2009 AutoFair Recap!

[Ooooner]

The 2009 Spring AutoFair located at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC is now in the history books! We had almost perfect weather although it was a little cool in the shade and just about right in the sun.
Friday night started off by everyone attending the BBQ and Baby Back Ribs at Hotel Ooooner (Roy Bell's house). As you will see in the pictures, there was a spread of food to be enjoyed by all! Of course, we had a few beverages of choice.
Early Saturday morning, we all met at TGI Friday's near the race track then we all "caravaned" together over to our assigned space on the infield. Once we arrived at the infield, the speedway officials had decided that due to the heavy rain on Thursday night, the infield grass was still too wet for us to park on. So they moved us to a location under the grandstands, which turned out to be a decent place. Many people came by and looked at our Opels and talked with us.
This was the only "hiccup" of the entire weekend.
Awards were announced at 3:30 PM. The judges were Vickie Gage and Harold Collins. The following are the award winners:

Best In Show: Laurie Schwartz (From North Carolina)
1st Place Stock: Helmut Guehr (From North Carolina)
1st Place Modified: Dieter Heininger (From Georgia)
People's Choice: Tom Cabataio (From Pennsylvania)
Most Unique: Mike ??? (From Georgia)
Honorable Mention: Ed Dingo (From North Carolina)

Others attending with cars were Allen and Vickie Gage (Saxybiker) from Ohio, Tony (Phoenix) from Georgia, Roy Bell (Ooooner) from North Carolina.

Opelers who attended without Opels were Harold Collins from Tennessee, Bill Moon and his son from Tennessee, Mike Brooks and his father from Virginia and Elmer Oboyle from North Carolina and Terry Burford from North Carolina. We had a few new people show up that had Opels who were interested in joining our club. One couple was from Switzerland and currently lives nearby! They said that her father was an Opel dealer in Switzerland and she can get parts for us! Believe me, we will want to get her and her husband into our club!!! But I think they would be a great addition to our club. I saw pictures of their GT and it looks great!

After the show on Saturday, most of us went over to the Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant for food and beverage. We had a great time before "retiring" to Hotel Ooooner for a night cap. This part of the weekend will go down in Opel lore. Just ask anyone who was there! Pictures will be posted...

Thanks to everyone who attended and made this such a successful beginning to the Opel summer show season!

[Ooooner]

Show winners! One more show winner will be posted on the next set of pictures!

[Ooooner]

Here is a picture of Ed Dingo holding one of the six awards.

Other pictures are views of the AutoFair. What you see in these pictures is only about one third of the show. The other two-thirds are outside the speedway!

[Ooooner]

Here is where more fun was had after he show!

[Ooooner]

Here, we see the "other" types of awards given away at the AutoFair! Thanks, guys!

Other fun, too!

[heimue]

Thank you Roy and Yvonne for having us again! As always, we all had a blast, even when we didn't get too much sunshine at the emergency location.
I was back in Newnan at about 11:30pm on Saturday night, only remembering that a friend of mine mentioned that she'd be at a newly opened bar with live music (70's/80's Southern Rock & Country) next to the Interstate exit. Since the Quaker Steak & Lube ice tea had enough caffeine in it to last for a while, they had to throw us out at about 2:30am...

Dieter

Edit: I didn't know you had a nice set of boobs like that Roy! I had the impression you were more P....-oriented.

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by heimue Edit: I didn't know you had a nice set of boobs like that Roy! I had the impression you were more P....-oriented.

Hee Hee Hee... I thought I was, too, until the guys gave this to me at the party!

[rrossjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner Here, we see the "other" types of awards given away at the AutoFair! Thanks, guys! Other fun, too!

Roy,
Congrats on the "Breast in Show" award!
Looks like you guys had a blast. Hoping to join you one of these days.
Cheers,
Ron in Indy

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by rrossjr Roy, Congrats on the "Breast in Show" award! Ron in Indy

OK... That was a good one! Maybe that could be a new award for our wives who attend to get them more interested in our hobby!

[hotrodder1969]

ok i have a bunch of pics how can i put them on here you real need to see these drinks lol

[saxybiker]

We arrived home at around 5:45 pm. The weather was beautiful and there was waaaay more stuff to see than possible. Thousands of vendors and cars. We walked many miles and got chrispy in the sun. Then, the Opel discussions and time to renew friendships rounded out a great weekend.

Roy's BBQ is phenomenal and Yvonne mixes some beautiful layered drinks. Thanks for opening up your home to us...we had a wonderful time!

Vickie & Allen

[hotrodder1969]

ok ill try this again hope the pics download this is how we partied on friday night

[hrcollinsjr]

Finally made it home after a long week away from home! The driving was nice until the wind started kicking up last night. Nothing like pulling a trailer with a '71 Opel Wagon in gusting winds at the end of a ten hour drive to keep you alert!

Made it home safe and sound last night at 11:30 PM CST!

Harold

[wrench459]

Ooooner
Who's the person taking his meds post #4 first picture.
I found out late friday that my previous engagement was canceled.
Dang missed another get together
Thanks for the pictures its the next best thing to being there in person.
Mr. H its time for your meds again

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by wrench459 Who's the person taking his meds post #4 first picture.

That is Bill Moon and his son. They do look like they are on something, huh?

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner That is Bill Moon and his son. They do look like they are on something, huh?

Uncross your eyes and LOOK again. There is only one person in the first picture on post #4. Can't quite make out who it is though.

Harold

[Mach1Tom]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Uncross your eyes and LOOK again. There is only one person in the first picture on post #4. Can't quite make out who it is though. Harold

Harold, I noticed that too. I think he's a bit cross-eyed from staring at his award too long.

[Mach1Tom]

I got in after 6pm Sunday after following the Solstice (aka Opel) back to the PA/OH line. No problems with the GT driving down or back.

Thanks again Roy for hosting this event twice a year and ESPECIALLY to Yvonne for letting half a dozen or more semi-rowdy but harmless Opelers stay at their place for the weekend. To top that off she actually gets up early to get us breakfast & makes 2 or 3 pots of coffee both days. Some of us also get a few sandwiches & snacks made for the long ride home.

Thanks again & see you for the fall AutoFair.

~ Tom

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by Mach1Tom Harold, I noticed that too. I think he's a bit cross-eyed from staring at his award too long.

Instead of the "bit cross-eyed" insert a "T" with the first letter of the phrase.