The Canal in Pella is worthy of a stop. It would make an interesting backdrop for some pics.
http://www.molengracht.com/story.html

quote Originally posted by DtheC: The speedway just got sanctioned/ certified by IRL, the drivers were doing 170 MPH. Dang, on a 7/8 mile course? I realy like open wheel racers, next step NASCAR sanction?

7/8 mile track? The last thing you want is a Nascar saction. We had a very nice 1 mile track just south of Colorado Springs, it was only a few years old, held the following races. IRL, Superbike, Trans Am, Craftsman Truck and Bucsh. ISC ( International Speedway Corp. the track owning arm of the France family aka Nascar.) came in and bought the track and closed it. What a Freakin' waste!!!

Guns kill people, like spoons made Rosie O'donnel fat. Joe

edit sorry for the hijack but I had to say something about this, back to your regular programing/rant off

[This message has been edited by motoracer838 (edited 08-05-2006).]

Here's a question, would it be more lucrative to go to Pella first and peruse their offerings and then come back thorugh Knoxville for a Sonic Lunch and skip the museum? I've been to Pella and it is quite the unique town, very enjoyable.

One other thing we need to consider is if we can get a tour of the Speedway, what time table are they looking at, Dave do they have any specific requests?? By the way that IRL thing is very good news!!!

By the way, Knoxville Sprint Car museum is offering us $1 off Admission for a cost of $2 per person to go through the museum. They open at 12 noon. And they have a World of Outlaws race Saturday night at the track if anyone is interested.

As for meeting in the A.M. I feel we should probably start in Newton as it is on I-80 and easy enough for everyone coming from all directions to find. Heck maybe start off at the Iowa Speedway.

If anyones coming to the Heartland show and would like to discuss this in person, I'll be there and maybe we can finalize some of the details!!
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/060416.html

Dan

Nice ideas everyone, keep them coming!!

Floats my boat, I didn't set any firm time with the Speedway guy.
Edit to say
Pella is a pretty Churched up town, Dutch Reformed.
I'd say nothing would be open before Noon on a Sunday
Sunday Afternoon you'd have Dutch pastry and some out of the world Meat Shops.

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 08-04-2006).]

I am just happy to be driving somewhere. I have been to the Knoxville Speedway but never to the museum, we would go to the museum if the group goes, but don't go just because of us. A tour of the Iowa Speedway is going to be the highlight of my day. As for where we go or a timeline it doesn't matter to us. It takes us about 2 hrs to get to the Des Moines area.

Just an Interesting Idea? How bout the first destination be in Newton at the 164 exit, west side of Newton. There is a Culvers, mmm buterburgers, but more importantly a nice parking spot adjacent to the restaurant. There shouldn't be anybody parking at the Farm Service Bureau on either Sat or Sun so we could prolly have it all to ourselves. It has a nice view of I 80 for people comming in from the west, and It would have a big visual impact seeing 20 or so Fiero's all side by side? I'm talking about a huge WHA'DA FUDGE impression.

I spotted a newbe Fiero Owner here in Newton today, young guy has an 85 SE, kinda half riced lookin blue. Told him that PFF was where he needed to be. Hope he finds us and doesn't mind me dis'en his ride.
Gotta find my PFF cards and keep'm handy.

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 08-05-2006).]

I think meeting near the west exit on I-80 is a great idea since the east exit is closed.

I am up for the museum, I used to race at Knoxville and there is always neat things to see if you are any kind of race fan..

If we can get the Iowa Speedway tour done first, then we wouldn't be limited by time constraints of getting back to the speedway by a certain time. That way we could do the tour then run over to Pella swing back through Knoxville for the museum and lunch and then cruise away as we feel like it. If we nail down a schedule in the next week or so, we should be able to have a flyer ready for the Heartland Show to pass out.

Dan

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 08-14-2006).]

11:00 sounds good to me. It would help to free up the schedule for the rest of the day.

------------------
Central Iowa Fieros

Was in Des Moines today (gotta love Adventureland) and drove by Newton. Exit 164 area looks good to me. The speedway looks like it's coming along quite nicely (what I could see of it).

