Datsun Matsuri 2012 - Be There! May 19-20

[DatsunDave]

Alright everyone, the time has come. After a lot of work on sponsorships, T-shirt designs, registration systems, web sites and so on... REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! Woohoo.

Registration is 20 bucks if you get on it and register now. I really don't want to charge a higher fee if you register late but there are lots of preparations to take care of so the sooner people register the easier it is for me and our sponsors.

http://www.myautoproject.com/datsun-mat ... istration/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ted heaton]

Just Registered!

Ted.

[DatsunDave]

Got it!

6 people registered in the first 10 minutes. Can't wait to see you all there.
Be sure to "bug" all your Datsun friends in the area to participate.

Already a few from your area so as registration builds we'll coordinate some convoys / caravans for the drive in.

[Datsun.David]

I am in. Hope to have the solex carbs installed in time...

Way to go Dave! Looks top notch all around.

dw

[DatsunDave]

Thanks David. Hope you get those carbs installed. I hope I get mey ENGINE installed.

Dave

[DatsunDave]

Another update for those of you who may not have noticed it on the site yesterday with the launch of registration, the "Twisties Tour" component of the event has been confirmed. We've got a couple of wonderful routes for participants to choose from. They are off the beaten path, are fantastic for little sports cars, and have incredible vistas (but keep your eyes on the road).

I've designed these to allow the full group to enjoy the first leg of the drive together on Westside Road (west side of Lake Okanagan). From there, those who want just a short run can return to Kelowna along the east side of Lake Okanagan. Those wanting a little bit of a longer run and some different scenery will continue up through ranch country for more fun and a lunch stop before heading back.

To get a sense of the routes, you can click on the google map links that are included in the write up and then look at the street view.

Here is the announcement: http://www.myautoproject.com/datsun-mat ... confirmed/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ted heaton]

The tour routes look great, complete with blue sky, BUT SLOW.
A quick calculation of the average speed for the long tour route (216 km - 4 hr 46 mins.) is @45kph!.
Converts for us stateside metric challenged drivers to @28mph.!!
I heard that you Canucks are SLOW drivers but this slow?!
Either the roads are VERY twisty, you all have too many speeding tickets or we have to drive only in first gear!

Ted.

[DatsunDave]

ummmm...those are Google Maps' calculations. ...and yes, plenty of twists and turns.

Regardless, there are plenty of sections on that route where you will be able to do all the legal spirited driving you can handle and everyone remains nice and safe. If one wants to push it, one can join plenty who have introduced their car to the great Lake Okanagan.

These are likely good comparisons to the british roads that inspired the sports car era back in the day.

If you want fast, you can light it up on the toll highway between Vancouver and Kelowna where the speed limit is 65mph or about 80 if you want to avoild getting run over by big rigs in the slow lane.

Slow Drivers?! I'll have you know a 4th place finish at a ChumpCar event makes this at least one Canuck that isn't all that slow (on the racetrack).

Seriously though Ted, I've driven these in the past and they are perfect for the kind of day I know people would want to have with the top down on their roadsters.

[Datsun.David]

Ted - If Westside Road is on the itinerary, there are plenty of sections where 28 mph will have your back end loose... It is an AMAZING driver's drive, and requires a very real level of awareness. It is beautiful and fun, but they lose a couple motorcyclists a year, and not unusual for a Winnebago to go for a tumble... my cousin is a Lieutenant in the North Westside Road Volunteer Fire Department... It will be an AWESOME day... Leave some room between you and the guy in front, and if you can't see around it... Stay in your own lane!

[DatsunDave]

Hey everyone,

This is really getting good. I have another sponsor to announce.

Z Therapy Induction Systems has joined us and is offering a great prize package for the event. Anyone with SU carbs will really like these.

http://www.myautoproject.com/z-therapy- ... suri-2012/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[notoptoy]

Dave:
You continue to do an excellent job of making this a first class event - to bad it's so far from us East Coasters!
Good luck, looks like it will be a heck of an event!

[DatsunDave]

Thanks for the kind words.

I'm really doing my best to put together a solid event, especially for the NW US and Western Canada crowd, as we have so few events relative some other parts of North America...I guess.

Of course, the critical part is for folks to attend. Tons and tons of traffic on the site with clicks on the registration page. Some registrations starting to trickle in now: we're only a couple of days from registration launch and we're at 13 people.

13 registrations received. Of the 13, 8 are paid, 4 are unpaid, 1 is free (sponsor).
2 people from washington
7 people from Alberta
4 people from BC

5 roadsters
2 510s
3 Zs
2 ZXs
1 520 (truck)...I'm really diggin' the trucks lately.

The OCDD (obsessive compulsive datsun disorder) personality that I have has me freaking out a little. I am not doing so much work these days (don't tell anyone) and instead staring at my email waiting for registrations to come in.

[DatsunDave]

Oh, I've also received quite a few emails about the t-shirt designs - seems that for whatever reason people aren't necessarily seeing them on my site, so, for the navigationally challenged, here they are:

[DatsunDave]

Another thought has just occurred to me after checking in with the main hotel.

If you are thinking of coming and just haven't gotten around to registering yet, you may want to at least book your accommodations.

This is Kelowna on the first long weekend of the summer (in Canada). This isn't a "drive in and see about a cheap room" kind of a place this time of year. For those not in the know, this area can be considered the vacation capital of Western Canada and that means affordable places to stay can be hard to find. Fortunately, I've got your back.

I'm staying at the Recreation Inn and this may be where we do our Saturday night get together (BBQ) depending on the response. The Recreation Inn, apart from having a goofy name, is a great deal for Kelowna, safe (especially for precious sportcars and paranoid owners), conveniently located, bla, bla, bla

Option 1: Recreation Inn and Suites
This is a budget friendly motel in central Kelowna. We like the configuration of the property as it is perfect for “vehicle gatherings”. The property includes a pool and BBQ area and allows owners of precious Datsuns to rest easy as parking is right outside their door.

Rates are $99, $109, $129 depending on configuration. Some rooms include kitchenettes (be sure to ask before booking).

To book your room, contact Recreation Inn directly at 1-800-663-8603 and tell them you’re with the “Datsun” group.

Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis. These rates are only guaranteed until April 21st.

Option 2: EconoLodge
Rooms with queen are $134/nt plus tax
Rooms with two beds are $149/nt plus tax
Rooms with kitchen suite are $164/nt plus tax.

Call 1-800-665-2610 to book and tell them you are with the Datsun group.

Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis.

Option 3: Hiawatha RV Park
For those of you choosing to camp, the Hiawatha Campground is close to the beach and is well known among holiday campers. There are RV spots of course as well as tent sites. Tent sites are $50 a night during the weekend of our event.

We do not have an agreement with this property. Contact them for more information or to reserve a spot. 1-888-784-7275

[spl310]

Diggin the shirt designs!