MNSubaru Lift Day/BBQ @ First Gear Garage Sunday 9/25/2011, 12-4

This fall we will be hosting a lift/bbq/instructional clinic day at First Gear Garage. If you haven't heard of First Gear Garage yet, they are a very clean, well equipped, reasonably priced DIY garage in Eden Prairie.

I spoke with one of the owners (Erik Dieterle) about hosting a "lift day" for MNSubaru. He is very receptive to the idea. We just need to go back to them with a couple dates and a general idea of what we'd like to do. They'll help us structure a day from there. Not surprisingly, we are not the first club to consider hosting this type of event at First Gear. A few other local clubs have already or are planning lift days here in the future. It sounds like the ones that have already happened were very successful.

We'll be shooting for early/mid September with the intention of timing it just before the fall Dyno Day at RS Motors. We have been in contact with RS and it sounds like it'll be a Saturday October 8th event. The idea being use the lift day to get your late summer/fall projects wrapped up, take a week or so to get the new bits dialed in, then put it on the dyno and see how you did...

Here's what I'm thinking for the lift day, I need your feedback/ideas, and most importantly a gauge of interest:

1. Pool together some of the most experienced Subaru heads in the twin cities to help knock out whatever car happens to be on the lift. This would be the primary focus. If you were planning on doing some work, why not do it on a lift with an extra few sets of experienced hands and a very well equipped garage. The goal is to cut install time dramatically while providing a safety net "in case #$%^".

** Note you will still be responsible for your own lift rental @ $35/hr. Erik mentioned looking at a discount for the day if we have enough interest. The idea is to get cars on/off the lifts rapid fire so you don't have rent it very long. Other clubs have done this with great success. **

2. Detailing clinic/basics. Sheen (Idget) is willing to do some kind of basic car care and/or detailing walk through. This would be in the parking lot, under a tent. If you ever wanted to rub one out with Sheen, now is your opportunity.

3. Technical/Mechanical clinic. Dan (Turbo Turtle) has agreed to hold an instructional clinic sometime during the day. Assuming there is interest in the event, I'll be taking submissions/suggestions for installs or projects as candidates for the clinic. **If you have a project you would like to be considered for the clinic, shoot me a pm**.

4. Food. Worst case scenario I'm thinking standard hotdogs/burgers/potluck/scrounge BBQ. Best case scenario, I have a quote request in to my buddy who owns Big Butz BBQ out of Siren. He has taken first place in several BBQ competitions, with his sauces taking even more. Recently his sauce was named best in the US by Country Living magazine.

5. Prizes/games/vendor stuff? I haven't gelled much together here yet. I have some interest from a few local companies. Once the event details are a bit more clear I'll see what we can do.

First Gear also has some tents and other basic gear we can use to setup whatever kind of hijinks we want in the parking lot. We'll probably have some basic merch, nothing fancy.

Soooo, what do you guys think? Is there interest? If so, does the above list cover what you'd like to see that day? General ideas?

Sidenote: I and all other First Gear customers I've spoken with repeatedly had very positive experiences with the facility. You can read about my last experience here. I highly recommend these guys. If you don't make it out for the lift day, go check them out when you have time. If nothing else Erik and his crew are highly knowledgeable, good guys and fun to chat with.

 

tl;dr: Pool everyone together to try to knock out cars as fast as possible at FirstGear sometime in September. Detailing and technical clinic will be available. +Noms. Thoughts?

 

I should mention Sunday is the most likely day for this to happen. Erik said that's been working out well for him for club days. They staff the garage just for the event, normally they're only open by appt on Sunday.

 

*bump*

We need to see interest in this pretty quick to get the ball rolling with First Gear.

 

Sure, it's a little catch-22'ish in that my hope was to go to First Gear with proven interest so they can help work out a date and structure, but I'll see what I can swing. They're pretty mellow folks.

For anyone who has been following along but not chiming in until you see a date, chime in and say you're waiting to see the date. I'm trying to get a bead on rough scale for the event, assuming the date works.

I have chatted with a few people off line. To those that I've talked with but haven't posted here yet, I'll be harassing you soon.

 

If it is on a Sunday that I am available, I will be sure to stop in.

 

BUMP.

We are confirmed for Sunday, 9/25/2011 from 12-4 with FirstGear!

During that time the entire lot and shop will be ours to use.

Erik has graciously offered us a 10% discount on lift time and FREE use of all specialty tools (basically anything that's not a consumable) for the duration of the event.

Now that we have a date nailed down I will be making my rounds to re-confirm with a few people, stay tuned for updates soon!

 

Anyone else want to offer not-going-to-lift-day alternatives in the lift day planning thread?

 

Bah! Let's still make this work folks! Unfortunately Dan is out for a demonstration as he will be in Florida (insert boo here). If anyone else would like to step up to do some kind of instructional deal, please let me know. I'll reach out to the other folks mentioned in the next day or two and firm things up.

 

Who is up for some PDR? Paintless Dent Removal for those who are asking what is PDR. Warren "The Dent Guy" is going to be making an appearance at First Gear to help out our community with a great discount on PDR. Here is how it will work. Warren stated, "All members at the event will receive wholesale (dealer) pricing. I package price each car for great value. You show me what dents you want done and I will put together a package price. Single ding/single panel starts @ $45 and goes from there. " I know this is a bit last minute, but it is a great chance to get those dents removed at a great price.

Let me know who is in so I can give Warren an idea of how many cars he will be dealing with. Spread the word!!!!!!!

 

Depending on what you want to talk about, I could probably do this. What do people want to talk about? Basic maintenance? Basic mods? Suspension? Brakes? Bolt-ons?

Assuming people show up and there's interest, I plan on going through a DIY exterior maintenance how-to including tips and tricks for harsh Minnesota winters. If time allows I plan to go a little more in depth and demonstrate polishing techniques and tips as well as decon/prep tips.

 

We need some hand raises for PDR!

Also, let me know if anyone has a grill they can lend us for the day. If nothing else I'd like to get some dogs/burgers going.

 

We may have to re-schedule the PDR guy for the Dyno Day. If there is no interest by later this afternoon, I'll call and re-schedule with him.

 

PDR will be re-scheduled for another event.

 

Can haz lift time Sunday!?