Doc1647545523

Figures that you would bring something weird like that to a Mustang rally.

The difference between brave and stupid in this instance depended on whether or not the car broke down.

Thanks, Jim. The real support comes from friends such as you who always come through with a generous donation and encouragment. Many thanks, sir! :thumbup: Extra pics for you http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/snowy%20mts%20at%20glacier%20with%20shadow_zpse1vlpqgu.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/back%20of%20Fig%20at%20mountain%20Idaho_zpshmpep7l7.jpg

I couldn't agree more. I think that it's one of the unrecognized benefits of motorcycling, that "isolation" from other people. But now bikes have intercoms, stereos, and all that. I always enjoyed it when it was just my own thoughts and the sensory information from the ride: the coolness when you dip into a valley, the smells of the forests, and all the rest. Cars are so much more comfy. In a convertible, you can still get some of that direct contact with the environment, but you can "seal up" when it's wet or cold. It would have been great to have had the company of an old traveling companion for this trip, but it's also great stopping when and where you want, playing music when you want, farting with heedless abandon, singing camp songs out loud ..... I'm sure you get the picture. The good thing about these rallies are that you're going with 75 other teams and you can bunch up with people as you wish or branch out on your own. It's a great time.

No, I don't. Another rally team is friends with him and they gave me a link to his show. I watched the first one and I was impressed that he got the history and other information spot-on. They told Tom that a Figaro was entered in the Big Sky Rally and they said he couldn't believe it. They sent him regular photographs and updates. I thought that perhaps he'd be contacting me at some point. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the kind remarks, everyone. This Thursday I leave for the last (ever) Ohio Valley Rally, touring Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. It's the Viewt's turn this time. It'll seem like a land barge compared to the Figaro. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/processed_zpsnf7c6aaq.jpg Rally and charity info is here; if you want to know more just scroll down the page: http://cureep.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1080&pg=entry

I'm still trying to assimilate all the sights, people, and other experiences of my ten days I spent on the road for this rally. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/downtown%20starting%20crowd_zpsyknsf83y.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Billings%20starting%20line%20other%20cars_zpsyo3rz1b4.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/bmw%20vert%20day%203%20start_zps5cpk8abc.jpg On my way back to Ohio from Portland, I had plenty of time to reflect about many things. I'm very thankful for having the opportunity to enjoy such a great vacation that had so many experiences packed into it. I am grateful to all my sponsors and vendors from CR who have helped me prepare for the rallies I've attended and to my CR friends who are a big moral support. If you're as lucky as I've been, you'll reach a point in your life when you realize all-too-well that you've got more behind you in the rear view mirror than you have ahead of you on the road. I hope when you reach that point you feel that you seized many great opportunities and made the most of your miles. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/the%20way%20home_zps9s495cdy.jpg As a post-script, I got back to Ohio safe and sound without mechanical issue. I put Figgy away, bug-covered, thankful it had done what many people thought it wouldn't. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/bugs%20on%20return_zpsimmzd9p3.jpg I came back to the Hangout two days later to find this: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/waited%20to%20pee_zpsiql5mja8.jpg All of the coolant on the floor. Ends up, the water pump seal gave out while sitting there. It hadn't used any oil and very little coolant during the whole 5600 miles. Hard to be angry at little Figgy ...... it held out until it got me home. A nurse I work with wasn't at all surprised. She said, "I prayed every day that your little car wouldn't break down on you on your Rally, and it didn't. After you got home, you were on your own."

Rally Day 5 took us from Kennewich Washington to Portland Oregon. Although I had seen the Columbia River before, I didn't remember it to be so massive with the scenic overlooks. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/figgy%20rear%20along%20the%20columbia_zps1nv3mzzk.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/high%20overlook%20in%20oregon_zpsfaqqudmp.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/high%20overlook%20in%20oregon%20with%20figgy_zpsa0dru9cu.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/curvy%20roads_zpsntzzwsay.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/high%20overlook%20in%20oregon%202_zpsloxxtxzt.jpg We spent our last afternoon of the rally doing paced and then hot laps of Portland International Raceway. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/figgy%20at%20portland%20raceway_zpskljhppdi.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/laps%20at%20portland_zps7fjd9puq.jpg

Day 4 had our 75 teams driving Idaho and Washington. For many, the scenery didn't compare with Montana, but I loved the roads just as much. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/figgy%20on%20idaho%20curve%20road%20shoulder_zpsnksibik1.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/serpentine%20roads%20in%20washington%202_zpsgeqc8qgf.jpg This nearly 200 foot drop is the site of a world record kayak drop, and the falls appears out of nowhere in the arid landscape http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/falls%20closeup_zpsuebcsvbd.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/overlook%20firehose%20falls_zpszdovhezt.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/cliff%20faces%20at%20falls_1_zpsejmuniad.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/people%20standing%20atop%20cliffs_zpsjd5yei0z.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/driving%20in%20the%20mountains_zpsb4tkvgam.jpg

