Austin Hill Country Drive - Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005

[Ojas]

When:	Saturday, January 8, 2005 10 AM
Where:	Austin, Texas to Hill Country Meet at Great Hill Theater on Jollyville (this is the one across from PF Chang’s, not old location where Cheesecake Factory now resides)

EDIT (12/20): Here’s the route. I’ve attached a map below.

Howdy Texas guys and gals! Some fellow car enthusiasts are organizing a drive through the Texas Hill Country. I attended the most recent one, which was last weekend, and had a great time. I expect this one to be just as enjoyable - seeing and hearing a wide assortment of cars, hanging out with other enthusiasts over lunch, and of course, driving on some fun roads!

The picture below is from last weekend. There were actually a lot more cars, but several folks left before the cameras started snapping. If you plan on attending, please reply. See you there.


(click picture for higher-res; more pictures are here)

[LeftLane]

Ojas - mind if I come up in my post-NSX ride? It's not an Elise (are those Elises in the picture?), but I'd still like to go for a drive.

[Ojas]

Hi Todd! Sure, please come. Yup, Elises. The owner of orange one is from San Antonio. What is your post-NSX ride? Did you get the Porsche?

[synergy004]

IM in. I missed the last.

gil

[Ojas]

I just updated the original post with the route. I’ve been on it - should be tons of fun!

[Modernceo]

Id really like to come, only two things are holding me back.

1) wheels are bent in front, creating a shimmy, and in need of alignment.
2) already taking off too much time here in next 5 weeks, going to be hard to get that weekend off.

We'll see what happens.

[kurt_bradley]

Hey Ojas, long time no post. Are slow-ass TSXs allowed to come?

No longer working for Acura. I've gone into the restaurant business with Ami as of August.

[Ojas]

Hey Kurt! If I were running the show, I would say sure, join us. However, I don’t speak for the organizers. They do seem cool and enjoy seeing a variety of cars, so I don’t think it would be a problem. Besides, I think your mad driving skillz make up for the slow-ass-ness of your ride.

I was at the dealership a few months ago to pick up some parts. I asked the guy at the parts counter about you. He told me you’d moved on, but did not share any details. Hope your new venture is going well.

[kurt_bradley]

Is it too much to ask you to check into it? Leaving the dealership wasn't fun (in more than one way), but I had to do it...along with a few others. Working in my new field is cool and I only work M-F. I haven't known what that's like in years.

I still go for drives with a couple others, but wanted to see what it's like with a faster crowd (especially check out Elises). Not that the new car helps me much when compared to the S2000, but I think it would be fun to go play with little variety.

The attempt at a replacement car is not stock, but not heavily modded yet either...

Comptech rear sway bar
Comptech short shift adapter w/metal bushings
Yokohama Avid V4S 215/50/17
Hondata gasket
deleted model designation

Oh, and of course, it's Silver/Black. I don't think Honda makes cars in any other color combos.

[Ojas]

Originally Posted by kurt_bradley

Is it too much to ask you to check into it?

Sure, I’ve already sent the organizer an email. As soon as I hear back, I’ll pass along the verdict.

Originally Posted by kurt_bradley

Oh, and of course, it's Silver/Black.

I like that combo.

[kurt_bradley]

Cool. Thanks.

I figured that you, of all people, would dig the color combo.

[kurt_bradley]

Originally Posted by Ojas

Sure, I’ve already sent the organizer an email. As soon as I hear back, I’ll pass along the verdict.

Not to sound annoying, but any word as of yet?

[Osiris_x11]

hmmm... Looking at the pics from the previous drive you did Ojas (recently w/ the SRT10's, Diablo, S2000's, C5's, and Elise's), I was beyond jealous. That's what I had been impatiently seeking in Austin, some variety and higher-level enthusiasists. I look fwd' to being back and joining in... assuming I have the NSX to the level I want it to be at (etc...).

Take plenty of pics & video (if possible) on this drive... I greatly anticipate viewing them! *sigh* tiz is life for me, next time no doubt! I'll most definitely be there in spirit (and Ojas you know what that means, Need4SpeedOsiris-Style ).

[Ojas]

Kurt, you better be there - it took a lot of arm-twisting. Just kidding, you are welcome to join.

[kurt_bradley]

Originally Posted by Ojas

Kurt, you better be there - it took a lot of arm-twisting. Just kidding, you are welcome to join.

