So TMS turned out to be awesome! I got to drive and everything.

I got footage of everything but I have been having a little problem with it, there is a slight chance that the film might be bad. But keep your fingers crossed, cause one of my buddies is going to see if he can figure out what is the matter with tape/camera.

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone making it out tonight and I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

I had an awesome time!
I'm glad T-bat got to take the last run around the track. He got up to some pretty good speed with the few cars that were out there.
Kevin, your car looks and sounds pretty awesome. You've got the loud blower whine while Slick has the loud exhaust.
I didn't get any pics once we got inside the track, but here are a few from earlier in the day.

sweet pics!! kev, I hope you get the film figured out as I'm sure I (and really, we all) would love to see it... good luck with all that

nice pics makes me want to go next year...

Good times!!!

It's great to see the GP's together!

Awesome pics, very cool to see such great lookin' GPs all in one place.

Everyone type the letter Y for the new pics of this website.

Those are some good pics

I'm gonna jump on board with this thread...Kev I'm sorry I didnt think to shoot any pics of your ride while we were at the track...I gotta say folks, I'm usually not a big fan of silver colored cars but when Kev rolled up in his "Silver Bullet" I had to pick up my jaw. The black rims, dark tint, black accents and roof rails really make the color on this car pop...but get a good look before he hits his HIDs (he could pick up part time work floodlighting for the local police)

I'm with everyone else here (no pressure ) on hoping the video turns out (do you think "Breakdown" by Tantric from the "Driven" soundtrack would make great soundover for a video montage? (just a thought)...not to sound selfish or anything, but if I dont get some vid footage of my last blast around I'm gonna be a sad puppy (I wish I had thought quick enough to have grabbed the cam we were using in-car...that headrest bar Bobby had was the stuff!)

I'm really glad you got to drive and Bobby already commented about your intake noise, but when I was behind you that ripping exhaust note reminds me of the original 69 Z28. That 302 small block was a hi-revving screamer that made your neck hair stand up...awesome car

more posts and pics on the way!

I know I posted the link to these in the other thread, but I'll link here for those who might not have seen the other one.

TMS - 09-08-07

I can believe I just typed all that text and added pics so I could be told I have exceeded the max number of images...click back to return...so I did and its all gone...ARRGH! I cant do it all again right now...but I will get it soon.

I think the limit is 8 pics per post.

DOH!!!!

Look forward to seeing them when you get the chance TBat.

I didnt realize that included smileys @#%&*!

(and it was such good text too :p )

That happened to me, in a different way. I redid it 4 times, to finally get it to go through. After the third time, I finally copied what I typed so it wouldn't get lost.

You're still gonna post it, right, Tbat? I like reading this stuff. :p

oh yeah I'll get it done...may have to work a double today so maybe not til tomorrow (you know how the work thing goes)

Thanks for all the compliments, Tim. You know your bullits make mine and Bobby's look small sitting side by side. I still say you are the winner when it comes to looks man. (now all you need is some speeeeeed )
But don't worry, I'm trying to get a hold of the footage but my very busy friend hasn't gotten a chance to work on it so when I get it you all will know. I'm as anxious as you all are about getting this video made, it was so much fun.

Lookin forward to it Kev, and I know the other are too...I gotta feeling youre gonna make it worth the wait.

the whole TMS road trip was real memory maker...it was so great to meet the people on the "other side of the keyboard" and see how their personalities went along with what they post. I mentioned both RooK and NorthTnGuy in the London mini meet thread so you can check out those pics over there.
I stopped off in Memphis on the way down to shoot a few pics with "The Pyramid" in the background...pretty cool looking place.


Then it was westward across Arkansas (boy do those roads need work!) the semi traffic has worn ruts in the already rough concrete hiways and it was making me regret installing lowering springs (My God Bones, what have I done?)
Then it was Texarkana and onward to Dallas-FtWorth...I passed thru Dallas at about 1130pm so I got great view of the lighted skyline...only shortly after did I see the sign saying "26 miles to Ft Worth" (geez theyre so close on the map!)

