First National Gathering = success

[DBK]

Well, it's 1:32 A.M, and the first national meet is now over. Everyone is sleeping off the party at Camilo's, and getting ready to go back home.

I think it was a tremendous 4 days. Everyone had alot of fun, and we truly had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will quite literally never see that again. What we all walked through, discussed, and lived for the past few days is finished for good in mere weeks. I won't try and pretend I wasn't actually getting choked up just walking through Wixom. The GT, the team behind it, and the facilities that create it have been such a huge part of my life for the last few months, and the finality of walking through for the last time, knowing these unbelievable cars will stop being built...wow.

Of course, it was so great to meet everyone, put faces to names, see the cars in real life, and set the table for the future. While we won't always have the Saleen Special Vehicles tour, or the Wixom Final Assembly, and we won't always gather the entire Ford GT team, we'll always have this camaraderie and grow it in the future with even more owners. I can't even begin to think of how many great and unique people I met this week.

Again, I have to thank my main man GT Joey for being the unbelievable voice for the gathering. He's the man. And of course Jerry DeYoung and his/our good friend Alex Borla for making so much of this possible. Daniel Bonyhadi for getting us the good stuff, which is no surprise. Brian Depenbrock for all the banners and all his other contributions. And everyone at Ford and SSV for a GREAT show.

So....where we goin next year?

P.S, and now, I'm going to collapse

[FlorIdaho Chris]

I agree, it truly was a unique once in a lifetime experience. Thanks Dave, for all the sacrifices you have made over the past months putting this all together. It'll take me hours to upload all the photos from my camera to my computer when I get home. It’ll take a lifetime to enjoy all the new friends we met the rally.

What a great car, what a great group of owners. See you at the next one.

[cobrajeff]

What an incredible week this was! DBK and GTJOEY - you guys REALLY know how to throw a party! You didn't leave a stone unturned - I can't think of anything else that we could have done this week that would have added any more to the event. We toured the plants, we met the people who build the cars...we met the people who designed and engineered tha cars...and, it was very obvious, these folks were as excited about the cars as the owners are.

We surrounded Ford WHQ, we completely took over the Ford Conference and Events Center (with DBK's GT centerstage on a revolving turntable, flanked by the "Daisy" Cobra concept roadster, and the Shelby GR-1 concept coupe), and we partied downtown with Camilo (it felt like I was back in college at art school).

It was really nice to meet so many forum members, connect a face and a name with a screen name, look at all the cars, and see how everybody is enjoying them. Getting to hang out with the infamous Bony and Awsum GT was a lot of fun - they were intent on seeing and doing everything, and I'm pretty sure they did. Thanks for everything you guys contibuted to the event, too!

I hope all of you had a great time in Detroit - we were pleased and honored to have you here.

Jeff Burgy

[BigsGT]

I'll echo the comments above, especially the one regarding not knowing what else could have been done to add to it. The Ritz was the perfect Rally HQ, the owners and the Ford and SSV people were so honored to be in each others presence. Camilo was so gracious, as was everyone who was burdened with accomodating us, signing everything, smiling for every picture.

I've got over 300 pictures, and I'm sure there are those with even more (AwesomeGT for one! I tried to keep up with him at Wixom and ran out of memory!) I'll work on picking some out for posting on the flight home.

Thanks again to DBK, GTJoey, SuperB, AwesomeGT, Bony, Sam the Jeep Man and everyone else who helped set this most memorable week up!

[dorkymom3]

I'll echo the comments above, especially the one regarding not knowing what else could have been done to add to it. The Ritz was the perfect Rally HQ, the owners and the Ford and SSV people were so honored to be in each others presence. Camilo was so gracious, as was everyone who was burdened with accomodating us, signing everything, smiling for every picture.

I've got over 300 pictures, and I'm sure there are those with even more (AwesomeGT for one! I tried to keep up with him at Wixom and ran out of memory!) I'll work on picking some out for posting on the flight home.

Thanks again to DBK, GTJoey, SuperB, AwesomeGT, Bony, Sam the Jeep Man and everyone else who helped set this most memorable week up!

I will miss you guys... Please keep in touch!

Jennifer

[piko6]

i dont know what to say... DBK it was a pleasure... GT JOEY .. thank you..

it was once in a lifetime.. IMHO it cannot be duplicated...

special thanks to JAMAL and to DBK and to GENE ( YOU KNOW).........

AHHHHHHHH it was just simply awesome.... to my pals in NC and in TORONTO etc etc..

all very nice people.....


JOE

[DBK]

At the top of my list of people I've run out of superlatives to describe is Florida Chris. I think anyone who was in Detroit has the same opinion. What an unbelievable guy, and someone I owe profusely for all he's done for me, probably more than he'd want me to elaborate.

I agree, it truly was a unique once in a lifetime experience. Thanks Dave, for all the sacrifices you have made over the past months putting this all together. It'll take me hours to upload all the photos from my camera to my computer when I get home. It’ll take a lifetime to enjoy all the new friends we met the rally.

What a great car, what a great group of owners. See you at the next one.

[MAD IN NC]

Just got in. Car ran great and followed Gordon through the long ride. Had a great time this week. Sorry I didnt snap a picture of DBK sleeping sideways in Saleens lobby - that is my only regret!

Thanks DBK and GTJOEY. This was truly a once in a life time experience. You guys in less than 8 months pulled off a fitting commerative event for the team at Ford and was able to rally the true fans of the car.....

Many new friendships started this week on top of this lifetime opportunity that will continue through the course of ownership of this car and others......

It was great putting faces to the names and better yet connecting to the team that built this monster (and the new teams modifying them)


MAD IN NC

[kosupply]

Thanks DBK, GT JOEY!! we just got into Houston....awesome time...I don't know how anyone could out do this one!!

[FB GT40]

Thanks to all who put this together. Truly and event that reflected the people behind the car. The designers, the builders, the owners. How great it was we could all meet and mix for a few days. Truly remarkable. Kudos’s to GT Joey and DBK for all the behind the scenes work. Great stuff. I learned so much and got to meet some awesome people. Steve Saleen is one class act. The design and build team are incredible…how great to have met them all. I’ve done many car events over the years – but this one has to be on of the best. Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.

By the way…MAD and me – FB GT40 - left Dearborn at 6:05 AM this morning…he peeled off around Raleigh, NC and I made it to Folly Beach, SC (930 mile trip) in 11 hours 45 minutes. (drive time) The GT is incredible.

Thank you “Valentine…” and the GT team.

Where next? I’m in!

Gordo.