We stayed overnight on Day 1 at Big Sky Lodge, really a great resort location. The view from my room: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/sunset%20at%20Big%20Sky_zpssng5ei3x.jpg Montana is "free range" which means that you may very well encounter a cattle drive around the next bend: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/cows%20in%20the%20road_zpsltjn8r0l.jpg The scenery more than makes up for the challenges http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Figgy%20with%20mountains%20from%20low_zpsxu8fs5ss.jpg We were sent to find an historic train station on Day 2 http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/potlatch%20train%20station_zpsfguimqnc.jpg Lots of waterfalls http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/small%20stream%20waterfall%20in%20glacier_zpsifuo7tc0.jpg Day 3 was spent mostly in Glacier National Monument along the Montana/Canada border. We had hoped to travel the Road to the Sun, a famous drive, but it was closed due to an ice storm. The more southern route through the Park was spectacular, though. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/flat%20stream%20along%20the%20road%202_zpsqarz5cu1.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/rocky%20rapids%20in%20glacier_zpsvovph2c0.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/flat%20stream%20along%20the%20road_zpsvb2k5rwe.jpg[/url] http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/flat%20stream%20along%20the%20road%204_zpsb7exzn91.jpg note the waterfalls http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/waterfall%20through%20the%20valley_zpsze1aidtu.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/green%20mountain%20at%20glacier_zpsnzpydnon.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Glacier%20along%20the%20river%20without%20people_zpsaz5htazg.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/figgy%20at%20lake%20phone_zps6mfyra8b.jpg Lots of the road is very narrow, 15 mph, no where to stop, so my photos of some parts are limited to shots such as this: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/narrow%20roads%20in%20park_zpse88vzwuu.jpg

It's taken me a long time to get some time together to process photos from this rally last July. I'll try this time to be short on words and long on photos. Background on this Rally North America event is nicely covered in Coaster's thread here: http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125081 Brian also posted a great video of the weeks he and his wife spent on the Rally: Furthermore, here's a video which was 95% completed by the end of the Rally, made by Team Jack, a Cincinnati based group of 8 Rally Veterans who competed with an RV: I took my 1991 Figaro with all of its 53 front wheel horsepower on this trek through 16 states, 3 time zones, up to 8600 feet, in 10 days covering 5630 miles without any mechanical issues. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally/frontqtr_zpseob0n2ow.jpg Despite trying my best to prep the car for this grueling adventure (with a lot of help from Sean at Northend Wrench, Scott Cordell, and the great crew at Wheel Medic), there are special challenges in undertaking a long, hot, high speed venture with a city car over a quarter century old with gearing and a motor designed for cruising at 40 mph. For example, even with the larger wheels and tires, 66 mph is 4300 rpm, not exactly optimal for cruising 12+ hours in a car which redlines at 6500 rpm. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/tach%20where%20it%20lived_zpshcwtndyt.jpg Where the speed limit is 80 (Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon) keeping up in traffic is nerve-wracking: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/running%20hard_zpsy9ifj1o1.jpg I made it to Billings, Montana in two days from Ohio, arriving in 90 degree heat. I did this rally alone, without a co-driver, which had its challenges, but I actually find driving alone relaxing. Passing through the Badlands: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/bad%20lands%20roadside_zpsbjzccuzc.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Montana%20sign_zpssosscr8r.jpg As the teams roll in before the drivers' meeting we met new friends and renewed old acquaintances. Here's TJ Fry and his wife talking with part of Team Jack: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/lumberjacks%20with%20drift%20car_zpsujrswcgg.jpg Each day of the Rally we would stage in a designated area, usually a downtown district of a city. Locals turn out to chat, you get a chance to promote the rally charity, the local news outlets and city officials mill around the cars. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/standing%20behind%20Figgy%20at%20starting%20line_zpsqfpm0fbm.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Lumberjack%20inspecting%20blue%20stang%20at%20start%20line_zps3wwqk9mf.jpg Most of the rally is a timed scavenger hunt to locate specific points of interest between the host cities. Day 1 took us from Billings, Montana to Big Sky Montana, some beautiful country, and we passed through Yellowstone. I believe this is in Custer National Monument http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/car%20line%20at%20burned%20trees_zps0jko2r4a.jpg A little bit of ice and snow, just for fun: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Fig%20rest%20stop%20Montana%20snow_zpstg8vfrot.jpg Old Faithful in Yellowstone getting ready to do its thing http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Old%20Faithful%20starting_zpsdcnf9ytv.jpg Mudpots and geysers all over, lots of wildlife, great roads: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/guyser%20area_zpsyyepqh9g.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/Guyser%20river_zps30vxfdxe.jpg of course, it's a lot more fun with the other teams, and friends tend to bunch up together http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/friends%20at%20river%20overlook_zpsuqrzru21.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Big%20Sky%20Rally%20Processed%20Photos/hill%20at%20lake%20burnt%20trees_zpsta4usz2t.jpg

I'll be out on the patio around 6:45 if anyone cares to join me.

Spectacular!

This is the government website info for your area: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_locations.html It shows 3 stations within or adjacent to Hilliard. In the north Columbus/Delaware area, I find there are in reality about 2-3 times the number of retailers as listed on the gov't website, but that may just be true for this area. When I travel and don't know of a retailer in the area, I look to Kroger, Meijer, and Speedway which often carry it. The Gas Buddy app also added E85 last spring.

I guess this is a dumb question, Ryan, but why would you want to store E85 that you purchased at a fill station? I switched to E85 two years ago and haven't had any problem buying it wherever I drove unless I went to a very rural area (e.g., Marietta, West Virginia). Would any savings in buying it bulk be worth the investment in tanks and the trouble of transporting it?

Not hard to find video, Clay, just Google it. They didn't mention what good rally cars they make. This one leaves in ten days for the last Ohio Valley Rally: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/processed_zpsnf7c6aaq.jpg

Bill, you're always welcome. I shouldn't let you think it's a real shop, though. It's just storage space with a part suitable for washing a car. When someone needs space to work on the interior or exterior of his car in bad weather, it's good for that because it's heated and well-lit. No lifts, small toolbox, but plenty of Monster and Red Bull.

Congrats! :thumbup:

We had about a dozen (two from CR) total for the whole night. Kicked out the last five at 2:15 a.m. We might do this from time to time until winter, or until they get tired of it.

Pretty much last minute, but here goes. Usually I open the Hangout for CR during winter months when there's sufficient interest. Lately, though, some of the locals have been coming over on nights they are getting kicked-out of their parking lot or on nights that the weather's bad. They are mostly 18-20, but have been well-behaved. Tonight, they've asked to come over and I said okay. If the weather changes and the roads dry out, we might head to Easton late. Anyone from CR is welcome to come by at 9. So, in case you're new to the Hangout, it's an office and attached garage space on the south side of Delaware which becomes a cold-weather alternative to parking lot meets. In a room which serves as a free clinic two days a month, there's Foosball, a 55" screen TV with XB360 ready to go, Forza 4 with wheel/pedal simulator setups, other games you bring (may or may not run on my set-up). A few car theme movies are available, too. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2015%20CR%20Christmas%20Party/dragstrip_8_zpsewlrsnrz.jpg There is an adjacent office for people to get away from the noise, if they so desire. There is also a heated shop area for work on your car, but only basic tools available and no lifts. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2015%20CR%20Christmas%20Party/dragstrip_2_zpseksetk3z.jpg Please do not bring alcohol or drugs on the premises. A good variety of non-alcoholic drinks are provided free. You are welcome to bring food along or order pizza for delivery. Stay as late as you want. Restrooms are on-site. Large bay windows allow you to keep an eye on your car from the office and waiting room. The front door will open at 9:00 p.m. The hangout is smoke-free, but you can smoke right outside the front door and use the smokers' station. Please do not throw butts in the parking lot or in the shrubbery. You can use e-cigs in the garage but not in the offices. In case you haven't been there, here are directions: Howald Industrial Park 320 London Road, Suite 101 (in Building 100, first building on left as you enter the park) Delaware, Ohio (across from the intersection of London Road & Liberty Road) the place is 14 miles north of Home Depot/Sawmill it is 1.5 miles from the large Jegs Warehouse at Route 42 and London Road If you are coming from Columbus, it's easy to just go north on US 23 to the first Delaware exit (South Sandusky Street), exit to the left but turn right on Sandusky St., then go about a mile and turn left onto London Road at the McDonalds. The place will be on your right just after the Delco Drive Through. If you are coming from Sawmill, go directly north on Sawmill Road until it ends at the Hyatts Road Roundabout. Turn right (east) on Hyatts Road, go into the village of Hyatts, turn left (north) on Liberty Road. Liberty road dead ends at the industrial park (turn left onto London Road, then immediately right, into the park). Questions/problems: Text me at 740-405-5565.

I stayed a few hours at the old Dick's Sporting Goods at Easton and there didn't seem to be any problem. Mostly the usual group. It was slow 9-10, but then picked up. Not as big as E. Main had become, but decent size. Security had no issues with us being there as long as there weren't complaints or trash left on the lot. There weren't any ricer antics or loud stereos. It was fairly mellow. I'm not sure how late it went. Word around was that the lights stay on all night. I'll prolly head out again tonight if the roads dry by then.

Slight chance of rain, but I'm still game for QSL around 7 on the patio. Perhaps a meet later if the East Side crew can figure out where.

Yep. https://www.facebook.com/centralohiostreetmeet/

7 pm tonight on the patio, as usual. Then, prolly the east side meet.

Looks as though it'll be an excellent night. I'll be on the patio at QSL, prolly go to the Eastside meet afterwards.