I have October 1-5 inked off on my calendar for Road Atlanta this fall. I know we haven't completed the Dream Cruise yet, but are there any details out there yet, Bruce? I thought I saw something on the Forum earlier in the year, but I can't find it......

Rich, Kathy and I will be heading to Road Atlanta for Petit Le Mans, Oct.1-5. I think Larry and Nate will be joining us. I have mentioned to Kurt the idea of having a Cadillac parking corral like last year. It is a great race (10hrs or 1,000 miles),if you liked Mid-Ohio you'll love this race. Maybe you and some other XLR owners will make the trip.

Bruce :flag

If anyone was thinking of joining us: Order your tickets NOW (before the 19th) if you want them mailed to you; otherwise, you'll have to wait in line at Will Call.

Be sure to get the infield parking pass if you want to be with your fellow XLR owners!:party

Paul and I already booked our hotel, which took some time, as many of the closer properties are sold out. Buford and Lawrenceville still has rooms available. The racing teams also stay in those cities from what the hotel clerks are telling me. The drive to the track is only 15 minutes or so. Sounds like a lot of fun. You don't have to go for all 4 days, I think the few going from the forum will arrive Wednesday afternoon/evening and leave late Saturday or early Sunday. Ticket prices are very reasonable. The cars should be a blast to watch and listen to. Quite the racetrack! But even if some folks want to join for a day or even 2 would be a blast!:thumbs If anyone needs ideas/suggestions on hotel rooms, or need help booking them let me know.
B & K, Rich and Larry, we will see you all there!:party
Hopefully a few more can join the racing festivities!! Mea

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/PetitLeMans.jpg

Mea, I'm glad to hear that you and Paul will be joining us. I know you will love the racing and getting to spending time with your XLR friends. It would be great to have some more XLRs join in. Maybe we can get Dave and Cathy to drive down from WI.

Bruce :)

I'm glad to see that Paul & Mea will be joining us at Road Atlanta. We would love to see other XLRs in the Atlanta area join us for a weekend of great racing and fun times!

Kathy

Deadline for Ordering Advanced Tickets Online is at 5:00 PM EST on 09/26/2008
Tickets will be sold at the gate for a little bit more than the online prices. Chalet tickets are almost sold out, and they are not available for purchase at the gate.

I received an email from Andy Pilgrim and he is looking forward to seeing our group @ Road Atlanta. He said to stop by the haulers and say Hi.

Bruce :)

It's a guaranteed stop! Will there be any jobs for us to do there? We did so well at Mid-Ohio! :rolleyes :lol

PS Be sure to bring our "Poster Child"!!:lol

PPS Take good care of that Broadview Heights Coupe de Ville, Bruce - he lives just "around the corner" from me!

Reminder to all!



Johnny O once again will be putting on his charity auction. It will be Friday night at 6:15 PM and will be down in the main paddock at the winners podium.



Lots of teams will be bringing gear, parts, all sorts of stuff. Johnny will have all kinds of cool things that will make it a fun event.



Help support the Alzheimer's Association. Hope to see all of you there!


Petit Le Mans powered by the Totally New MAZDA6 is the 10th round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The 1,000-mile/10-hour race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Saturday, October 4 from Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. SPEED will televise the race live with XM Satellite Radio airing live race coverage throughout the day on Channel 166. Live coverage from American Le Mans Radio will be available at americanlemans.com, which also will feature IMSA's Live Timing & Scoring.

Bruce

I got an email from Robin with Corvette Racing and they may need our help. Our "Cadillac Crew" did such a good job @ Mid-Ohio with the posters that we may be working @ Road Atlanta. It should be fun.

Bruce :)

The SPEED World Challenge GT Race will be on Friday Oct. 3rd @ 12:20-1:20 pm. This is the race that the Cadillac CTS-Vs will be in.

