Mountain Run 4 trip log

[QB93Z]

We have been having so much fun that I am running behind. But here we go.

Charlie and I left Maryland on Sunday morning and rendezvoused with two cars fro New England and another MD driver in Winchester VA, Then we headed south on I-81 to our second rendezvous point for the WV guys. As we got on the interstate in Winchester we immediately met Dempsey (VA).

Taking a break:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2009%2022%2017%2006.jpeg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2009%2022%2017%2006.jpeg.html)


Social time at The Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0010.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0010.jpg.html)

Sunday evening Drivers meeting:
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0023.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0023.jpg.html)

Thanks to Paul and George (shown) and Glen and Robert for their hard work to put this event together:
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0031.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0031.jpg.html)

More to follow.....

[QB93Z]

Monday morning

Getting ready for the day's run:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0040.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0040.jpg.html)


Paul's group is staged:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0046.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0046.jpg.html)

Entering The Great Smokey Mountains National Park:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0049.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0049.jpg.html)

Group photo of the Mountain Run 4 participants:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0063.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0063.jpg.html)


The water fall of the Day:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2009%2022%2037%2003.jpeg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2009%2022%2037%2003.jpeg.html)

Jim

[ghlkal]

Thanks Jim.

I've had a work conflict with MR each year, so I'm looking forward to the pics. :)

[PostmanZ]

Looks like a great time!
Thanks for sharing the pics ;-)

Love the staging shot

[Racinfan83]

Yeah I can't attend due to work as well. So I follow this thread every year. Maybe one of these years....

[FU]

Looks like a good time had by all. Enjoy & stay safe :cheers:

[We Gone]

:cheers: Thanks for the pics.

[Rex Ruby]

Missing this one!

[JThomas]

Looks like the beginning of a great week! :cheers:

[ZR1North]

Great turnout; see you all in BG Wed night.

[-=Jeff=-]

hope the pictures continue through the MR4 sand the gathering

[BlackSheepz]

Awesome thread! Thanks Jim!

My wife and I had work conflicts for MR4 too, but we will be in bowling green Thursday night! Excited to meet you all soon!

[QB93Z]

Here are some pictures from Tuesday, the second day of the Mountain Run:


The staging area for Tuesday's run was the Sugarlands Visitor Center in The Great Smokey Mountains National Park:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0081.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0081.jpg.html)




Paul giving the final briefing to his group to get ready for a run to The Tail of The Dragon:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0083.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0083.jpg.html)




George's Group lining up:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0098.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0098.jpg.html)




Both groups at a scenic pullout on the Foot Hills Parkway:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0100.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0100.jpg.html)




A beautiful view of the mountains:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0104.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0104.jpg.html)




Regrouping at Deals Gap after the Tail of the Dragon:


http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0114.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0114.jpg.html)

[QB93Z]

After Riding The Dragon we Paul's Group continued on past Fontana Dam an went to Robbinsville, NC for lunch. We stopped at a small Diner called Pop and Nana's Kitchen. The food was great and we were treated to good old North Carolina hospitality.

We gave Loretta Twelve Thumbs Up:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/20160510_135629.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/20160510_135629.jpg.html)

After lunch we drove the Cherohala Parkway. It was a beautiful ride.

Stay tuned....

[QB93Z]

The days on the Mountain Run are so busy and fun that I didn't get pictures of all the things we did.

I want to take time to give a special THANK YOU to George Jones (Gunny), Paul Workman, Robert DeMarco and Glen Reschke for their hard work and time spent organizing and conducting The Mountain Run 4. WELL DONE.

[8cam]

Looks like a great time, sorry I'm missing it this year. Believe it or not I'm going to be in Bowling Green next week on business, just couldn't make it happen this week. Oh well, I'll still grab a burger at the museum cafe and drink a chocolate shake in your honor.

I have to ask, what's with the open hatches? Is there some secret handshake I'm missing?

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0046.jpg[/IMG] (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0046.jpg.html)

[RussMcB]

Here are a few pics I took (on Monday's big group run).

If you look closely at the waterfall picture you'll see how big it is, and where we walked underneath it.

My Tuesday's Tail of The Dragon video didn't work. :-(

... but it was a blast! :-)

Russ

I have to ask, what's with the open hatches? Is there some secret handshake I'm missing?Several guys have the brackets that leave the hatch open a couple inches - apparently helps with interior wind/buffeting.

[-=Jeff=-]

Yes the hatch vent works well. I have had them since 1993 when I bought my first C4

[RussMcB]

Tail of The Dragon group, 2016.

[QB93Z]

On Wednesday, we left Gatlinburg and drove west on I-40 and then north to Bowling Green, Kentucky to attend the ZR-1 Gathering, the Grand Sport Gathering and the C-4 Gathering.

After the beautiful weather we enjoyed for the Mountain Run days, the drive west was dampened by some rain and a traffic backup for construction on I-40.

Our driving groups were smaller and we split up to see different sights on the way to BG. My group stopped east of Nashville at Center Hill Lake.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0136.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0136.jpg.html)

We walked out on the piers of an upscale marina and had a nice lunch at the Blue Water Grill.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0123.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0123.jpg.html)





Once again George and I had a camera duel:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0132.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0132.jpg.html)


The Blue Water Grill was in a wonderful setting surrounded by calm water and state recreation areas:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0126.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0126.jpg.html)


After lunch I selected the party barge that I wanted:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0128.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0128.jpg.html)

Jim

[8cam]

Yes the hatch vent works well. I have had them since 1993 when I bought my first C4

Well whaddaya know, never heard of such a thing. Looks like fair weather only since it's a bolt in, probably not practical for me since I drive in all conditions. Cool idea though.

