Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

**mdickie** · 10-22-2007, 10:01 PM

Having reflected on the Fest for a couple of days, a few thoughts:

1. When I arrived late Monday night I met outside with Siska, Leake, Jack, Troy, and Garrett. Garrett had enjoyed a few too many adult beverages that evening, and he was "feeling the love". And although we gave G a ration of shit the rest of the week, his sentiments really hit home with me. The people we see at the Fest each year really do mean a great deal to me, there is a true bond, and there does exist a true "I love you man" attitude at the Fest. Now we don't say it, and we certainly gave G a lot of crap over his revelations on Monday night, but those feelings and thoughts were from the heart, and I have to say that I feel the same way. There is true caring about our fellow Fest attendees and our fellow site members (except Leake of course). It is this bond that we share that makes Sunday morning and the trip home so hard.

2. The generosity of site members and Fest attendees is boundless. Whether it is walking into the hotel lobby on Thursday morning with a fistful (and I mean a fistful, not 4 or 5, more like 25) Starbucks coffee cards, buying lunch/dinner over and over again for everyone at the table, donating money so everyone can enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, or a MM and coke, helping one another at the various track events with tires and anything else that is needed, or lending each other our cars to allow everyone to enjoy the fun, the members of this forum are truly generous to a fault. When I posted about being beverage sponsors and needing five people to donate to the cause, the first 5 responses were not "Gee that is a great idea", but rather "where do I send the money". There was no hesitation, simply the donation to allow our fellow attendees the ability to enjoy themselves. I cannot tell you how many people posted in that thread, sent me PMs or talked to me at the Fest to display their displeasure that they were not able to react fast enough to be one of the folks to donate. Ken and Tom, who could not make the Fest, donating rather large sums of money to ensure that their brothers and sisters at the Fest never went thirsty was a true act of generosity that still blows me away.

3. We all talk about the site being a family and a community. Social networking is big buzzword in the internet industry today, people trying to figure out how to create more of a social or communal environemnt on the internet. I have to tell you, you need look no further than Z06Vette.com, the people that inhabit this site are truly a single community, a true family. The Fest is not a celebration of high performance Corvettes, it is an annual family reunion where everyone in the family drives a fast car. Seeing people arrive, get out of their cars and be greeted with heartfelt hugs and handshakes, watching the nightly jocularity out in the parking lot, laughing with people until the point of tears everyday of the Fest, these are activities that occur in families. I have been to hundreds of car events in my life, and they all share one thing, the assembled group is a gathering of separate individuals that happen to share an interest in a car. The Fest is something much more than that, it is truly a family reunion.

4. The trust that exists amongst the members of this group is inspiring. At the Fest if one of the other members comes up to you and asks to see your car, most members would simply throw that person the keys and say "take it for a spin, let me know how you like it". At what other event would you ever see an owner not only allow another attendee to drive their car, but share their car with another member at a track event, or the drag strip, or the auto-x. Letting others drive your car is one thing, letting others beat the crap out of your car on the track or the strip is something completely different, and at the Fest it is simply commonplace. In today's world that is truly inspiring.

5. The fun loving nature of all the attendees, and our ability to laugh at ourselves is something that continues to amaze me. G took a beating last week, Troy took a beating last week, I took a beating last week, Siska, Leake, Jub, hell, even Doug took a ration of shit. Norman and his new bride took a beating, Leslie and Scott took crap. Did anyone even think to get upset, or take any of it personally, not on your life, we laughed till we cried, and then came back for more. That can only happen ammongst true friends, amongst people you trust, who you know are simply trying to have fun, and not trying to be hurtful. In order for this type of frivolity to exist there has to be incredible trust and true caring for one another or it breaks down quickly, feelings are hurt and all hell breaks loose. It never happened, the laughter continued, and the next target was chosen, and then there was more laughter. The ability to have this happen for 5, 6, 7 days without someone's undies getting in a bunch tells me all I need to know about the people of this community.

The Fest is a true celebration, a celebration of friendship that many people have a hard time understanding. How can a group of people from all over the country, who only know each other, and who only converse with each other via the internet, become such a tight knit group, a family? I do not have the answer to that question, but I sure am glad that it happened and that I can say that I am part of that family.

I am interested in your thoughts now that Fest 6 is done...

