MAZOC 2011 ZdayZ Caravan Thread - Register Here!!!
 

Fellow Mid-A'ers...

If you are participating in the Caravan down to ZDayZ from the NOVA Starbucks meetup spot, please fill out the following form to register:

2011 Mid-Atlantic 370Z Owner's Club ZDayZ Caravan Registration Form

Registration CLOSES at the end of the day Wednesday 5/11!!!
Jon and Pat have graciously decided to provide dinner for the group on Wednesday when we arrive at Fontana Village, so registration for the cruise will close a week prior so they have an accurate headcount.

I'll update this post with the list of participants and will add other Caravan details over the weekend, but for now, get registered!

:tup:

Speed Limits!!!
I think I speak for all of us when I say that, as a group, we take pride in knowing that we aren't viewed as four-wheeled hooligans because we respect the law and conduct ourselves in a mature and civilized matter. Be it at our weekly Starbucks meets, our dinner events like GB Annapolis, or any other random events we may have, we always conduct ourselves in a way that reflects positively on the group. This cruise will be no different.

As nice at it might be to fly down Highway 81 at high speed, we will be obeying all posted limits (we average around 5 over) and respecting the rule of law. The highways we will be travelling are very highly policed, and as a group of hot sports cars we will be attracting a lot of attention. So, we'll take it slow and enjoy the drive. 81 is a fast highway, and we'll probably be passed by numerous speeders, but relax and enjoy the scenery (it's a beautiful drive) and we'll all make it to the Resort in one piece!

A few key points to consider (AKA Cruise Rules and Guidelines):

• Speeds over 80 mph in Virginia are considered reckless driving and the fines are quite high
• We will maintain a safe following distance between the cars ahead of us (don't ride on anyone's ***)
• The group will stay in a single line formation in either the right or center lane while cruising. The only time we will use the left lane is when passing. Please don't pass within the group.
• If you get separated or someone not involved in the cruise gets in line, don't worry about it. Don't drive aggressively to get around them or re-unite with the group. This is what radios are for.
• If a faster vehicle is approaching to pass the group, the "tail end Charlie" (Sscottfitz) will inform the group.
• If the group is approaching a slower vehicle the cruise leader (either myself or tooohip) will inform the group.
• NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING!!! Have at it on the dragon but not during the caravan.

Lastly, if you aren't willing to adhere to the cruise rules no one is forcing you to cruise with us. If you are planning on driving like a tool we don't want you in our group... plain and simple.

Thanks for your cooperation! And now, on to the details of the cruise:


Caravan Details

Where: We will meet at the Fair Lakes Starbucks (our Saturday meeting spot)

When: Everyone should shoot on arriving between 5:30AM and 5:45 AM on Wednesday, May 18th. We will start the Caravan to ZDayZ at approximately 6AM.

The Route: ZDAYZ Caravan Route - Google Maps

Last year we took a revised route that involved exiting I-81 and taking Route 11 through Bristol by the NASCAR speedway. This involved a number of stop lights and made it difficult to keep the group together, so this year we will be continuing down 81 South and take I-26/US-23 to Asheville instead of Route 11. This should be a quicker and easier route.

I will post up more details on where we will likely be stopping along the way. Based on last year's cruise we stopped at the Cracker Barrell in Christiansburg, VA for an early lunch (we will probably do this again) and another 2-3 times to rest and fuel up.

Food/Drink Situation

As those of you who attented ZDayZ last year remember, the MAZOC crew stuck together for almost the entire event. Whether we were out driving the Dragon, lounging at the Wilwood grill, or kicking back some cold ones at Jon's cabin we spent a lot of time together! I suspect this year will be no different, so I figured it would be a good idea to address the food and drink situation.

This year Jon and Pat have graciously decided to bring a portable grill and have offered to provide a steak and baked potato dinner on Wednesday evening when we arrive at the resort. Thanks guys :tup:

For the remaining lunches and dinners I believe it would be best that each individual in the group be responsible for providing their own food to grill. Banquet dinners will be provided by the ZDayZ staff on Friday and Saturday nights, so we'll be responsible for our own dinners on Thursday, and lunch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I figure we'll eat at the Wilwood grill at some point, but maybe not for every meal like last year. :icon17:

So, if you plan on grilling out with the group be sure to bring enough food for the long weekend. Hotdogs, hamburgers, buns, chicken, whatever you want to cook. Also, if anyone else has a portable grill that they could bring let us know. It might be good to have two grills if possible instead of one.

Also, bring beer. You don't want to not bring beer!!!

Other stuff you probably want to bring

Obviously space is limited in our Z's (and even our G's and 5.0s to a certain extent) so we need to be very space concious when we pack. I figured it might be a good idea to bring up some things that you definitely want to bring with you:

• Fold-out chair(s) - otherwise you'll have no where to sit on the porch!
• Bug spray (and bear spray if you are worried about that :stirthepot:)
• Flashlight - it gets DARK at night
• Rain gear... umbrellas, ponchos, whatever
• A few extra quarts of oil!!! - The VQs have a tendency to burn oil so you want to have a couple-few quarts on hand just in case!
• Spare tire or tire repair kit
• Basic/common hand tools to your vehicle just in case you need to do anything mechanical
• First aid kit
• Bottled water & snacks to keep in your car

If anyone has anything else that one could easily forget to pack let me know and I'll put it on the list. Of course, if you happen to drive one blue Maxima, space is unlimited.

Keep an eye on this thread, guys, as I'll be updating it frequently!

Counting down the days... :excited:

I would love to do this, but I will leave a day early again if I do the airstrip event. Anyone else going to that?

