86WS6

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Several members of TGO are planning a meet the weekend of September 14, 15, and 16. This is the weekend of the Fall Rod Run in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. For those of you who have never attended the Rod Run, it is one of the largest car shows/meets in the South East. Highway 441, The Strip will be lined up for six miles on both sides of the street with all sorts of classic cars, muscle cars, or anything else you can imagine. The actual show is held at the Grand Hotel, and is the core of the Rod Run, however it is only a small part of the weekend event. Pigeon Forge is located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which offers many great options for some fantastic day cruises. More to follow...

86WS6

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We plan to start off our part of the weekend by meeting up on Saturday morning near Bryson City North Carolina(28713). This town is on the southern edge of the national park and is the perfect spot to run the Hell Bender,(US HY 28), and the Tail of the Dragon, (US Highway 129), at Deal's Gap. Links to follow. The entire route of the Hell Bender and the Tail of the Dragon will be approx 75 miles each way of the most intense mountain curves known to man. People are welcome to join us at any point along the route and run as much or as little as they want to. Make sure that your gas tank is full as this is a very isolated area, with sparse fuel stops. Ethanol free fuel is available in Bryson City and Robbinsville. There should be ample time to make a practice run on the TOD, then make your best timed run if you are up to the challange. Sunday morning we will meet at the Oconoluftie Visitor Center near Cherokee NC,(28719) on the southern side of the national park and and run HY 441 through the GSMNP, to Gatlinburg TN, then on to the Rod Run. This route is about 45 miles but allow two hours of driving time due to road conditions and traffic. More to follow...

86WS6

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http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

86WS6

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http://www.hellbender28.com/

86WS6

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http://www.greatsmokies.com/

86WS6

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http://www.cherokeesmokies.com/

86WS6

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http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

86WS6

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http://www.pigeonforge.com/Minisites...orge-Car-Shows

86WS6

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http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

86WS6

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http://www.theblueridgehighlander.co...kway/index.php

86WS6

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http://cherohala.org/

86WS6

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A couple of years ago some TGO members had a mini-meet at the Spring Rod Run. We met at the Sugarlands Visitors Center on the Gatlinburg side of the national park. We cruised from Sugarlands to Clingman's Dome, the second tallest peak on the eastern side of the US (elevation 6642 feet above sea level).

After leaving the dome, we drove back to Pigeon Forge to the Rod Run. We concluded our day eating a wonderful meal at Benette's BBQ in Gatlinburg TN. We already have a few members who are planning this trip. Let's see if we can make a Thirdgen presence at the Rod Run.

The picture of the 86WS6 was taken on the Tail of the Dragon.

Charles

rob2000gt

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I would love to do this but its just too far away from where I live.

86WS6

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Sorry to hear Rob. I hope to make this an annual event. Maybe you can join us next year?

Luke3920

Looking forward to it. I plan on joining in on the fun. Hopefully nothing comes up and I'm able to make it.

86WS6

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That's Cool Luke! Do you think that Chad will make it? Lu Ann and Danny are planning to come. Charles

grngryoutmyway

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Hopefully we can come too, I really have no idea right now though. Lots of stuff going on around that same time, but I think that weekend is free. Thank you for the email Charles.

86WS6

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Cool Jordan,

Hope you all can make it.

Charles

86WS6

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Some pics from the TGO mini meet at the Spring Rod Run 2011

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/l...e%20Rod%20Run/

86WS6

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This is the link of the album from Amanda's (the 86WS6) big day out on The Tail of the Dragon, US 129, just west of Deal's Gap, NC. The photos were taken by Killboy Photo and US 129 Photos. These and other photogrphers will be on the Dragon and will take a lot of photos of our cars. They post them on thier websites, and you can purchase the photos you want. Four photographers had over 50 pictures of my car. I picked the best ones from two companies and purchased the ones I wanted. You can get a nice selection for around $35.00 or so. I spent a little more because I bought some 8x10s, a couple of discs, and had a wall mural of Amanda made from one photo.

