1st Annual SMART Car Nationals-The Place to Be is in KC

[MikeT 744]

I would go to Vegas for this, but not anywhere further away.....

[adelaide J 5]

Elaine and I are going and plan on leaving on the 9th and crossing at sarnia. Is there anyone else leaving on the 9th? Maybe we could run down together. Plan on getting there for thursday afternoonJohn

[Bobb Todd 1]

I'm leaving on the 10th and will either go all the way or stop just short of KC to drive in, in the am

[smart fortimo 0]

I would go to Vegas for this, but not anywhere further away.....

Trust me, I was was pulling for someplace in the central West-- I threw Salt Lake, Denver and Vegas into the hat. I knew the coast was out for a 1st national, but Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Franisco, Lotus Land or San Diego would also please me.I talked with Trang this morning, the GM at scPDX. She thinks we should do a West-centric meet. Kuni has the PDX and DEN sc's, so I think we should pump them up to take this on for next year. I'm sure there are folks out on the wrong coast thinking the same thoughts -- why not have an East-centric meet. In the brainstorming for this meet, one idea was to have a couple locations because of the distances. A lot of people were on board for this, but unless one steps up to help organize, you know it will be located where that committee wants it. But I do understand the reason for picking one central place in KC for the first go-round.Fortunately for me, every other summer is good for long vacations because of work, and this summer is one! So, since this is the 1st national for us smart newbies (today is timobile's 2nd birthday) and I can take the time, I'm doing it! I might not travel this far or farther again,but there will never be another "1st" for me and my smart.If you're going to KC, I hope to see you there!Cheers!TimoPS: When I get my smart ED, that new baby is not making ANY meets (unless it turns into a trailer queen

[SCHMART 0]

It appears to almost be the geographical center of the USA.

[jwight 117]

It appears to almost be the geographical center of the USA.

As close as we could get it; the actual center is a little farther west, out in the middle of a cornfield. There's no single location that satisfies everyone and this was a test case to gauge reaction. The mini guys do the east/west thing each year with a single national meet every five years I think (Mini Meet East is just a few miles down the road this year!) Edited May 18, 2010 by jwight

[Huronlad 186]

[jwight 117]

Anyone coming from the west coast?

[Huronlad 186]

Attendance numbers at 178 cars, 311 people !

[jwight 117]

Ah, it just keeps growing. Latest word is 184 cars!

For those heading to KC via St. Louis, here's an update from Kyle Feller, the local caravan organizer:

So the plan is that most of the smart people are going to stay at this LaQuinta (link). after check in on Wednesday we where thinking about going to go to TGI Fridays nearby for dinner if people are interested. Then in the morning on Thursday we are going to go to the Arch (we will leave from LaQuinta at about 8:30) We will spend about an hour at the Arch. From there we will go to the Kemp Auto Museum and get there around 10:30. The Kemp Auto Museum (link) is a world class Mercedes museum and they have agreed to let us in for free. From there we will head to the smart center which is next to an Applebees where those who want to eat lunch can. The smart center will be open and will have some snacks for the road. We will be leaving from there around 1:30 to get to KC by around 5:00

Addresses

La Quinta:

12330 Dorsett Rd

Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Kemp Auto Museum:

16955 Chesterfield Airport Road

Chesterfield, MO 63005-1405

if you have any questions call me

314 602-1576

See you in KC!

[Huronlad 186]

I'm on my way to St. Louis .

[smart142 605]

Bon voyage!!! Say hello to everyone for us

[Bobb Todd 1]

Left at 0900 hrs. Got stuck at the border for an hour !Got here at 0400 hrs [0300 hrs their time].The car doesn't get good mileage at 130 kph but didn't get passed once from St Louis to KC [400 k]Bobb

[bilgladstone 13]

Left at 0900 hrs. Got stuck at the border for an hour !Got here at 0400 hrs [0300 hrs their time].The car doesn't get good mileage at 130 kph but didn't get passed once from St Louis to KC [400 k]Bobb

Thanks for the updates, Bobb. Also watching JWight's blogBil - wish I were there!

[smart fortimo 0]

Thanks for the updates, Bobb. Also watching JWight's blogBil - wish I were there!

We wish you BC'ers were here too. Ross and I have to do the representing for all the PNW... could have used some help!

[yellow bumble bee 3]

HiWill be interested for next year. Just to many things happening this summer.Linda and Roy

[bilgladstone 13]

We wish you BC'ers were here too. Ross and I have to do the representing for all the PNW... could have used some help!

Somebody set up a Skype session!

[Bobb Todd 1]

Lots of sessions and parts albiet mostly for 451sThere were some nice stainless bars and spikes that fit the 450.Decent BBQ dinner tonight provided by the smart dealer.Jill X seemed very nice until she referred to us as loyal Saturn fans and then she lost the crowd. Understandable mistake but I think some people were very offended.THEN WE WENT TO THE DRAG STRIP.The turbo gas model ran under 20 secs and speeds up to 75 mph.Huronlad gave it a try and had speeds similar to the stock gassers. He said he had some trouble gauging the light.Noted by others that since the remap we are both blowing smoke, his a little more than mineMight be time for that K&N.Updates as I have time and more when I get homeBobb

[MikeT 744]

The "Saturn" gaffe will be worn by her like a dead albatross.Your cars have the Eddy remaps? Got time slips?

[Bobb Todd 1]

Yes Eddie remaps.Not sure if William got a time slipBobb

[Bobb Todd 1]

William DID get time slips so I think he will post when he gets back.A good guy who had Star equipment did some cruise control activations, clutch relearn and set points for some guys today [for free]The parade with police escort, had 200 + cars and ran about 50 k into downtown. It worked well until we hit the core and groups broke up all over. I pulled off to talk to William and when I looked behind we had 50 cars backed up who thought we knew where we were going.Ate in a fancy steak house\ micro brewery and saw more hot young women than I have in the last 2 years. Alas, we behaved and went back to the hotel.There is a big photo opp tomorrow and things end at noon but I am hauling ass out of town at 0500 hrs to try and get home by midnight.Bobb

[jwight 117]

Thanks to all the Canadian smart owners who attended! It was a memorable event and only a small number of people will be able to say they were there (and got the T-shirt.)

It's about time those of us in the lower 48 returned the favor, so how about a big Canadian gathering in the near future? Let us know when and we'll start drumming up interest.

Speaking of T-shirts, spotted this one in Kansas City:

Edited June 16, 2010 by jwight

[smart fortimo 0]

Coast Steve and Bil G:I just got home from KC. I bit the bullet and took bigger chunks of miles coming back than going out. Left KC after the brunch Sunday and checking out of the hotel downtown (another story- weather-power outage related). Made it to Kearney NE that night, Evanston WY last night and home tonight.Perhaps next big go-round will be more west-coast friendly.I'm with John (jwight)-- we need to invade the great white north! Hope there is an opportunity this summer for some international goodwill, even if it only involves the PNW. Cheers,Timo

[Huronlad 186]

By request my time slips. I was car 125. I am only too aware of my horrible R/T but I was improving.First solo run.Second run.Last run.I learned quite a bit from the three runs I was able to make and look forward to my next chance to do some more drag racing. A remapped cdi runs the 1/4 mile in about the same time as the 1L gas 451 and I was much quieter. There is video of the races posted on SCOA by Brian.

[MikeT 744]

So is the elapsed time the total, minus reaction time? 21/22 seconds seems awfully slow.