Tuesday and got us in at $295/night. I don't know how that compares to the FCA rate, or if we'll be in the same area. Good luck. Mark | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 287 Registered: 3-2002 |
So, what's the secret password? I called Monday and Wednesday and today... should have called Tuesday, I guess. | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2001 |
Dave/Brian, We just registered this week, but as late as Tuesday, Maryanne was able to get a room at the HCH. Although, I don't know if it is in the "Ferrari Wing" with the rest of you that registered early. Look forward to seeing you there. Mark | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1352 Registered: 1-2002 |
Sorry--you are right, it is a Radisson. I confused the two names & typed the wrong one. Also sorry to learn how far apart it is from the HCH. Given that the latter is sold out, and the former is the only alternative, the HCH has agreed to shuttle folks back & forth (I'm sure the Radisson will do this as well) if desired, to avoid a long walk, heat, rain, etc. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2002 |
As best I can tell, there is no Renaissance Hotel in San Antonio... Austin, Houston, Dallas, and FW, yes... but not SA. According to HCH, the closest hotel is the Radisson... it is on the next block... by road, its over a mile away... Mapquest shows it 1.5mi away. However, its much closer to the HCH *property*... if you can safely walk through that way, it might be as short as a half mile. Definitely would seem to be a second-class arrangement v. HCH. Oh well. Thanks for the info. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1316 Registered: 1-2002 |
Brian, I have verified that the HCH will allow you to park your Ferrari there, as long as you are a registrant for the event. All you have to do is check in & get your badge, and every time you come back to the HCH, you can park in their guarded lot. Now, as for your other question: I do not know exactly how many yards separate the 2 hotels. The Renaissance is newer, and I am not familiar with it. I am told it is very close (actually across the street, not next door), so I presume that means just what it says. Best bet: contact the hotel directly and ask them. (I will also do so, in order to answer this question from other late registrants) BTW, dod you get my email the other day? I have been having email "issues", hence my question... | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 282 Registered: 3-2002 |
But how will the guarded parking work? There are plenty of areas in San Antonio that I would NOT feel comfortable parking my Ferrari in the unsecured parking lot overnight. Is it really right next door so that its not a problem to be walking to the hotel from HCH after the cocktail receptions and such??? Will HCH allow us to park in the guarded parking if we are staying at Renaissance next door? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1311 Registered: 1-2002 |
Brian, Yes, they are, BUT the hotel right next door (I think it is a Renaissance) is available, and they have just agreed to honor the FCA rate, and have set aside a whole floor for this event. In fact, a friend just reserved a room there (how I know about all this) and actually got a cheaper rate... I hope you decide to come after all, Brian!!!! | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 279 Registered: 3-2002 |
> The ABSOLUTE cut-off date for registration is May 1---this Thursday. You snooze, you lose... just checked with the Hotel, and they are sold out... no rooms left... that makes the decision a bit easier. Brian | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4630 Registered: 12-2000 |
entries are also on www.fcadfw.com as you know Brian. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1307 Registered: 1-2002 |
Brian, I am helping to set it up & run it. Obviously, Dawn & I are going! We are up to about ~~30 cars/56 people so far, with a few more expected. The rally route should be VERY fun--the best of the hill country! And the food will be first-rate (as is the venue, the Hill Country Hyatt Resort). The ABSOLUTE cut-off date for registration is May 1---this Thursday. And no walk-ins will be allowed, since we have to pre-order & collate the "goodie bags" for everyone well in advance... Call me if you want more info... | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4626 Registered: 12-2000 |
Jennie and I are going. I know Jano is going too. There are others from the DFW area, but those are the only I know. I heard the actual Ferrari car count was up around 25 a few weeks ago. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 276 Registered: 3-2002 |
We're thinking about going... and a big crowd planning to go would help tilt the scales. We asked around at the Poker Run, but didn't find too many going. Anyone here planning to go? Or thinking seriously about going? Anyone know how many have signed up to-date? |