Official 2nd Annual Pittsburgh Summer '09 Honda MEGA Meet planning thread

[RC000E]

Just spoke with Tom at BeaverRun....here's the deal. We're going to work on a group rate for the karts. This will allow anyone that wants to go on the karts to do it, and just pay at the time. This will allow the ticket prices for the entire meet to go way down. Then, if you want to kart, you can. Also, there is an autocross opened, and if you want to do that, you can pay at the time and do that. So, now it can be a pay to do specifically what you want to do. Therefore, passengers can kart, drivers can kart, passengers can autocross in their car...whatever. It's all pay as you go. Then the meet ticket itself, for the prizes, cost of DJ, media, etc will be way lower and will be paid early like when you arrived last year. Complicated...but we're getting there!

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[Uncle Ben]

Hey Damien, I don't think it's the "sticker price" thats scaring people away, hell I would of paid near that for last years meet. I dunno about other areas, but where i'm coming from (Belle Vernon), most people havn't even seen this thread, and all the details are spreading by word of mouth. I know 5 of the people that came with me didn't know there was a thread. Hell, even I havn't checked the thread in a few months and am a little confused...do we keep looking at the first page to keep up to date?

[RC000E]

Hahaha....I feel you on that. Yeah, the updates I'm posting are for people following the thread, but I also update the first page when necessary.

I definitely count on the forums on one hand, but also I know word of mouth is going to spread interest. I certainly have customers from Belle Vernon area that will help with that, and of course people from this thread.

Interest locally will be double what it was last year. Not only are people from last year ready to go again, but they're working even harder telling others about it. In addition, my customer base has spread substantially and I always tell those people about attending, then there's two established car clubs in the Pittsburgh area involved this time as well.

The first is one that has been around, and the second is one I've formed to gather enthusiasts that are interested in clean street and building balance. They're all laid back, and a lot are adults 30+. So, it's just further my effort to bring peope together like it was back in 2000'ish, instead of all the hostility that's around.

This years meet WILL be bigger...there's no question. The prizes will be better, the locations will be better, the cars will be better and more plentiful, and the overall day will be better, the media coverage will be better. I've stepped it up on all fronts....all people have to do is show up in masses.

Update on the next post.

[RC000E]

Update: Spoke with Shannon at Quaker Steak and it's looking like our day is August 8th. The date is the result of 1) avoiding conflicting with Import Alliance 2) Being in the heart of summer and late enough to allow people to get their cars runnin 3) Accomodating all locations so they can accomodate us 4) Avoid return to college and school

The compromise of all agencies involved became August 8th.


The deal at Quaker Steak in Sharon, is that it's the original. The parking area is BIG and not surrounded by businesses like last year. Also, they have another restaurant across the street with a banquet room that can accomodate everyone with food. Or they have the typical menu and a bar out back. Lots more freedom...lots more fun for the meet. Lastly, I'm talking to them about a "honda" special...lol. They have the 8 cylinders of fury and V8 marketed meals...but I told them we need a Honda special! Dynamite comes in small packages damn it!!! Who needs a V8...lol. So, we're talking about naming a menu selection just for the Honda people.


So, at this point we've got everything but the initial meeting place. BeaverRun is on board...karting, and autocrossing is still opened if you want. A poker run with bigger prizes, leading to a more accomodating venue to have the meet. This year is shaping up...and is gonna be AWESOME.

My plan for the meeting place is South Pittsburgh. This will allow the cruise to lead up 79 right through the center of Pittsburgh in a mass of Honda's, then across the rivers and bridges, then north to BeaverRun.

Be ready....this is gonna be the best yet.

[01DC4]

so karting and autox only at beaver run the north circuit is now out?

[rogueeg6]

im 200% in with the new plans

[I_is_NINJA]

is there a date for this?

[rogueeg6]

WOW read post 254

[RC000E]

UPDATE AGAIN:

Alright...talked to Tom again this morning....now we're getting somewhere good!


PLEASE READ:

Talked with Tom about what I'm trying to get done here and how I'm trying to drive this cost down for this year. This is what we got together here.

Karts: I've got a special group rate on the karts. Helmets and jackets provided and your runs are 15.00 for the first 20 minutes, and 10.00 for additional 15 minutes. If you've never raced these types of karts the first 20 minutes will have your arms hurting good already and you'll be ready to quit..lol. That price is generally about 25% higher at the normal rate...so we got a good discount.

All karts will be equipped with an electronic transponder. ALL runs will be timed, so while your running the karts for fun, your still trying to get the best lap times. In the end, the best lap times winners will be brought together for a 30 minute endurance race!! Winner of that gets something good!

This way you can be a passenger or driver at the meet and have an equal chance of being a champion...lol!!!

Autocross: The day of the meet, BeaverRun is holding an opened autocross on the VDA course. Since they already had it going on that day, Tom said it'd be ok for anyone that wants to give it a shot to do so. Price is being adjusted, but he's thinking like 5 bucks. They'll also have cars available for people that are passengers!

North Track HOT laps...not parade laps: Tom is going to talk to several Honda dealerships to see if we can obtain a sponsor for the north track. I'm also considering sponsoring it out of pocket for the benefit of the meet depending on how business is for me this summer. So, for now the North Track is still really possible. The only catch is, if they book a paid event, that option will be out. WE HAVE the kart track to ourselves though...guaranteed, and the autocross is already booked so we're good to go there.


Now, I just need to locate a meeting spot South of Pittsburgh to gather everyone for the pre-cruise meet.

I'm going to talk to hotels in Sharon for those of you coming from out of state so we can get a group rate and hopefully have some fun that night...bring chicks...lol!!!

I'm going to further talk with several media outlets about coverage (magazines, .com's)...even local news stations....screw it...lol.

Seriously though...I'm getting f*ckin pumped. This one is going big this year. Whoever misses it is going to be sorry. People were sorry last year...they'll really be sorry this year.


I'm getting it wrapped up plan wise...the date is August 8th, and the meet e-flyer is about to be underway as soon as I locate the initial meet location. As soon as I can adjust all my costs I'm going to announce the meet ticket price which will be MUCH lower. Just going to cover prizes, dj, and whatever other costs are associated (stickers, etc)

[RC000E]

Anyone that is carrying posts on other forums, please update it with the above statement, so all forums are up to date!!

[delsol8017]

will be there for sure

[RC000E]

First page is updated with pics....so direct anyone interested in learning what this is about to the first page!

[Nichelson_Performance]

Originally Posted by rogueeg6

im 200% in with the new plans

i'm 201% in with the new plans lol

this is gonna be one hell of a meet, whatever the cost, it don't matter to me

i just wanna see a whole lotta really nice f***** hondas and have some fun

[00civicb16]

Ok, I just found this thread and super pumped about this meet, never heard of it!

Just want clarification, the date is set for August 8th? I may be blind as I have overlooked the first page multiple times looking for a set date but fail to find one...If the date was set, i may be able to heighten the interests of some people in my part of the woods....

[RC000E]

Spread the word and get people in this thread. Just get your boys to come into the thread and add their name to the list of attendees. Lets keep that list going...just leave the prices out...the next person that quotes it.

We're still doing pre-registration...but tickets will be way cheaper.

Date is added to the first page too....yes August 8th so people can finish their builds!

[00civicb16]

Ok, August 8th it is....I shall spread the world like wildfire up here.....Im sure I can get a group of people interested.

P.s...I dont know why people are complaining about the price, $41 sounds cheap to me for the looks of what you did last year, and now your talking about an even larger event.

[Rickcrx]

Cant wait for this.Its goin to be alot of fun!!!!!

[RC000E]

Originally Posted by 00civicb16

Ok, August 8th it is....I shall spread the world like wildfire up here.....Im sure I can get a group of people interested.

P.s...I dont know why people are complaining about the price, $41 sounds cheap to me for the looks of what you did last year, and now your talking about an even larger event.

Yeah, and now it won't even be near 41.00 now. Granted you'll pay for the karts and what not, but now those who are whiny and broke can still come...lol.

[JDM 98 GSR]

me and about 5 other cars are makin the trip from NY

[00civicb16]

Originally Posted by RC000E

Yeah, and now it won't even be near 41.00 now. Granted you'll pay for the karts and what not, but now those who are whiny and broke can still come...lol.

Does that mean we have to use the karts? Also, is there a charge for those who are not entering cars, a spectator fee if you want to call it that?

[WILL 712]

the new plans sounds like alot of fun 2. we finally dont gotta deal wit all this ppl crying bout 41 lol. i talked 2 alot of ppl n got bout 6 or 7 other car coming plus u know im on the list 4 2 already

[RC000E]

JDM 98 GSR....that's awesome...we love out of state people!

00CivicB16...there's a general meet ticket fee. This will cover prizes, dj, and the general events throughout the day. It'll be low...15 bucks or so. Then, if you want to do karts and that business you just pay as you go.

The point is to keep it affordable and fun, or REAL fun if you want to spend a tad more money.

I'm trying to make everyone happy. Doesn't really ever work...but I'm doin my best.

I do all I can to work and make this an event everyone can enjoy. Truly the only payoff I ever want for my time and effort is for people to show up. The more cars that show up, the more satisfying it is that I put the time in to make it happen.

That's what these cars are about, is having people with a common interest, but over the years everything became competitive and who knows what. People built a car or two and suddenly hated on everyone around them, and that isn't what this should be about. Last year, everyone got along good, and appreciated others work. That's what I'm in this for.

[00civicb16]

Ok thats what i was wondering..karts are pay as you go...thank you. Yea im starting to ask around and so far peoples interests have spiked majorly about this event, give me a couple weeks and i maybe be able to get a decent amount of people for preregistration, i shall keep you updated on my progress.

I think the only thing that is going to deter my people is the distance, we would be coming from the Milwaukee, WI area. But i will do my best to rally the troops.

[00civicb16]

Another thing, hows it looking for finding a place for the initial sign in and meet up spot before the cruise?

[RC000E]

Well, the initial meeting place is being worked on. That was the least of my worries though, because we really need little more than a parking lot that doesn't mind us being there for 2 hours.

I've got some creative ideas even for that in the works though.

Milwaukee is a distance, but that's a heck of an experience as a crew of people. I WILL have hotel accomodations worked on so that there is a group rate available. If you plan for it, save some cash for it, and make sure your car is ready then it's gonna be a great experience.