Okay, I've been in contact with the 3 Iowa clubs/groups (Heartland, Central Iowa, and Midwest) and we've been toying with the idea of doing an All IOWA Fall Color Cruise get together in October. As of right now we are planning on meeting somewhere in Central Iowa (Des Moines/ Newton/Ames area for a cruise/picnic get together to end the Fiero season right.

*******UPDATE***********10/4/06************

With the cruise approaching this weekend we have the itinerary as below for the day:

The itinerary:

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. arrival at Newton, IA exit 164 off I-80 (meet in the parking lot of the Farm Credit Services building right there by the exit - The meet begins.
Leave for Knoxville around 11:00 via Hwy 14 and the Cordova Tower on G28.

-12:00 p.m. Knoxville- Sprint Car Museum for the tour. 1:30 p.m. Lunch at Sonic.
Leave for Pella, dam/spillway route to Pella via T15. Good sites along the way.

-Pella, Canal and square loitering.
Leave for Newton T33 or T14, to F62, then S74 through Reasnor to Newton.

DtheC, will lead the last leg from Reasnor to Newton as he is a local and has the best knowledge of the city streets. Pictures at the Farm Credit parking lot or the Iowa Speedway for the local paper. Possibly eat in Newton for the wrap-up.

Again everyone is welcome to join us at any point on the trip whether your in a Fiero or not!!!!

I would also like to express a great big Thank You to Dave (DtheC) and Kenton(Race) for doing a majority of the work in setting this up for us!!!

Dan (Heartland Fieros)

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 10-04-2006).]

Sounds like a nice event... Either weekend would work for me, but if I had to choose, the 7/8th would work better.

Let us know as this begins to materialize.

------------------
Nic



Beware the toes you step on today, for they may be attached to the ass you must kiss tomorrow.

Rhonda and I were just talking tonight about cruising over to Prairie Du Chien and up to Lacrosse, WI around the same time in October. Maybe we will have to head south to Des Moines instead. Keep us posted on your plans.

Cruise to the Woods in Fort Dodge is Sunday October 1st.
Sure would be nice to time it accordingly to that event & then we could do both!
Fiero cruise Saturday night & cruise to Fort Dodge Sunday morning.

http://www.wccruisers.com/cruisetothewoods.html
I used to do this event back when it really did 'cruise to the woods', Briggs Woods.

The Iowa Speedway will be up and running, first event schedualed Sep.15th, so all the infro-structure, roads, johns, parking etc. will be up and running.
Nothing schedualed, at present, for either of the weekends you've mentioned

http://www.iowaspeedway.com/
The Official Site of Iowa Speedway

I doubt I can get us on the track itself this fall, spring is some thing I could work on, my family knows one of the partners pretty good. I could possibly talk somebody into giving us some kind of infield acess, just don't expect Rusty Wallace as a tour guide. They might do it for publicity and for 20 to 100 potential season ticket buyers. LOL At minimum we could look, from the outside, at a big hole in the ground? Easy acess, semi dedicated exit, just off I 80 in Newton, and just a stones throw from where the Central Iowa Fiero's went through last fall on the Pella-Newton ride (nice twisties with a couple of long straights).

I wouldn't sugest this as a destination, no trees or BBQ facilities, but it might make for a good, easy to find, kick off point?
Presently, I'm good for either weekend, who knows I might even have my dew wipes in by then?

quote Originally posted by DtheC: The Iowa Speedway will be up and running, first event schedualed Sep.15th, so all the infro-structure, roads, johns, parking etc. will be up and running. Nothing schedualed, at present, for either of the weekends you've mentioned http://www.iowaspeedway.com/ The Official Site of Iowa Speedway I doubt I can get us on the track itself this fall, spring is some thing I could work on, my family knows one of the partners pretty good. I could possibly talk somebody into giving us some kind of infield acess, just don't expect Rusty Wallace as a tour guide. They might do it for publicity and for 20 to 100 potential season ticket buyers. LOL At minimum we could look, from the outside, at a big hole in the ground? Easy acess, semi dedicated exit, just off I 80 in Newton, and just a stones throw from where the Central Iowa Fiero's went through last fall on the Pella-Newton ride (nice twisties with a couple of long straights). I wouldn't sugest this as a destination, no trees or BBQ facilities, but it might make for a good, easy to find, kick off point? Presently, I'm good for either weekend, who knows I might even have my dew wipes in by then?

I've sent three inquiries about doing this very thing and have gotten absolutely no response from anyone there. If you have an inside line that would be great!!