Really wish I was up there. I have to drive up Sunday afternoon, think I'll take the scenic route.

[-=Jeff=-]

bolt in?

Mine just clips in
https://corvetteparts.com/pictures/hM5WCHxJOjjed-XY5uDApg_3.jpg

[8cam]

The ones I found are bolt in with the top tool, now I see there's a different option too. Nice! Might have to pick one up and see how it works.

[-=Jeff=-]

google corvette vent master

[JimZRyd]

The one I got from Mid America was easy to install, but didn't work right. No matter how much I adjusted the set screw in the "post" part, it never was enough to depress the switch and turn off the interior lighting. Would like to find another manufacturer for one.

[BlackSheepz]

The one I got from Mid America was easy to install, but didn't work right. No matter how much I adjusted the set screw in the "post" part, it never was enough to depress the switch and turn off the interior lighting. Would like to find another manufacturer for one.

I had the same problem. Solved it by stuffing some paper into the hollow post part. Every now and then I have to add some thanks to mashing it in there.

Now I have no problems.

[Arctic91]

Thanks for sending the updates, Jim. Wish that I was there with you all for MR4. Maybe next year...

Scott

[QB93Z]

The events for Friday were at the NCM Motorsports Park. Participants were able to drive the Touring Laps and the TrackX laps. A good day was had by all. Everyone I talked to got to had a got to drive as many laps as they wanted and had a good time.

Here is a nice view of the NCM from the Motorsports Park:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0217.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0217.jpg.html)


Staging for a run:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0178.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0178.jpg.html)

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0168.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0168.jpg.html)


The Touring Laps were a lot of fun and were very instructional for learning the basics of track driving. A group of about six cars followed a "guide car". As the day progressed, the lead car would increase lap speed as long as all of the cars in the group stayed together and drove safely. These were not parade laps.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2013%2015%2039%2049.jpeg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/File%20May%2013%2015%2039%2049.jpeg.html)


There were some impressive Corvettes running today:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0184.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0184.jpg.html)


In the afternoon, the program shifted to "TrackX", which consisted of one car at a time on a portion of the main track, going as fast as the driver skill allowed.

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0200.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0200.jpg.html)


more to follow.....

[QB93Z]

During the TrackX, the access to track was amazing. We were allowed to view the cars from the platforms and even from the Starters stand:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0224_1.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0224_1.jpg.html)


Cars staged for the TrackX runs:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0231.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0231.jpg.html)


View from the Starters Stand:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0221.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0221.jpg.html)

An artsy shot, Lyndi would be proud. See Glenn's C7 Z06 in the reflection:

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/QB93Z/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0244_1.jpg (http://s407.photobucket.com/user/QB93Z/media/Mountain%20Run%204/DSC_0244_1.jpg.html)

Jim

[G-Sting]

Looks like a great day. Thanks for posting the excellent pics and for the narrative.:iroc:

[JimZRyd]

Man I hate I had to miss it this year! Glad you guys are having a blast! Thanks for sharing the pics!

[RussMcB]

I found some photos of us on The Dragon.

We had two groups at different times, so you may need to do some searching to find your group.

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=9821093&g=04RK02OZ02

http://xtremesportsphotography.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=9822036&g=0QAK02A70B

http://store.129slayer.com/ (11:08 AM & 11:42 AM)

http://moonshinephoto.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=9821892&g=0CVY01D703

http://dp1ue7sx944ra.cloudfront.net/large_thumbs/thumb_1462921857WILN2420.JPG

[Paul Workman]

A couple more memories from MR4...

Jim Voter's fuel pump acting up (again). Turns out to be the bulkhead connector inside the tank on the pump assembly.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/misc/Jims%20fuel%20pump_zpsqcem8zgp.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/misc/Jims%20fuel%20pump_zpsqcem8zgp.jpg.html)

And, (Jim V, our "tail gunner") gracing a waterfall

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/misc/jim%20voter%20n%20waterfall_zpsbvbxsxnf.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/misc/jim%20voter%20n%20waterfall_zpsbvbxsxnf.jpg.html)

A couple more. This one from (obviously) "The Dragon".

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/2016%20MR4%20the%20Dragon%203%2050%20percent_zpsq0 5iukct.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/2016%20MR4%20the%20Dragon%203%2050%20percent_zpsq0 5iukct.jpg.html)

And, at the bottom of the run is Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort where the infamous "Tree of Shame" stands, adorned with crash parts from cars and motorcycles claimed by the Dragon.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/treeofshame_zpsszo8mh5f.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/treeofshame_zpsszo8mh5f.jpg.html)

[RussMcB]

Thanks, Paul.Jim Voter's fuel pump acting up (again). Turns out to be the bulkhead connector inside the tank on the pump assembly. I had forgotten, but after reading this I remembered that I also had a problem with my bulkhead connector. I ended up making a new hole and running new wires through it (well protected, of course).

I had a great time at MR4, didn't go on to BG but I will in 2017, for sure.

I haven't heard, but I assume the Sinkhole Exhibit was good, interesting?