Mark your calendar's...... the first "Campbell Run" is being planned for September!!!

A few of us have talked many times about planning a trip up to north Georgia, the Carolina's, etc.. for a long weekend of driving and fun......... Well, enough TALK, let's DO!!! I am going to plan the first "Campbell Run" to go visit Will at his new diggs at FOA, then spend some time driving in the mountains of north Georgia.

I will work out the exact dates, but, it looks like it will be a Thursday through Sunday trip for some time in September. Very, very, tentatively for September 18-21.

I can arrange for transport trucks to pick up all the cars, then we can fly to Atlanta, and pick them up. After the weekend of driving, the transport trucks can bring the cars back. I have already made phone calls, and in order to do this efficiently, we will need to have 1 pick up and 1 drop off point - (could be Shelton to FOA and back). And, we will need to fill the transport trucks. Each truck can hold 6 cars, so we will need to coordinate for groups of 6. Of course, if you prefer, you are welcome to arrange transport for your own car, trailer it up yourself, or drive up.

As for pricing, the transport should cost somewhere around $1k +/- round trip, and as of today, round trip airfare from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta is $290. Still open for discussion and suggestions...........but, it was suggested that we stay in reasonable hotels, or rent some cabins, eat BBQ and cheetos, and do a lot of driving so hotel & food shouldn't get out of hand pricewise. It was also suggested that this be a 'non-family' trip.

I am definitely planning on going...........But, if this is going to be a group trip, in order to properly coordinate this, I will need to know in advance how many cars (for transport, parking, etc.), as well as how many people (for hotels, etc.) will be attending. You don't need to commit 100%, but please post your thoughts, as well as if this is something you would be interested in so I know if I should persue this for the group or not.............

 

I am definitely in, unless there is something really critical stopping me at the last minute. I will coordinate with you for some accommodations. I really like staying at cabins as they are plentiful in the mountains, realtively cheap, and very relaxing. There are some hotels that are available at about the same cost, but I like the privacy in a rental cabin. Last few times I was up there it was about $100 per night for a 2 room cabin. Fred, you will likely need a place with a paved driveway so your car doesn't get scraped up. I can try to find a cabin with paved parking and maybe a garage space. I am fine with trailering my car up and leaving it outside on a gravel driveway. The weather is unpredicatable obviously, but generally the rainy weather moves through the area in a day at worst. I don;t really care about the rain, I'll drive the mountains through snow if I have to!!!
These are tough economic times, but it is an experience well worth the time, money, and effort in my opinion to make the pilgrimmage to the Appalachians.

My October 2007 trip planning guide here:http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169687&highlight=appalachian+road+trip

Pictures from my trip to the area last October:http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170904&highlight=appalachian+road+trip


BT

 

Fred, sounds like a great idea!! Im interested and would love to try my best to attend. would we make it to Deals gap, "Dragon Tail" or is it just Northern GA?

 

I would be very interested in this, especially if we could combine it with some whitewater rafting on the Ocoee. I have a place up there but it is on a steep gravel road, I wouldn't want to drive my car on those back roads. We could probably find a better place to stay.

 

I checked VRBO and there are lots of places available. Tail of the Dragon is good, but heavily patrolled. I think there are plenty of less known roads that are spectacular in the north Georgia / North Carolina / Tennessee area that we would plan on driving. Depending on the number of people planning on going and the vehicle parking / access requirements we can get one large place or a few smaller ones in the same town. Let's see what quantity of interest there appears to be in the next two weeks and start planning from there.

BT

 

I rarely hear that the dragons heavily patrolled, I think the roads are so tight that it would not matter how slow/fast you re driving, you would still enjoy it.

 

I read it here:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_THP.html
But I'd like to drive it someday anyway. Tickets for touching a center line or edge of the road are stupid, and I would be annoyed getting a ticket for something liek that. I like to drive quickly, but not dangerously. As anyone that has been out to A-51 knows, I am probably going to be the slowest guy in the group, but I am in it for fun, not trying to set any records...

BT

 

I was out there a year and a half ago, there were several sets of traffic officers itching to give tickets. There are plenty of roads in the area probably just as fun as the Dragon with less traffic/interference.

Everybody, check out the lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park. It's beautiful, great parking, not too far from Atlanta and close to everything we want to do.
http://www.amicalolafalls.com/net/content/item.aspx?s=5811.0.10.5646

 

There are SO MANY amazing roads up there. I don't know yet exactly which roads or routes we will go. We'll need to plan that out, depending upon how many people, time frames, where we stay, etc, etc, etc... Rest assured, regardless of which roads we go drive on, they will be infinitely better than what we have here!