Dan

Here's a flyer I made up to hand out at the Heartland Show this weekend, if anyone has any changes, please let me know.



Please feel free to print it out and hand out to your friends, or email me for a copy of 2 per sheet.


Dan

If I've used logos without permission and you'd like them removed, please let me know and I will abide.

Dave,

Any chance of nailing down a time of around 11:00 for a speedway tour? If not that is fine, but I do appreciate your help with this!!

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 08-14-2006).]

The flyer looks great. Nice work. I will also have them available this weekend

My polo shirt and bumper stickers with the Central Iowa Fieros logo came in the mail. They look great. Guess what I will be wearing?

Btw, central Iowa Fiero owners can use the logo for your avatar if you choose to. Also if you have a personal website send me the link so that I can add it to the page.

------------------
Central Iowa Fieros

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 08-15-2006).]

I need to make one change to it, I should probably add Exit 164 off of I-80 just to make sure

bump

Watch the All Iowa Cruise Commercial. 1.7 megs.

------------------
Central Iowa Fieros

Bump as it's just a little over a month away.


Dan

We discussed this event at our Midwest Fieros meeting while at the Gretna show yesterday... BTW, I wish more regional people could have made it out to the show, it was a nice turnout, and a good time.

I will be working on a route for us to take from the Omaha area, along the northern edge of I-80 through the hills, to head off to your meeting point. I am afraid, that I may not be able to make it to this event now... We'll see. The local Fire Dept., which I'm an active member of, is having our annual fundraising breakfast that morning. So, I will be working at that all morning, and may try to jet over to the meet and catch you guys midday.

Not to hijack the thread, but for anyone who may be interested, we are also planning a trip to Minnesota for a day trip to see some sort of spring that is up there. (What a description, huh? ) I don't remember the details, or the date, but it will be coming up in the month of September. Look for more information to come on PFF, or email me, Litespd, or edzards, for more information.

Nic

Ok folks I did a little scouting, and calling around today, and thought I could help nail some stuff down.
I called and visited Farm Credit Services and they said it was fine with them if we Staged the cruise at their parking lot on Sunday.
A little scouting turned out that that from the parking lot we should be able to see attendees coming in from both the West and East.

Now the bigger news.

Tonight I attended the CDI Fall regional meeting here in Newton, I'm a Soil and Water District Commissioner here for Jasper Co.
As part of the program we arrainged for about 50 commissioners to tour the Iowa Speedway. Unfortunatly I couldn't make the tour.
People I talked to were most impressed with the car shop area, the drivers breifing area, but most of all the media center.
Aparently all you need is a Sattelite Uplink Truck and you are good to go. Everything at the track will be prewired for live broadcast.
I talked with Craig Armstrong again today and things still sound like a go, I emailed him a link to this thread, so he could get a better idea of what we were planning for that Sunday. I'll try gettin back to him a little later. The first race is a little more than 2 weeks off, so I imagine they all have their hands full till after Sep. 15th.
More later.

------------------
Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke, unlike owner

Not sure what the definate schedule is now, but I sure hope the Newton race track tour is at the end, instead of the beginning of the cruise.

We need to get a schedule set as soon as possible. Lets post a few itineraries then let everyone vote on what they would like to do. I think that we can all agree that the meet should start in Newton and pick people up along the way if they choose to join the cruise already in progress.

My thoughts on the rough schedule were as follows:

Meet at 10:30 and plan to leave Newton at 11 a.m.
Tour the track (depends on the tracks schedule though)
head on over to Pella to do whatever we want there
Then on over to Knoxville for the Museum and lunch at Sonic
and finish up by a nice drive around Red Rock back to Pella

I'm open to new ideas, or jsut keeping it looe and doing hwatever people feel like doing on a whim, it should just be a day of enjoying our cars and relaxing.

Of course this all hinges on what we do at the Iowa Speedway and theire schedule.


Now for my bad news, My new LR CV joint has developed a tear in the boot and my RR caliper is sticking. Not sure if I'll have time to fix it (i'll do my best), but either way I'll be there, it just may be in a Minivan (God help me).

