posted 09-01-2003 01:40 PM                  

Olivier......you are one great guy and a great new buddy!!! Thank you again for the t-shirt and the cap!!! I'll take a picture after I wash it!! lol!!

Olivier arrived on Saturday sometime and he sought me out and introduced himself. We've spoken by email several times and it was so cool to be able to finally meet him. He seemed sort of quiet and I'm sure he was unsure of what this event was all about and what he was supposed to do. I decided to make sure that he was comfortable and that he had a good time during the week. Several of us had planned on doing a dry run of the Dragon's Tail, so I asked Olivier what he was planning for Sunday. He replied that he might do a little shopping and maybe play a round of golf (he brought his clubs). He had flown into New York and rented a car to drive to TN. I said "No way, you're going for a cruise with us tomorrow". I asked Phil Genet (INPhil) if he could take Olivier with him and Phil was happy to do it. So, Olivier rode with Phil for a while and he also let Olivier drive his cat. Later, he jumped over to JoeD's car and rode with him and Joe let him drive his cat (supercharged) for a while, too!!

I told Olivier that night that he needed to start "car hopping". After explaining what that was, Olivier took it to heart. I told him to ask those who had an empty seat if he could ride with them and that it would be a great way to meet some of the owners and get to know them. He certainly did!! Every time I turned around, he was with someone different!! I don't know if he got to ride in every color, but he sure was working at it!!!

I think from Sunday on, Olivier was walking around with a huge grin on his face!! I would personally like to thank everyone who gave him a chance to ride and drive their cats and for making sure that he got to dinners and all the activities. You contributed to him having the time of his life and that's what this group of people are about!

I don't know how many boxes of Swiss chocolate Olivier brought with him, but every night in the parking lot, he was walking around with one, offering candy to everyone!! He bought a lot of parts from Bob Goetz and Tony Goertz and he said he needed to make room for everything in his luggage. He did keep saying, though, that those gears were going to be awfully heavy. He had to pack the Air Patrol he bought in his golf bag!!! lol!! He's going to have the best modified Prowler in Europe!!!

If I'm not mistaken, I think he also got to drive someone's car in the Autocross and I think he also got a ride in the SRT10 truck!

He's now thinking about buying another Prowler to store somewhere in New York so that he can fly in for more of the Prowler events and have his own cat to drive. He's also decided that he needs the SRT10 truck to use as a tow vehicle!!! lol!

Olivier also told me on the last night that he never dreamed he'd see that many Prowlers together and that he never dreamed he would meet that many nice people!

Olivier....again, it was great meeting you and I am so happy you came and had a good time. We sure hope that someday you will be able to make it back for another event!!!

posted 09-01-2003 03:02 PM                  

I would like to thank also all drivers that have taken care of me, some did even let me drive their cars ! I know what it takes to let someone unknown drive his car, especially when it's a Prowler ! (I'm not shure they would do so again ?)

I'll like to finish this with my 2 friends CJ and Bob who have fantastic with me.

Planning this event I did spend a lot of time studying golf courses and possible evening events (shows). As it was my first event I did not really knew what to expect. Guess what ! I have not seen a golf ball for a week and I do not know how a dolly show looks like !

But instead I meet absolutely nice and interesting people and that has no price !

Needless to say I had a fantastic time with you all, even if my friends do not understand that I was in Tenessee and that I have not seen Memphis, Graceland and Nashville. I don't care it was 1000 times better !

I believed apple pie are as common as McDo, I think I was wrong ! As a sweet lover you can imagine my disapointment !
Thanks to scotty I finaly was able to taste one. Not as good as grand'ma home made, but good.

I really hope I can make it next year, it has been so much fun !

posted 09-01-2003 05:12 PM                  

Olivier......your pictures were great and so were the captions!!! Surely you took more than that, though!?

posted 09-02-2003 04:41 PM                  

I was also very pleased by the comments from the happy few that had the chance to travel in my country. I hope if anyone cross the Atlantic he will let me know, and allow me a guided (prowler) tour.

posted 09-02-2003 05:37 PM                  

The photo of us did not turn out on my camera. Are you sure you are not a vampire or something like that.

It was nice meeting you and I enjoyed your company while you were car hopping.

posted 09-02-2003 05:55 PM                  

I have seen that since we met several much prettier passengers had the chance to be driven by you