Bruce :cool

There is going to be some cool race stuff @ Johnny's auction on Friday evening at the track. All of the race teams donate things like race suits,gloves,helmets and parts from the race cars. Andy Pilgrim I'm sure will donate some of his Cadillac gear or parts from the CTS-Vs. Our friends @ Katech are bringing down raced engine parts. Bring plenty of money (cash or plastic), it all goes to charity. I think Johnny has raised 300,000 in the last 8 years. It is a lot of fun to watch.

Bruce :)

Just a suggestion...
For those that are attending Petit LeMans this weekend, I would suggest bringing older tennis shoes to wear at the track. Georgia's soil is orange clay and it will make whatever you are wearing...orange. You might also want to put something on top of your floor mats in your car.

Kathy :)

We are soooo looking forward to this great event! See a few of you real soon! :party Mea and Paul :seeya

Bruce, in the apopriate place on the forum could you tell me where the plug is for the rear deck third light? or how to remove the lense to get at that area?
THe Windrestrictor doesn't show so good when that light goes on so I want to disconnect it and use my WR for my third light.
BoboThe SPEED World Challenge GT Race will be on Friday Oct. 3rd @ 12:20-1:20 pm. This is the race that the Cadillac CTS-Vs will be in.

Bruce :cool

Here is the weather forecast for Braselton, GA.

Wednesday: Windy, partly sunny, high 77, low 49, clear
Thursday: Sunny, high 75, low 45, clear
Friday: Sunny, high 77, low 49, clear
Saturday: Sunny, high 77, low 55, partly cloudy
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 82, low 60

:thumbs :cool :yesnod Mea

The weather looks great! We'll see everyone tomorrow. Drive carefully.:yesnod

Bruce :)

You were right about gas, Bruce- it was $3.50 and plentiful in Ohio; most of the stations here in SC are OUT of mid grade or 93 octane, and only a few have regular unleaded... and that's at:eek $4.00 a gallon!

Drive safely! I'll see y'all on Friday!

Hi Guys - just wanted to let you know we miss ya - we watched the race looking for your smiling faces in the crowd :party

OK, so... Road America: August 16, 2009 - shall I make some reservations for you? Will Corvette be in GT2 by then? Some competition will be fun!

Looks like the Cadillacs kicked butt in their race :cool

Can't wait to see some pictures, Kathy!
~Quinn

P.S. Ruth Ann has the perfect name for you guys "Midwest Marauders." I hope David and I can qualify for membership. :)

Really - only one small glass of wine... but I was looking at LAST years SPEED race for the Cadillac finish. See - I can't be left alone.
~Q :o

Hi everyone,

We just got home about an hour or so ago. Man are we tired. We were on our feet, (me on one foot) the whole time. This was by far the BEST race we have ever been to. The excitement, the roar of the great looking fast cars was awesome! Bruce and Kathy, were as always, super hosts and they sure know how to have a great time!!! We did see 2 X's on our way up on Wednesday to Atlanta. Our XLR's did get plenty of attention, especially parked at the Cadillac Racing team's tent.:reddevil
We have to sort through close to a thousand photos, but will post by tomorrow. Kathy has a few thousand photos, can't wait to see those!!!
We had an absolute blast, and we will definitely be there to support our Cadillac team next year!!!! :flag Andy Pilgrim and the entire race team was terrific and very hospitable! We even stayed at the same hotel as they did. :thumbs
The Corvette racing team was awesome too. I don't think I have the space to write everything we did and saw, but hopefully the pictures will tell you that a whole lot of fun went on.
It was incredible to come face to face with some world class drivers, their crew and of course their incredible cars! One thing I have to say is that the CTS V was the loudest out there on the track! WOW. Congratulation to Andy for coming in 3rd place and he did an incredible job holding off that vette on his tail!
Rich came to join the fun Friday and Saturday. There were some great looking Vettes in the Corvette Corral! Paul got to ride with Tom in his 07 Z06 in the parade laps and I got to ride in Kathy's baby with Bruce. Waaaay COOOL!!
I think we will need 20 hours straigh sleep to recoup from all the excitement!
B & K: Thank you guys a soooo much for the best time ever at the races!!! :yesnod

Welcome home everyone!