Cool. Thanks. BTW...couldn't really tell where to start from (and the start time). Was it supposed to start at the movie theatre behind Manuel's on Jollyville? I look forward to it (except for getting smoked by just about everything out there). I am changing the ol' Mobil 1 and rotating the tires this week. I should be good to go. I'll give you a call next week some time to square up the details before we meet up. Thanks again.

[Ojas]

Originally Posted by Osiris_x11

Ojas you know what that means, Need4SpeedOsiris-Style

I know precisely what that means to you. To me, it means I’ll dial down a couple notches if I want to remain unknown to law enforcement.

Originally Posted by kurt_bradley

couldn't really tell where to start from (and the start time). Was it supposed to start at the movie theatre behind Manuel's on Jollyville?

Yes, exactly. I’ve updated the first post with start time and location. Thanks for the reminder.

[LeftLane]

Ojas - thanks for letting me join in if I can work the schedule. And yes, I did go with the Porsche - 911 Cab, 1999, aero kit, yada yada yada. It's what I always wanted, but I do miss the NSX every time I need to go to the dealer for anything.

[Wheelman]

hey Ojas,
you got room for some H-Town NSXs?
we got at least 3 coming this Saturday..what is the weather gonna be like?

Ricky

[stormrider]

Radar told me the weather gonna be sux this weekend!! don't go to austin! stay in houston just like i have to!

[Ojas]

It’s too early to tell at the moment, but you’re right: the weather could be an issue. At a minimum it’s going to be cloudy and we all know what that means to the Houston guys (this in reference to this). No, no - I’m just kidding... I’ll keep everyone updated if the weather forces a change in plan.

[GeNSX]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted.
I've been busy with work and with the new baby busy wiping up barf rather than polishing the NSX.
Weather permitting, I'd like to join the drive.. let's all do the anti-rain sports car lover dance.

Take care and hope to see y'all soon.
GeNSX

[Ojas]

Originally Posted by GeNSX

let's all do the anti-rain sports car lover dance.

I think it worked! The forecast for Saturday now has no rain - partly cloudy, highs in 70s. It should be a beautiful day.

Now, can you do a Factor-X FX 500 dance for my NSX?

[kurt_bradley]

The weather is going to be great after all! It's going to be about 50-ish in the morning and then upper 60s by the time we're done. I'm bringing a friend in my car to not only take pics, but to also film the drive. Let's just hope the cars are cleaned up for their close-ups.

[Ojas]

I had a great time on the drive yesterday. I think we started with around 40 cars, including 4 NSX owners: tonyf, GEENSX, (Dave), and myself. As we headed towards 12, a state trooper placed himself in the middle of the pack, splitting the group: Several stuck with the original plan, but most of us proceeded on a modified route, away from the trooper.

A 5th NSX owner, GeNSX (not to be confused with GEENSX) caught up with the group at lunch. I’m sorry you missed us in the morning, but I’m glad you found the group and had time to hang out for a while.

After lunch, we hit some of the roads we missed due to our law-enforcement induced morning detour. On the way to Wimberley, a couple of truly crackhead drivers behind the wheels of a motorhome and a tractor-trailer ensured that everyone ended the day with more rock chips than they started. Near Dripping Springs the group split - most headed back to Austin, but a few of us stuck to the original plan of Marble Falls to 1431 to Lime Creek Road.

During 240 miles of driving through the hills, I learned a few things:

• Blanco is a short 7 minutes drive from Johnson City.
• TSX is a versatile vehicle: It is faster than an F-body and almost as fast as an S2000. It also makes a good drift car, in spite of being wrong wheel drive.
• Vipers need more stops for fuel than a bus-load of kindergartens need for potty.

Here are the pictures (click to see high-resolution):


Long line of cars


One lane bridge






Fuel stop #1






Dave’s NSX


Porsche


You know, the phat-five wheels don’t look so bad when they are wearing super-sticky tires.


Group shot at Dripping Springs Elementary School

[ATXTL]

Ojas, it was definetly nice to meet you!! I know that I can speak for everyone in saying that this cruise was AWESOME!! While we did get split up from the group, thanks to your tax dollars hard at work, I glad that we could meet back up with y'all.

And yes, Vipers do need lots o gas!! I think that all told, we used about 1.5-2 tanks of fuel for the trip alone!!

It looks like I will be respraing the entire front though, and possibly getting a new windshield. Such a bummer, but well worth it!!

Grayson