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/l...%20Trans%20AM/

86WS6

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This is an album of pictures that I took along HY 441 from Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These pics were taken in mid October so the fall colors are more vivid than they will be in September. One can talk about how beautiful this place is all day, however as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. This is the 45 mile cruise that we will take on Sunday morning going towards Pigeon Forge and the Fall Rod Run. The road peaks at the NC/TN state lines at Newfound Gap, elevation 5500 feet. A Great road for a fun run in our Thirdgens.

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/l...the%20Smokies/

NufNuffZ28

iTrader: (10)

I am going to try and put this on my calendar!

86WS6

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Cool!

86WS6

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Just so everyone knows the good, bad, and the ugly. Pigeon Forge is one major traffic jamb during the Rod Run. People begin arriving for the Rod Run on Wednesday and Thursday. By Sunday a lot of people have left town. Friday and Saturday are the worst days for traffic.

Traffic in Gatlinburg is typically lighter during the Rod Run than usual. You can find good deals on lodging in Gatlinburg and the lines are short at resturants. It is six miles from Gatlinburg to PF.

This way no one can say, "Charles you didn't tell me"...

white gold 88

Charles, I know what you mean about the traffic during the rod run. I was there last fall. When we went there before the gathering we found a road around most of Pigeon Forge. It wasn't on the GPS but mine is old. It really helped out. Wish we had found it sooner. Gatlinburg is a trap for my car. Seems like anywhere you turn off is up or down, steep. Not trying to change anything just letting others know. And they are working on the road through town. Still lots of things to see and do there. Great view as well.

86WS6

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There are back roads around Pigeon Forge that can save one a lot of time getting around.

There is also a bypass around Gatlinburg which allows you to bypass the entire town if you want to.

I will post some maps prior to the event that will give everyone the ability to avoid heavy traffic as much as possible.

white gold 88

The G-burg bypass is fun and a great view. The road we found in P-forge was like it had been extended recently, like a industrial blvd. I still can't remember the name of it but it came out on the south end at the old mill area.

Congrats to Luke on his first post. LOL I know he can text message. Glad to see you on the boards.

86WS6

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I did't realize that this was Luke's first post! Cool! Anyone else thinking about attending? Kevin? Tony? Charles

86WS6

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Bump.

Luke3920

Is it September yet? I'm pumped for this weekend we're planning! 2nd post now haha. Cars down for the moment, broke torque arm bracket autocrossing last week, and I'm not fixing it with it being 110 degrees outside! Can't drive it when it's that hot out anyway.

Luke3920

And are silly Mustangs welcome to come? Haha I have a few buddies with those things I'm going to invite.

86WS6

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Good Point Luke. As long as the Muskrat people know to follow one or two miles behind us so that no one will know that they are with us.. Just kidding. I don't have a problem with it as long as the the other TGO members don't have a problem with it. If some of our friends from other clubs show up in other gen Maros, Birds, Vette's, or other GM Muscle are we going to turn them away? My opinion is that it is all about a bunch of car people getting together and having fun. It is not like someone is wanting to bring a tuner rice rocket. We are all fans of American Muscle Cars. Let's see what the group consensus is? I will support the majority on this issue, if there is one? Charles

86WS6

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Does everyone want to run the Dragon on Saturday and go to the Rod Run on Sunday, or will it work better to do the Rod Run on Saturday and the Dragon on Sunday? Saturday in Pigeon Forge will be about double the traffic as it will be on Sunday, as the event is breaking up and everyone is going home by noon on Sunday. If anyone wants to spend extra time at the Rod Run your best bet is to be there on Thursday, as Friday and Saturday are the busiest days. The Grand Rod Run show at the Grand Hotel is sort of small, and the judging is Saturday AM, however I doubt if there will be much of a point in anyone owning a thirdgen entering that show as it is geared more towards classic and 60's muscle cars than 80's cars. The informal show on the strip is more interesting and it is free, all 6 miles of it on both sides of HY 441. I have to work Thursday night and will get home from work about 9AM Friday morning. After some sleep during the day Friday, the rest of the weekend will be free for us. Since we live in the area, on the North Carolina side, we can be flexable with the schedule for however it works best for everyone else. Betty and Charles

Luke3920

Either works for me. I vote rod run Sunday. Could always go one of the other days if ya feel like it too.