Dan

Well I checked with the ticket office, didn't get out to the headquarters. The 1st weekend in Oct is a Big Southern Rock festavile, Charlie Daniels, Lynerd Skynerd, 38 Special amoung others. 2nd weekend showing nothing, 3rd weekend possibly a race or more probably a Richard Petty Driving Experience, I think you pay a bunch o' money and you can do laps in a detuned Nascar type vehicle.
Oh and by the way the Valle Drive In Theatre, located in Newton, usualy streches it's season just as long as possible. Might be an added attraction for any body, the night before or spend the night afterward.
I'll do more reserch and let you know, as I know more.
Dave

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 07-12-2006).]

quote Originally posted by DtheC: Well I checked with the ticket office, didn't get out to the headquarters. The 1st weekend in Oct is a Big Southern Rock festavile, Charlie Daniels, Lynerd Skynerd, 38 Special amoung others. 2nd weekend showing nothing, 3rd weekend possibly a race or more probably a Richard Petty Driving Experience, I think you pay a bunch o' money and you can do laps in a detuned Nascar type vehicle. Oh and by the way the Valle Drive In Theatre, located in Newton, usualy streches it's season just as long as possible. Might be an added attraction for any body, the night before or spend the night afterward. I'll do more reserch and edit this post as I know more. Dave

I like the idea of a drive in, I've been watching the other threads about going to one and thought it would be a great idea. I'm sure if it's something we could arrange we might be able to talk the Drive in to let us in a little early or something. Maybe a meet in Pella with a cruise over to Newton, maybe lunch at a Sonic or Hooters (hope my wife doesen't see that ) and a finish off at the Drive in (of course a Drive in would have to be Saturday night as most people would have to work on Monday and wouldn't want to stay up late for a movie). Thanks for the help and great ideas!! Please keep them coming and place your votes for which weekend!!

Dan

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 07-11-2006).]

At this time, my calendar is open on those weekends.

I just got off the phone with the Valle Drive In, they are open through November. In October they are open Fri. Sat. and Sundays. Too far out in time to know what movies are schedualed. They usualy have 2 diferent first run features, not something 6 months old or cheap 'B' grade movies Case in point this past weekend they had 'Pirates of the Caribean'. I checked last years weather on Oct.7, and it looks like sunset is about 7:00 pm. I think I might be able to talk the drive in people to let us in early so we could park as a group, and not behind any conversion vans, if you know what I mean.
Sorry no Hooters or Sonic's in Newton, only 4 places with big parkings areas or adjacent parking, McD, Okiboji Grill, Culvers and Arbeys. The 'Richard Petty Driving Experiance is schedualed Aug.10 -13th. Looks like October's schedual for the Iowa Speedway is the Southern Rock Concert on Sundat the 1st. races on the 14th, ASA series, and the 15th ARCA/Remax Series. Presently the race on the 15th is the end of the 2006 racing season in Newton. October 7 & 8th has nothing schedualed at present. I'll try to get to the Speedway offices on Thursday. I tried today but roads out there are realy torn up and routes to the site chainge drasticaly from one day to the next.
Dave

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 07-12-2006).]

I can most likely do either weekend so long as I have enough lead time to bid for the days off.

I think this has the potential to be the largest gathering of Fieros in Iowa since they were brand new on the dealer's lot. Many of them are better than new and I can't wait to see who all shows up.

Possible attendees so far:

buger_57
DanFiero
DtheC
edzards, and possibly seven more from Nebraska.
Erik
fastblack
LAMBO
Mark A. Klein
musicman_L7
partsman
PontiacFan
RACE
sprnt96
tstroud
= Possibly 20 cars so far.

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 07-31-2006).]

I should be able to make it too, let me know the date

HEY! i'll be 16 then shawing! lol count me in

ya, they put the richard petty driving exp. on the same weekend as the knoxville nationals (i'll be there). i believe it's $100 to have somebody drive you around the track and a lot (not sure how much) more to actually drive the car.

they have a sonics in knoxville i know. i'd would vote for the later weekend just cause it would give me more time to get my car ready, it's in a million pieces now and i haven't had the time/money to get it put back together. i would go if i had my car done by then. i'll keep checkin in.