The next morning I set out to find car wash. The front of my car looked like insect genocide with one splat easily the size of my thumb. I thought to myself that somewhere there was a bug colony without their queen, and maybe many of her mindless loyal drones as well. After drying the car off I got a call from Bobby asking directions to the hotel...we got some wires crossed and they wound up near the speedway and had to double back...my bad on saying west instead of east (or the other west as Bobby reminded me)...I was parked in Scotty's Diner lot when I saw the GP brigade turn the corner...I gotta say its a pretty cool sight when you finally see cars in person that youve looked at in pics so often. We checked out each others rides for a bit (hey ya gotta do that) before we set off on our whole "hard rock" adventure (insert chosen barb here)

Later we found some locations for photos, many of which youve already seen, but I did grab this one that I like a lot.


later we headed out to the speedway and caught the setting sun for some great shots...these you seen as well but I'd like to offer some views on each members ride.


For those of you who havent had the pleasure of seeing our fearless moderator's ride up close, youre missing a treat. I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be able to drive his car on the track so he could get some shots of it in motion. The blower whine mixed with exhaust under full throttle is sweet music indeed, and this thing pulls on the top end like a big dog.
But this car is also one that demands a closer look. To the uninformed, the Bullitts might pass for factory equipment, the LEDs under the door handle emit a soft glow on the white paint while the red overlays and lower grilles make you take subtle notice of the attention to detail. I would also be remiss if I didnt mention how clean his engine bay is which all the more impressive for a daily driver...Two thumbs up Bobby!

(on to next post)

Check out the sun glistening off the paint on Arcx's GTP...


I would challenge any member of this board to see this car in person and be able to muster a red car razz...when this ride is parked in the sunlight the paint is so shiny and bright that it almost tells your brain that youre about to touch a hot over burner "watch out, its hot!"
Clean and bright is the order of the day with this car, from its silver torque stars to its sharp gray leather interior. The twin bright exhaust outlets bark a healthy note from outside while the interior drone isnt anywhere near what my car used to be. Watching Arcx stab the throttle and manually shift gears tells you this gal digs her car...all this ride is missing is a license plate frame that echos her old bumper sticker "you just got beat by a girl"...sweet ride Arcx!

I also need to make mention that Arcx really made my night at TMS...being the only un-pressurized GP in attendance, I was feeling a bit horsepower inadequate, with looks and stiff springs being my only edge for running hot laps.
When I took Bobbys car out for a turn, she asked if she could drive the T-Bat. I was befuddled that she would want to given her GTP but I figured the girl has been here before so I think she's got the goods. After we came back to the pit area she got out with a wide smile on her face and said "I'll never call this car slow again...I had way more fun than I did in mine!"
High praise to be sure...there is something to be said for a car that rips thru corners...I'm sure she'll get this ride of hers there one day and when she does its gonna be awesome.

(on to next post)

Nothing adds to car pic quite like sunset...the only thing I like better is a sweet night shot...and this car excells at both.


Slick's GTP reminds me of a stealth attack aircraft. From the low stance to the wide tires on stout silver wheels, the black paint with dark window tint to the fearsome exhaust outlets, everything about this car says "all business" The he cranks the engine over and women and small children run for cover. This car passing you under full throttle on the freeway is close akin to a low flying F-14. First the scream of the blower reaches your ear as he closes in your side mirror, then he roars past as you watch those thruster exhaust tips get small as the distance grows...the only things missing are a little afterburner flame and a vapor trail.
Slick also gets props for being our resident tech support (we do need to get him a GPS) and our camera car. When we were leaving the track we got in the tunnel and Slick was behind me...he clicked up to neutral and gave his car a couple of healthy revs. I said to myself "get me the heck out of here before the cement starts to crack"

Awesome pics TBat!

Thanks for the vehicle commentary. It raises the pride held for all we've done to our cars to a new level.

Tim, it's almost like you write for C&D or HRM or something. Great story, beautiful pics. yall do have some gorgeous cars and have acheived a lot with them. Also, many bonus kudos for going out and supporting a charity with your cars.

Question: does Bobby's car have a pink tint to it or was that lighting?

someday it'll have the horsepressure to back those looks up

btw, do you think you could get me some GM part #s on the CompG springs? no big hurry cuz I aint changin them out no time soon...but I'd like to check GMparts direct for some prices.

the pink hue on Bobbys car in the pic is from the sunset...it was one of those beautiful red/orange glowing thru the clouds kind of deal.

oh, makes sense to me with the clouds. nice angle.

There's room for only one Pink Panther on this forum.

Excellent write-up and awesome GP eye candy pics!! Looks like you all had a great time!!

mayhaps chemeleon? either way, awesome cars.