I love your Avatar.. thats bad*ss!

No this year. But it sounds like a lot of fun :tup:

Thought we WERE leaving a day earlier than last year -- we're headed down on Wednesday (18th) right? Airport event is on Thursday?

Yeah, we are leaving on Wednesday. Not sure when the airport event is.

hmmmm

For some reason I think it is on Thursday, but I checked the ZDayZ web site and they still don't have a detailed events agenda posted.

Guys, I just updated the main post. Please Register for the cruise using the web form if you are attending. This is very helpful for organizing the cruise.

Also, keep a close eye on this thread as I will be updating it frequently. I am going to make a few tweaks to the route from last year so definitely keep an eye open for that.

Just registered. I dont mind keeping it slow. With these gas prices my whole budget is going on gas. Ummm, exact address for the meet????


NeverMind... Just clicked the google map.. Cant wait to meet you guys. Whats everyones names? So I dont pull up be like "hay mustang?" LOL... I'm Jared.

MAZOC Caravan to ZDayZ 2010 - Rest Stop #1
 

......as I recall we were in and out of fog during the initial part of the trip down to ZDayZ 2010...

The airstrip is on Thursday. I head out Wednesday morning and stay the night in Hendersonville, NC just outside the airstrip as do several of the other guys. We have breakfast then caravan over to the event, race all afternoon, then caravan into Fontana.

Signed up...

who has TONY!!! in their car???

We are leaving on Wednesday morning so feel free to cruise on down with us and break off whenever you need to. :tup:

sign me up

you will be using your cruise control right???

Wanted to Kill Al on the cruise last weekend...

65, 72, 63, 71, 60,

I personally want 70,70,70,70,70 till we get there.....

Yes! I set cruise control.

Though it seems like once you're the 4th car back or so you still have to make some speed adjustments.

memememememememe

I'm in! If Kirk doesn't kill me first:D

Al, make sure you fill out the web registration form! :hello:

:icon18: Except VA, then its just 65, 65 , 65, 65... last year that was the only state that seemed to be actively looking for us rolling down 81 :shakes head:

Most of 81 is all 70mph speed limits as of 1-Jan-2011. So 75-77mph, we should be safe :tup:

Yep, outside of the metropolitan areas they have increased the speed limits to 70 mph in VA. However I would like to keep the speeds to 75 at most. Like last year, chances are it's going to be another Highway Safety weekend (I think they do this for the weekend before, of, and after Memorial Day) so there will be a higher than normal LEO presence. So we definitely don't want to be doing anything to attract any more attention to the group than necessary.

I also noticed on 23/26 through the mountain pass there were a lot of units there on the downgrades. Now, the speed limits through the mountain pass are around 60 MPH, so it's easy to speed especially when you're going down a 7% grade for a mile... and they will probably tag you for 5 over.

So we'll just take it easy and reserve the fun stuff for Thursday. :)

Works for Me....
:driving:

I had some trouble filling it out. Why did you need my blood type, number of available kidneys, susceptibility to chloroform, and the going rate of internal organs on the black market?

Well, I needed it so we can choose the most valuable person to sell and cover our gas expenses I can get everyone on an e-mail list, have an accurate head count, and have an emergency contact number in case something should happen on the cruise. :hello:

Wasn't planning on going...since I'm driving to Maine that next Thursday...but now I want to go. Wonder if it's sold out?? Hrmmm...

Yes I'm alive!

DO IT!!! They might still have some lodge rooms available. Jus tkeep in mind we're leaving a day early this year... Wednesday instead of Thursday! :tup:

Driving down won't be a problem. It's coming back when they might do operation saturation! ;-) I was 5 MPH over on the way back last year and got pulled over, however the reason they pulled me over was tint.

This is true. But the always have a solid presense on 81 weekend or not. Coming back it seemed like they had an officer posted every mile or two, it was insane!

I made my 149 dollar donation to the North Carolina highway patrol last year :ugh2:

Rick, where the heck you been man? Glad to see you'll be joining us!

As the "tail end Charley" for last years trip, although Mustang did a great job of keeping the speed up front steady, it is impossible if you are in the rear to keep a steady speed -- between the traffic (especially the big rigs), lane changes, construction zones, yada, yada, yada, the farther you are in the back, the more dynamic the speed changes -- no problems, still a great CruiZ

Deb and I will gladly do the tail end Charley thingee again this year -- got the long range radios on order, should be here later this week -- will put one in the front and one in the rear -- plan to use our NASCAR headsets with Mic's this year to counter the "wind noise"...

Should be a GREAT CruiZ and trip!

Which radios did you order?

K

Names of people going??? I'm Jared, I never met any of you guys since I live a million miles away in NY. I dont want to pull up and call everyone by there username LOL.

Ordered the Motorola MR350R's (~$50 on Amazon for a pair) -- they are advertised at a 35 Mile range (I suspect ACTUAL is a little less) -- not only for the Caravan down, but we found the radios useful in the Village which has pretty poor to non-existent Mobile Phone coverage, although I think I heard they'd improved their Verizon coverage.....

Amazon.com: Motorola MR350R 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair): Electronics

Haha I'm Steve. Do we need to wear name tags for the cruise? :p

Jared I added names to the registration list for you :tup:

Yes, radios made the trip. We put them to great use on the road and at the resort to figure out where everybody was. Everyone gets assigned a callsign, too, which can be embarassing when you are walking through a group of people and all of a sudden you hear over the radio "Hoser to Pornstar! Where you at?" :bowrofl: