St. Thomas Plant Tour

[Cooper]

He's still working on it, but Dave's webpage for the STAP 2004 trip went on line tonight.

STAP 2004 TRIP

[TripleG]

Dave Taylor just gave me a bit more info on STAP 2004.

His group leaves MA on Thursday, June 24 (8:30 am) and arrives St Thomas that evening. The plant tour (18 yr old min) is Friday, June 25, 9:30 am. He said the dragstrip will be open to us Friday afternoon and through until 10pm. It will also be open for us Saturday evening as well (don't know times yet).

The Best Western has a special rate for STAP attendees.

-He added that the border crossing knows they are coming, as do the OPP! Maybe they get an escort!

I have asked what their route is, so that people along the way would have an opportunity to join up if they wanted. I'm assuming he crosses at Buffalo/Ft Erie or Niagara Falls ON/NY, but don't know if they take the QEW/403/401 (past Hamilton) or something like Highway 3, which goes more directly west and eventually takes you right into St Thomas.

As I've mentioned before, I am suggesting that any members who would like to are welcome to meet at my office in Brampton (near Toronto). There are lots of places to eat in the area and it would give people a chance to stretch their legs. Plus it would give us a opportunity to muster a convoy! If this sounds useful, someone please second it; then I can stop saying could/should! I would be happy to keep track of who is coming through/to Brampton.

One more thing- last years STAP website mentioned everyone in the convoy having an FRS radio to keep everyone in contact. When Dave gets the site up, all this info will be there, plus local maps etc. etc.

Further details as this story develops

This sounds like a great time. Love to do a few 1/4 miles. I'll be coming in from CT.

[Haggis]

Chris and I are planning on being part of the Canadian Invasion in June, are there any more from the D.C. area that would like to hook up. We can then meet up with th people from Pa. and then meet the rest at the border. Do you think we will worry the Customs agents if we get 20 to 50 or more Marauders rolling across the border?

Does anyone know when we need to start making reservations for this and who do we need to contact for hotels and tour?

[Dr Caleb]

Do you think we will worry the Customs agents if we get 20 to 50 or more Marauders rolling across the border?

So long as you don't plan on the traditional role of the "Marauder" and refrain from plundering and pillaging, I think it'll be stupid with them.

[Cooper]

Do you think we will worry the Customs agents if we get 20 to 50 or more Marauders rolling across the border?

Does anyone know when we need to start making reservations for this and who do we need to contact for hotels and tour?

Haggis: Not to worry. It is actually an advantage for a large group to arrive together. Customs will be expecting us. One of the guys who reaches customs first tells the agent that we are a convoy all traveling together. Drivers and occupants of each car are questioned briefly and allowed to cross. I think due to the conspicuously large size of the group, the fact that Customs has advanced notice that we are coming, and they already know what our purpose is for entering Canada- it makes the border crossing flow quite smoothly.

As far as hotel reservations are concerned- the sooner you make them the better. (If necessary, you can even cancel your reservation on arrival day).
Here's a link directly to the hotel we'll be staying at and you can book your reservations on line...
Best Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Center- London, Ontario

[MapleLeafMerc]

Thanks for the info Cooper!

[Haggis]

So long as you don't plan on the traditional role of the "Marauder" and refrain from plundering and pillaging, I think it'll be stupid with them.

Man, you take all the fun out of it. I don't get to many chances to paint tatoos on my face, wear my kilt and wave my basket hilt around anymore since I got married. It will also be the first time I will enter Canada legally.


Thanks Cooper, who me worry nah. Was J/K.

[schuvwj]

Cooper when you get in the plant please watch for the person who is installing the trany snap rings for the clutch pack. Be sure to tell him we sure appreciate his inability to properly assemble our transmissions!

If your lucky you'll see the Assembly Line Processor during your tour. Thank him as well because he developed the inadequate assembly process which caused the assembley dammage.

I'm sure both of them will be at the coffee machine.

Sorry just venting!

[jgc61sr2002]

Cooper when you get in the plant please watch for the person who is installing the trany snap rings for the clutch pack. Be sure to tell him we sure appreciate his inability to properly assemble our transmissions!

If your lucky you'll see the Assembly Line Processor during your tour. Thank him as well because he developed the inadequate assembly process which caused the assembley dammage.

I'm sure both of them will be at the coffee machine.

Sorry just venting!

I believe the transmissions are built at another facility and are installed as a completed unit.

[Cooper]

I believe the transmissions are built at another facility and are installed as a completed unit.

That is correct. The engines and trannys are already built before they arrive at the plant. Parts come into the plant by truck or rail. (There are actually train tracks and box cars inside the building. The people (and robots) assemble the parts into a car.

[MapleLeafMerc]

Just made my room res at the Stoneridge Inn in London, ON. Group rate is $79.00/night Cdn (about $62 US). They only have a few rooms booked so far but I'm sure that will change.

Their phone is 519-652-6022 or 888--471-2378.

[STAPrap]

I think all you guys should go regardless of which site you prefer to be a member of.I belong to both myself because I can learn a lot about the "Panther" platform.
Anyway,cheers boys and enjoy those cars of yours...

DD

[MERCMAN]

Just a note to anybody planning to go up into the North land, get with your insurance agent and get a "Canadian" insurance card. Your standard U.S. policy card isn't good enough if your stopped by Canadians finest.

Got my policy renewal in the mail today here is the 411 on insurance

"If you are planning a trip to Canada and will be driving while in Canada, please note that Canadian law requires you to carry a Canada Non-Resident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance card as proof of insurance"

That is taken off of my policy renewal statement from Prudential.

Just thought I would post that for those going to the STAP event from the US

[MapleLeafMerc]

Got my policy renewal in the mail today here is the 411 on insurance

"If you are planning a trip to Canada and will be driving while in Canada, please note that Canadian law requires you to carry a Canada Non-Resident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance card as proof of insurance"

That is taken off of my policy renewal statement from Prudential.

Just thought I would post that for those going to the STAP event from the US

Thank you for the info, mercman. It sounds like our bureaucrats "going for the gold" again.

[Haggis]

Got my policy renewal in the mail today here is the 411 on insurance

"If you are planning a trip to Canada and will be driving while in Canada, please note that Canadian law requires you to carry a Canada Non-Resident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance card as proof of insurance"

That is taken off of my policy renewal statement from Prudential.

Just thought I would post that for those going to the STAP event from the US

Thanks for the info, Mercman, I will be sure to contact my Insurance Agent before I leave.

MapleLeafMerc, I like your Avatar.