Datsun Matsuri 2012 - Be There! May 19-20

[Datsun.David]

A bunch of guys from the Calgary Z Club go to Knox every year. Makes good sense to me! Then, maybe I could convince my wife to drive the 260Z, while I drive the roadster... Can still be a little chilly... Sunshine Village Ski Area in Banff is still wide open that weekend. That could be the only potential downside... Getting across the pass could be sketchy...

[DatsunDave]

A bunch of guys from the Calgary Z Club go to Knox every year. Makes good sense to me! Then, maybe I could convince my wife to drive the 260Z, while I drive the roadster... Can still be a little chilly... Sunshine Village Ski Area in Banff is still wide open that weekend. That could be the only potential downside... Getting across the pass could be sketchy...

You must know Jim Karst then.

Anyway, I've driven to Vancover in my roadster on that weekend a few times so no need to worry. If my uncle can do it in his Lotus Super 7 we can survive.

[JMartin]

I can look into booking some spots at a campground in Armstrong, (which is 1 1/2 hours from Knox Mountain in Kelowna) for the May long weekend if some people are interested. Not sure what the roads will be like in Alberta....but in Calgary the weather changes every day, so you never know I've seen it snow there in July!
Lots of good Roadster runs in the Okanagan such as Silver Star (Vernon), Westside road (Kelowna to Vernon), a longer drive would be Vernon to Kamloops to Merrit to Kelowna to Vernon (lots of mountains, and a good 5 - 6 hour round trip!) Plenty of wine tours, but then I couldn't drive, and what's the fun in that.
I can look into the Know Mountain show and shine, unless someone is closer to Kelowna, or has connections to the race already.

[Datsun.David]

I'm game. We'll make Jim drive out front in his orange 240 and he can catch the gravel off the semi's! Jim is a great friend and has helped me immeasurably over the years. His garage is a dedicated shrine to Datsun resuscitation... My old 69 Roadster was the first (and he says last) roadster that he will ever work on... This spring we'll see about that... I think I can get him to buy one...

[DatsunDave]

I've edited the first post, i,.e., Date and Location confirmed. Now we can focus in on the details of the plan.

[garth]

Good choice of location and date! I look forward to having the roadster completed and completing its first long run.
BTW. The last time I went to the Knox Hill climb was in 1972 and I drove my first roadster! Should be fun.

[JMartin]

Just so Dave has an idea of how many people are interested, could we get a rough idea so we know if we are planning a gathering for 5 cars or 50? I would be willing to work with anyone in BC/Alberta to help organize some things. Does anyone on this list race the Knox Mountain Hill Climb? How about anyone with a friend who does? They might have some leeds on a show and shine event going on at the same time for non-racers.

[DatsunDave]

There is a show right at the base of Knox Mountain. . Once we have a general idea of how many participants we can let the Knox Mountain Hill Climb organizers know to expect us and ensure there is room.

[Datsun.David]

I will send an email to the Calgary Z Club and let Jim (Presidente) know we are planning to follow him out...

My wife just said I have to bring the kids too... Good news is I have relatives in Vernon who will be ecstatic to see my wife and the girls... I can sleep in the Roadster if I have to...

dw

[DatsunDave]

Tell Jim I said hi and to check his email

[Gregs672000]

I would be interested in exploring Canada! I would ask however that you plan it during your best weather time... a Roadster meet in the rain is just not as much fun, especially in my leaky car! I think I've had the top up maybe 4 times in the past 15yrs...

[Daryl Smith]

Count me in. I've been through most of the province, but never to Knox Mountain.
As much as I enjoyed the Classic Car Adventure a few years ago, I'm more interested in a roadster/Datsun meet in the interior of BC. Some really great roads to drive!

Plan to bring your cameras folks!

[DatsunDave]

I would be interested in exploring Canada! I would ask however that you plan it during your best weather time... a Roadster meet in the rain is just not as much fun, especially in my leaky car! I think I've had the top up maybe 4 times in the past 15yrs...

Rain is definitely not a normal problem in the Okanagan and May is generally a bit more pleasant for non a/c cars in the Okanagan. It can be very Phoenix-like there in "best weather time".

[DatsunDave]

For those of you who are "in" for this event who also know of others who may be interested maybe suggest to them that they express interest here in this thread or you do so on their behalf if they don't visit this forum? I sort of need a better idea of the kind of participation we may get so I can plan accordingly. Example, I've contacted Kelowna Tourism to help with rooms but don't have a hot clue how many people to plan for or what participants' expectations for accommodation may be (type, quality, price) I don't know if people prefer to camp so they can sleep next to their car with one ear open, want five star hotels, basic hotel, motel, local hostel or???

I had sort of thought about a block booking of a mid priced motel with a central parking lot so all the cars are theoretically watched over by the whole group and there is the added benefit of a built in car show and meet right in the parking lot when people are there.

I want to keep this simple and just give people some options for self booking but I need some input.

Regardless, this is Kelowna on a long weekend with a lot of racers in town so booking early is wise.

[pebbles]

Hill climb? RV parK? Sounds like an adventure. I may have Andy roadworthy in 3 months, (thought I would be done by now) . Setting a goal anyway. I also would like to see Ross for some stuff and also see "the glacier".