What: Please join the Georgia Fiero Club for the 19th annual Run For The Hills. This year, we will be exploring some exhilarating mountain roads in western NC and eastern TN. We will be starting in Burnsville, NC. We will be driving about 175 miles of the twistiest roads you can imagine. We will be having lunch in Boone, NC somewhere around the middle of this 5 hour drive.
Why: Drive your Fiero on the roads that were made specifically for a mid engine sports car. Meet other Fiero enthusiasts. See a large variety of Fieros from stock to full custom...and from "mint" to "rode hard and put away wet". Observe several engine swaps in action.
When: Third weekend of September Friday, Sep 19: Arrive at the hotel Relax and prepare Saturday, Sep 20: Driver meeting 8:30 am Drive out 9:00 am Get back to the Hotel, relax, recollect, and agree that we must do it again. Sunday, Sep 21: Drive home
A few important notes: We run three groups of cars. The sightseers, the performance group, and those that suffer from insanity. We put the faster drivers in front, and have regular stops to let everyone catch up.
These are tight mountain roads. There are lots of hills, lots of blind curves, and plenty of cliffs with no guardrails. Your brakes and suspension should be in good working order, regardless of which group you will be running in.
Safety is a primary concern for Run For The Hills. This is a cruise, not a race. Although I am sure a few of us will break the speed limit, it is not needed or encouraged. Most of the roads will be a 55mph limit, and most of the curves are too tight to maintain that 55mph.
You do not need a high performance Fiero to join us. I will be driving an 84 Sport Coupe with a stock duke/auto and stock suspension...and there is a good chance I will be leading the insane group for at least a portion of this run.
An example of the roads we will be on:
[This message has been edited by CowsPatoot (edited 07-18-2014).]
When I made my reservations this morning, the owner told me of several guest homes close by that have 3 or 4 bedrooms each that they rent out. These are in private homes, so the quality should be very good. If the Carolina Country Inn is booked, ask them for references for the guest homes.
Just one week to go. All you NC, SC, VA, WVA and TN. folks that've used the excuse that it's too far away, now it's in your back door. Cowspatoot, Darrel and Firefly have laid out an extraordinarily exciting run that will please everyone from the road course race drivers to the Sunday sightseers. If the hotel is booked, ask them for information on the guest homes that are within a block or two of the hotel.
There are some long, long uphill stretches in the event. As a suggestion, you may want to remove your thermostat when you get to Burnsville. Also, if you have AC, disconnect the cycle switch on the AC accumulator so you can activate the AC button to cause the cooling fan to run, without putting a load on the engine. The weather up there is forecast to be in the mid 70's and partly cloudy. With 75 being the daytime high, it might be a little cool at night, so a jacket or sweater might be in order.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 09-16-2014).]
RFTH PREP LIST - If you are susceptible to motion sickness; bring and take Candied Ginger before, during and after the run.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Clean all lights, windows and mirrors (inside & out) - Check air pressure in tires (cold) including the spare - Check oil - Check brake fluid - Check clutch or transmission fluid - Check belts for cracks (carry a spare) - Checkbook ;-) - Be fully fueled - FRS Radio; with fresh batteries (channel 7) - Can of Fix-A-Flat - Fire Extinguisher
RECOMMENDED - Check radiator overflow bottle fluid level - Wise to have a spare ignition module and/or trigger coil - Luminous Safety Vest - Light munchies & water - Camera - Toilet paper"
I would also recommend you bring some "just in case" survival tools, such as a knife, fire starter, etc.
We had a great time running the mountain roads on Saturday. The host hotel was very comfortable, the route well planned, the lunch stop had great food, and the weather was unbeatable! Thanks for hosting this great event!
Joe, I quickly heard about the beautiful cars you guys brought down. Glad you enjoyed it and hope you will return again next year for the 20th Anniversary of RFTH. Plans are that we will revisit the original RFTH # 1 to The Tail of The Dragon that Frank Martin and several other Florida Fiero Owners created.
I wasn't able to make the event this year but I did make one of the scouting runs, and it was a very exhilarating route. Cowspatoot, Firefly and Darrel did a great job in selecting the roads.
I'm glad you all had a good time! I wish I could have been there. Family issues prevented it this time, but that's okay. Family comes first. I'm looking forward to next year. I might even have my car back together by then.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-21-2014).]
RFTH PREP LIST - If you are susceptible to motion sickness; bring and take Candied Ginger before, during and after the run.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Clean all lights, windows and mirrors (inside & out) - Check air pressure in tires (cold) including the spare - Check oil - Check brake fluid - Check clutch or transmission fluid - Check belts for cracks (carry a spare) - Checkbook ;-) - Be fully fueled - FRS Radio; with fresh batteries (channel 7) - Can of Fix-A-Flat - Fire Extinguisher
RECOMMENDED - Check radiator overflow bottle fluid level - Wise to have a spare ignition module and/or trigger coil - Luminous Safety Vest - Light munchies & water - Camera - Toilet paper"
I would also recommend you bring some "just in case" survival tools, such as a knife, fire starter, etc.
Spare tire, spare fan, spare rotors.
Edit to say that I had a great time, and I NEVER leave thinking that it wasn't worth the trip. This is my favorite "car event" of the year...every year! Many thanks to those who spent their time and efforts organizing another great run. OBTW, did you guys take 321 N out of Boone? It wasn't real twisty, but it was practically deserted and made for some great speedy/curvy scenery.
[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 09-21-2014).]
I am glad that everyone had fun. I have it in my bucket list to go on this run at least once. So I am going to try to go next year. Maybe we can have even more of the Capital City Fiero's show up next time.
Jack and Bob took 70/25 across the mountains, I took off toward Hot Springs and ran 'the Rattler' from Hot Springs as I headed for Cherokee. Great run again! Thanks to all of you and hope everyone had safe travels home.
Carnut, you need to add a rear hub to the spare parts list.....
