Buggies at the Beach - OBX (CHANGE OF PLANS)

[Gary0302]

This thread could easily be turned into a Sticky in the near future, so please look for it there if it no longer appears under the normal “Topics” section.

Back in 2009, I threw an idea out to the dune buggy owners in this forum about getting a group together with the intent of hanging out at the Outer Banks on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. I thought that the timing would be good because there would be an option to also participate in some local car show related activities that are scheduled there on a yearly basis.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...8090fd3c18

To be honest, I did not get very much positive feedback at the time. But with the growing popularity of the 2011 and 2012 Manx on the Banx, I thought it was time to give the idea another shot. This particular weekend (March 16 – 17, 2013) could be considered more of an informal, much lighter-weight version of the annual MOTB, while also offering the opportunity to hook up with the local car club during their scheduled events. (Manx Club membership would not be required for participation during this particular weekend.) Hopefully, because St. Patrick’s Day is about 7 months away from the annual Manx on the Banx, it should not interfere with the participation rate for the fall event. In fact, it may even give an opportunity for some dune buggy owners to not only check out the area, but to use is as a preliminary “test run” in preparation for the Manx Club – sponsored, week-long 2013 Manx on the Banx (www.manxonthebanx.com).

The First Flight Cruisers Car Club (firstflightcruisers.com) has been holding their annual Shamrock Car Show on this particular weekend for the last several years. In addition to the car show itself (usually on Saturday), they also host a Welcome – Reception Dinner (usually on Thursday evening), Poker Run (usually on Friday during the day), along with group participation in the Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (usually on Sunday). As mentioned earlier, these individual events could be considered optional, those in our group can either choose to join in with their schedule, or we can work on alternative ideas (some dune buggy owners may choose to do a combination of both).

As far as our smaller, fiberglass dune buggy related group is concerned, there will be no registration charges, and no fees associated with any of our activities. Just consider this as a chance for fiberglass dune buggy owners and enthusiasts to get together as an informal group to just hang out, cruise together, and (hopefully) have a good time. On the other hand, certain functions that are associated with the First Flight Cruisers Shamrock Car Show weekend may require registration fees, charges for meals, etc. I will post those alternatives just as soon as the information is made available to me.

I hope to get more details on the upcoming schedule from the First Flight Cruisers within the very near future. Once more information is released; I will update this thread with their schedule accordingly. In addition, I have created a “Buggies at the Beach” web page that will also be updated based on the latest information; it can be found at www.buggiesatthebeach.com. Both Scott Jackle (“BanxBug” here on thesamba.com) and I will be available for the scheduling of informal dune buggy related weekend alternatives. Since Scott actually lives at the Outer Banks, he can also answer questions that may relate to the local area. Please let us know if you have any questions; we can be contacted here through Private Message. My email address is [email protected], and Scott’s email address is [email protected].
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[didget69]

Gary: Thanks for the heads-up on this - with a bit of the luck o' the Irish, my buggy might have a chance of being ready by then!

bryan
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[Roys_Big_Toys]

I think I went to that last year. It was nice. If I am home, count me in.
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[Gary0302]

You don’t have to have a show-quality dune buggy to participate and enjoy a good car show.

For those of you that choose to attend the 2013 Buggies on the Beach Weekend at the OBX – NC (March 14th – 17th), participation in the First Flight Cruisers Shamrock Car Show may be a better experience that you might initially expect. Most of us know that in the big-time car show universe; fiberglass dune buggies are, at times, considered second class citizens. There are those hot rod/classic car/custom car owners that consider themselves a cut above, simply because their financial investment may have been more (and in some cases, many times more) than we would even dream of spending. Don’t give it a second thought if you don’t consider your dune buggy as being “show quality”; just clean it up the best you can, and get in line with the rest of us.

Spectators really, really love seeing these things; the sight of a dune buggy can put a smile on their face, no matter on how nicely or simply one is finished out. I truly believe that there is something about the sight of a dune buggy that makes folks feel “young” again. The see classic car after classic car, hot rod after hot rod, then they say “oh, dune buggy”!

This attitude has been very common at the various car shows that I have attended. Kids especially enjoy the sight of a dune buggy; maybe it’s the bright color, the reduced size (compared to a common street vehicle), or the fact that the sides are low and they can just walk up and “see” how everything is laid out on the interior. It’s possible that they just view it as a very big toy that they can actually touch. Nevertheless, it’s not always the money spent on a build or rebuild that grabs the attention, sometimes it’s something deep within our souls; a feeling of everlasting youth.

Roy, it would be a pleasure to have you attend; hopefully it will work within your schedule.

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Gary David Holbrook
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Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[Tony Marconi]

Hmmmm, that is Spring Break at the school I work at. I'm marking the dates on my calendar. Roy, if you go, I may just follow you down. Trust me, my buggy is FAR from "show quality".

[Roys_Big_Toys]

I'm sure everyone would be up for a run up the beach, hang out a bit and hit some of the local hangouts. I just hope I am home by then. Tony, we will have to get together soon. You have been missing some good times.
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I'd rather be an hour early than 5 minutes late. (Mine)
"It's not a hobby, it's an addiction" (My wife)
"Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it." -Ronald Reagan
Original Meyers Manx
Berrien LKD Warrior Ecotec 2.2 w/ Bus 091 Trans
Original 2 sided Meyers Manx Dealership sign
Meyers Manx Surf Board #1 0f #100
Custom Meyers Manx Cornhole game

[68 manx]

Gary I will try to make this one as well. I couldn't make the MOTB event, but that was a shame seeing I only live about 2.5 hours from the event.

