Well I just made it back(in one piece) from the latest BANEON rally. Here goes....

Met up with Hash around 9am in Laguna, near Sacramento. Sped down to Tom's place. On the way, a mean person(tm) in a Blazer or something like that, was doing 65 in the fast lane(in a 70 zone). I politely flashed my lights, to which I was greeted with a sudden tap on their brakes. Being far enough back(and apparently legal), I passed on the right. Hash attempted the same move, which led to a more severe braking on the part of the Blazer driver. A quick swerve away from dorkman(c), and Hash and I were on the way once again...except for Mr. CHP dood...

Doing 85 or so down I-5, I glance over at the onramp to see Mr. CHP rolling up, FAST. A quick tug on the e-brake and all was well, as I let him pass me and take off. So eventually the adrenaline subsided and we entered Tracy. Only Hash went ONE way, and I went another. Fifteen minutes later we passed each other on a random street, near, but not at, Tom's. Another 5 minutes of me wandering around landed me at Tom's. The headcount -

Rex Tom Hash Steve Rodney Pete Myself

After swapping on my Peakes Pipe, Hash gave Keith a ride in the HashACR(sm) and I took Rex's little joy out for a buzz. The latest addition to Rex's car, some hard plastic inserts for his front motor mount, do a VERY NICE JOB of reducing driveline lash, without giving a noticable increase to vibration idle. If Rex is so inclined to make more, BEG him for some, buy some from him, do SOMETHING. Well worth it. :)

So after the stop at Tom,s off we were. Following I-5 for a bit, we had to stop a couple of times. First, Rex, as usual, lost his antenna off the roof of his car...a quick swap to the trunk and we were in business. Later, after turning off I-5 to make the 'fun' part of the trek, we stopped to discuss the road ahead and then took off. For the most part, the road was mellow. TONS of cows and bulls lurked about, pondering the noise of our little gasoline powered vehicles. Silly cows...

Or perhaps, silly humans...

A bit farther on down the road(the sequence here evades me, so someone correct me if I am wrong)we spied some cave things off the road(and one across a small creek). Investigating the first one revealed a cool vein of quartz. This hole may have been exploratory or a part of a larger network of mines. Regardless, the place smelled of urine and pot, so off we went. A bit further up and across the creek, there was a much smaller cave. A quick tip down the hill, across the creek(don't ask why Rodney had mud all over his knees)and up the other side got us into the cave. It was steenky, but like moldy-rock stinky. It was about 4 - 5 feet tall and about 30-40 feet deep. Interesting, but hey...whatever...this is about Neons..

So, BACK in the cars for the run to Lick Observatory. About 10 minutes after we started out, I got stuck behind Rex, who was stuck behind a slow Ford Thunderduck. Being the nutcase I am, I made the pass on a near-blind turn(but I had an earlier check from across the road to get a clear shot). With Rex and I past this slowpoke, they decided to play CATCHUP. Yeah...right...after they floated through 2 or 3 turns, they gave that up. Throughout the trip we passed a few Harley's and they passed us. Nice riders, very considerate, just as we were to them. Nice to see sane people on the roads.

Eventually, we were stuck behind a group of about 8 cars. There were 6 of us...yeah thats right...a 14-car caravan...a SLOW one, at that, and very annoying to those of us with leaden feet and legs....

As they pulled off about 15-20 minutes later, it was apparent they were all in a group as well. And couldn't bother to pull over and let us by...what happened next...well...nevermind...it was well deserved on their part, however.

So onward and upward to Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. On the way, the local birdwatching crowds become annoyed with our rather irreverent use of the "No-muffler 3-2 downshift at 60mph". Poor people...the birds heard us coming hours before and bugged out. Smart critters they are...

As the altitude increased, the weather, which until now had been warm but humid, turned a tad nasty. Rather steady rain began to fall, and need I remind ANY Neon owner how GA's perform in the rain?(or rather fail to perform).