Dan

quote Originally posted by DanFiero: ...Now for my bad news, My new LR CV joint has developed a tear in the boot and my RR caliper is sticking. Not sure if I'll have time to fix it (i'll do my best), but either way I'll be there, it just may be in a Minivan (God help me). Dan

You have a month to fix it. Git er done.

That plan sounds good to me except for the Newton speedway thing. Their lack of commitment is anoying. Unless we can drive around the track at least once I don't care about a field trip. I would rather buy a ticket on race day.

The timing for this looks to be great. I'm moving to the Ottumwa area the first weekend in October. Hope to see you all there. I'm shipping my 86 GT soon (two other cars to move).

Now, if I can just find a house...

[This message has been edited by 2birds (edited 09-01-2006).]

2birds, welcome to Iowa. The ottumwa area has some mildly entertaining roads west of town. We will look forward
to meeting you.

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 09-01-2006).]

I'll try to make it .not sure yet ..I did drive by the track for the first time yesterday on my way back from Cedar Rapids to help a fellow forum member get his car running ...Funny thing though I was repeatedly smoking a BMW X5 4.8is that kept messing with me for about quarter of the way home when I went by the track so I didn't get a very good look at it.

[This message has been edited by Erik (edited 09-01-2006).]

WHO Radio will be having a live broadcast from the Iowa Speedway's media center on Monday starting at 4:00 AM. Van @ Bonnie's broadcast will include some 'celebraties', prolly just the track management.
I'm planning to go out there and find out what's up. Right now it seems everybody's preference seems to be before noon? My personal preference would be around 4:00 so's not to inconvienience whoever would give the tour. My thinking is that a happy tour guide would be more agreable to letting us on the track. I'll go with the will of the masses. I don't do 4:00 AM very well, so send me all your good thoughts.

------------------
Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke, unlike owner

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 09-02-2006).]

I'm sure whatever works best for the Speedway can be accomodated in the schedule whether it be early of late. We just appreciate your work on this and we'll be happy with whatever time works for the speedway.

Dan

Well all righty!
I got out to the Iowa Speedway about 4:30 AM today. I talked with Craig Armstrong about our All Iowa Fall Cruise. He can now associate my face with the Fall Cruise. After walking around the facility, I can tell you that what is finished is realy impressive. Unfortunatly there is a lot of stuff unfinished. These guys are realy going to put in some hard work to have the Speedway ready for it's opening on September 15th. Right now the lights are up, Musco Lighting an Iowa company, and crews are working 24/7 to get things done. Mr. Armstrong has way too much on his plate right now, he did reafirm his ok for a Speedway tour for Oct. 8th, he just didn't know how much stuff we could do. I didn't have the heart to push for everything. So things will have to sit till after the first race.

Note the crash resistant 'wall', this is Steel box beam backed with 'Styrofoam' blocks. If a crash takes out a section, the track crew can just replace the beams and blocks and you're ready for a green flag.

Turn1

Turn4

High $ Skyboxes

From the upper level of the RV Parking area. The gravel next to the fence is the lower level of the RV parking. Right now there will be parking, running water and power for 150 RVs, with seating for 25,000 on the Grandstand side. Next year they are planning to convert some of the RV parking to an aditional 40,000 seats

Track cars / Shop (sorry my dinky camera has weak flash)
Looking back, I'm kinda pissed at myself that I didn't get any pictures before sunup.
Musco Lighting has done an excelent job designing the lighting for the track. Absolutly no glare fronm the Infield lights. They are real low but outside of the track itself there is no leakage.
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Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke, unlike owner

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 09-04-2006).]

Hey guys, I hope I'm not stepping on any toes with this... If I am, shoot me a PM, and I'll gladly remove it.

For anyone interested in a cruise through western Iowa, and a BBQ at Musicman_L7's shop, please check here...

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/061484.html

Thanks!

Nic

A free bump...

