Is anyone going to next weekend's drive (Saturday, August 26th) in Austin?

http://hillcountrydrives.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/

I went last month but it was rained out at the last minute. There were over 40 cars that showed up -- the only Ferrari that showed up actually parked next to my Z! There were only a couple of Zs but lots of BMWs (M5s & M6s), Porsches, Vettes, EVOs, etc.

Can we see if we can get more Zs to show up? How about it Austin Z owners? I live in the San Antonio area but I'm making the drive for this one again. The route is already posted on the website.

 

You don't even need to leave SA, Kerrville area has some amazing roads almost 300 miles worth (150 each way). If you were at RBTS you know the route.

I'm registering on the site now, are the drives a one day event or the weekend?

 

Yeah, but it's more fun doing spirited driving with other imports & exotics along some twisting roads (especially when you have several dozen cars showing up). It's normally a one-day event and possibly a dinner at one of the area restaurants at the end of the drive. It becomes a pseudo car show wherever the drive ends up.

I believe the November drive is a weekend event somewhere in Kerrville -- that should be fun.

 

I agree, it would be nicer to mix-up the pack. Are you guys using handheld radios for "alerts"?

I guess the admin actually screens registrations. I registered an hour ago and still have not gotten the activation e-mail.

 

Ooo, this sounds like fun! I've never been. Anyone from Houston willing to trek over? Prob too far for a one day event, huh? :-(

 

I would go if I had an AC in my car. Its too hot outside and they pick the hotest hrs of the day..

 

Am I reading this right --It dosent start til 6:30 PM ?

 

That's what the thread says. Makes me think about possible deer hits. At those speeds it could be ugly. Hopefully they use handheld radio to report such things. Let the Ferrari's run up front and take the hits to clear the way.

 

Oh if thats the time then I might just go. It doesnt get dark till 8:30-9pm. If any other z members show interest I will go.

 

Well --Ya and bout an hour and a half of sun light---I cant pull down the route cuz Im dial up. Im not biachin just seems late
Ya !!!! The Ferraris will deflect a deer better---Kinda like a cow catcher on a train

 

if you go i will go.

 

It be coo ---but was just makin sure there was not a typo on the time and I have to down load the route

 

If these drives are anything like RBTS, it's best to have a navgator. During RBTS the coodinator gave each team a set of directions turn by turn with maps. If that's not the case, memorize the routes. It suck driving 130+ and worrying about the next turn to take in hill country.

 

I just ran up there last weekend with my sportbike group. I drove the Z. I know the roads like the back of my hand. Hwy16, FM335, FM336 FM337. I had no idea that they had a forum for this! Awesome...I may make it out to some. However, If anyone wants to do some spirited driving on Sunday mornings in the Houston area hit me up.

Edit, I looked at the map they gave and I have been on some of those roads. But I would stay off of Lime Creek Rd. There have been 3 deaths on that road this month already.

 

where does everyone go afterwards since 1431 got shut down?

 

Yes, radios are used if you have one. They are actually very, very safety conscious and remind everyone to respect other drivers, etc. The monthly drives are organized by car enthusiasts just like us. For example, they made a tough decision last month (knowing there were dozens of drivers who were ready to go) to cancel the drive even though there was only a slight drizzle for a short time. Again, it was safety first.

The evening start time was chosen because of the heat. There's still plenty of daylight left and the drive is only about one hour long but fun.

Let's have a bunch of Zs show up. I felt lonely out there last month since I had the only Z until the other one showed up later. I also felt "cheap" parked next to a Ferrari and a bunch of M5s, M6s, Porches and a nice looking Z06. I'll try to post some pics later of the parking lot before the cancelled drive that turned into a car show instead.

 

Im sure I will go.. I can keep up with those supercars..

 

I've only attended one of these drives (not the last one which was cancelled but the one before) and my experience was a little different than the one described here. I had my radio on and on the right channel. Even though I was near the front of the pack, I don't think I received even a single radio alert during the whole drive (I was not near the very front of the pack later in the second half of the drive). That surprised me. Based on my single experience (so take it with a grain of salt, please), I wouldn't say they are "very very safety conscious". Perhaps my understanding of being very very safety conscious is a little different. A lot more could be done to emphasize safety very very much. There was a short mention before the drive to be courteous to Austin traffic, but then I was appalled at what went on on Mopac Hwy before we reached the hill country. I was in the front group and was, quite frankly, angry at how the few cars at the very front were driving, e.g. changing lanes aggressively, excessive speeding in tight Austin traffic. If I were just a regular Austinite driving on Mopac, I would've felt terrorized. That kind of driving should be avoided until you reach roads which have little to no traffic. Later, a new M5 went off of the road and became immobile; I've heard different stories of why it happened.

That said, I think the organizing group is a respectable group of guys who regularly make the time to organize these drives. As someone who organizes drives myself, I am very reluctant to say anything critical about someone else's driving event, but when I read the comment about safety, I felt the need to pass on my observations (which is limited to only one drive, so please keep that in mind). I know it takes time and work to organize these drives so I admire their diligence and passion. I think they go out of their way to prepare drives and after-drive activities which will be memorable to all. From the feedback I have seen on this forum and others, I think they succeed at doing that. And it's clear they love to drive. Other than Larry Davidson with the Texas RXs, another person I admire and whose work I appreciate, they are the only group of guys in town dedicated to organizing such events. And they regularly draw large crowds. Come check it out. You will probably like it a lot.

 

Ok so yea as i read here i see that the run may not start un till 6-7 ish im sorry thats frekin crazy becaus thats prime time to hitt deer ( i did in my G35 going about 80mph) and yes i am still alive but my car was not but any way why would you want to drive around that tiem....yea i know that its nice down there at that time but gosh i dont know if its worth the risk of hittin a deer or somthing els that likes to run across the road....

 

i think due to the heat outside. it cools offa round 6 and doesnt get dark till 9. considering they start at 6-7 there would be plenty of sunlight outside. be safe and catious..