86WS6

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If no one voices an objection, we will leave it as is. Charles

86WS6

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Less then two months away!

Z28Tokey

New here, but not new to the rod run. I would like to throw the suggestion out of doing the rod run on saturday, if you wait until sunday, most of the vendors and cars will be gone or leaving. I know I will be there, just not sure my ride will be.....

86WS6

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Hi Z28Tokey,Thanks for the suggestion! Good point. The reason that I suggested that we do the Tail of the Dragon on Saturday and the Rod Run on Sunday is because of the heavy traffic in PF on Saturday. You are correct about the fact that much of the show is breaking up and people are going home by Sunday. I am in agreement to any changes the majority wants. Everyone feel free to join in and voice opinions/concerns/options. Charles

86WS6

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Bump, 6 to 7 weeks away!

86WS6

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Now I have a problem... I am in the process of buying an 82 WS6 with 24K actual miles on it. The problem is how to get it and the 86WS6 across the mountain to PF for the Rod Run. Maybe I can get Betty (my wife/ the boss) to drive one over...

86WS6

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Bump! One month away.

blestx4

Would love to go but I will be there in oct with family and am still working on reliability issues with the firebird. Not yet comfortable to take it on an 8hr 1 way trip to get there but soon. Hopefully this grows and becomes annual. count me and my 89 bird in for 2013

83Z28/L69

This sounds like a blast! I'm in, if you don't mind a newb taging along. I don't know if the 83 will be ready, but my 87 Iroc is.

86WS6

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Come if you can. The more people that come the better. It will be cool if we can get a large enough group to be noticed. Maybe we can do this meet every year, so if you are interested, but cannot make it this year, maybe we will do it again next year. The 82 that I just bought last week is cosmetically good, however it will not be ready for any cruisng this fall. The 86 is ready to go, so we will probably just use that car all weekend. The 82 is all original with 24K actual miles on it, including the original tires, hoses, belts, ect. The car looks new, but all of the replaceable rubber stuff is hard as rocks and probably rotten. The OE Goodyear Eagle GT's ride like stones on the road, and at 50 MPH the tires shake the car to the point that it makes me nervous wondering when one is going to blow out. So the 82 will sit it out in the garage, and we'll have fun with the 86. The 86 has 29K miles, but has updated tires, belts, hoses, radiator, and is road ready. I had the transmission serviced, and the diff serviced.

86WS6

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Three more weeks...

intex1982

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ill be up there but im not driving my 89 formula. i think ill drive my 96 trans am

86WS6

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Sounds good. We need to decide on some meeting times and meeting places.

86WS6

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Seven Days until our meet and the Fall Rod Run! Who is coming and who is not? Amanda, the 86WS6 is almost ready for her two days out in the sunshine. The front speakers from Kee Audio arrived today to complete the Pontiac Performance Sound rebuild in Amanda. The car has the UQ7 sound option. I will be posting a tread of the build with pics soon in the audio section. Running a freshened up stock Delco AM/AM stereo/FM/Cassette with a graphic equalizer, exactly like the one that came in the car. It now sports a working OE subwoofer amplifier. A 12 disc Pioneer CD changer is hidden in the rear storage compartment, and is the only thing on the car that is not OE. Ian Kee of Kee Audio, Atlanta built some custom replacement subwoofers, and custom replacement speakers for the system that all fit inside of the OE speaker boxes. The final pieces, which arrived today are the custom speakers for the dash. The system will look completely stock with the interior reinstalled, only it does not sound stock. It is like stock on steroids! If anyone wants to see the system in person, or more importantly hear it, Amanda will be on hand to demonstrate her new found talents, thanks to Ian.
Charles

intex1982

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i changed plans taking the 00' z28 up there. its nothing great. but its my fav..

86WS6

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That's cool! Drive what ever you want to. We may change our plans a little also. We are thinking about staying in Pigeon Forge over the weekend instead of at our house in North Carolina. Still waiting to see who is planning to attend...