Dodge Diesel National Rally , ?

[Mark_Kendrick]

Central is better, and not just because I live in KS.



I lived in houston and MO ain't got ant where near the humidity. the 106-110* temps at 90+% humidity are for the birds.



But north of OK, West of the Great Lakes and East of CO



Leaves KS MO ND SD WI Iowa?? NB.



Dead center of the country would be Kansas or Nebraska.



I'm in Kommifornia right now so I don't really care. A central location is key to a national event.

 

[Power Wagon]

Who said anything about a "weekend"??



I'm talking about 9 to 10 days!



I think you are all thinking about an intensive event where we have concentrated activity for a couple days, with dyno runs, presentations by vendors, and such.



I agree with the idea that even 2500 miles is a HECK of a long ways to go for a weekend event. It pretty much rules out people from the east coast going to even the plains states for just a weekend. It's not for a vacation. Maybe I'm strange, but I have no problem with going 2000 miles to something I'll be at for 5 or 7 or 9 days.



A weekend event, like Diesels in December, at Pahrump (really just a day) is very regional, and I was stunned at the number from the northwest who showed up. Several idaho, a couple from oregon and washington were there... I thought they were pretty hard-core, if you ask me.



But nothing one does that's geared at getting people from all around the country together should be that short, NOR should it be an intensively commercial occaision, either.



The TDR forums work because we associate, make friends, share information, share likes, dislikes, ideas and have mutual interests. These are enhanced by actually meeting in person, and should be exploited as a social event, where the time is spent meeting and getting to know better the people we kinda know by our participation here.



Yes, it would be good to have organized stuff going on in the evenings and during the day, but if you're going 2000 miles to it, might as well take the wife, kids and dog along, and have stuff for everyone to do.



Like was said, it's just an idea... Presenting and developing those ideas can't be b ad... So come on guys... dream big

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by Mark_Kendrick

Central is better, and not just because I live in KS.



But north of OK, West of the Great Lakes and East of CO



Leaves KS MO ND SD WI Iowa?? NB.

OK, OK, we'll host it here in the land of cheese. Oo.



Seriously, I agree that ID would put it out of reach for many. Not to knock ID - it sounds great. But even for me (in WI) ID would be a 2-3 day drive with the camper in tow. Any East coast folks would have a heck of a haul.



We could rotate the location - west one year, central the next year, east the next year, north (for the Canuks) the next year, but this would make it somewhat regional. My opinion is that the closest to the center of the US might be the best compromise. That would put it in the area of Omaha. But then that would make it a haul for the NW folks... ... aw man, this is getting complicated. :{

 

[amsoilman]

Hey guys, The TDR along with Dodge and Cummins had a National Event in Mesquite, Nevada October 7-10th of 1997. This event was well attended by folks from all over the US. I think some even came from Canada. Dodge brought in around 40 vehicles for a ride and drive, and even had a couple of tracks set up for "Off-Road" as well as a timed event. They even had "Vipers", but they wouldn't allow anyone to drive them, however they did take people for a ride in them, WOW!!! This is where they introduced the "Quad-Cab" as well as the "Durango" and also the 24-Valve CTD. None of these had been seen by the public before they were introduced there in MesQuite Nevada.



I Don't think Dodge and Cummins will help host an event such as this anymore, especially since the Germans have taken over! It was a very FUN TIME!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[DHRA]

Other "National" events

Cummins (midrange plant) hosted one in August of 1999, and Dodge/TDR teamed up for Hell Michigan in June 2000.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

National Event

I would like to add one more to the history of national events. St. Louis, Missouri

July 25-26, 1996

I was not there, but got the photo when we went to the Mesquite Rally, October 7-10, 1997. Mesquite was one GREAT RALLY.

Thanks again Robert for that event.

 

[John]

Farragut State Park

I'm with Power Wagon and Big Bob! Farragut State Park is one awesome and very large park!



One thing you have to remember when planning an event... the allure of the destination! There is no way many will want to drive half way across the U. S. to go to a Diesel rally in dust bowl Kansas or worse yet, Nebraska (sorry, JMO). However, make it in a scenic area in Colorado or an exciting place such as Las Vegas... and more people are likely to WANT to attend. For instance, we could have a really nice event out here in the Pacific Northwest with weather and scenery to die for... right now! But that would only give you a planning window of 24-48 HOURS, as it will surely be raining shortly thereafter.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

I vote for Colorado scenery. East coast I would have to work Washington DC into the trip. I need something additional to the Dodge/Cummins stuff to make a long trip. Dallas, Texas I could visit the wife's relatives. Anything is an acceptable reason for a road trip to Las Vegas.