There's a guy at work here who goes up there at least 2-3x per year with his motorcycle. He has a ton of maps and information about the best roads to drive. I'll find out from him some suggestions as well. Of course, we can always go with the approach that both BT and I took when we went.........get a map, and look for the roads with the most 'squiggily' lines!!

BT, I definitely will need your help with this!! I think cabins would be much better, and much more fun than just a hotel.

 

I was involved with planning of 4 different drives for the Ferrari Cup Challenge held a few weeks ago [May 29-31]. We were based in Asheville so all of these drives begin at the Grove Park Inn. I can tell you that they are all better drives than the Tail of the Dragon. Not only is the Tail heavily patrolled, it is also crowded and has many not so smart drivers on it. Unless u own a Ducatti or some such racing bike it really is not all its cracked up to be. It is not much fun for long-legged Ferraris. Last yr in my 575 it was shift 2-3-2-3-2......not much fun in my book.

If you go to the Ferrari Cup Challenge pics thread you will get to see some of the incredible drives we did there. But again it was based in Asheville so not sure if it would work for you in N. GA. Had an absolute blast driving my ole GTC on the Blue Ridge. Heel toeing all the way up and down some beautiful drives that combined not only a huge fun factor but also some breathtaking scenery.

I would ask to join your group as I am anxious to get back up there sooner rather than later. But I will be in Italy in September for a few weeks. However I would be happy to send you the drives. Included are maps and written directions for each. Time of drives range from as long as 4 hours to as short as 2.

let me know
Steve C
naples

 

Hi Steve. PM sent!

 

i am leaving the states in Dec for around 3 months - this would be a nice way to get acquaited with the GT2... unless you mind a P-car tagging along, i may be interested in the long weekend. The GT2 will be in Boca by the end of next week, and i wont get to drive it until i leave the DC area next month... so my wife gets to enjoy it until her audi is ready...

let us know how to contribute. I am not 100% yet, just because I may have to be back in London as soon as end of Aug - if that does happen to be the case, then i wont be back to the US until mid-late Sept.

cheers

 

I'm in with a hd camera
and maybe a nikon by then... d3

 

This is not a Ferrari only trip, so any vehicle is welcome. I plan on either driving the Ginetta or maybe the Superlite Roadster if it is ready in time. Not likely to bring the 348 for me. This is a pay as you go deal, so if you are getting your car shipped you would pay your share for that portion, and a portion for the lodging that you would stay at, and your plane ticket. Right now we are getting a list of 'interested' people. As a participant that is likely to drive up / trailer my car I might not stick to the 'posted' schedule, but extend it a little on each end for maybe a 6 day trip.

Currently we have interest from:
ILuv4Res
BT
ST (my brother)
BWells (a north Atlanta local)
dlynes
GatorFL
Scantera
DaudiW
NVPhotoman007

BT

 

Fred, BT, when details are edged in stone, I can send the word out and see who also bites

 

Fred, Whats the significance of "Campbell?"

 

Will Campbell, the current GM of Shelton, has taken the position of GM at Ferrari of Atlanta. So, we're going to visit Will and FOA!!!!!!!

 

We have been discussing this for a while now and finally a real reason to go.

Sounds like a ton of fun, Adriana and I would be very interested in going (with no kids). How many of you are going to be taking your lady friends... Ok wifes and girlfriends makes an expensive weekend. We would be interested in going the middle or late part of September. I have some work related commitments at the beginning of Sept. that I have to attend to.

How long would be be gone ???

 

sometimes = Less is More

 

thats very true

 

Can I bring my 1996 Cutlass Wagon?

 

insane....

 

Absolutely. Is the headliner falling down yet?
Robert,
I doubt Lisa will go, and I prefer the driving trip without her.
I think the trip is currentlt planned as a Thursday - Sunday. Likely to get the cars off the truck Thursday around lunch, and have maybe a 3-4 hour drive prior to dinner. Friday and Saturday are open for fun driving and other activities, Sunday will likely be a short drive then head to the truck and then the airport. Looks like Ron will be glad to taxi people from the airport to FOA???
Duane has suggested some fun activities as he is very familiar with the area.
I might go a little early and stay an extra day, depending on the lodging arrangements. If it is a few cabins and I can rent one for the extended time I think I will make it Wednesday through Monday or Tuesday.

BT

 

Fred,

Sent you an e-mail with NC Drives attached. Even if they are not applicable to where you are based put them in your files of "Things to do when in WNC"

ciao
Steve

 

Great! Thanks!