Datsun Matsuri 2012 - Be There! May 19-20

[DatsunDave]

So it seems that the final event details document I distributed earlier this week didn't get to everyone so here are the critical bits you need to know. Complete schedule available when you get to the event.
Friday, May 18, 2012
7:00 PM Meet & Greet (DQ / Starbucks 3151 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC)

Saturday May 19
6:30 Race Volunteer Registration at start line
8:00 –9:00 Car show roll-in (registered / registering vehicles only)*. Late arrivals may be denied access.

Two Bay Car Wash - 1506 Sutherland Ave
1km from Recreation Inn

[JMartin]

To all those that thought about coming to the meet and missed the opportunity...BOY DID YOU MISS A GREAT EVENT. Thanks to DatsunDave for organizing the great day, and to all the vendors for the great prizes, and to all the drivers from BC, Alberta, and Washington who made the trek to Kelowna. I can't wait to see the show again next year.

[notoptoy]

^ Wait, where are the pictures!?!?!?

[JMartin]

You mean "What happens in Kelowna doesn't stay in Kelowna?

[Linda]

Nobody hit a moose did they?

Linda

[garth]

Linda,

In the Okanagan one is more likely to hit a rattlesnake than a moose unless its a "Moosehead" and those are even rare.

[JMartin]

Garth and Linda, no Moose but I know of a couple Vancouver drivers who ran into a "Smokie". Somehow they talked themselves out of the police impounding the car for driving 40km/hr (25miles/hr) over the speed limit. The driver even posted his speeding ticket on the window with the photos of his restoration. He did end up winning best Roadster I believe in the voting.

I will let Datsun.Dave give the full event details. I believe we ended up with around 40 cars in total, probably 15 roadsters, and a 1962 Cedric as well.

[DatsunDave]

Hey all, I'm just coming up for air today. I'll do a summary, etc., asap. Got home last night at midnight after an epic adventure along the way home. My molecules are still vibrating at somewhere between 2800 and 4000 rpm - I even think I downshifted to pass someone in my sleep last night.

In the mean time, I was thrilled at the turn out and I am really happy that so many people were able to have a great time. When I started this, I wasn't entirely sure why, other than to see a few more Datsuns, but I have realized this was really not about the cars and instead it was about the people. Now I get it.

I feel very fortunate to have meet so many of you; my only regret, if you could call it that, was that I wasn't able to spend more time with everyone. So for now, here are a few teasers in somewhat chronological order...

There is no way you'll get all of that in there.
I can't believe you got all of that in there.
An hour late
TransCanada Highway
Where is Arnold?
Oh oh, I better take the lead
Frost heaves
Air David
Did you pick up my spleen?
Uggg...we better stop for gas again
Where are my keys?
WTF?! 1.33 a litre!
I guess roadsters CAN go 150 km/h
What kind of car is that?
What year is that?
Various thumbs up
Crap, I hope I wasn't speeding.
Dear ass, only another hour.
Check in
I thought this room was supposed to have been renovated (after 1958)?
Car wash. No guy in next bay, you are not seeing double.
Meet and Greet. Where's David?
Which DQ did you go to?
Whew, they like the T-shirts.
Jim to the rescue with a table.
Good night.
Pushes car out of parking lot so as not to wake the neighbours
Arrival
Where do you want the cars to be parked? Ummm, no!
Unpack the car
Park show cars - red FD RX7, GMC truck and some goofy ford kit car (awesome) messes with parking plan - slight disarray ensues...no biggie. Well, sort of but don't let it show how much it is DRIVIN YOU NUTS!
Warm sun. Cool wind.
Meet awesome people
See awesome cars
Am I burning?
Meet more AWESOME people.
What time are the awards? The schedule is in your registration kit. Repeat.
Gather around.
Thank my wife.
Thank sponsors.
Give out prizes.
See lots of happy faces.
Cars scatter.
Push start for Arnold.
Quiet time for supper.
Go to bed (second guessing this and that).
Good morning. You heading home now?
We'll see you next year.
Hug from Ross.
Time for Twisties Tour
I'm running a little late.
Don't worry, we'll wait.
Jim (Martin) to the rescue again - leads the Twisties Tour
Hang back, accellerate, repeat.
What the F is a "traffic calming neighbourhood"?
THAT was fun.
I think we got separated.
Sort of too long - still fun.
Photos on the lawn by the lake.
There was NOTHING wrong with Westside Road...damn, should have taken that.
DEER!
Whew.
Good night.
6:45 AM.
Is that David?
Where?
Side of the road? That's cool, he met us early...oh oh.
Same problem as Friday.
Drive.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Shooting flames.
Heart attack. Soiled pants ...same time.
Dave's Goat Walk. Is that thing's head stuck?
Various automotive surgeries
Smash brand new radio to bits. Extract magnet from speaker. Fish for rust. ...perplexed.
What if we try this?
Nope.
..or this?
Same
Extended rest stop.
I can't hear you over your engine...what is it with those guys?
Move car.
Will the car fit in there?
Measuring tape
Hey guys, we need a hand pushing THIS car onto THAT.
Did you will your ball hockey tournament?
Plan B...good thinking!
Karma? Angels at least.
We're rolling.
Watch out for the bump at the bottom of the hill just east of Golden.
60 km/h limit. Passed by car doing at least 100.
HOLY MOTHER....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are we there yet? No.
No spleen that we can see.
No dash lights
I wish these wipers had a delay setting.
No tail lights.
Do the Brake lights works at least? Yay.
Getting dark. Flashers on.
At least the wipers still work
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know my flashers are on.
Yes, I know...nevermind.
Headlights stuck on hi-beam.
I AM NOT STOPPING
Stopping.
"Can you watch my baby? I really have to pee" - runs into rest stop.
Co-pilot doing lots of texting, sleeping.
Lucky to have my wife, Caroline.
Made it.
Old friends, new friends, great memories.
THAT is what life is supposed to be about.
2013?