Mark

GR8 WHITE · 10-22-2007, 11:36 PM

Wow! A very nice write up Mark. I wish I was there to share your experiences. Hopefully one of these years, I will get out to see what goes down at the FEST.....

Your words are very sentimental but relay the many common feelings and appreciations I have as well without ever having the great opportunity to meet many of you.

But I feel as if I have, even through the miles.....

Thanks for the wonderful perspective with the "Inside Scoop" on the Fest, and what makes it such a great place to be.....

The people.....

KINGPIN · 10-23-2007, 06:08 AM

One day at the local pool hall 10 or so years ago I was pissed off that everybody kept picking on me.
I went into the loung area where a friend of mine P.T.(Paul Thornley) asked me what was wrong. He is truely one of the nicest guys I know. Ex canadian snooker champion in '69 and is known is one of the Canadian pool players ambassadors.

I told him, I don't know what it is but everyone is f*#king picking on me lately and giving me a hard time.
He says. So. Whats the problem.
Let me tell you something he says.
You only have to worry when people aren't picking on you or making jokes.
Can you explain that I said.
Simple he says. When they pick on or are giving you a hard time is a good thing. When they stop that means they don't care about you anymore.

Makes sense to me.

Mike

2MchFun · 10-23-2007, 06:19 AM

Well put Mark. The people make the Fest - not the cars (although we have a hell of a lot of fun with them too).

I miss you guys already!

Oh - and a special thanks to Mikey (MikesZ06) for stepping up to lead the pack in my favorite event (MM WART). You have to have 'em strapped on tight to lead a bunch of speed demons through blind corners and hills. Not bad for a waxer

dwjZ06 · 10-23-2007, 06:48 AM

Mark,

I can say after attending two of them that it was a great time to hang around with you all. I'm not much of a drinker anymore, but it was a hoot to drink, laugh, and generally spend time around all of the folks who make this a great site to hang out on. I really missed not seeing many of you this year, and hope I can attend another one soon. There are great people on this board, and I for one have enjoyed meeting them along the way.

I travel sometimes in my job and I have met brothers and sister's here around the country. One of the best experiences I can tell you about was meeting Ted Pennington In Denver. Not only did he go out of his way to meet a stranger downtown, but he and his wife bought me dinner as well. This from a guy that only had a Z06 in common. We had a great dinner, and I still owe this guy one as well. So to Ted and all the rest of you generous Z owners here's to you

The same can be said for Ivo who met and picked me up in Tampa to show a stranger around. Great people and a great car!

Don

**MikesZ06** · 10-23-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2MchFun

Well put Mark. The people make the Fest - not the cars (although we have a hell of a lot of fun with them too).

I miss you guys already!

Oh - and a special thanks to Mikey (MikesZ06) for stepping up to lead the pack in my favorite event (MM WART). You have to have 'em strapped on tight to lead a bunch of speed demons through blind corners and hills. Not bad for a waxer

Thanks, Bob!

I had no idea the Wart tour could be run that fast with a REAL driver leading the group!

Mike

**mdickie** · 10-23-2007, 08:04 AM

The MM WART tour is addictive. On the way out to MM I commented that this was the first time I actually had the chance to view the wonderful countryside scenery, Mike's response was "what scenery, all I can see is the road rushing towards us..."

On the way back, as we were nearing SR 222 again, I was navigating Mike towards I-65, and Mike says, where is SR 222, I need my 11 miles..." That stretch of 11 miles through the farms is truly an addictive stretch of road.

Congrats to the sherriff for doing an admirable job in leading this wackiness...

Mark

**G-Z06** · 10-23-2007, 09:19 AM

Mark outstanding write up!

I can tell you first hand this was hands down the best fest I have attended. The memories and friends that were experienced are something I will remember for years to come.

Me and Jack were laughing all the way home thinking about some of the good memories we had.

I cant wait to see you guys again!!!!!

Thanks for the great time as always
'

PS: the pics and vids are great ill post them up ASAP

The Godfather · 10-23-2007, 09:56 AM

Words of wisdom Mark!! At least someone still has a brain left after a week of good times and laughter. The only reason to go IS the PEOPLE!! I can not tell anyone who did not attend that the amount of non stop fun is incredible! I have never laughed sooo very hard non stop for a full week EVER in my life. Thanks again to all!