------------------
1986 Fiero GT (under construction...donate today)
2001 Grand Am GT (the daily beater)
1998 Dodge Neon R/T (who can forget that P.O.S.)
1990 Beretta GTZ (also under construction)

The earlier in the mth the better...Iowa weather and all I would vote for 10/7 wkend

I finaly got to look down into the big hole they've been working on. The Iowa Speedway now has an overlook area, oposite the grandstand. The Grandstand all roughed in, lights are all up, crash barriers are going up, infield garages are up, and the final 'lift' of asphalt completed on the racing surface. Some friends said that they saw 'some cars' going full out testing the track last Saturday.
Today my call to the track office resulted in Craig Armstrong, VP of operations, calling me back. The gist of the conversation was that an infield tour would be doable for either Saturday Oct. 7th or Sunday the 8th. We didn't set any time in particular, but he did say that there wasn't anything planned for these two days. Considering his position, he prolly would have told me if something was in the works and just not 'announced' yet. The only thing he asked was if it was OK for the track to hand out promotional literature, yea like that would be a problem. I also talked to a friend, director of the Newton Convention and Visitors / Chamber of Comerce, who said that, after the Ragbrai Bicycle tour is over, I should give her a call. She might be able to 'grease' about anything we might care to do. I don't think she knows exactly what 'We might care to do'. LOL

Any one for Newton-Pella-Knoxville-Newton movie? Or should we try Knoxville-Pella-Newton Track then Movie?
The Vale Drive In has FM broadcast of the sound track, and is usualy pretty accommodating about bringing stuff in.
They are in bussiness to sell hot dogs etc. so BBQ steaks or chicken might be OK, but personaly, I'd feel a little over the line cooking up a bunch of hotdogs and burgers. Likewise bringing in a keg of beer as a passenger, it's a family place after all.

------------------
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 07-14-2006).]

Dave,

WOW!!, I really appreciate th work your putting into this!!!! I'm liking the ideas (heck a friend just borught up the Knoxville Sprint Car museum idea last night and I sign on here and you on top of it!!) After looking at a map, it looks like we could incorporate a trip around or through Lake Red Rock, I'll throw a schedule out there:

meet in Newton 10:00 a.m.
Leave for Knoxville at 11:00
Arrive by Noon(ish)
12:00-1:00/30 Tour the National Sprint Car Museum
1:30 Lunch at the Sonic in Knoxville
2:30 Leisure drive back to Newton via Red Rock Lake
4 p.m. Tour Iowa Speedway
5:30(ish) head over to the Drive in (probably have to be Saturday if we do the movie thing otherwise Sunday is possible)

Again this is just off the top of my head and using MSN maps for time estimations. Things are still very flexible so please speak up. So far from the poeple I've talked with offline and the such it's looking like the weekend of the 7th/8th of October. And Dave if you need help with the contacts or anything please let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Dan

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 07-14-2006).]

Dan, did you get my PM?

Bumpity bump for the weekenders.

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

We had a little club meeting Saturday while sitting around at the car show. We would like to see the Get together on Sunday. Probably the First Sunday in October. We prefer the Des Moine area or not too much further east.

We think that we would have about 7 to 8 cars. Once you decide on a date I will start publizing to our members.

Lucky Dick

Newton is only 27 miles East of Des Moines October 1st would be a no go for the speedway, there is a concert planed.
Oct. 7 & 8th is the only time we could have acess to the Track. If some cared to go to the Drive in on Saturday night, September 30th, and then did the Knoxville Museum on Oct. 1st, that may be doable, I don't have any contacts with the Museum.

My vote is the one that gets us to, if not on, the track. Oct 7th or 8th. Preferably the 8th.

I'd have to say that the general consensus is for the weekend of the 7th and 8th. If there is no objections I say we plan for Sunday October 8th?? I can try and contact the Knoxville museum and see what they have to offer and/or hours available. If anyone has any other ideas of things to do or a route that would provide some enjoyment on our drives please speak up. Please take a look at the very tentative schedule I posted and offer any changes that my work better. THe drive in I'm sure is still a possibility for those that don't work on Monday or if some wanted to meetup Saturday night and go to the movies that would also be a possibility.

Dan

Yes, I can do a movie Saturday night, for anyone that wants ta show up early and/or Sunday for that matter. My one bedroom apt is packed to the gills, if I had any room I'd offer a place to crash. There are 5 motel's just off I80, and 1 down town. Unless ther's something going on at the Knoxville raceway that weekend, rooms shouldn't be a problem. It'd be easy for me to Email the Names, Websites, and Phone #'s of the motels for anyone who wanted to overnight. just PM me. Or I could just post them here.

[This message has been edited by DtheC (edited 07-17-2006).]

Weekend bump.

The 7th or the 8th sounds good to me.

I like the 7th but prefer the 8th as it is more likely for me to not be working.

I will work on a route suggestion. I have a route in mind but will have to get an Iowa map to be able to tell you for sure.

Sunday the 8th seems to be the most preferred date so far. Unless there is a great conflict I say we just call it good and start planning for that day. I have a call out to the Sprint Car museum in Knoxville, if I don't hear back by Monday, I'll call them again.

Please take a look at the tentative schedule I posted earlier and think of anything to add on or change to fit the route or time table.

If a few of us need to get together before hand let me know an maybe we can set something up as the plans start to come together.

Dan

[This message has been edited by DanFiero (edited 07-29-2006).]

Barring catastrophic mechanical failures, count me in. Maybe a 2nd Fiero also if I buy another by then.


------------------
1986 Fiero GT, the Fiamma, almost done

I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread

[This message has been edited by FieroGT42 (edited 07-29-2006).]

Ok, I've been busy.... Changed jobs and etc... Just found the message. Maybe if I tell my wife plenty early, she won't schedule a family meeting at the same time.... Like the last event Count me in for now....
spelling ...

[This message has been edited by Mark A. Klein (edited 07-30-2006).]

I'll be living in Newton by then. I'll try to make it, but the fiero is in pretty poor shape atm.

I'll probably meet up with you guys at the sonic in Knoxville. See ya then.

Is Oct. 8th the official date?

quote Originally posted by DanFiero: meet in Newton 10:00 a.m. Leave for Knoxville at 11:00 Arrive by Noon(ish) 12:00-1:00/30 Tour the National Sprint Car Museum 1:30 Lunch at the Sonic in Knoxville 2:30 Leisure drive back to Newton via Red Rock Lake 4 p.m. Tour Iowa Speedway 5:30(ish) head over to the Drive in (probably have to be Saturday if we do the movie thing otherwise Sunday is possible)

Is this still looking like the schedule?

quote Originally posted by LAMBO: I'll probably meet up with you guys at the sonic in Knoxville. See ya then.

That is what I wil do too. See you there.

quote Originally posted by partsman: Is Oct. 8th the official date? Is this still looking like the schedule?

I'll go out on a limb as say that yes October 8th is the date. As for the schedule I have not heard of any other suggestions yet and I'm sure it is reliant on what the iowa Speedway can do for time wise. I heard back from the Knoxville museum today and they have forwarded our request to the executive director so I'm waiting to hear if they can offer a discount or soemthing for us from him, but they did say they appreciate us including them on our cruise. So the schedule may change and I'll try and keep this thread updated as things get finalized.

Dan

quote Originally posted by tstroud: That is what I wil do too. See you there.

I think that I will do the same. I have already been to the museum. A couple of laps around the track would be fun. - Even slow, just to be out there would be cool.

Am i getting the hint that no one wants to go to the museum?? If you guys would rather just cruise, we can do that. I'll need help from some locals that know the roads then as my planning would just be off maps and we all know how accurate those can be.

Dan

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?

quote Originally posted by DanFiero: Am i getting the hint that no one wants to go to the museum?? If you guys would rather just cruise, we can do that. I'll need help from some locals that know the roads then as my planning would just be off maps and we all know how accurate those can be. Dan

I wouldn't mind doing the museum, I'm just not going to be able to get there in time. The museum is a great idea for those who haven't been there yet.

Dan, These are some options for cruise routes. From Newton:

We can get to Knoxville by using 14 South directly. - Or, if you want back roads, Newton to Knoxville might be fun if we did a reverse route of the Iowa Cruise from last year. S74 to Reasoner left on F62, South on T14 to Pella the jog over to Knoxville using the dam route. Last year Tim and I talked about how we missed some really good stuff in Pella by only a few blocks. We could make a brief stop in Pella on the way back to Newton. It adds miles to the route this way and is not totally necessary.

Routing Sugestion from Knoxville: (This is the routing that I like). Gathering place for the second part of meet/cruise..

North out of Knoxville on 14, Right on G28 north of Redrock Lake to Pella (possible stopping point) then east on Sharon Road (Becomes 102) to T38 and go north, then right on F62 at Lynnville, north through Searsboro on Hwy 146 North, through Grinell to Hwy 6 West (Recommended by DtheC in the "Best Roads for 2006" thread), and back to Newton. There are enough re-group towns that our more spirited members could run ahead and we could catch up.

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 09-30-2006).]