2003 USA Events

1.  Bugs on the Pier

2.  Savannah GTG

3. Waterfest 9 (2003) - I drove up to New Jersey from Savannah Georgia to attend the East coast's largest VW and Audi gathering.  I entered the Car Show which was on Sunday and had a blast.  Here is a little on what happened.  I was traveling with my friend Jeff Paterson, who lives in Savannah, I had to drive about 40 minutes to get to his house as he lives on the North side of Savannah.  When we we all packed and ready, the Golf was too low and rubbing big time in the rear, I had to travel back to my house to wrench up the rear spring plates in order to make the 800 mile trip.  After back tracking to my house I went to work on the rear suspension, I guess I picked up some dirt in the few days since the last wash and I found that my adjuster would not go any higher, I have about 10mm left on the threaded shaft, but no way would it budge any further.  I disassembled the entire rear suspension and tried some more, but it was simply not going up any higher.  So I put it all back together and tested the load out with me and Jeff in the car.  I decided it was high enough and we could make it, with an occasional rub here and there.  I really need to roll the fenders as this was my first experience with the rubbing to this extent.  Anyways, the trip up was flawless and we made good time.  We arrived in Somerville around 8:00 AM and decided to hang out in the parking lot at the Doubletree Hotel.  We napped a bit and then decided to check in.  well our hotel wasn't ready but we were able to get all our gear out of the car and on to a Hotel cart to be delivered to our room.  We went off in search for eats and a wash station.  we drove around for about an hour looking for a Car wash and then finally I decided to go to a full service car wash.  The manager would not allow the car into the wash area as it was lower than 4".  I asked him for directions to a self service car wash and he then told me where to go.  We ate at Applebee's and then returned to the hotel and checked in.  We slept thru Friday night, being too tired from the drive up.  I awoke the Saturday morning with motivation to get the car cleaner, and set out early to check on the car.  I wiped the car down and started a few touch ups.  On Saturday I called Gabe and Alexis from Mass and asked if they wanted to go to Breakfast, they did.  We drove over to the Holiday Inn and checked out all the debris that was from the night before, wow I was shocked, burnt tires, shredded tires mounted on cars, rubber skid marks everywhere.  The parking lot was littered with beer cans and bottles, everything you could image was on the pavement.  Gabe, Alexis, Jeff and myself set out in search for a place to eat Breakfast (Alexis wanted IHOP) but we didn't look very long and we decided to stop at a Italian Bakery.  we all had a nice sit down mini breakfast and then went out to the cars again.  we were stopped by local VW enthusiast and we talked outside the Bakery for about an hour after leaving.  Gabe needed to clean up his car so we all met back up at the Holiday Inn.  On the way back to the hotel Gabe and Jeff took some great shots of both of the cars moving on the highway.  Saturday was spent at the Holiday Inn parking lot, never left for the show area, we all stayed there and basically got to know one another.  I brought over the cooler and chairs so we were more comfortable.  Sunday was checkout and pack up the Golf once again before 7:00 AM.  We were running a little slow, but managed to get out at around 7:15 AM.  We went right into the event area with no problems and parked in our designated spot for class 19.  I began to clean up the car and down load all the crap.  We set up the tent and chairs, Jeff was awesome and was really helped me out during the whole trip and show.  I don't think I would done this without his help.  Anyways the day was so eventful I don't even know where to start, I met tons of people, people who I have never met but know all about me and the Golf.  I now know what famous means, Gabe and Alexis are my witnesses, I even had a person want my autograph on my contact business card (aka TooDamnFast), it was cool, and I was more than happy to offer it.  I really just wanted people to know I am just an enthusiast like everyone else.  No special treatment needed here.  For some reason, people I met seem to think I was allot older and one guy even said "I thought you had Gray hair".  I guess someone down the road posted a fake picture of me and allot of folks thought it was me for real.  The show judging took place and I finished off the judges by blasting the Headlight washing system (James Bond washers), thanks to the recommendations of my new friend Alexis.  Gabe also told me about how detailed the judges had been over at the Golf IV 4 cyl Mod 2 area I had to wipe out my glove box and fuel filler door.  Once the day was all over I had taken 2nd place in the class which I was happy.  The guy who won the class had a nice ride, big stereo, and some interior retrim, so I am not bitter.  I did good considering the car is basically OEM, excluding the wheels, grill and lowered suspension.  So what if it is all European OEM, it is still VAG parts.  Anyways the trip home went well and we arrived back in Savannah at 1:00 PM.  Here are some photos: