• Dragon Run '12 • A Long Ball Rally Production • The Chicago Chapter

[vdub_jetta]

Here we go boys and girls!
LBR is proud to present another one of their incredible rallies, this time titled "Dragon Run '12"

This leg of the LBR rally will originate in and return to the Chicagoland area, with stops along the way in Indianapolis and Louisville, for those that choose to meet us up along the way.


REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN AT www.longballrally.com - you will need to choose a meeting point when you register.


For all those that were on the fence about going, stop thinking any longer, and just look at the kickass logo c/o Kieran from LBR. If the logo is this good, just think how the ride down and adventure there will be

Dates:
Departure - Thursday April 19th (very early morning) - Return - Sunday April 22nd 2012 (late evening)




ROUTE INFO:

http://g.co/maps/n26jv


View Larger Map

Points on the map
A = Gas/Initial Meetup - South Holland Oasis on the I-294 highway headed Southbound - Meetup by 3am on Thursday 4-19-2012, gas up at the Mobil, grab any Red Bull, coffee, beef jerky, etc, for the road, wait for everyone to gather there, and LEAVE BY 3:45AM Central Time AT THE LATEST. You can be there early, but the caravan will be leaving 3:45ish.

B = Cracker Barrel Restaurant (opens at 6AM Eastern time) Arrival estimated 7:21AM
>Distance and time according to google maps since point A = 152 miles and 2hrs 36min
I would say about a solid hour for everyone to get served and eat. So let's say we leave by 7:30am after we get gas at the Shell. There is a Marathon gas station right next to the Cracker Barrel, but I think most would agree that we can settle on the better gas and drive a few minutes extra to the Shell.

C = Gas - Shell Approximate time to fill up 20-30 minutes, departure around 9:00am
>Distance is 1.5 miles about 5 minutes driving from the restaurant. Not too far down from the Cracker Barrel, just a bit down the street

D = Gas - Pilot Travel Center Arrival estimated 12:21-12:30pm
>Distance and time according to google maps since point B/C = 191 miles and 3hrs 21min
Tons of food spots nearby, Chick-Fil-A, Subway, KFC, McDonald's, etc. Fill up first, then eat wherever you'd like. Meet BACK at the Pilot gas station when you're done. 1/2 hour to eat, and we LEAVE at around 1:00pm

E = Gas - Pilot Gas Station - Last gas fill up before the boonies aka last normally priced gas station Arrival estimated 4:11-4:20pm, tank up (apprx 20 min again) and leave.
>Distance and time according to google maps since point D = 201miles and 3hrs and 20min

F = Fontana Village/THE END Arrival estimated 5:31-5:40pm
>Distance and time according to google maps since point E = 46 miles and 58min


*A FRIENDLY DISCLAIMER TO ALL*

A quick reminder that TOD is pretty much like a full weekend of going to the track, which means making sure that the car is in top mechanical, electronic, etc, condition. Make sure everything is up to par, and there are no compromises made. A 500+ mile towing bill will definitely put a dent in anyone's budget. SO have your car checked up prior to leaving.

"Long Ball Rally and all parties involved in the organization of this event are in no way shape or form liable for any speeding tickets, accidents, damage to cars, bodies, personal relationships, brain cells or accidental conceptions that may occur over the course of this trip. You are joining this cruise/rally to TOD/Wookies in the Woods 2012 of your own free will and here by agree that you are a consenting adult of legal age and are to be held accountable for your own actions, however stupid they may be."

>>>That being said, don't be an a$$hat. Cruise speeds will be give or take around the speed limit.
There will be NO racing, reckless driving, or excessive speeding tolerated. If you can't understand this or violate the posted warning, you may be asked to break off from the group and continue separately on your own.


ROLL CALL LIST updated as of 3-24-2012

1. vdub_jetta +1 (Chicago) PAID/REGISTERED
2. nkgneto (Chicago) PAID/REGISTERED
3. stiglitz (Chicago)
4. abeR (driving down thursday )
5. Sump +1 (Chicago) PAID/REGISTERED
6. TheRedMouse ?? (Chicago)
7. elicitvr6 (honorary, will be there in spirit)
8. Fresh Face (Chicago)
9. VR216 (meeting at point D)
10.vdubnhead PAID/REGISTERED
11. ZPrime (meeting at point D) PAID/REGISTERED
12. Dubguy21 (meeting at point C)
13. UnNameDR32 (meeting at point D) PAID/REGISTERED
14. SKYdude (Chicago) PAID/REGISTERED
15. crynbox2 ??
16. Hobbes279 (meeting at Point D) PAID/REGISTERED
17. Nash_TDI (meeting at Point D) PAID/REGISTERED
18. MirsadR32 (point D with Mirsadr32) PAID/REGISTERED
19. Siliconrane (point B) PAID/REGISTERED
20. RRRRR32 (meeting at point D) PAID/REGISTERED

ALSO, if you plan on driving down from Chicago, and/or meeting us at point B for breakfast outside of Indianapolis, then please confirm on here. I will be calling the Cracker Barrel to let them know to expect a larger group of hungry guys that early in the morning so that none of the waitresses wig out when they see us pulling up.

For those meeting us up during the rally, it might be a good idea to exchange numbers so that we can be better informed of ETA's and such. Please message myself (pawel) or nkgneto (luis) with your info as we get closer to the date.


UPDATE 02-27-2012
Cruise info for Friday April 20th:

http://g.co/maps/7twgh

(Route has again been changed as I'm constantly trying to tweak it to make improvements and make it the best I can)

Note, I am avoiding as much as possible of the US 107 and bigger roads, as traffic and regular commuters will just slow us down and kill the momentum.

I added a lunch stop at Dillsboro Smokehouse in Sylva, NC, to make things a bit more enticing
The Dillsboro Smokehouse was ranked 3rd best BBQ in the USA by National Geographic Traveler magazine!! WOW!

Breakfast wise, eat a light snack before we depart Fontana, so that you're hungry and have room for all that delicious BBQ!

We head out on rt28 south towards Bridal Veil Falls, then after we eat lunch at the BBQ stop, we will head west on us441 back towards us rt28 and back on home. If anyone else wants to swing out on Cherohala Skyway in the evening, we can def do that as a separate portion of the trip. This way people that want to go back home can, or we make a quick pit stop at Fontana and then cut across thru the Cherohala Skyway, and end at a lookout where the sights are great (see below):


http://g.co/maps/7twgh



RETURN TRIP BACK HOME ON SUNDAY
The rally will of course include a trip back home, even though I'm sure we'd all love to stay there indefinitely, or until we run out of gas money
We will depart Sunday, April 22nd by 10:00am at the latest, thus ensuring the ones that have the farthest back to go (Chicago or farther) get back by 10pm or so at the latest.
Meet up will be by the ballfields, prolly by 9:30 and we will wait til 10am to depart.

[nkgneto]

Woo Hoo!

Details will be posted at:

www.longballrally.com

[turbo_powered]

Looking good!

[VRgti01]

This will b a cruse threw states???? Or a show or what im confused ..or a cruse to a show??

[vdub_jetta]

A cruise to the TOD event in TN/NC

[dr. b]

awesome. Kieran is a boss.

[KO-R32]

I should probably do this

[Austrian Beauty]

I'll join in at the Dragon!

Moge byc zapisane na to?

[nkgneto]

I should probably do this

C'mon Karl it will be my first time I can't wait!

[oldracer]

I'm excited enough I want to drive to Chicago and ride down with you guys....... but I won't!!!!!

Great logo guys, impressed

[abeR]

That is rad

[vdub_jetta]

That is rad

I'm happy that you're happy, and that we have the grandmaster's approval

[nkgneto]

In chinese zodiac, it is the year of the DRAGON

[vdub_jetta]

thread is UPDATED with info. see above ^

[Sump]

Cancelled my rezi on the trip I was going to do. I'll drive down with you guys.

Edit:

Me +1 (most likely wifey). 2004 R32

[vdub_jetta]

Cancelled my rezi on the trip I was going to do. I'll drive down with you guys.

Awesome Matt! It'll be a good time.

[vdub_jetta]

ATTN:
I will add a roll call list very soon.
So help me out and if you are attending, please post up your name, +1 if applicable, and what kind of car.

Thanks everyone

[ThatVdub]

Moge byc zapisane na to?

Wow, that is so similar to my language (serbo-cro). I completely understand that. Polish?

[SEE YA]

Polish that was.

Oczywiscie jak bysmy byli w Chicago to z wami bysmy jachali!

[20AE3600]

I need to quit finding reasons to not go.

[nkgneto]

I need to quit finding reasons to not go.

All Midwest guys need to go, this is my first time. Abe and Pawel telling me how much fun it can be is the reason why I'm making it out this year. I can't wait

[TheRedMouse]

My concerns are driving there/back, i cant stand long car rides i get antsy as hell around the 250 mile mark, secondly id also have to take the day before off to prepare for the early early morning ride.

The guys who have gone before how much does this trip normally run (fuel, lodging, food, etc.)?

[nkgneto]

Chris! All I hear is wa, wa, wa,
Take the days off. I am taking all these days off 18, 19, 20 & 23.

[vdub_jetta]

Wow, that is so similar to my language (serbo-cro). I completely understand that. Polish?

Tak jest to jezyk Polski.
Darecki, ale jak ty sie z nami zabierzesz? Przyjezdzasz do nas do Chicago na wycieczke? I potem spowrotem do TN ?

[nkgneto]

zachować polską stąd ponieważ nikt inny nie rozumie

Si no empiezo a hablar español haber quien me entiende.

[vdub_jetta]

Just thought I'd mention this as well:

A few peeps, no one on here, have been keen to mentioning and grumble a bit about the fact that this is a 12-13hr trip to TOD, when in fact they claim it to be a 10hr trip at most.

YES, it is a 10hr trip, but only if you go with a few cars at most. And what people fail to realize is that with 10-15+ cars plus it realistically does take the extra few hours. From fuel stops, to food stops, to gathering everyone up and getting on the road, it just does.
Phweew, ok, now I feel better getting this out there.

[TheRedMouse]

Chris! All I hear is wa, wa, wa,
Take the days off. I am taking all these days off 18, 19, 20 & 23.

I want to go, dont get me wrong i just dont wanna drive there lol, is your passenger seat open ?

I know i would absolutely love being there with my R... grrrrr too many things to figure out

[nkgneto]

I want to go, dont get me wrong i just dont wanna drive there lol, is your passenger seat open ?

I know i would absolutely love being there with my R... grrrrr too many things to figure out

The seat is open help on the drive down and back would be nice. This would be you driving my R

We'll talk when we get together this coming week.

[vdub_jetta]

Chris, you say you get squirrelly about 250 miles into the trip, but that's why it's broken up by pit stops and such.
And it's already gonna be better than driving alone cuz you're amongst good people.

[TheRedMouse]

haha i know ive just got inner demons im trying to conquer It would be rough but i could make it, i prob would just be a diva the entire way lol.

It might not actually be as tedious since i would be with a bunch of R's. Im going to talk with guys at work who have made the voyage numerous times.

Anyone gonna have go pro's hooked up?

[nkgneto]

I'd like to get me a Go Pro for this trip fo' sho'

[TheRedMouse]

I missed out by seconds on two go pro deals, I was disgusted with myself

[abeR]

I just scored a gopro locally. If somebody wants to use it for the trip down I'd be happy to lend it out


And if you are following Pawel I heard it more like 15 hours

[elicitvr6]

That shirt graphic/logo is freakin awesome.

[nkgneto]

Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana & Wisconsin R owners, Where you at? Let's do this.