'Really glad to read that you guys had such a wonderful trip .... and sounds like you all had a birds eye view .... !!

I know how hard it is to put into words everything that made a trip so great .... there's hardly any way to describe the great camaraderie that we all have when we get together and combining that with terrific events makes it even harder ...

'Glad you're back ... we missed you. :yesnod

RA:angel

I'm finally home and ready for bed (note the time of the posting!!)! THANKS AGAIN B&K for a great time, and to Mea & Paul for sneaking us in! ;) You know what I mean!!!:lol

I'll post pics later- MUCH later- today!

Welcome home guys

View some great photos at : http://photobucket.com/Mea_RIII

Here are some of my favorites:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/PaulwCTS.jpg
Paul with Andy's CTS V.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/BlackSwanw_PX.jpg
Paul with the Ford GT that Andry drove for PLM.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Corvetteracingteam26.jpg
Paul in heaven! Ron Fellows's Vette.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/XLRAstonsandwitch3.jpg
Aston Martin & XLR Sandwich :) They actually pulled up next to us.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/ViperppleMea.jpg
Viper lined up for Tech checks.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/JimTaylorSueAndy3.jpg
Jim, Sue & Andy
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/ParadeinTomsZ0614.jpg
Paul rode with Tom in his Z06 for the parade laps. :)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Corvetteteamw_X.jpg
The X was a camera hog! He was playin with the big boys :)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Dinner-1.jpg
Dinner with B & K and Tom and Stevie.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AndyRich.jpg
Andy and Rich
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AndysCTSMea2.jpg
Andy's ride:)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Andyw_FordGT.jpg
Andy with the Ford GT for PLM
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Astonw_M2.jpg
Ahhh, Drayson's Aston Martin team.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/BlackSwanw_X.jpg
Again, X trying to steal the attention with Andy's car for PLM.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AstonX.jpg
Aston and Viper lined up for tech checks. X is trying to keep them company:)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Cadirear.jpg
Nice rear end!
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Cadihotpits3.jpg
Cadillac's hot pits
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AndyMikeheadinout.jpg
Andy & Mike heading out for the line up.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/TomscoolBinxie.jpg
Ahh, Tom's cool ride Binksy.

Kris & Marc, we missed you guys!! Hopefully next year's PLM or possibly Sebring, we can all go. :)
I am still High from the incredible experience. Cool to see Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Helio Castroneves few feet from us. Met the Corvette racing team, the drivers (Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connel, Max Papis, Oliver Gavin & Olivier Beretta) and crew were a real class act! The Cadillac team was superb. Great group of professionals and looking forward to seeing them again. Jim Taylor & Sue (his wife) came to support the team. It was so much fun, we even have all the autographs from the entire Cadillac Racing team and Jim on our engine cover. :thumbs Our X was rubbing noses with Andy's CTS V :yesnod . Andy was very friendly, such a sweetie. Johnny O was a riot in his auction. B & K are the cool cats with cool friends! :cool The Corvette parade laps were sooo cool! Thanks again B & K for such an awesome, unforgettable experience being on the track!
I can't wait to hear the rumbling of all these great cars again! P & M

What an Awesome time @ Road Atlanta!!! It was so nice spending time with our friends @ a place we love. We are very lucky to have such great friends. Here are some of Kathy's 2,400 pictures;

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008912.jpg
our group: Tom and Stephanie Vickers,Rich, Me, Mea,Kathy and Paul.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008075.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008090.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008190.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008186.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008187.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008214.jpg
Paul and Mea's baby @ the Cadillac hauler.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008211.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008231.jpg
Mea and Andy Pilgrim.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008219.jpg
Andy signing the engine cover.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008215.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081327.jpg
Cadillac crew with Georgia National Guard troops.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008382.jpg
Paul and Mea with C6-R.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008378.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008383.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008507.jpg
Mea and I heading out for Corvette parade laps.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008695.jpg
Rich and I watching the Speed World GT race.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008719.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008845.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008865.jpg
Andy's car after the race.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081174.jpg
Tim Pappas,Mea and Andy on Saturday morning before the race.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081169.jpg
Kathy and Andy.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081181.jpg
Paul and Kathy.


