Homecoming diary: Saturday, the rather longer day. (archive)

I had, dutifully, set the alarm for 4:30. I woke up at 7, and said one very, very bad word. Cars had already been lining up for the panoramic for half an hour. But it was hardly a lovely morning for photographs.

So we lined up for the tech tent. We weren't the first in line, by a lot.	We weren't the last in line, by a lot.

Eventaully, however, we got frustrated and lined up for the panoramic photo. I wandered around the vendor tents, dripping like a wet muskrat. I eventually retired to the Zentrum, where I broke down and ordered a latte. As simple an order as I could. I ordered it again. And clarified. And again. They are apprantly not used to people ordering lattes. I finally got one, that wasn't too far from what I had ordered, and it... wasn't bad. I consoled myself with that while I streamed the water off in the cafe.
And it was, of course, at this point that Rachel decided on her Big Photo Op. But that's her story to tell and pictures to show. Rachel - you haven't had a real latte yet. Come over to my place and I'll make you one.

Just in time for the panormaic photo, the rain eased up - a little. People started to frantically chamois off their cars and take off their rain gear. Vince_Tampa and his companion win the prize for most noticeable shirts. I vote this one for most noticeable car - the turquoise veggieZ (veggies unite!).

The performace driving event was right after the panormaic photo. And that was a blast. First up was a slalom course, where the instructor threatened $10 per hit cone. We had to pull over due to low fuel, and when we looked up someone owed him $30.

The next event - autocross. This was faster and more fun. No cone hits, but a green M hit a little grass.

The last event was the skid pad, a bit of a BMW ad for DSC. The drivers abandoned their own cars, slipped behind the wheels of 330s, and took a spin around a very wet polished concrete surface. Starting at 30 and going up from there.

The first run was with DSC off; that's where the skids and offroading began, and for one person, a complete 360. Then the same with DSC on, and it made a huge difference. So I believe it can clearly be said, in the debate on DSC off or on, that if you are an everyday driver and want to go around a tight circles on a polished concrete surface with sprinklers going, at speeds in excess of 40mph, DSC should be on.

After the performance event, a refuel and a return to the Zentrum and a much shorter wait for the tech tent. The techs are marvelous. They bring around hammers with which to de-ding, a load of paint for touch-up, buffers and polishers, and a massive amount of skill.

They fixed both loose door panels, a missing handle, a loose air vent, a loose speaker, diagnosed an odd trunk noise, and... demurred on the hood. They also fixed a wrong-size nut that had been forcefully drilled in by a previous owner to keep the driver's side gill in place. Cars came in all day to get paint chips, dings, leaky tops, and myriad other problems ameliorated. The techs usually work on cars coming off of the line; their work that day was entirely volunteer, and a fabulous job. Folk who left the tent were gushing with praise.

As we left, right after the coupe group photo, the sun came out and the weather turned beautiful. I suddenly noticed that the grounds of the Zentrum are lovely. Too bad it was overcast for the panormaic photo, but I won't complain about good weather, however inopportune the timing.

Later that evening was the big awards banquet. Just before then, the alarm went off. Yup - I had set it for 4:30 pm.
Our group took off for the plant early - which was good. I turned around after waiting at the doors to see this behind me. I had this eerie feeling that when the door opened they would thunder over me and leave me flattened.

But the spread was good, with plenty of lines (unlike the night before, which had too few lines and too much of a line at each one).	They had obviously spent some time and effort on the decor, including this siezure-inducing lighted display.

The tables came equipped with party hats and niosemakers. My dinner comapnions tried to make me festive.	But no one can beat Arnie. Under 'festive', m-w.com has put "see Arnie".

Arnie, by the way, is the third fastest man at HC 2001. At least, that's what the plaque he won said.	Congrats to the first, second, and third placers in men's and women's autocross, and the runners of RC Z3s, all of whom will be mentioned by those who were taking notes.

Denise... Zoom and GormZ3 tied for most recent Z3 bought; a gentleman with a '96 Z3 with... was it 143,000 miles??? won for highest mileage. Hands down. Congratulations for keeping that baby running so long and driving so much. The longest ride to HC is officially from Vermont.

A very amusing speaker was the guest, Mr. Doubletalk, who is a Z3 owner, and showed some hilarious videos of interviews with prominent members of the Z3CCA, and a great one with TimUK.

We were all given chocolate Z3s and sent home. I ate the trunk and engine; I'll bring it to the tech tent next year. The pacific NWers got together under a Z3 that hangs in the plant for a farewell (until the Fall Color Drive) photo.

The CD swap was concluded at the evening's pool party.

I stayed up late talking and managing to not fall into the pool; a rather frantic attempt to catch up with new friends and promise to keep in touch until the next year. Then, off to bed, exhausted, for the trip home the next day...

Follow Ups:

Great Pics! Peter A. 23:59 9/02/2001 (0)

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