Jack

ST1100 · 10-23-2007, 10:23 AM

Tough to follow up Mark's comments, but I think when any one of us who were at the Fest could at just about any time tell another individual or the group to

"STFU!!!!" it says something about the level of friendship within the group.

Jim

**DennyM** · 10-23-2007, 12:32 PM

I'm calling BS ...

Mark didn't write that ... David Fogel did ...

So ... Sunday, 14th ... I am back from Ocean City, MD and a gathering of about 700 Corvettes and prepping the car for the trip Tues AM to Putnam ... and I'm thinkin' ... "a week ... 2000 miles, $1000.00 ... is it worth it?"
HELL YES!

It's the only event I know of that reflects the comaraderie we have in our home club -- "Corvette Nation" at its best

...
If only ...
Some GM/Chevy/Corvette folks spent the whole Fest week with this group --and perhaps get an insight into the pulse of the Corvette enthusiast ...

More prior Fest participants could have been there -- we missed you ...

More Z06/Corvette owners would experience and appreciate that these cars can be rode hard without breaking - and still look good ...

Well written, Mark ... and well done

**MikesZ06** · 10-23-2007, 01:36 PM

Thoughts on the Fest, huh?
Ok, I'll give it a shot....

Disappointment!

Oh, don't get me wrong, we had a blast like we always do. The weather was super, the booze was flowing, the events were excellent and the people that were there were outstanding....absolutely outstanding.

My disappointment stems from those that were NOT able to make it this year.

Faces and friends I am used to seeing, swapping stories, poking fun, laughing, joking and carrying on with. It seemed like we came to the game with only half the players and it lessened the experience just a little bit for me.

The Ken's and the Tom's, the Ivo's and the Stry's, the Layne's and the Terrence's, the Red's and the Ed's, the Joe's and the Jim's, the Wally's and the Kat's, the Bill's and the Deb's, the Dad's and the Don's, the Scott's and the Steve's, the Pat's and the Ted's, and the .....etc, etc. You know who you are.

Did we have a blast this year? You bet your ass we did. You get even just a few of us together and we're gonna have a great time. But....

I'm reminded of the line by Morgan Freeman toward the end of the 'Shawshank Redemption' when he talks about the great memories when Andy was in prison. He gets wistful for a moment and says..."I guess I just miss my friend".

That's all I'm trying to say...

Mike

Maybe next year!

**mdickie** · 10-23-2007, 02:08 PM

Well said Mike...

Mark

Tomasy · 10-23-2007, 02:09 PM

Great write up Mark! This may not be the biggest forum on the net, but it sure is the best. Family is a good way to describe it. (wait a second, I have family that I don't feel that close to.) On my first trip (fest 1) I was amazed at how helpful everyone was at the strip. Drag racing around home just doesn't work like that! Last year my son was able to join me for the trip and the WART. He asked, how did you get to know everyone? The answer is simple, I don't. The forum is family. We are there for each other all through the ups and downs in our lives all year long. When we meet at the fest it is a gathering of old friends, even if you are meeting for the first time. Can't wait for next year. To those who couldn't be there this year, you were missed. (and you missed a great time!)

**Kens06** · 10-23-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikesZ06

Thoughts on the Fest, huh?

The Ken's and the Tom's, the Ivo's and the Stry's, the Layne's and the Terrence's, the Red's and the Ed's, the Joe's and the Jim's, the Wally's and the Kat's, the Bill's and the Deb's, the Dad's and the Don's, the Scott's and the Steve's, the Pat's and the Ted's, and the .....etc, etc. You know who you are.

Did we have a blast this year? You bet your ass we did. You get even just a few of us together and we're gonna have a great time. But....

Mike,
The stars just didn't align right for a lot of the oldsters to make it this year!!
You got the chance to meet some new friends face to face, and they got to see how cool the admin's of this sight are!!

My only bitch is that the pictorial documentation this year SUCKS!!
But, since I can't see the fun you were having, the pain of not being there is lessened!!

You guys hammer me for 'beer in one hand, camera in the other' but you all love the moments captured in pictures!!

Mark,
I never knew you even knew who I was!!
Thanks for the the kudos, but that's what friends are about!!
You don't do it for recognition, you do it because someone SHOULD!!
And it FEELS GOOD!!
Ken