My take on SSHS5

[Tallboy]

Wow! Where do I begin?

Shakes_26 and I left my house in his car Friday morning. The drive to Atlanta was smooth until we got to, well, Atlanta. Massive traffic there-12 lanes of it in some spots. We arrived at the hotel around 6PM.

After checking in, it was out to the parking lot to bolt on the Nittos and crack a few cold ones. The parking lot quickly filled up and all of a sudden it's a party! We were out there until midnight hanging out with the Impala guys [I'll get to them in a minute.]

Saturday morning came quick and we grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the track, about a mile away. 49 degrees and clear. Perfect! Shakes tech'ed in and we pulled up next to the other Marauders.

This was my favorite part-getting to meet all the people I already felt I knew, and seeing some old friends again. I truly enjoyed talking with Marauderman, TAF [you are one class act, my friend], Marauderchick [love ya!], Martyo, Donny Carlson [the man himself!], Preacherman, Paul Casey, Johnfain, Glassman, and all the others I just can't seem to remember right now.

Marty-I was proud to be standing next to you on those world-record-setting runs. I enjoyed meeting you, and we'll get together next time I'm in Connecticut. We'll meet at Billy's house!

Fordnut-your car is gorgeous! I really enjoyed talking to you and watching you race. Your car is one of the best-executed and well thought out machines I've ever seen, and I raise my glass to you.

MarauderTJA-Tom, you were the guy we hung our hat on today. Your car ran great, you supplied us all race t-shirts and wouldn't take a nickel for them. You made it to the semi-finals and really shook those Impala boys up. Thank you again for your leadership and support. I am proud to call you my friend.

Let me tell ya, folks. We all owe a big thank-you to the ProCharger guys, Marty, Tom, Lou, and Brian. When the chips were down you guys flew the MM banner high, and represented our community with Power, Style, and respect. I cannot say enough about your performance this weekend. Noone was cheering you guys on harder than I. Thank you.

Smokie-thank you for spending so much time with me on Saturday. Knocking back the cold ones with you in the parking lot was the highlight of the night. Let's do it again, soon.

Last, but by no means least, the Impala guys. My God, they were AWESOME! We were treated very well by these guys. There's no attitudes or hatred here. These guys are a blast to hang with and are truly on the same page we are. I made a ton of new friends, all of 'em driving Chevys. This was a first class event at the nicest racing facility I've ever seen. Next time you see an SS on the road, give him a thumbs up. And, let's get even more Marauders out there next year! I simply cannot convey how much fun I had, or how well we [as a group] were treated...

[Smokie]

It was a great event, and the parking lot Sat. night was the most fun I had...thanks for the cold one....see you soon.

[Paul T. Casey]

What he said and then some! This is my favorite event. Atlanta Dragway isn't that far from a lot of people here on the site either. I made Lexington VA today, via I-26 to I-81 in 7 hours and one tank of gas at the speed limit (plus or minus 5 mph). I-77 to I 85 is even quicker I think. What I'm trying to say is there is NO excuse for more of us to make it next year (provided they run it again, and it looks good for that). Take out your compass and your atlas. Put the pointy end in Commerce GA and the pencil end on Lexington VA (it's where I-64 and I-81 intersect). Draw a circle. If you're within that circle, I don't want to hear any excuses why you can't attend. * hours tops, and in a Marauder, that's a pleasure. As for all those I met for the first time, and those old friends whom I saw again, THANKS. What a blast!

[martyo]

You guys all rock!

[qkjuicedpony]

it was good to meet those of you that i got to meet.......i was one of martys drunken friends on friday night and i am the driver of the tow rig

[FordNut]

It was really great to meet y'all. Thanks a bunch for driving up.
The no-shows don't know what they missed!

[martyo]

i am one of marty's good friends and I am the driver of the tow rig

There. I fixed it for you Brian.

[TAF]

TAF [you are one class act, my friend]

No truer words have ever been written here..... :D :P :cool:


Now I don't care who are...that right there is funny^^^^^^

[MarauderTJA]

Yes, it was great time:banana2: You guys really missed out. We all had an incredible time. One of the best events I have been to yet. A record setting Marauder run, new friendships, friends from Florida and beyond and it was a pleasure to put a face with screen names. All you guys and gals (MarauderChick your a sweetheart) showed the Impala group we were a fun group and truly love our Marauders. We had 13 Marauders represented and all of them seriously impressed the Impala boys. They too had some really impressive cars well worth, seeing, hearing and racing. Overall, the Impala SS guys treated us all with respect as we did them. After talking to Norm (GASSIT President) we will be discussing combining our resources to have a Marauder & Impala SS Super Heavy Weight Shootout 6 next year at Atlanta Drag Way. Hopefully it will happen.

Chuck and Mark, saw you guys wave and blast by us on I-75 late this afternoon. Car sounded sweet Mark. And Chuck thanks for your continued support. Also, any of you that were present that have the event on video or pictures, please put it on a disc and get me a copy. I didn't get a chance to get my own video due to the fact I was having too much fun racing. I would be happy to cover the postage. PM me for my address. Thanks.

Tom, Cape Coral, Florida

[caSSino]

Had a great time at the Shootout it was great meeting and hanging out with you guys at the track and in the parking lot at night.:beer:

You Mercury guys just keep getting faster and faster, congrats on the new record and hope to see more of you guys there next year.:)

Quote from the original SSHS5 thread.

[martyo]

Any of you that were present that have the event on video or pictures, please put it on a disc and get me a copy. I didn't get a chance to get my own video due to the fact I was having too much fun racing. I would be happy to cover the postage. PM me for my address. Thanks.

I would like the same also.

TAF usually gets me video of my car but he was so busy hot lapping and grinning he didn't get a chance. 27 laps, good grief! :D

[mcb26]

Had a great time, turns out I could have stayed:( . The situation I had to get back to take care of took care of itself before I got there. Good thing otherwise I would probally had to use my get out of jail free card.:rolleyes:
Good to meet ya'll anyway.

[maraudernkc]

It sounds like this was a very good meet for all that were in attendance. Thanks to all that were there and represented our great Marauder club.:beer:

[tmac1337]

Great write up chuck!

Wish I could have been there. Haven't had a day off yet since before the storm.

[LeadSSled]

I want to personally thank all of the Marauder folks for coming out to the event. This is NOT an "Impala Event"; it is a "Big Car Event" and it is as much your event as ours. I hope that we made you feel welcome and at home.

It was a great privledge to meet all of you. I knew that you would come with quality equipment and was not disappointed - your cars are beautiful. I also knew that you would come ready to race, and you certainly did. You folks have come a long way in such a short time with this platform. The only thing that was a real unkown to me was: "Do these guys and gals know how how to party." Well, it didn't take very long to put those fears to rest. I'd share a cold one with any one of you anytime at all - what a great bunch of people.

Before this event, I just couldn't imagine that GASSIT would do another one of these because it is so much work and after 4 years we are rather fatigued. But it's looking pretty good for SSHS6 right now. We broke even on this event due to a strong gate showing. Track management has changed and has offerred to help us manage the event and promote it better if we do it next year. And the AWESOME Marauder community has told us that they want to step up and help pull the next event together. With this scenario, it can only get bigger and better. I am excited about next year and excited about my new Marauder friends. I hope you bring 50 or more cars with you next year. I'd hang out with you folks any time.:up:

Terry Kehne
Knoxville, TN