[JMartin]

LOL; Great summary Dave. I especially like the delay setting on the wipers!
Thanks again for the great weekend!

[Datsun.David]

Dave -

That is freakin' hysterical!!!

I will have to compile a bit of a summary for so many who will wonder what the hell that was all about...

Thursday Night -
Drain forty litres of fuel from tank in garage after determining fuel starving issue is in tank.
Spill 38 litres on floor and gas out wife.
Use magnet to retrieve what seemed like 1/2 pound of rust from bottom of tank
Reassemble fuel system.
Can't test drive because it is 2 am and garage is under kids room.

Friday Morning -
Start car with fingers crossed.
Drive to Bowness Auto to pick up spare fuel filter, gallon of engine oil, spare fuses all just in case.
Proceed to rendezvous point to meet DatsunDave and the lovely Caroline on Highway at Truckstop.
Proceed to cut finger with boxcutter while trying to put double sided tape on inside of soft top latch to prevent rattle while driving.
Truck stop offers to sell me band aids.
Elect to bleed on truck stop floor instead and dig band aid out of First Aid kit after emptying trunk.
DatsunDave still not there.
Entertain several locals - not a Healey, not a Triumph, DEFINITELY not an MGB.
Fill jerry can just in case.
DatsunDave arrives.
Exchange pleasantries.
He is much taller than I assumed.
Caroline, not so much...

Get on highway and head west.
Approach Lake Louise - car stumbles and stalls.
Ugggh. Not again - pour jerry can in.
Car takes off again.

Fill up with gas at every town to avoid being too low in tank.
Proceed to Golden without incident.
On highway between Golden and Revelstoke hit Frost heave in highway so bad that spleen flies out passenger side window.
Text Dave in car behind to pick up spleen on his way by... he is unfortunately unable to retrieve.
A&W in Revelstoke - apparently they don't have Rootbeer floats in Edmonton.

On the road again, photo op in Grindrod, BC - vying for Calendar cover next year.
Arrive in Kelowna after driving through rush hour traffic in Vernon.
Dave and Caroline can't take their roof down for fear they will lose half of the car show stuff blowing out the back.
My roof comes down in Safeway gas station parking lot.
Dave arrives at motel as only roadster with roof up.

Meet and greet at DQ.
Don't trust GPS or organizer to choose DQ closest to hotel...
Go to other DQ.
Register, marvel at the silky like quality of the Datsun Matsuri T-shirts (a value at twice the price.)
Drive out to Aunt and Uncle's to sleep - on Westside Road - the fabled Westside Road - Worst Road in BC.
Follow Mickey Mouse and Goofy driving Suburban pulling trailer down Westside Road at ridiculous speed.
Barely keep up in roadster. Pre-dial 911 in cell phone as I am sure these guys are going off the edge.
Arrive at destination unscathed.
Sleep for six hours. Fingers still smell like gas.

Wake up, Uncle Rick makes mean waffles.
Next year, BBQ lunch at Uncle Rick's on Twisties Tour.
Drive to meet for Fun Run.
Fuel up.
Place gas cap on tonneau cover.
Fill car and jerry can.
Curse gas pump for not printing receipt.
Drive on to meet with 30 seconds to spare.