 

[Power Wagon]

Originally posted by Boldt's Wagon

I vote for Colorado scenery. East coast I would have to work Washington DC into the trip. I need something additional to the Dodge/Cummins stuff to make a long trip. Dallas, Texas I could visit the wife's relatives. Anything is an acceptable reason for a road trip to Las Vegas.

No offense to the great people I met in the Vegas / Pahrump area... Ain't no way in heck I'm taking the family to Vegas in the middle of summer.



Come to think of it, if I get to May Madness, Las Vegas is NOT on our itinerary. Death Valley, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion, and some of the neat sounding places in Nevada, but forget the city.



I drove to Portland a couple months ago to pick up the wife from downtown, where she'd been working. As I pulled onto the Interstate and started east of Troutdale, the frown on my face relaxed, my mood improved, and I started enjoying the mighty Gorge scenery again. I just can't WAIT to leave the city... It's my nature.

 

[wedodgediesel]

I attended the Mesquite, Nevada convention and took a 2 week vacation to do it. I put on over 6000 miles in the 2 weeks and had a great time. Having another on the west coast wouldn't prevent me from coming, just need advance notice so I can get the time off from work.

 

[JHansen]

Think about Canada.....

Just because we're all laid-back, deferential type folks up here doesn't mean we don't know how to put on a show! I think by the time we're done with the Diesel Dyno Stampede it'll go down as one of the best ones yet ..... OK maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. . but there are some real good advantages to coming to the land where ice was born :



1. Probably the biggest one is $$$-your cash goes a long long way in Canada! I haven't checked the exchange lately-but I'm thinking one of your dollars is worth around $1. 40 of our northern pesos.



2. Climate-summer up here is not too hot, not too cool-usually around 70-80F in the daytime and 50-55F at night in the summer.



3. Attitude-we'd all get treated like gold up here just 'cause that's the way we do things



Within Calgary and its surrounding radius we have the ability to drag race, sled pull-hey we could probably talk Race City into letting us out on the oval. Think Bristol with maybe a touch less banking .



Don't sell us short just because we talk funny and our money's weird colors!



Jason

 

[jthorpe]

Originally posted by Jim Weed

Jeep has had a national rally for the past 25 years , sponserd by Dodge , this year there haveing it around Branson Mo, with 25000 people. contest , venders , thay have a lot of fun. ---- Would it posiable to have a Dodge Diesel Rally ? It would Mega Fun---- Every thing has a start some were---- Later, --- Jim Weed

Uh oh. I just happen to be travelling to Branson on a camping trip in August. Please tell me this rally will be over by then. PLEASE... .

 

[Cobra]

Hey guys, this is a great idea but rather than hassle about the location think of this. I belong to the Harley Owners Group. They have an annual rally every year in a different location. They do this because not everyone from all over the US and Canada can make it to one location, nor would you want everyone to attend. So, considering the diversity of the Cummins people it makes sense to have an annual gathering and move it every year. I'm sure in favor of starting one and Idaho sounds as good as any place to begin. Then next year Southeast, then Canada, etc. etc. etc. you get the point. :-{}

 

[Fireman Dave]

I vote for having it at Jason's house. Oo.



Good idea, eh?



Jason, how big is your yard? Do you have hook-ups?

 

[JHansen]

My House is Your House!

I do live on an acreage-and the yard is pretty big. No hookups though-I could probably string out extension cords and Y up a few garden hoses . No septic drain though-but you could probably drive up the road to the neighbor's and dump it on his driveway. Did I tell you I don't like our neighbor very much?



Jason the Wannabe RV Park Owner

 

[Fireman Dave]

Cool Jason!



You are the best neighbor ever!:{

 

[brucew]

a national event

seems like a wonderful idea. whoever, would be the point person for this event would need tons of support. i have helped coordinate ABATE events and can tell you first hand it is a monumental task with more complainers than helpers !!!!! a central location would be better for all. especially those in the extreme corners of the country. kinda like me here in the sunshine state. bruce

 

[Silver Streak]

National rally

Thought I'd put my 2 cents in. RVers who belong to Coast to Coast know that they have a national rally at a different place every year. I'd like to suggest Gillette Wyoming. Coast to Coast had one there and they have the facilities to accommodate lots of folks. I think weather should be a consideration. Does it have to be in the heat of the summer?



Silver Streak