I...am not...worthy. lol

I was reading that long great post, and wondered the same thing "You sure, TBat, you don't write for some magazines?" Anyways, I should of went. I wish I had. If there is another big meet, I'll make it!

Second Sat. of May. Same place. Be there or be square. I will def. make it out there again.

Tim,

I'm a little upset you didn't tell them how amazed you were when I raised the hood of MY car!!!

thanks for the props guys...I would LOVE to write for a magazine, IMO those guys have the dream job...driving and testing all the hot new iron and attending car shows on someone elses dime...I could dig that


...and Don, I'm giving you the chance to redeem yourself and add those mods you were talking about

TMS Chronicles Part one!
Disclaimer - this post is all about me and how cool I am. Excuse any narcissistic tone you may perceive. The events here are real, and I do all my own stunts!

So,

the weekend before TMS, Slick brought me a gray car. It took three days of me being lazy before he was able to leave with a black one. Yep, hours in the humid Texas sun, or inside a garage with no breeze of any kind, trying to salvage a rather decrepid paint job, or at least do what I could to distract people from it. Disregard that paint chip, this over here is shiny! Given that he fixes the mechanical crap on my car, usually by himself with me bothering him asking lots of questions so I can do it myself next time, the least I can do is try and save the Black Beauty from looking like it did at the ACS car show.

Behold! The award for dirtiest car at the Show and Shine!

But I digress. Main point is that I refused to let him help because I don't see it as fair that he would help me with this when I barely help him with what he does for me. Matter of honor? Maybe. Monday afternoon, certain things were looking like they actually got washed once in a blue moon. Seeing as how I wasted the whole weekend procrastinating, I figured it'd be okay to let it go with a coat of cleaner wax so it would be easier to finish when he got back up here from where he lives in Houston.

Too bad it wouldn't work out that way.

What does it do as he is leaving? Literally backing out of the driveway.

Starts raining.

Imagine a guy popping out of my birthday cake holding a sign saying "You're adopted!" and that's about how it felt to realize that a dirtier gray car would be coming to me at the end of the week, and that I hadn't had the time to clean my car after it looked like this:

[img]http://www.theunknownbrewer.com/gallery2..._serialNumber=2[/img]
[img]http://www.theunknownbrewer.com/gallery2..._serialNumber=2[/img]
[img]http://www.theunknownbrewer.com/gallery2..._serialNumber=2[/img]

I had the utmost honor of coming up behind a water truck spraying down the road they've torn up near my house the week before TMS and the week after I washed my car. I managed to wash it, and only wash it, before tackling Slick's car. And what is it doing Monday, four days before TMS?

Raining.

There is nothing more aggravating than waiting for something completely out of your control to stop mucking up your plans. It decided to rain until Wednesday, completely negating the time I had wasted on the car that weekend, so I had to start from scratch.

Let me tell you, I spent every waking hour that I had free working on that car. I started school the week before, so I only have mornings until 12pm on Tuesday and Thursday, my lunch hour break from work, and 9pm to the time that I collapse a few hours later. It's dark by the time I get home.

Don't worry about doing the math, I'm sure you realize the extreme crunch time that I have to take Frankencar and turn it into something that doesn't make babies cry at the sight of it. It doesn't help that suddenly my mother wants me to go to family therapy, which is a blindside in itself, but that's not for here. We'll just say that took care of most of Thursday morning.

Somehow, it happened. Somehow, it managed to get washed, claybarred, polished, waxed, vacuumed, leather cleaned and interior cleaned.

You want to know what happened to that hurricane that Bobby worried about? It went through the inside of my car. It was pretty damn bad in there. I'm sure most of you can relate to having Receipt Mountain located near Point Passenger Seat, and perhaps Random Stuff Pass alongside CD Canyon. I have never been so tired in my life, and what do you know, I couldn't sleep that night. Fantastic! I was a walking shell for TMS, but at least my car is clean, I guess!

[img]http://www.theunknownbrewer.com/gallery2..._serialNumber=2[/img]

Don't touch that dial!
Coming up next, the tale of the Monster from the Deep .. South.

<-- Glued to the PC waiting for the next installment.

Seriously though, I'm very thankful for the clean car. Even if it didn't stay that way for long.

Top shelf stuff you might have been burnt toast for saturday but the car looked great...I can relate on the whole cant sleep thing.

Looking forward to the next installment...same Bat-time, same Bat-channel

Just a friendly reminder from the peanut gallery that we're turning blue from holding our breath so long in anticipation... :p

I'll trade you guys a 750 MB video file and a link to all the video me and Slick took for links to your pictures.

DONE! (love the quote btw )

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v217/thunderbat/TMS/

uh oh...bad link

Yay! Links to more pics...

I'm still waiting for the vid upload.

Edit: TBat, link requires password...

I just had a few ramblings I wanted to add kind of as a footnote. I've already covered so much ground about the people and how much fun the event was itself. If repeat myself a bit I do apologize.

Now that I have had the opportunity to tell my friends, family and co-workers about the trip it has caused some reflection. There was a NASCAR race right here in Richmond the same weekend I was in Texas. Hearing all about RIR from my co-workers that attended the race I realized I came away with a real bargain and an experience not soon forgotten.

I have taken a fair bit of razzing from these same race fans about putting my car on the track. In all honesty I believe they are pea green with envy. When I told them about my last turn where it was just me, the pace car and a guy behind me in a Porsche convertible (I never looked back)...the look on their faces when you describe how it feels to do 85-90mph on hi-bank corners and then stretch out to 102-105 on the straight, their eyes get wide like awestruck kids.

When I told them about all the potent hardware we saw in the waiting lines and the sounds of those cars blasting around the track, their look of angst is akin to "I missed Christmas!"

The Speedway itself is an inspiring sight from the infield. From outside it is surprisingly low key, but once thru the tunnel you behold the towering empty grandstands and the blazing lights that turn night into day. If it were quiet it could almost seem cathedral-like in its majesty, but quiet is not the order of the day here.The sounds and sights of horsepower are all around and you cant help but think about the many famed drivers and cars that have crossed the pavement you now stand on. To get out and look at your very own car sitting there is somewhat surreal...then to pull out onto the track, drop the hammer and feel the car plant itself on the banking was better than any rollercoaster I've ever ridden...screw the loops and the vertical drop hills, they dont come with the music of growling intakes, blower whine(thank you Bobby) and roaring exhaust.

Every time I pulled out onto the apron to start my palms would begin to sweat...and it wasnt from nerves, it was pure adrenaline.

That rush was painfully evident when I returned to my hotel room and unwinding proved to be virtually impossible. After three to four hours of tossing, turning and endless infomercials, I gave up and checked out at 4:30am.

Not all bad since I love driving late at night. The world has such calm by the moon and stars that is lost to hurried schedules and road rage by day. The desolate interstate, six lanes wide at times only trickles with other traffic. I lowered the windows and opened the "moonroof?" and the cool night air flowed thru, and while I listened to the mellow rumble of the exhaust I feasted my eyes on the lights of this now quiet metropolis.

The glow of Texas stadium with its light reflecting off the vacant expanse of asphalt that surrounds it, the still glistening skyline of downtown Dallas that beckons like the lights of Manhattan almost saying "stop in, the city never sleeps". I resist that urge and opt to chase the sunrise instead.

Finally I pass the beltway and soon after its nothing but flatland, headlights and the broken white lines. I think back about the day past, the laughs and the thrills, the stories and smiles of the new friends I've made...and while part of me laments leaving it behind, thats when the T-Bat "talks" to me as he so often does. The feel of the leather wheel and shifter in my hands, the glow of the red lights almost looking back at me and the sounds and sensations that make you feel that symbiotic man and machine connection that only "carguys" know. I can hear him saying to me,"we had a blast and we'll be back...but for now settle in and I'll do what I do best...punch the cruise button and let's go home."
Home was a long way off to be sure and he would do more than his part to get me there before it was done. Yet as we rolled away into the darkness, we left a promise on the wind behind us. The Lone Star state hasnt seen the last of me and the ThunderBat.

Tim. Seriously. Write a book. Find a magazine. Something. Now. I think you done missed your calling as an author or reviewer.

I did actually write a "Star Trek" novel some years ago. It went as far as being submitted to the publisher but it was turned down. They did atleast tell me why and I understood (it seems I took a little to broad a license with central characters)...I have thought many times about trying again but just havent gotten my head into it.
I would love to write for a car magazine but those guys have credentials I dont posess...I love reading Peter Egans' "Side Glances" in R&T...he is one of my all time faves.