Pull out in front of Dave.
"David! Where is your gas cap???"
Sonofa...... You would think I would have heard it skid down the trunk and bounce on the pavement at the gas station off the back of the tonneau cover... apparently not.
Stuff rag in tank.
Phone Uncle Rick who is on his way into town and ask him to swing by Esso to find gas cap.

Drive on to first stop on fun run.
Pee on Fence.
Thank Ted Heaton for capturing my better side while peeing on fence.
Phone call from Uncle Rick - gas cap has been repatriated. Slight bounce damage.

Drive like wild man through out Okanagan Valley with Dave in front of me (Pebbles) and Dave behind me (DatsunDave).
Enjoy every minute. Car drives flawlessly. Not a hiccup.

Visit Jim's place and check out progress on his roadster. Forgive him driving GMC 2500 as leader of tour because he promises his car will be there next year...
Where the heck is Kevin anyhow?
Drive back via Westside Road with John and Dave.
Dave pisses off motorcyclist by driving too fast.
Stop at Uncle Rick's to take pics on his front lawn, the shore of Lake Okanagan.
Enjoy the view for awhile, then see John and Dave on their way.

Out for dinner to thank Uncle Rick and Aunt Sam.
Off to bed.
Crazy Dave wants to meet at 8 am 1hr away from our accommodations to make our way home.

In car enroute, 10 minutes ahead of schedule.
Car dies on side of highway. Same as before.
Add gas, blowout fuel line.
Proceed to stumble to gas station.
Top up and continue on.
Pre-emptively stop at dollar store in Sicamous to buy $16 stereo to demolish and remove magnet from speaker to drop in tank to prevent rust from getting in tank pick up.
Car starts, stumbles, starts stumbles, starts stumbles.
500 metres later, ends up in Shell Station parking lot and won't go - stumbling like crazy.

Proceed to work through again -check regulator, check fuel pump, check filter, blow through line, check tank for sediment, check carb jets, check plugs. All seem ok... white powdery film on inside of tank seems to be coming off...
Use gas station air compressor to create fountain by shooting air down gas line and blowing fuel out filler pipe...

Car now, will not start at all. Turns over, wants to go, but won't. Hopelessly flooded? Gas is tainted by liner? Bad gas at last fill? UGHHHH!!!

After 3 hours of goofing around, call it dead.

Walk to random stranger in gas station parking lot with 12 ft dump trailer and Toyota truck. Ask where he is going...

He offers, before I can ask, to put my car in his trailer and drive it to Calgary (450 km (300miles)). I offer to buy his gas.

Dave, Dave, Dean (Toyota guy) and 6 random strangers, carefully coax my roadster into back of dump trailer.

Drive to Calgary. Find out Toyota guy is one of my long time friends business partners and is restoring a Toyota FJ40. Totally cool guy.

Tells story of driving on highway with his kids in 88 Suburban pulling trailer, tranny overheats, bubbles fluid out dipstick, catches on fire on header. Frantically pulls over, gets wife and kids out, random stranger runs across divided highway with Fire Extinguisher, puts out fire then takes off before leaving even his name... So now, Dean looks out for people. This is a guy who understands Karma.

So, after all, home at last. Great drive. And one more new friend, to add to the collection of quality Datsun folks met on the trip.

Dave and Caroline are exceptional quality people. They had my back both ways. They stood on their heads to put on the best show I've ever been to, (HONEST!) and what I am sure will grow to be even better in subsequent years. I look forward to somehow helping return the favours one day!

Ooops... Almost forgot to mention. Car started and drove off the trailer... Regardless, a tankectomy is in order...

[Datsun.David]

And we need to post some pics of Dave's Goat Walk... I'll get on that.

[pebbles]

Daves gone wild! Flogging the 2Ls!

[DatsunDave]

Well, I FINALLY have gotten around to doing a summary of the event and posted it here: http://wp.me/p2etBx-rU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I've linked from the post to some additional photos which is what you all want to see anyway.

Thanks to everyone who made it out. Plans for 2013 are already in the works!

[Mikeanic]

Dave

Just wanted to finally give thanks for a great event . Was the first car show I've entered and I truly had a good time . I felt like one of the big winners comming home with the BRE 240 and a bunch of sheetmetal . Thanks Ross . Looking forward to next year !

Thanks
Mike

[DatsunDave]

Thank Mike. I'm really happy you came to the event.