Also I liked your comment about car shows and how much satisfaction I get from them. I have entered my Manx on several shows; after spectators see endless rows of Camaros, Mustangs and other hot rods, you can always see a big smile come on their face when the see a dune buggy. I enjoy looking at the crowd of people gathered around my car, talking to them and laughing about what fun it is to drive. The kids love it too because unlike other car owners, I let the kids get right up to mine and even sit in it. And then what is even better, look around at all the other car owners frowning because they can't understand "Why is everyone gathering around his car???!!"
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[Gary0302]

Hi 68 manx,

You hit the nail on the head, my friend. The photo above was taken a few years ago at the Crystal Coast Car Show held in Morehead City (NC). I was parked right next to a (very, very impressive) Shelby Cobra Mustang. Obviously, that car was getting quite a bit of attention, but I felt like the spectators wanted to engage in conversation with me much more as opposed to the Shelby owner. At these kinds of shows, I hear stories about fathers, uncles, or neighbors that had dune buggies, and would take the neighborhood kids for a ride on a regular basis. Our local Harley dealer holds a motorcycle/car/truck show on a yearly basis, and I have had several conversations with hardcore, old school Harley owners who told me that they their start working and playing around with air cooled engines. I usually try to carry around some information on web links, etc so that those are interested can learn more about our shared addiction.

Roy,

Weather permitting and if possible; we are going to try to get in a beach run during that weekend. According to the local tide charts for the Duck Research Pier (just south of Corolla), our best chance may be Saturday afternoon, sometime after the scheduled Shamrock Car Show. High tide for Saturday, March 16, 2013 is supposed to be at 11:14 am, with low tide being at 5:17 pm. How many other show participants (other than our group) would even think about hitting the beach in their "show" vehicles? It's not about the bling on our dune buggies, it's the open air, seat-of-the-pants driving that is only a dream to those that have not experienced our type of hobby.

2013 Buggies at the Beach, March 14 - 17

2013 Manx on the Banx, October 14 - 19
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Gary David Holbrook
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Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[Gary0302]

I have been contacted by a few folks that are interested in attending this event, and there were some questions about how the weather is during this time of year in the Kitty Hawk, NC area. According to information supplied by The Weather Channel, average high temps during the month of March are at about 60 degrees. Personally, I still find that temperature relatively comfortable for open air cruising. Average lows at night do get down to 43 degrees, so warmer clothing/gloves would be highly recommended as a back up.

2013 Buggies at the Beach, March 14 - 17

2013 Manx on the Banx, October 14 - 19
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Gary David Holbrook
Facebook and YouTube
Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[JiI]

After Hurricane Sandy, is anything left down there? We were just there in late June and could see how easily a megastorm could wipe it off the planet.
Jeff

[Gary0302]

Hi Jeff,

I live about 3-1/2 hours south from the Kitty Hawk NC area, so obviously I can't report on any damage first hand. The reports that I have read mainly talked about some flooding and possible light damage, which is both normal and expected for our coastal shoreline. The Outer Banks themselves have been hit with far, far worse over the years, and the folks that live there know how to bounce back time after time.
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Gary David Holbrook
Facebook and YouTube
Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[JiI]

Hope so. It's beautiful down there!!!!!!
Jeff

[Smyrnaguy]

Hwy12 had some overwash from Sandy and the ferries were on hold for a couple of days. I believe all is back to normal now. Of course between now and March there will be at least a couple more nor'easters.

[JiI]

We were on the ferry in 92MPH winds in a big storm out there. NUTS!
Jeff

[Smyrnaguy]

Well there was more overwash on Hwy 12 yesterday. Repairs were underway to fix Sandy's damage. DMV will survey new damages from the nor'easter today.

[NJ John]

This is close to home. I hope to make it in March.
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[Gary0302]

Hi John,

It's good to know that you would like to add your name to the list of possible participants. I hope to at least get a tentative schedule from the First Flight Cruisers sometime in the near future. Either way, they usually announce their final plans sometime in early January; I will keep you updated.

2013 Buggies at the Beach, March 14 - 17

2013 Manx on the Banx, October 14 - 19
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Gary David Holbrook
Facebook and YouTube
Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[joescoolcustoms]

Ran South on 12 Saturday and just at the north side of Rodanthe, the road was washed out and a temp repair was made to make it passable. It is built up sand, but was rutted pretty badly.

A good note, the state had a paid for wrecker on constant standby to help anyone that got stuck. A couple from Vermont right in front of us needed them.

Hopefully by spring they can have a more permanent repair in place.
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[Gary0302]

I received the tentative schedule for the 6th Annual Shamrock Show and Poker Run, March 14th - March 17th, 2013. The locations and times should be finalized some time in January; I will update once I received those details. So far, this is the basic schedule:

Thursday, March 14th - Welcome Reception & Cruise
Friday, March 15th - Poker Run
Saturday, March 16th - 6th Annual Shamrock Car Show
Sunday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day Parade

We also have plans to make a beach run Saturday afternoon after the car show is over. The tides should be in our favor; let's hope that the weather is on our side as well.

2013 Buggies at the Beach, March 14 - 17

2013 Manx on the Banx, October 14 - 19
_________________
Gary David Holbrook
Facebook and YouTube
Coastal North Carolina

Check out my videos on Youtube

"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302

[68 manx]

Gary, will you have to attend all the days of the event? Or can I show up Saturday morning with my car just for the show?
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