Also, for anyone who would like to caravan out from eastern Nebraska, or Western Iowa to Newton for this event, I am putting together a route from the Omaha area to Newton. As I posted earlier, I won't be able to attend due to working at my volunteer fire dept's annual fundraising breakfast, so I may try to head out that way later in the day and catch up where I can.

For anyone interested in caravanning with us, shoot me a PM or email, and I can fill you in on the details as I get them ironed out. We will also be swinging by Defiance, IA to make a breakfast stop... (You guessed it. Our local fire dept. will gladly take your money at the door, and send you out with a full stomach.)

Nic

DtheC, who in Newton has the 20k Formula on ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-Pontiac-Fiero-Formula-all-original-low-miles_W0QQitemZ180025974755QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6419QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
You should go check it out. They're probably wanting a fortune for it though.

quote Originally posted by LAMBO: DtheC, who in Newton has the 20k Formula on ebay right now. You should go check it out. They're probably wanting a fortune for it though.

Don't know, saw something simelar was sold about 8 yeears ago, a low mile car like that sugests that the owner isn't using it for a daily driver. I don't recognise the house or the street. I don't normaly look in the Newton Daily News for cars for sale, but I might go down to the library for a quick scan through the 'News'. Does it seem odd that the sellar mentions having the car shipped, rather than the buyer just driving off?
Sent an Email through ebay so we shall see.

Say Dan could you do an updated poster? The Gathering is going to be in front of the "Farm Credit Services"(big sign you can't miss it), just off of exit 164 on I 80 . Maybe mention way points being: Knoxville, Pella, Iowa Speedway? I realy liked your design but if we had a final copy some of us could print copies and post them at local car parts places and places where car folks hang out. It sure might help find some new faces?

Manic Mechanic, are you here in Newton yet? I've spotted 4 unknown Fieros here in the past 2 weeks. PM me and we can get together, I've been living here practicaly forever, if you need any help setlin in?

Interesting new factoid on the speedway. It shares a property line with the Newton Airport, it's that close for a reason. Nobody checked with the FAA on how tall the light towers could be. They may have to lower 2 towers by 20-30ft to be in compliance with FAA regulations.
------------------
Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke, unlike owner

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 09-08-2006).]

quote Originally posted by DtheC: Say Dan could you do an updated poster? The Gathering is going to be in front of the "Farm Credit Services"(big sign you can't miss it), just off of exit 164 on I 80 . Maybe mention way points being: Knoxville, Pella, Iowa Speedway? I realy liked your design but if we had a final copy some of us could print copies and post them at local car parts places and places where car folks hang out. It sure might help find some new faces?

I'll try and work on it tonight after I get off work.

Thanks again!!

Dan

Lambo and Manic Mechanic you have PM's from me.

I just found out that I have that day off. I will officially be there barring any unforeseeable events.

I just got an email from Craig Armstrong asking me to contact Gale Nungesser after Sept. 17th to finalize details.
This might be a good time to take a roll call so I can give a guestimate for how many folks we are talking about.

Right now I'd say there is a better than even chance that we may get on the track itself, just don't shoot me if we can't.
I almost wet myself thinking what a kick butt video this could make, I'd like to be the 'Pace' car leading a pack of 50 or more Fieros
around turn 4. Can anybody bring a light bar? Well Ok, I did wet myself.

Using print wizard (comes with XP) I took DanFiero's new anouncement and printed 4 anouncements per page.
It comes out kinda like a 3 by 5 card. If everyone can post these at parts places etc. we might be able to pick
up quite a few 'Unknowns'. I met a parts guy here in Newton that has 5 Fieros in his family. There is a Pennocks card
somewhere but I've lost the thread. I printed up a bunch of these, and posted them at the same places.

Keep making with the positive waves.
Dave

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 09-12-2006).]

I'm still waiting on the shippers to find out when my Fiero will get to Iowa, but I'm leaving here for good on Sep 29th. I'll be home the day after that.

Count me in, either way.

John

Dave, you are awesome. I'll be bringing my video camera and an extra pair of underwear just incase we actually do get to drive on the track. Either way I appreciate the work that you have done.

Also for the roll call, count on Kevin H. and possibly another GT that belongs to his son.