But alas, we made it to the top. After lunch, brief tour of the obeservatory's visitor gallery and restrooms led to one conclusion - you wondered where the 70's went? They hid up on Mt. Hamilton. Everything from design to computers to everything....very 70's, very chic. My poor Neon driving eyes had enough and out we went to descent into the depths of the South Bay.(BTW - Pete, you were munchin' on Spam for lunch, yes? YOU ROCK! SPAM ROCKS! SPAM -- What I hope CC names the 99 Neon!)

<ahem>

Three-hundred and sixty five turns, and a serious case of dizziness later, we arrived in some surreal land, where people in Corollas felt superior to our little cars, and other Japanese autos were clad in metallica orange paint(factory stock, I'm afraid). I was scared. I was tired. I went home. Tom, Hash, Steve, Rodney and myself headed back to Tracy. Pretty uneventful...just a mellow ride. Stopped and parted with Tom, and then Hash and I went to pester Keith a bit(N.B. - Steve and Rodney disappeared...prolly something to do with the 'love child' they were talking about carrying for the NEW R/T Steve got!!!) Beware - Keith has been playing with his audio toys again and upgrading. If my Neon was as fast as his home audio system is loud/clean, I'd be running a Neon in FIA GT2 and whompin' ass on the Viper teams. Nuff said.

>From there, I split and went home, and can only assume that Hash took Keith and Marilyn for a nice ride in his ACR...hopefully everyone is still intact. :)

I think I missed a few things, but I tire now. I am sure there will be events between now and Black Rock during Labor Day weekend. However, if there are none, remember - Black Rock Desert, Nevada, U.S.A. Bring booze, guns, Neons, bombs, small artillery, implements of mass destruction and amusement, because anything goes. No speed limits, no drink minimums, just a good place to have a good time in your Neon with people who love a good time!!!!!

I make no warranties express or implied about this posting. Has been known to cause seizures, paralysis, unexplicable Real-Doll(tm) sightings, Elvis impersonations, gas tank dents, and dementia in the old, weak, frail, those pregnanant or planning on becoming preganant, men, women, men-women, women-men, the confused, the literate, and Honda owners.

Ed Mitchell

It is a pity that Ray was unable to make it to the mountain due to family circomstances.

Speaking of shifts I shifted to 2nd in turns and up to 3rd in strights on both sides of the mountain. I think Hash should not rue the shifts because they are necessary part of performance driving.

I had no difficulty to follow Steve & Rodney. Obviously they were hold by others and probably they were heavier. They drove cautiosly and lead me into all corners so I always knew what to expect. I slid into ongoing lane in one tight right hander, however - on a dry segment.

Have anyone noticed that on the way down we met a yellowish silver Neon? It entered from a side road and yelded for us but never caught up.

On Sunday I took my wife and daugter to the same trip but counterclockwise. We went through SJ, to the Mt. Hamilton, on the right to Pueblo Road, Rte 5, Tracy, Rte 580, Rte 205, Rt 84 (according to Tom's advise), 680 back to Fremont. Rain on the mountain was heavier this time and flowing water rolled rocks across the road. In San Antonio walley weather was fair and I made 70 on strights. Then I turned right to the slower Pueblo (?) and left on I-5. Since my family never was on a road trip I took them to a roadside McDonalds to show them some people.

In Tracy we got lost and I decided to drive along the Central street or avenue until the end. Finally me made it to a cross country road which leaves airport on the right. I drove 70 maneuvering around pools while the family continued to persuade me to slow down. We jumped nicely across the railroad tracks and springs compressed completely. That was the only time when I thought that Konis and Eibachs may be worth the money, perhaps. In the end we found that the road crosses the freeway but there is no exit. So I had no choice but to make U-turn.

Lone trip has certain merits - mostly higher average speeds and free stop schedules. Frankly I do no share Rex's affection of stinky caves, although granted they are historical landmarks. Thus a lone trip is better for a family. Personally I like it more to caravan with fellow Neon drivers. Also I do not like huge crowds which are probable to assemble on Neon98, so our gathering was of about the right size for me.

Pete Zaitcev