Bruce :)

Bruce,

Thanks for posting some awesome pictures, I am sooo looking forward to the CD!!! Kathy and her camera's are the Bomb and you the man for the finished product! :yesnod We miss you guys already! M:seeya

You are very welcome. I'm glad that everyone got home safely. We miss you guys and Rich as well. It sure was fun.
Here are a few more;

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082352.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082405.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082383.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008402.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008479.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008443.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008168.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008167.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008107.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008126.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082462.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008282.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008289.jpg

Bruce

Your pictures are great!!!!! I miss you all too, but I'll see some of you in 2 weeks for another :party !!!!!

A few more;

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081801.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081709.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081713.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081807.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081804.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081561.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008546.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081844.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081569.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081614.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008242.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008245.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081037.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081121.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081613.jpg

Bruce :cool

Those are some awesome pictures! Love the ones on the track!! :thumbs M
I nominate Kathy as the official XLR Events Photographer.:yesnod

Those photos are AWESOME Kathy!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!
is all I can say!!

Hi Guys - just wanted to let you know we miss ya - we watched the race looking for your smiling faces in the crowd :party

OK, so... Road America: August 16, 2009 - shall I make some reservations for you? Will Corvette be in GT2 by then? Some competition will be fun!

Looks like the Cadillacs kicked butt in their race :cool

Can't wait to see some pictures, Kathy!
~Quinn

P.S. Ruth Ann has the perfect name for you guys "Midwest Marauders." I hope David and I can qualify for membership. :)

Cathy, we have to work out the schedule for next year. Mid-Ohio is Aug. 7-9 and The Woodward Dreamcruise trip is Aug. 12-16. We will probably drive up to Detroit on Wednesday like we did this year. If people wanted, they could fly in or drive in for Mid-Ohio and then head up to Detroit for the Cruise. Take a week off and do both. :party

Corvette will be racing in GT2 after Le Mans next year.

Bruce :flag



P.S. You and Dave are both members for sure.:thumbs

Here are some more photos:)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/CadiDan.jpg
Dan & team
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/CadiCTS-Vinterior.jpg
V's Interior
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AudiR82.jpg
Audi R8
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Cadipimpinbuggy.jpg
Cute Cadi buggy
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/CorvettePaceCar23.jpg
Nice Vette
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/CorvetteParade2.jpg
Start of the Corvette parade entering the pits
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/CorvetteParade6-1.jpg
In the Corvette parade
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/Mikepullingin.jpg
Mike pulling off the track.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/RichPaul2.jpg
Rich & Paul
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/RichsMistyX2.jpg
Misty & our boy

The owner of this car works at the Pentagon & was there on 9-11-01. He did this car as a tribute.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082309.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082308.jpg

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20082304.jpg

These guys are from Europe...dedicated Corvette Racing fans. They were even in Sebring, FL earlier this year.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081418.jpg

CTS-V

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans2008881.jpg

#3 car after 10 hours of racing.

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s345/bkashpaugh/Road%20Atlanta%2008/PetitLeMans20081978.jpg

Kathy

Stunning hood!:flag

Mea, Thanks for posting your pictures...it's nice having people on different sections of the track taking pictures. Next year we need our own cart to get us around.
Did Paul like his new Cadillac shirt?

Bruce :D

Hi There,

They were quite the Brithday presents, Paul LOVES his new Cadi shirts, they are the BOMB!!! :yesnod
Now if we can get every Cadi enthusiast in one or two :flag , that would be even better! :thumbs
I have been looking online and did find some cool Cadillac wearables, I will do some shopping!! ;)
Oh and the cart, count us in for sure!!!!

M

One of the Racing team members sent me these awesome photos:) WOW, not a pleasant thing to happen but to catch it on camera!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AndyscaronfireA.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/AndyscaronfireB.jpg

That is what you call an oil fire.